All Certificates

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) vs Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)

Expert

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)

Cisco

Costs

Exam fee800,00 $
Study time~250h
Renewal3 year(s)

Editorial summary (4 sources)

Editor
HR Value
4.3
Worth Cost
2.3
Learning Value
5.0
100%recommend

Aggregated from public discussion (2 sources). Not a replacement for community reviews. Updated .

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Intermediate

Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)

Palo Alto Networks

Costs

Exam fee155,00 $
Study time~60h
Renewal2 year(s)

Editorial summary (4 sources)

Editor
HR Value
3.5
Worth Cost
2.8
Learning Value
5.0
100%recommend

Aggregated from public discussion (4 sources). Not a replacement for community reviews. Updated .

Help by writing your own review →

Verdict: Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) vs Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)

Editorial verdict

The two certs come out close to even on editorial ratings. The right choice depends on your career direction — see the decision matrix below.This verdict uses aggregated editorial summaries from public discussion. Real community reviews will replace these once they accumulate.

HR signal

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)

4.3/5 vs 3.5/5

Worth cost

Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)

2.3/5 vs 2.8/5

Learning

tie

5.0/5 vs 5.0/5

Recommend

tie

100% vs 100%

When to choose which

Tightest budget: Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) (155,00 $ vs 800,00 $ exam fee).
Lowest 6-year total cost (with renewals): Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) (~155,00 $ vs ~800,00 $).
Easier entry point: Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA) (intermediate vs expert).
Working primarily in Cisco's ecosystem: choose Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security).
Working primarily in Palo Alto Networks's ecosystem: choose Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA).
Maximum HR signal: Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security) (community-rated higher on HR value).

Cost over 6 years (with renewals)

Cisco Certified Network Professional Security (CCNP Security)

Initial exam800,00 $
2× renewal × 0,00 $0,00 $
6-year total800,00 $

Palo Alto Networks Certified Network Security Administrator (PCNSA)

Initial exam155,00 $
3× renewal × 0,00 $0,00 $
6-year total155,00 $