Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Associate
Course Summary
The PCCSA course introduces learners to core cybersecurity principles and real-world defense techniques used in today’s enterprise environments. Designed by Palo Alto Networks, this course offers a vendor-neutral foundation in network security, cloud security, cyber threats, and digital forensics, while introducing how these concepts apply within the Palo Alto Networks ecosystem.
Whether you are new to cybersecurity or planning to specialize in advanced defense roles, this course helps build the critical thinking and practical knowledge needed to understand and combat modern cyber threats.
Why Choose This Course
Cybersecurity is no longer optional — it’s a necessity for every IT role. The PCCSA course:
Bridges the gap between basic IT skills and cybersecurity practices
Introduces cloud, network, and endpoint security in a unified learning path
Helps you understand both the attacker’s perspective and defensive strategies
Prepares you for advanced certifications like PCNSA, PCNSE, or vendor-neutral paths like CompTIA Security+
Provides an excellent cybersecurity primer for Linux admins, support engineers, and IT graduates
Training at Linux Training Center includes:
Certified instructors with field experience in security operations
Hands-on labs and security simulation exercises
Real-world context to make technical topics easier to understand
Exam preparation support and post-training career guidance
Who Should Enroll
This course is ideal for:
Students and recent graduates exploring cybersecurity careers
IT professionals transitioning from networking, system admin, or tech support
Security enthusiasts looking for structured, vendor-backed training
Entry-level SOC or helpdesk professionals who need security knowledge
Individuals preparing for higher-level Palo Alto or industry certifications
What You Will Learn
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
Understand fundamental cybersecurity concepts: threat actors, exploits, vulnerabilities, and risk
Describe network security technologies: firewalls, IPS/IDS, proxies, and VPNs
Gain awareness of cloud computing risks and shared responsibility models
Understand basic endpoint security, authentication, and access control
Identify types of cyberattacks and incident response methodologies
Explore zero-trust models, cybersecurity frameworks, and layered defense
Learn how Palo Alto Networks’ technologies fit into the broader security landscape
Skills You Will Gain
Knowledge of key cyber threats and attacker strategies
Understanding of secure networking principles
Familiarity with endpoint, cloud, and web application security basics
Incident detection and response readiness
Vocabulary and mindset for analyzing risks in digital systems
Readiness to explore practical tools in SOC or IT security teams
Career Benefits
After completing this course, you can:
Step into cybersecurity-focused roles such as Security Analyst (L1), IT Security Associate, or SOC Trainee
Strengthen your resume with a globally recognized entry-level cybersecurity credential
Lay the foundation for higher certifications (PCNSA, PCCET, CompTIA Security+, CEH)
Gain awareness to implement security-first thinking in any IT or cloud-related job
Be prepared for interviews, internships, and entry roles in cybersecurity projects
Begin Your Cybersecurity Journey Today
Take your first step into the world of digital defense with training that covers today’s cybersecurity essentials — designed by one of the industry’s most trusted security vendors.
Seats are limited. Reserve your spot now.
Course Syllabus
Modules
1. Cybersecurity Landscape
- Modern computing trends
- New application framework and threat vectors
- Turbulence in the cloud
- SaaS application risks
- Compliance and security are not the same
- Recent high-profile cyber-attack examples
2. Cyberthreats
- Attacker profiles and motivations
- Modern cyber-attack strategy
3. Endpoint security basics
4. Cyber-attack Techniques and Types
- Malware
- Vulnerabilities and exploits
- Spamming and phishing
- Bots and botnets
-Spamming botnets
-DDoS botnets
-Financial botnets
5. Wi-Fi and Advanced Persistent Threats
- Wi-Fi vulnerabilities
-Wired equivalent privacy
-Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA/WPA2/WPA3)
- Wi-Fi man-in-the-middle attacks
-Evil Twin
-Jasager
-SSLstrip
- Advanced Persistent Threats
Cybersecurity Gateway
1. The Connected Globe
- The NET: How things connect
- Introduction to networking devices
- Routed and routing protocols
- Area networks and topologies
- Domain Name System (DNS)
2. Physical, Logical, and Virtual Addressing
- IP addressing basics
- Introduction to subnetting
3. Packet Encapsulation and Lifecycle
- The OSI and TCP/IP models
- Data encapsulation
4. Network Security Models
- Perimeter-based network security strategy
- Zero Trust security
-Core Zero Trust design principles
-Zero Trust conceptual architecture
-Key Zero Trust criteria and capabilities
-Implementing a Zero Trust design
5. Cloud and Data Center Security
- Cloud computing depends on virtualization
- Cloud computing security considerations and requirements
- Traditional data security solution weaknesses
- East-west traffic protection
- Implementing security in virtualized data centers
6. Network Security Technologies
- Firewalls
-Packet filtering firewalls
-Stateful packet inspection (SPI) firewalls
-Application firewalls
- Intrusion detection and prevention systems
- Web content filters
- Virtual private networks
-Point-to-point tunneling protocol)
-Layer 2 tunneling protocol
-Secure socket tunneling protocol
-Microsoft Point-to-Point Encryption
-OpenVPN
-Internet Protocol Security
-Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
- Data loss prevention
- Unified Threat Management
- Security information and event management
7. Endpoint security
- Anti-malware
- Signature-based
- Container-based
- Application whitelisting
- Anomaly detection
- Anti-spyware
- Personal firewalls
- Host-based Intrusion Prevention Systems (HIPS)
- Mobile device management
8. Cloud, Virtualization, and Storage Security
- Cloud computing
- Virtualization
- Local and remote storage
9. Networking Concepts
- Server and system administration
- Patch management
- Configuration management
- Directory services
- Structured host and network troubleshooting
- ITIL fundamentals
- Help desk and technical support
Cybersecurity Essentials
1. Security Operating Platform
2. Network Security
- Next-generation firewalls
- Application identification
- User Identification
- Content identification
- Log correlation and reporting
- Palo Alto Networks Expedition (Migration Tool)
- Network security management (Panorama)
3. Endpoint Protection
- Advanced endpoint protection (Traps)
- Malware prevention
- Exploit prevention
- Traps deployment architecture
- Traps in action
- Mobile security and VPN management (GlobalProtect)
4. Cloud Security
- Cloud monitoring and compliance (Evident)
- SaaS security (Aperture)
- SaaS threat prevention
- Data exposure visibility
- Contextual data exposure control
- Advanced document classification
- Retroactive policy
5. Application Framework and Logging Service
- Behavioral analytics (Magnifier)
- Log management (Logging Service)
- Threat intelligence (AutoFocus)
- Priority alerts and tags
- Threat correlation
- Actionable intelligence
- Threat indicator sharing (MineMeld)
- Malware analysis (WildFire)
- Behavior-based cyberthreat discovery
- Threat prevention with global intelligence sharing
- Integrated logging, reporting, and forensics
PMI Examination Security & Confidentiality
Examination Site Requirements & Instructions
Name Change Procedure
Examination Report
Reexamination
Certification Complaints Process
Certification Appeals Procedure
Exam Policies & Procedures
Certification Policies & Procedures
Use of Your PfMP Certification
CCR Program Overview
Continuing Certification Requirements (CCR) Program
PMI Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct
