(Federal) VM-Series Virtual NextGen Firewall Bundle1 with 24x7 Support

We have a Firewall as well as a Synapse  solution, and we have EDR, XDR  as well. The Palo Alto Networks VM-Series  Firewall is what we are using.

From a Synapse  perspective, they have better visibility, better CV detection, better exposure detection, and it is in a single tool, so we are happy with it.

The integration of Palo Alto Networks VM-Series  within my existing network infrastructure and security tools is good; they are resilient, and we can integrate with anything easily.

There is one thing regarding Palo Alto Networks VM-Series that they need to look into, which is ISPM, Identity Security Posture Management, and other than that, I could see there are multiple things which they have already been doing well.

Technical support is good for Palo Alto Networks VM-Series, but sometimes for new feature requests, we are facing challenges. We are the conglomerate, so individual business has different requirements, which we are expecting some new requests for. Whenever any custom requirement exists in an existing tool, they are taking much time with the engineering team, which is the only thing I'm expecting them to improve. Other than that, this product is very good.

I think overall security is something they need to make into a single pane of glass to help the customer who is using only the single Palo Alto Networks vendor, so they will get end-to-end visibility in a single console.

I have been using them for around three years.

My experience with the scalability of Palo Alto Networks VM-Series is good; whenever we are facing any issues, they are helping, and it is a scalable environment.

Technical support is good for Palo Alto Networks VM-Series, but sometimes for new feature requests, we are facing challenges.

Positive

We are generally satisfied with Palo Alto Networks VM-Series.

I would rate Palo Alto Networks VM-Series technical support an eight out of ten.

I would recommend Palo Alto Networks VM-Series to others.

I am a customer of Palo Alto Networks.

Actually, we are trying to migrate to Cortex Cloud; currently, we are using Prisma, so we are in the phase to migrate to Cortex Cloud, but have not yet migrated, so I am not experienced with it and cannot give feedback about it.

We haven't used Prisma Access Browser .

Overall rating: 10/10

The use case varies. I use it as a gateway, and others use it for microsegmentation in the cloud. Additionally, some deploy it on-premises to protect specific environments. Most of the use cases are in cloud environments.

The most valuable features are the DNS security and threat prevention capabilities. The DNS security significantly enhances security through visibility and detection, allowing control over crucial traffic like DNS, which is often exploited by ransomware. Additionally, threat prevention and URL security are crucial licenses I recommend to customers, raising the security level substantially.

There are continuous developments with many new features coming every year. Although I receive feature requests from customers, I don't have any particular areas for improvement in mind right now.

I have been working with Palo Alto Networks VM-Series  for more than ten years.

Setting up the VM-Series is usually very easy. The firewall can be deployed and set up within half an hour, though it depends on the complexity of the configuration.

In terms of stability, I would rate it eight out of ten. Perfection is unlikely as the dynamic nature of traffic and constant changes can result in occasional bugs despite regular updates. Perfection in stability remains challenging for any vendor.

I rate the scalability of Palo Alto Networks VM-Series  ten out of ten. It is easy to use with an excellent graphical user interface and extensive documentation, which contributes to its high scalability.

I conduct most of the support myself and rate the overall support a nine out of ten. However, sometimes cases take longer to resolve, and there's always room for improvement, especially in terms of response time from higher support levels.

Positive

The initial setup is straightforward and easy. The process involves registering and configuring the software, and with flex mode, it is easy to scale by purchasing additional credits for more CPU and RAM without needing new hardware.

The pricing is more on the expensive side, but it is justified due to its functionality, reliability, and throughput, even with all features enabled. In comparison to FortiGate , Check Point, and Cisco, the performance does not degrade significantly. Although I rate the cost six out of ten, the features justify the higher expense.

Overall, I rate Palo Alto Networks VM-Series an eight out of ten. While no product is perfect, I am satisfied with its performance and value.

Hybrid Cloud

Microsoft Azure 

Our primary use case involves working with TVS Group of companies in India, a large automobile manufacturer. We take care of their entire cybersecurity system. We implement Palo Alto Networks VM-Series  firewalls along with third-party vendors and support them remotely for their day-to-day issues. We use these solutions to enhance cybersecurity and provide protection against various security threats.

The VM-Series firewalls are described as useful for security posture, offering next-generation features such as Unified Threat Management, app-centric capabilities, and threat intelligence. The firewalls use sandboxing and behavioral analysis to allow or quarantine new traffic. They help in identifying legitimate domains and instruct admins if approval is needed. This set of features is very helpful in daily tasks.

An improvement could be the integration of security intelligence with Palo Alto cloud via APIs. This would allow IOCs, domains, and hash values to be automatically entered, reducing manual entry. Integration with CSIRT across all use levels would make it easier for administrators to stay updated on the blocked entities without manual intervention.

