Palo Alto Expert

Summary: The Palo Alto Expert is responsible for the design, deployment, configuration, and ongoing support of Palo Alto Networks firewall solutions across Syensqo's global infrastructure. This role ensures robust network security, high availability, and compliance with internal and external requirements, acting as the subject matter expert (SME) for Palo Alto firewall technologies.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the architecture, deployment, and configuration of Palo Alto firewalls (physical and virtual) in enterprise environments.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, including network diagrams, implementation guides, and standard operating procedures.
• Integrate firewall solutions with existing network and security infrastructure, ensuring alignment with business and security objectives.
• Provide advanced technical support for Palo Alto firewall environments, including incident response, root cause analysis, and performance optimization.
• Serve as the escalation point for complex firewall-related issues.
• Monitor firewall health, performance, and security, proactively addressing potential risks and outages.
• Stay current with Palo Alto Networks product updates, threat intelligence, and industry best practices.
• Recommend and implement enhancements to improve network security, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Conduct knowledge transfer and training sessions for IT staff and end-users support group.
• Ensure firewall deployments comply with Syensqo's security policies and relevant regulatory requirements.
• Support audits, risk assessments, and documentation reviews as needed.

Must Haves:

• Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Network Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 8+ years of experience in network security, with significant hands-on experience in Palo Alto firewall solutions.
• Deep expertise in Palo Alto Networks firewalls (PAN-OS), Panorama management, security policies, VPNs, and threat prevention features.
• Strong understanding of networking protocols (TCP/IP, BGP, OSPF, NAT, VLANs, VPNs).
• Relevant certifications (e.g., Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Engineer - PCNSE) are highly desirable.

Nice to Haves:

• Experience with cloud security and integration (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud) is a plus.
• Excellent analytical, troubleshooting, and communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a global team environment.

Other Details:

• Location: Global team environment.
• Team Structure: Part of a larger IT organization focusing on network security.

Reason (Must Have):

• Bachelor's degree: Necessary to ensure foundational knowledge in IT and networking, essential for design and implementation responsibilities.
• 8+ years of experience: Critical for understanding complex network security issues and for providing advanced support.
• Deep expertise in Palo Alto Networks: Ensures the ability to effectively troubleshoot and optimize firewalls as part of the support role.
• Strong understanding of networking protocols: Important for integrating firewalls with existing networking infrastructure.

Reason (Nice to Have):

• Cloud security experience: Enhances the ability to secure integrations in cloud environments, aligning with modern business needs.
• Excellent analytical skills: Supports effective troubleshooting and decision-making in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively: Fosters better teamwork and knowledge sharing within a global team.

Trust Score: High. Evidence: Detailed responsibilities and specific technology requirements provided, facilitating precise candidate searches.

Sourcing Guidance: The job description provides good technical clarity for sourcing. Consider these potential recommendations to enhance the search:

1. Recommendation: Search for candidates with cloud security experience alongside Palo Alto firewall expertise. Rationale: This combination is increasingly relevant as businesses migrate to the cloud, and candidates with both skills can address a broader range of security challenges.
2. Recommendation: Look for candidates who have experience in environments using a blend of traditional and cloud-based security tools. Rationale: Such candidates will likely have a more holistic understanding of security strategies in diverse environments.
3. Recommendation: Evaluate candidates with experience in regulatory compliance related to network security. Rationale: This will ensure the candidate can navigate not only technical aspects but also compliance requirements effectively.