/deploying-palo-alto-prisma-access-zero-trust

name: deploying-palo-alto-prisma-access-zero-trust
description: Deploys Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access for SASE-based zero trust network access, configuring GlobalProtect agents, ZTNA Connectors, security policy enforcement, and Strata Cloud Manager integration for unified management. Use when implementing enterprise-grade SASE with integrated ZTNA/SWG/CASB/FWaaS, replacing both VPN and branch firewalls with cloud-delivered security, or integrating ZTNA with an existing Palo Alto NGFW estate.
domain: cybersecurity
subdomain: zero-trust-architecture
tags:
- prisma-access
- palo-alto
- ztna
- sase
- globalprotect
- strata-cloud-manager
- zero-trust
version: '1.0'
author: mahipal
license: Apache-2.0
nist_ai_rmf:
- GOVERN-1.1
- MEASURE-2.7
- MANAGE-3.1
nist_csf:
- PR.AA-01
- PR.AA-05
- PR.IR-01
- GV.PO-01
mitre_attack:
- T1133
- T1078
- T1071.001
- T1572

Deploying Palo Alto Prisma Access Zero Trust

When to Use

• When implementing enterprise-grade SASE with integrated ZTNA, SWG, CASB, and FWaaS
• When replacing both VPN and branch office firewalls with cloud-delivered security
• When needing advanced threat prevention (WildFire, DNS Security) for remote access traffic
• When deploying zero trust for both mobile users and remote network (branch) connections
• When integrating ZTNA with existing Palo Alto NGFW infrastructure via Strata Cloud Manager

**Do not use** for small organizations (< 200 users) where simpler ZTNA solutions suffice, for environments requiring only web application access without full network security, or when budget constraints preclude enterprise SASE licensing.

Prerequisites

• Prisma Access license (Business Premium or equivalent)
• Strata Cloud Manager (SCM) tenant configured
• GlobalProtect agent for endpoint deployment
• ZTNA Connector VM: 4 vCPU, 8GB RAM, 128GB disk (VMware, AWS, Azure, or GCP)
• Identity provider: Okta, Entra ID, Ping Identity (SAML 2.0)
• Palo Alto Cortex Data Lake for log storage

Workflow

Step 1: Configure Prisma Access Infrastructure in Strata Cloud Manager

Set up the cloud infrastructure for mobile user and remote network connections.

Strata Cloud Manager > Prisma Access > Infrastructure Settings:

Mobile Users Configuration:
  - Service Connection: Auto-selected based on user location
  - DNS Servers: 10.1.1.10, 10.1.1.11 (corporate DNS)
  - IP Pool for Mobile Users: 10.100.0.0/16
  - Authentication: SAML with Okta (Primary), Entra ID (Secondary)
  - GlobalProtect Portal: portal.company.com
  - GlobalProtect Gateway: Auto (nearest Prisma Access location)

Infrastructure Subnet:
  - Range: 172.16.0.0/16
  - Allocation: /24 per Prisma Access location

Step 2: Deploy ZTNA Connectors for Private Application Access

Install ZTNA Connectors to provide secure access to internal applications.

# Deploy ZTNA Connector on VMware (OVA)
# Download OVA from Strata Cloud Manager > Prisma Access > ZTNA Connectors

# AWS deployment via CloudFormation
aws cloudformation create-stack \
  --stack-name prisma-ztna-connector \
  --template-url https://prisma-access-connector-templates.s3.amazonaws.com/ztna-connector-aws.yaml \
  --parameters \
    ParameterKey=VpcId,ParameterValue=vpc-PROD \
    ParameterKey=SubnetId,ParameterValue=subnet-PRIVATE \
    ParameterKey=InstanceType,ParameterValue=m5.xlarge \
    ParameterKey=TenantServiceGroup,ParameterValue=TSG_ID \
    ParameterKey=ConnectorName,ParameterValue=dc-east-connector-01

# Verify connector registration
# Strata Cloud Manager > Prisma Access > ZTNA Connectors
# Status should show "Connected" with nearest Prisma Access location

# Deploy second connector for HA
# ZTNA Connector auto-discovers nearest Prisma Access location
# IPSec tunnel uses: ecp384/aes256/sha512 for IKE and ESP
# Bandwidth: up to 2 Gbps per connector

Step 3: Define Application Definitions and Access Policies

Create application definitions pointing to internal applications via ZTNA Connectors.

Strata Cloud Manager > Prisma Access > Applications:

Application 1: Internal Wiki
  - FQDN: wiki.internal.corp
  - Port: TCP 443
  - ZTNA Connector: dc-east-connector-01
  - Protocol: HTTPS
  - Health Check: Enabled (HTTP GET /health)

Application 2: Source Code Repository
  - FQDN: git.internal.corp
  - Ports: TCP 22, 443
  - ZTNA Connector: dc-east-connector-01, dc-east-connector-02
  - Protocol: HTTPS, SSH

Application 3: Finance ERP
  - FQDN: erp.internal.corp
  - Port: TCP 443
  - ZTNA Connector: dc-east-connector-01
  - Protocol: HTTPS
  - User Authentication: Required (re-auth every 2h)

Strata Cloud Manager > Policies > Security Policy:

Rule 1: Engineering Access to Dev Tools
  Source: User Group "Engineering" (from Okta SAML)
  Destination: Application "Source Code Repository", "Internal Wiki"
  HIP Profile: "Managed Device with CrowdStrike"
  Action: Allow
  Logging: Enabled
  Threat Prevention: Best Practice profile

Rule 2: Finance Access to ERP
  Source: User Group "Finance"
  Destination: Application "Finance ERP"
  HIP Profile: "Compliant Device - High Security"
  Action: Allow
  SSL Decryption: Forward Proxy
  DLP Profile: "Financial Data Protection"

Rule 3: Default Deny Private Apps
  Source: Any
  Destination: Any Private App
  Action: Deny
  Logging: Enabled

Step 4: Configure Host Information Profile (HIP) for Device Posture

Define device posture requirements using HIP checks.

Strata Cloud Manager > Objects > GlobalProtect > HIP Objects:

HIP Object: "CrowdStrike Running"
  - Vendor: CrowdStrike
  - Product: Falcon Sensor
  - Is Running: Yes
  - Minimum Version: 7.10

HIP Object: "Disk Encryption Enabled"
  - Windows: BitLocker = Encrypted
  - macOS: FileVault = Encrypted

HIP Object: "OS Patch Level"
  - Windows: >= 10.0.22631
  - macOS: >= 14.0

HIP Profile: "Managed Device with CrowdStrike"
  - Match: "CrowdStrike Running" AND "Disk Encryption Enabled"

HIP Profile: "Compliant Device - High Security"
  - Match: "CrowdStrike Running