- Demonstrate understanding of SOC components and functions
- Explain the role of AI and machine learning (ML) in security operations
- Explain the role of threat intelligence in incident response and incident management
- Explain the function of incident categorization and prioritization
Palo Alto Networks Certification Training Course
Palo Alto Networks Certified Cloud Security Professional Certification Training Course
We'll get you ready for the Palo Alto Networks Certified Cloud Security Professional exam, the credential Palo Alto Networks recommends in place of the retired PCCSE.
Course focus: SOC fundamentals, Cortex fundamentals, cloud posture security, cloud runtime security and application security, mapped to the official blueprint.
Course Overview
What the Cloud Security Professional course covers and who it's for.
Palo Alto Networks retired the Prisma Certified Cloud Security Engineer (PCCSE) exam on July 31, 2025 and recommends Cloud Security Professional in its place.
Per Palo Alto Networks, the exam validates the knowledge and skills needed to secure cloud environments with the Cortex Cloud platform. Cloud posture security at 29% and cloud runtime security at 26% are the largest domains, so they get the most time.
Accumentum is an independent training provider. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or a partner of Palo Alto Networks, and this isn't official Palo Alto Networks training. Palo Alto Networks sets exam content, fees and policies, so check paloaltonetworks.com before you book.
Course Objectives
Get ready for Cloud Security Professional the way the exam is built.
01
Cover the Whole Blueprint
Work through all 5 domains in the official Cloud Security Professional datasheet, weighted the way the exam weights them.
02
Go Deep on Cloud Posture Security
Cloud Posture Security is 29% of the exam score per Palo Alto Networks, so it gets the most class time.
03
Practice in a Lab
Hands-on lab work on the tasks the Cloud Security Professional blueprint lists, not just slides.
04
Be Ready for Test Day
The exam is in person at a Pearson VUE test center with multiple choice, matching and ordering items. We practice all three.
Who Should Attend
- Cloud security administrators.
- SOC analysts who cover cloud workloads.
- Former PCCSE candidates whose exam was retired.
- Engineers planning to take Cloud Security Engineer.
Prerequisites
- Palo Alto Networks doesn't list a required prerequisite certification, and we don't have enrollment prerequisites either.
- Basic cloud knowledge across AWS, Azure or Google Cloud will help. Cybersecurity Practitioner is a good stepping stone.
Pathway Map
The Cloud Security Professional course in 5 modules.
Each module is one domain from the official datasheet, with its exam weight.
Course Content
- Explain the function of key components of Cortex Cloud
- Explain the process of creating and managing reports and dashboards in Cortex Cloud
- Demonstrate understanding of data source ingestion
- Identify and explain the use of key cloud posture security elements
- Explain the role of Posture Security Management Modules
- Explain cloud runtime security concepts and capabilities
- Explain the process of agent management and deployment
- Explain the features and functionality of application security
- Identify and describe application security use cases
Course Features
How we teach Cloud Security Professional.
Instructor-Led Classes
Live instruction with time for questions, so you aren't figuring out the hard parts alone.
Hands-On Labs
Lab work tied to the tasks in the Cloud Security Professional blueprint.
Blueprint Mapping
Every module maps to a domain in the official Cloud Security Professional datasheet.
Exam Strategy
Practice with multiple choice, matching and ordering questions, plus test center tips.
Certification Exam
About the Cloud Security Professional exam.
Cloud Security Professional Exam Readiness
Our students pass at a 98.8% rate across Accumentum courses. We'll get you ready for Cloud Security Professional the same way.
Per Palo Alto Networks, Cloud Security Professional is a Professional level exam priced at $200 USD, and taxes may apply. Since August 1, 2025, Palo Alto Networks exams are delivered in person at Pearson VUE test centers only. Exams are in English, with multiple choice, matching and ordering questions.
The certification is valid for two years and you renew by retaking the exam. If you fail, the waits before retakes are 15, 30 and then 90 days. Full details are on the official Cloud Security Professional page.
Accumentum is an independent training provider. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by or a partner of Palo Alto Networks, and this isn't official Palo Alto Networks training. Palo Alto Networks sets exam content, fees and policies, so check paloaltonetworks.com before you book.
Exam Blueprint
What the Cloud Security Professional exam covers.
We map our lessons to the official Cloud Security Professional datasheet. Here is that blueprint, all 5 domains and 13 objectives, so you can see exactly what is in scope.
Domain 1: Security Operations Center (SOC) Fundamentals (10%)
1.1 Demonstrate understanding of SOC components and functions
- Roles and responsibilities
- Tools, technologies, and analytics
1.2 Explain the role of AI and machine learning (ML) in security operations
1.3 Explain the role of threat intelligence in incident response and incident management
1.4 Explain the function of incident categorization and prioritization
Domain 2: Cortex Fundamentals (15%)
2.1 Explain the function of key components of Cortex Cloud
- Users, roles, IP address, domain, and URL indicator types
- Log management and asset inventory
- Compliance, rules, and data protection
- Use cases
2.2 Explain the process of creating and managing reports and dashboards in Cortex Cloud
2.3 Demonstrate understanding of data source ingestion
Domain 3: Cloud Posture Security (29%)
3.1 Identify and explain the use of key cloud posture security elements
- Cloud security posture management (CSPM)
- Kubernetes security posture management (KSPM)
- AI Security Posture Management (AI, SPM)
- Data security posture management (DSPM)
- Agentless scanning
- Unified compliance management
- Identity security
- Vulnerability management
3.2 Explain the role of Posture Security Management Modules
Domain 4: Cloud Runtime Security (26%)
4.1 Explain cloud runtime security concepts and capabilities
- Cloud workload protection (CWP)
- Cloud detection and response (CDR)
- Web Application and API Security (WAAS)
- Vulnerability management
4.2 Explain the process of agent management and deployment
Domain 5: Application Security (20%)
5.1 Explain the features and functionality of application security
- Application security posture management (ASPM)
- CI/CD posture management
- Software composition analysis (SCA)
- Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security
- Secrets scanning
- Scan management
5.2 Identify and describe application security use cases
Before You Start
What you should know before Cloud Security Professional.