I have been working with Palo Alto Networks VM-Series  firewalls for about four to five years.

Generally, the VM-Series firewalls are stable. I would rate the stability as eight out of ten.

The solution is scalable and can easily handle an increase in the number of users.

I have worked with Palo Alto technical support for over two years. They are responsive and provide high-quality assistance. Previously, I have raised tickets, and they were efficiently handled by the technical team. My experience has been positive overall.

Positive

The initial setup of the VM-Series firewalls is quite easy compared to traditional firewalls. It is manageable with fewer administrators required. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the setup as nine for its ease of implementation.

I am directly involved in the implementation of these firewalls. It typically takes around two to three hours to deploy the firewalls in a single environment.

The solution is user-friendly and easy to manage within an environment. As a VM, it requires no physical space and can be managed with one or two admins. It's also 99.9% secure, according to cloud security standards. Overall, I give Palo Alto Networks VM-Series a rating of nine out of ten.

On-premises

Other

We usually recommend Palo Alto Networks VM-Series  for BFSI companies.

I find Palo Alto Networks VM-Series  easy to deploy, and none of my customers have had significant complaints. My customers have high certifications provided by Palo Alto Networks. The friendly dashboard and the ability to easily command and use the CLI make Palo Alto Networks VM-Series a better product. It offers robust solutions, making it valuable to my customers.

It may be beneficial if the firewall can monitor all internal elements like VMs pulling from HP servers. Consolidating these insights into a single dashboard would be advantageous.

I have been familiar with Palo Alto Networks for four or five years.

The performance of VM instances has some limitations in terms of threshold and throughput compared to appliances.

I would rate scalability as eight out of ten.

Palo Alto Networks offers better technical support, maintaining SLA efficiently, and resolving issues promptly.

Positive

In some cases, I have migrated from Cisco to Palo Alto Networks VM-Series smoothly.

Pricing for Palo Alto Networks is higher than other OEMs, but considering the robustness and features, it gains customer trust. Technical configuration is a focus area due to its high commercial profile.

I consider Check Point alongside Palo Alto Networks, as well as Cisco for wireless solutions.

When evaluating, consider the customer’s environment and pain points since both Check Point and Palo Alto Networks have their advantages. Overall, I rate Palo Alto Networks VM-Series eight out of ten.

I am using Palo Alto Networks VM-Series  because almost all my application infrastructure is hosted on AWS . AWS  supports deploying Palo Alto Networks VM-Series  in their marketplace, and Palo Alto is a leader in security in the firewall market. I also use the GlobalProtect  VPN from Palo Alto Networks.

Palo Alto Networks VM-Series is very strong in security features like antivirus, anti-spyware, and machine learning capabilities that help scan for antivirus and anti-spam. This ensures high security for internal and external traffic. They frequently update antivirus patterns and application threats, which provides reliable protection. I also value GlobalProtect  VPN for supporting remote users as most of my employees work remotely. Additionally, Palo Alto Networks helps me visualize and manage network traffic effectively, blocking risky files and enhancing network security.

Currently, I do not have specific suggestions for Palo Alto Networks VM-Series improvements. I am happy with the rich features provided. As I have only used it for four months, I might need more time to explore and suggest enhancements.

I have been using Palo Alto Networks VM-Series since December 2020, around four months.

Deploying Palo Alto Networks VM-Series was a bit challenging. I rate it a six out of ten for ease, as it required going through extensive documentation to set it up. Deployment took nearly a week to complete.

I rate the stability of Palo Alto Networks VM-Series as seven out of ten. I have not experienced any major problems or downtime, but I haven't yet explored all its features.

Currently, I do not have a clear answer about the scalability of Palo Alto Networks VM-Series as I have not scaled it yet.

I have not directly used Palo Alto's technical support as I rely on vendor support. The vendor provides me with documentation when needed.

Before using Palo Alto Networks VM-Series, I used a physical box on-premises. The switch was due to moving all infrastructure to AWS, necessitating a virtual solution.

The initial setup of Palo Alto Networks VM-Series was somewhat challenging, requiring extensive documentation review. I rate it a six out of ten for ease.

I handled almost 100% of the deployment myself. However, for specific features, I consulted the vendor engineer, who provided online documentation for guidance.

I rate the pricing of Palo Alto Networks VM-Series as six or seven out of ten. The cost involves purchasing through a vendor, which might mark up due to the supply chain. I've had no complaints about Palo Alto's pricing.

I did not evaluate other options before choosing Palo Alto Networks VM-Series, as it is a leader in the market.

Overall, I rate Palo Alto Networks VM-Series an eight out of ten. I am happy with its performance and rich features.

Public Cloud

Amazon Web Services (AWS)