Configure and Manage Certificates

Overview

Palo Alto Networks firewalls utilize digital certificates to authenticate clients, servers, users, and devices across various applications, including SSL/TLS decryption, authentication portals, GlobalProtect, site-to-site IPSec VPNs, and web interface access. Proper certificate management ensures secure communications and trust within your network infrastructure.

Certificate Use Cases

• Administrative Access: Secure HTTPS access to the firewall's web interface using server certificates.
• Authentication Portal: Authenticate users accessing HTTPS resources, optionally using client certificates.
• GlobalProtect VPN: Authenticate remote users and devices connecting via GlobalProtect.
• IPSec VPN: Authenticate peer devices in site-to-site VPN configurations.
• SSL/TLS Decryption: Decrypt inbound and outbound SSL traffic for inspection and policy enforcement.
• External Dynamic List (EDL) Validation: Ensure the authenticity of EDLs used in security policies.
• User-ID and Terminal Services (TS) Agents: Secure communication between the firewall and User-ID or TS agents.

Certificate Management Workflow

1. Obtain Certificates: Generate self-signed certificates on the firewall or import certificates from an enterprise or external Certificate Authority (CA).
2. Configure Certificate Profiles: Define how certificates are used for authentication, including specifying trusted CAs and revocation checking methods.
3. Deploy Certificates: Assign certificates to specific applications or services, such as SSL/TLS service profiles, authentication portals, or VPNs.
4. Manage Certificate Lifecycles: Monitor certificate expiration, renew certificates as needed, and revoke compromised certificates.

Best Practices

• Use certificates issued by a trusted CA to prevent trust issues with clients.
• Implement Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) and Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs) to verify certificate validity.
• Regularly audit and update certificates to maintain security compliance.
• Restrict private key export to enhance security.
• Utilize hardware security modules (HSMs) for storing sensitive keys when possible.

References

• Certificate Management
• Keys and Certificates
• Generate a Certificate
• Configure a Certificate Profile
• Certificate Deployment