Here is who Palo Alto Networks says the Cloud Security Professional exam is for and what it expects you to bring, taken from the official datasheet.
Who Palo Alto Networks wrote this exam for
This exam is designed for current or aspiring Cloud Security administrators or SOC analysts who focus on key areas such as the Cortex Cloud platform, Cloud Runtime Security, Application Security, Cloud Posture Security, and SOC processes. The certification ensures a comprehensive understanding of the tools and techniques for effective cloud security management.
Knowledge, skills and abilities
- Basic understanding of the Cortex Cloud platform and related cloud security concepts (for example CSPM, CWP, CDR, CIEM, CDR, CIEM, DSPM, ASPM, AI-SPM)
- Working knowledge of cloud-based deployments
- Working knowledge of threats to cloud-based deployments
- Knowledge of OS fundamentals
- Knowledge of current and emerging trends in cloud security
- Basic understanding of application, runtime, and cloud posture security
- Basic understanding of security, compliance, and identity in the cloud
- Basic understanding of vulnerability management
- Basic understanding of SOC processes and tools
- Knowledge of the SDLC
- Knowledge of networking fundamentals
Study Plan
How we approach Cloud Security Professional prep.
Start with Cloud Posture Security. At 29% it is the heaviest domain on the blueprint.
Work in the actual console whenever you can. Questions are written around how the product behaves today, not how it looked a few releases ago.
Our course follows the same blueprint, with on demand lessons you can pause and replay, and our students pass at a 98.8% rate across Accumentum courses.
Exam Policies
The rules around Cloud Security Professional.
Once you pass Cloud Security Professional, the certification stays valid for two years. Palo Alto Networks recertification means retaking the current exam.
Passing a higher level exam in the same track automatically extends your active lower level certifications in that track by two years.
If you don't pass, you get a results report broken down by domain. Palo Alto Networks requires a 15 day wait before a second attempt, 30 days before a third and 90 days before any attempt after that. After a pass you can't sit the same exam again for 18 months.
Exams are delivered in English through Pearson VUE, and candidates testing in non English speaking countries get a 30 minute time extension by default. Your badge and certificate come through Credly.
Career Outcomes
What Cloud Security Professional does for your career.
Cloud Security Professional fits cloud security administrators and SOC analysts who cover cloud workloads in Cortex Cloud, from posture to runtime to application security.
For a sense of pay, BLS puts the May 2025 median annual wage for information security analysts at $129,180. BLS also projects employment of information security analysts to grow 21 percent from 2025 to 2035, much faster than the average for all occupations. A median is the midpoint, so half earned more and half earned less, and your own pay will depend on location, experience and employer. Source: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Funding
Ways to pay for Cloud Security Professional training.
Our funding page lays out every way to pay for training, and PathPay lists the courses that qualify for a monthly plan.
Veterans can look at VR&E benefits for career training, and our Veteran Skill Forge programs bundle several courses into one path. Questions about your situation? Contact us and we'll talk it through.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about our Cloud Security Professional course.
Palo Alto Networks Certified Cloud Security Professional is a Professional level certification from Palo Alto Networks. Details are on the official certification page at https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/services/education/palo-alto-networks-cloudsec-professional.
No. We're an independent training provider and we aren't a Palo Alto Networks partner. Our course follows the public exam blueprint in the official datasheet. Palo Alto Networks offers its own learning paths at learn.paloaltonetworks.com.
Palo Alto Networks lists Professional exams at $200 USD, and taxes may apply. Vouchers are sold through Pearson VUE and expire 12 months after purchase. Check the current price before you buy.
No. Since August 1, 2025, Palo Alto Networks certification exams are delivered in person at Pearson VUE test centers only.
Two years from the date you pass. You renew by retaking the exam, and passing a higher level exam in the same track renews your active lower level certifications.
Palo Alto Networks doesn't list a required prerequisite certification, and we don't have enrollment prerequisites either. Basic cloud knowledge across AWS, Azure or Google Cloud will help. Cybersecurity Practitioner is a good stepping stone.
Instructor-led, with hands-on labs and practice questions. Ask us about upcoming class dates.
Use the registration page linked below, or email info@accumentum.net and we'll follow up with dates and next steps.
5. Per the official datasheet they are Security Operations Center (SOC) Fundamentals (10%), Cortex Fundamentals (15%), Cloud Posture Security (29%), Cloud Runtime Security (26%), Application Security (20%).
Cloud Posture Security at 29%, per the Palo Alto Networks datasheet.
This exam is designed for current or aspiring Cloud Security administrators or SOC analysts who focus on key areas such as the Cortex Cloud platform, Cloud Runtime Security, Application Security, Cloud Posture Security, and SOC processes. The certification ensures a comprehensive understanding of the tools and techniques for effective cloud security management.
Palo Alto Networks requires a 15 day wait after a first failed attempt, 30 days after a second and 90 days after a third. Once you pass, you can't retake the same exam for 18 months.
Our PathPay page lists the courses that qualify for a monthly plan. For anything else, contact us and we'll go over options.
Enrollment
Enroll in Cloud Security Professional training with Accumentum.
Enroll in our Cloud Security Professional course to get ready for the Palo Alto Networks Certified Cloud Security Professional exam with instructor-led classes and hands-on labs.
For dates and next steps, use the registration page linked below or email info@accumentum.net.
Ready to start on Cloud Security Professional?
Tell us your target date and we'll help you plan the path.