Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician

PCCET · ● Retired (Jan 31, 2025) · Entry · Palo Alto Networks

Retirement Notice: This certification retired on January 31, 2025. Candidates can no longer sit for the PCCET exam. However, all active certifications remain valid for two years from the date of achievement. This profile is maintained for historical reference and for professionals who hold the credential.

Exam facts

Vendor source — Palo Alto Networks Education & Certification ↗ Legacy exam blueprint — PCCET Blueprint PDF ↗ Retirement announcement — New Security Service Edge Engineer Certification & Retirements ↗

About

The Palo Alto Networks Certified Cybersecurity Entry-level Technician (PCCET) was an entry-level credential designed for professionals with foundational networking and cybersecurity knowledge seeking to validate entry-level competency in security operations and Palo Alto Networks concepts. The exam was released around 2019 as the foundational tier of Palo Alto's legacy certification path. It was retired on January 31, 2025, as Palo Alto Networks transitioned to role-based certification exams aligned with current job market requirements. Holders of active PCCET certifications remain valid for two years from their achievement date.

Domain context — Security / Foundational

Entry-level cybersecurity credential spanning network security fundamentals, threat recognition, and foundational security operations concepts. PCCET served as the on-ramp to Palo Alto Networks' broader security certification ecosystem.

Read full deep dive — Security Domain →

Topics covered

The PCCET exam blueprint covered four primary domains:

• Fundamentals of Cybersecurity (network security, threat types, risk management concepts)
• Network Security Components (firewalls, VPNs, intrusion prevention, network segmentation)
• Cloud Technologies (cloud security principles, shared responsibility model, cloud threats)
• Elements of Security Operations (SIEM basics, incident response, threat hunting fundamentals)

Source: Official PCCET Blueprint ↗

Common skills at Security · Entry

Shared content for the Security domain at Entry level — not specific to this cert.

• Network fundamentals and OSI model
• Threat identification and classification
• Basic incident response workflows
• Vulnerability scanning and assessment
• Security policy and compliance basics
• Firewall and network security appliance operation
• SIEM event correlation concepts
• Cloud security fundamentals

Recommended courses (historical reference)

These courses were designed specifically for the PCCET exam before its retirement. Candidates should now pursue training aligned with the Cybersecurity Practitioner or Cybersecurity Apprentice certifications instead.

Note: As of 2026, Palo Alto Networks has shifted all entry-level training to the new Cybersecurity Apprentice and Cybersecurity Practitioner role-based certifications. These programs offer free access to Palo Alto's digital learning library and cost $150 per exam.

Practice exams

Practice exam resources for PCCET are no longer actively maintained, as the exam retired January 31, 2025. Historical practice materials may still be available through legacy training providers but should be used only for reference.

Books

No standalone books were published specifically for the PCCET certification. Candidates relied on:

• The official Palo Alto Networks PCCET blueprint (PDF)
• General cybersecurity foundational textbooks (e.g., CompTIA Security+ study guides, which cover overlapping fundamentals)
• Vendor-supplied training materials and documentation

Book rule: The absence of dedicated PCCET study books reflects its positioning as a foundational entry-level exam; Palo Alto Networks prioritized online learning over print materials for this tier.

Typical job titles at Security · Entry

Junior Security Analyst · SOC Analyst Level 1 · Cybersecurity Analyst (Entry-Level) · IT Security Technician · Security Operations Associate · Threat Intelligence Analyst Junior · Network Security Analyst (Entry)

(Historical job titles from pre-2025 postings that listed PCCET as preferred or required.)

Salary

Salary context: These ranges reflect entry-level Security Operations and junior analyst roles that historically listed PCCET as preferred or required. USD figures represent the 25th–75th percentile for junior SOC analyst positions (2026 data). Regional variation is significant; London and Johannesburg command higher absolute salaries than UK or ZA averages respectively.

Skills validated

• Network security fundamentals (firewalls, VPNs, IDS/IPS concepts)
• Threat identification and attack patterns
• Malware and vulnerability basics
• Incident response workflows and SIEM fundamentals
• Cloud security models and principles
• Security operations center (SOC) processes
• Palo Alto Networks product line overview (next-generation firewalls, Cortex)
• Risk assessment and compliance awareness

Related certifications

• Prerequisite for: Palo Alto PCNSA (Network Security Administrator) ↗ — next step in legacy path
• Replaced by (2025+): Palo Alto Cybersecurity Practitioner ↗ — current foundational entry-level credential ($150 exam)
• Equivalent at this level: CompTIA Security+ (SY0-601 / SY0-701) ↗ — vendor-neutral foundational security credential
• Vendor overview: Palo Alto Networks Vendor Overview ↗

Sources

• Palo Alto Networks Certification Homepage: https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/services/education/certification
• PCCET Blueprint PDF: https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/assets/pdf/datasheets/education/pccet-blueprint.pdf
• Retirement Announcement: https://live.paloaltonetworks.com/t5/news/new-security-service-edge-engineer-certification-upcoming/ta-p/997555
• US Salary Data (PayScale): https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Junior_SOC_Analyst/Hourly_Rate
• US Salary Data (ZipRecruiter): https://www.ziprecruiter.com/Salaries/Junior-Soc-Analyst-Salary
• US Salary Data (Glassdoor): https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/junior-soc-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm
• ZA Salary Data (SalaryExpert): https://www.salaryexpert.com/salary/job/soc-analyst/south-africa/johannesburg
• ZA Salary Data (Glassdoor): https://www.glassdoor.com/Salaries/johannesburg-south-africa-soc-analyst-salary-SRCH_IL.0,25_IM1023_KO26,37.htm
• UK Salary Data (Glassdoor): https://www.glassdoor.co.uk/Salaries/junior-soc-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,18.htm

Last verified: 2026-05-01
Parent ecosystem: Palo Alto Networks
Parent domain: Security Foundational
Vendor overview: Palo Alto Networks Overview

Migration path (2025 onward)

For PCCET holders: Your certification remains valid for two years from your achievement date. To maintain your credential standing in Palo Alto's ecosystem after your PCCET expires or if you wish to pursue current certifications:

1. Immediate entry: Enroll in Cybersecurity Practitioner ↗ ($150 exam, free training)
2. Career progression: PCCET knowledge directly supports Cybersecurity Practitioner readiness; your fundamentals will transfer
3. Advanced track: After Practitioner, move to Specialist or Professional track based on your role focus (NGFW, Threat Intelligence, SOC/XDR, etc.)

For new entrants (2025+): Start with Cybersecurity Apprentice ↗ (foundational networking + security, no Palo Alto experience required) or jump directly to Cybersecurity Practitioner ↗ if you already have baseline security knowledge.