The Palo Alto Networks Enterprise Firewall PA-450 is a high-performance, ML-powered next-generation firewall (NGFW) designed for mid-sized businesses, branch offices, and distributed enterprise environments.
The Palo Alto Networks PA-400 Series, including the PA410, PA-415, PA-415- 5G, PA-440, PA-445, PA-450, and PA-460, delivers ML-powered next-generation firewall capabilities for distributed branches, retail sites, and midsize businesses. This series, as the first ML-powered firewall, prevents unknown threats, secures all devices—including IoT—and reduces errors through automatic policy recommendations.
Known for its advanced machine learning capabilities, the PA-450 delivers real-time prevention against unknown threats, leveraging AI to analyze data patterns and thwart cyber attacks. It incorporates cloud-based processes for instant updates, pushing zero-delay signatures to defend against emerging risks. The PA-450 secures encrypted traffic, inspecting both inbound and outbound TLS/SSL connections to detect threats without compromising privacy.
With Layer 7 visibility and full application identification, it allows organizations to apply granular, application-based policies for maximum control and protection. Enhanced with single-pass architecture, the PA-450 optimizes processing efficiency, reducing latency and ensuring smooth performance across security services. The firewall is also designed for scalability, offering centralized management via Panorama and seamless integration into larger security ecosystems.
Overall, the PA-450 is ideal for organizations seeking a robust, easy-to-deploy firewall solution that combines cutting-edge AI defenses with streamlined security management.
Overview
- Model: PA-450
- Purpose: Designed for distributed enterprise branches, retail locations, and mid-sized businesses.
- Main Feature: ML-powered Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) that integrates machine learning directly into its core for advanced threat prevention and efficient policy management.
- Ideal for: Networks with 51-100 users.
- Performance Highlights:
- Threat Prevention Throughput: 1.7 Gbps
- Max Sessions: 300,000
- New Sessions per Second: 52,000
Key Features
Machine Learning-Powered Threat Prevention
- Inline Signatureless Attack Prevention: Protects against file-based attacks and blocks new phishing attempts.
- Cloud-Based ML Processes: Enables real-time updates, pushing zero-delay signatures to the firewall.
- Behavioral Analysis: Detects and identifies IoT devices, helping create targeted security policies.
- Automated Policy Recommendations: Reduces manual errors and improves security consistency.
Decryption and Encrypted Traffic Control
- TLS/SSL Inspection: Scans both inbound and outbound traffic, supporting TLS 1.3 and HTTP/2 protocols.
- Visibility: Provides insights into TLS/SSL versions, cipher suites, and encryption usage without full decryption.
- Granular Decryption Control: Flexible policy enforcement based on categories like URL, source, destination, user group, and more.
Application Identification and Policy Control
- Full Layer 7 Inspection: Identifies applications regardless of protocol, port, or encryption.
- App-ID-Based Policies: Policies are applied based on application type, enabling more granular control.
- Custom Application Signatures: Allows creation of proprietary App-IDs or requests for new App-IDs from Palo Alto Networks.
User-Centric Security Policies
- User-Based Visibility: Tracks policies, reports, and forensics based on users and groups, not just IP addresses.
- Dynamic User Groups: Enables time-bound security actions without user directory changes.
- Multifactor Authentication (MFA): Enforces MFA at the network layer for additional security against credential reuse.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Threat Prevention Throughput | 1.7 Gbps |
| Max Sessions | 300,000 |
| New Sessions per Second | 52,000 |
| Form Factor | Desktop, fanless |
| High Availability | Active/active, active/passive |
| Management | Panorama centralized management |
| Logging | Supports on-box session logging and log export to Panorama |
| Decryption Mirroring | Enabled for forensics and data loss prevention (DLP) |
| Integrated Security Services | Cloud-delivered security subscriptions |
Networking Features
- Single-Pass Architecture: Streamlined packet processing reduces latency by performing threat analysis and policy enforcement in a single pass.
- SD-WAN Integration: Offers secure SD-WAN capabilities natively, minimizing latency and packet loss.
- 5G Connectivity: PA-415-5G variant includes a 5G cellular modem for backup WAN, ensuring network resilience.
Security and Connectivity Features
- Advanced Threat Prevention: Real-time protection with 96% web-based C2 prevention.
- Advanced WildFire: Fast threat prevention for unknown malware.
- DNS Security: Detects DNS-based threats, blocking 85% of malware abusing DNS.
- SaaS Security: Real-time CASB functionality secures all SaaS applications.
- IoT Security: Zero Trust for IoT devices with rapid policy deployment.
Use Cases
By Industry
- Retail: Protects against phishing and malware attacks in high-traffic, distributed environments.
- Healthcare: Ensures compliance and data privacy with decryption and strict user-based policies.
- Finance: Implements zero-trust policies for secure transactions and real-time monitoring.
By Application
- IoT Management: Behavioral analysis of IoT devices for enhanced security and compliance.
- SaaS Security: Controls and monitors access to SaaS applications, ensuring safe cloud usage.
- MFA Implementation: MFA enforcement at the network layer for protecting sensitive applications.
Real-World Applications
- Branch Office Security: Provides reliable threat prevention and easy management for distributed branches.
- Hybrid Cloud: Flexible policies and decryption control for hybrid environments with both cloud and on-premise assets.
- Regulatory Compliance: Advanced encryption management aids in meeting industry standards and privacy regulations.
Management and Visibility
- Panorama Centralized Management: Simplifies deployment, management, and visibility across multiple NGFWs.
- Strata Cloud Manager: AI-powered insights for real-time security compliance checks and proactive health forecasting.
- Application Command Center (ACC): Comprehensive monitoring and reporting of network traffic and threats.
Documentation
Conclusion
- High Performance: Designed to handle up to 300,000 sessions and high session throughput.
- Granular Control: Extensive decryption options and user-based policies for customized security.
- Unified Management: Panorama and Strata Cloud Manager streamline management across multiple environments.
- Future-Proof: Supports IoT and SD-WAN for modern network infrastructures.
- Real-Time Protection: Integrated machine learning and threat prevention for proactive defense against emerging threats.
The Palo Alto PA-450 is an ideal choice for businesses needing robust, ML-powered security in distributed environments. It effectively balances powerful security capabilities with user-friendly management and is designed to protect both current and emerging network challenges.