Skip to content

Palo Alto Networks PA-445 Firewall

Palo Alto Networks PA-445 Firewall

The PA-445 is a part of Palo Alto Networks’ PA-400 Series, designed to deliver high-performance network security for branch offices, retail locations, and midsize businesses. It provides enterprise-grade security by leveraging machine learning (ML) to detect and prevent advanced threats. Equipped with a fanless design, centralized management, and cloud-based AI capabilities, the PA-445 ensures secure connectivity and application control.

Key Features

  • ML-Powered Next-Generation Firewall: Embedded ML enables detection and prevention of previously unknown threats, blocking malicious file-based and phishing attacks in real-time.
  • Advanced Threat Prevention: Integrates with cloud-delivered services for malware detection and advanced URL filtering to proactively secure against exploits, spyware, and command-and-control (C2) attacks.
  • Comprehensive App Control: Identifies applications on all ports and protocols, allowing tailored security policies based on application usage.
  • Zero Trust Security: Ensures consistent policies regardless of user location, supporting an effective zero-trust model.
  • Silent, Compact Design: Ideal for branch locations, with a fanless design for quieter operation and compact desktop form factor.

Technical Specifications

  • Performance:
    • Firewall throughput (appmix): 2.2 Gbps
    • Threat prevention throughput (appmix): 1 Gbps
    • VPN throughput (IPSec): 1.6 Gbps
    • Max concurrent sessions: 200,000
    • New sessions per second: 37,500
  • Networking Capabilities:
    • Interface modes: Layer 2, Layer 3, tap, virtual wire
    • Routing protocols: OSPFv2/v3, BGP, RIP, static routing
    • Multicast protocols: PIM-SM, PIM-SSM, IGMPv1-3
    • IPv6 support
    • VLAN tagging: 4094 tags per device/interface
  • Encryption:
    • Encryption protocols: AES (128, 192, 256-bit), 3DES
    • Authentication: SHA-1, SHA-256, MD5, IKEv1/v2

Networking Features

  • SD-WAN Capabilities: Supports SD-WAN for improved network performance and minimized latency, ideal for distributed enterprises.
  • PoE Support: Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) ports (up to 60W per port) facilitate deployment of network devices without extra power cabling.
  • Centralized Management: Managed through Panorama, offering streamlined control over multiple distributed PA-400 firewalls.
  • High Availability: Supports both active/active and active/passive high-availability modes for improved resilience.

Security & Connectivity

  • IoT Security: Detects IoT devices automatically, applying tailored policies to secure them.
  • Advanced WildFire® Integration: Prevents unknown malware by leveraging a cloud-based detection engine, which operates 180 times faster than competitors.
  • Dynamic User Groups: Define user groups to enforce dynamic security actions based on user behavior and risk profile.
  • Decryption: Supports SSL/TLS decryption (including TLSv1.3) to inspect encrypted traffic for threats while maintaining compliance with privacy regulations.

Use Cases

Industry-Specific Applications

  • Retail: Secures point-of-sale (POS) systems, prevents data exfiltration, and enables centralized control over multiple store locations.
  • Healthcare: Protects patient data, enforces compliance with health data regulations, and monitors medical devices for security anomalies.
  • Financial Services: Ensures secure financial transactions, monitors for fraud, and maintains regulatory compliance with data protection standards.
  • Education: Safeguards online learning platforms and student records, while providing safe internet access with URL filtering.

Other Use Cases

  • Remote and Branch Offices: Ideal for branch deployments due to its compact design, low power consumption, and silent operation.
  • IoT-Heavy Environments: Detects and applies security policies to a range of IoT devices in real time, protecting vulnerable endpoints.
  • Hybrid Work Environments: Provides secure access to corporate resources for remote employees through VPN and identity-based policies.
  • Application Control in SaaS Environments: Identifies and manages SaaS applications, ensuring that only approved apps are accessed.

Technical Specifications Overview

  • Interfaces:
    • RJ-45 Ports: 4 for general use, 4 for PoE
    • SFP Ports: 1
    • USB Ports: 2
    • Console Ports: Micro-USB, RJ-45
  • Physical Specs:
    • Dimensions: 8.9 x 13 x 1.7 inches
    • Weight: 8.71 lbs
  • Certifications:
    • CB, cTUVus, FCC Class B certified, VCCI Class B

Documentation

Conclusion

  • High-Performance Security: With up to 2.2 Gbps firewall throughput, the PA-445 ensures high-speed secure connections for midsize enterprises.
  • Advanced Threat Detection: ML-powered threat prevention provides proactive security against emerging threats.
  • Centralized Management: Easily manage multiple firewalls across locations, simplifying operations and enhancing policy consistency.
  • Support for SD-WAN: Integrates SD-WAN functionality, ideal for distributed enterprises needing reliable connections.
  • Comprehensive Application Control: Full Layer 7 inspection and App-ID-based policies ensure granular control and optimized security across applications.

The PA-445 is ideal for businesses seeking advanced network protection with easy deployment, flexible use cases, and centralized control. Its high performance and integrated threat prevention services make it suitable for a wide range of industries, while its compact form factor and fanless design cater to distributed locations like branch offices and retail stores.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *