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“Ask your question! Don’t Be Afraid!” —Get to know our Cyber Elite experts!   Welcome to our Spotlight Interview Series! This time we’ll get to know LIVEcommunity Cyber Elite, Otakar Klier. Our Cyber Elite members are among the top contributors within the LIVEcommunity and we are excited to be featuring them via our community interviews.   Otakar Klier, Cyber Elite Otakar is a Sr. Security Engineer with over a decade of experience in cybersecurity, making his L7 status in LIVEcommunity well-deserved. Otakar holds Certified Network Security Engineer (PCNSE) and Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) certifications from Palo Alto Networks and several others that help solidify his presence as a Cyber Elite expert.   We had a great opportunity recently to speak to Otakar via videoconferencing. As we chatted, he provided insights we believe the entire community will find valuable. Watch our video interview as Otakar talks with us about his background and experiences in cybersecurity, plus hear him reveal tips for getting the most out of Palo Alto Networks and LIVEcommunity.     “When I can help somebody or steer them in the right direction, and they come back with a ‘thanks’, that’s perfect. That’s my goal.”   We hope you enjoyed getting to know a bit more about Otakar, another of our Cyber Elite experts. If you have any specific questions for him, please reach out to him in the community by tagging him in a post with his username @OtakarKlier or post a comment in the section below.    Be sure to visit the Cyber Elite Program page to learn more, and stay tuned as we’ll continue to interview and feature more of our Cyber Elite members! Stay Engaged!   Cheryl Rasmussen ... View more

Welcome to the second interview in our Spotlight Interview Series, in which we’ll get to know our Cyber Elite expert, Brandon Wertz (@Brandon_Wertz). Our Cyber Elite members are among the top contributors within the LIVEcommunity and we are excited to be featuring them via our community interviews. Brandon Wertz   Brandon is a Senior Systems Engineer for Conagra Brands and has spent the past 12 years working primarily in data center services. He eventually transitioned into firewall architecture and implementation, working on core technologies such as data center switching, WAN/internet connectivity, and firewall services.   We recently spent some virtual time with Brandon and want to share his insights with the entire community. So, watch this video interview as he talks about his experiences, shares a bit of his background and reveals his tips for getting the most out of Palo Alto Networks and LIVEcommunity.       “I think the LIVEcommunity is a great place to discover quick answers to issues someone might have. I also think it’s a good place to provide a different perspective on how to use or deploy Palo Alto Networks products.”   We hope you enjoyed getting to know a bit more about our Cyber Elite expert Brandon Wertz. If you have any specific questions for Brandon, please reach out to him in the community or comment in the section below.   Be sure to visit the Cyber Elite Program page to learn more,  and please stay tuned as we’ll be featuring more ideas and stories from our Cyber Elite members! Stay Engaged!   Cheryl Rasmussen Engagement Program Manager,  LIVEcommunity   ... View more

  We recently announced the LIVEcommunity Cyber Elite Program to recognize customers and partners in our community who have contributed countless hours in the community with a laser focus on adding value, being helpful, sharing knowledge, and bringing a unique perspective. As part of that launch, we also announced our Cyber Elite experts for 2020... and we are so excited to offer you an opportunity to get to know them better as part of our Spotlight Interview Series.   So, let’s dive right in with our first Cyber Elite interview with Mahesh Parmar!   Mahesh Parmar Mahesh has been a registered LIVEcommunity member since 2017 and we first met him at Ignite 2018! He is the System Administrator III at the City of Calgary, holds PCNSE and Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) certifications and has spent the past 16 years becoming proficient in network security.   What was your first experience with Palo Alto Networks products? I was working on a project where we needed to migrate URL filtering services from Websense to PAN 5050. It was a great learning experience and allowed me to get to know this great product.   What motivated you to start engaging in LIVEcommunity? Originally, I started reading and posting as a mechanism to help me ramp up for my PCNSE certification. Now I use the forums to help keep me sharp in various technical areas of Palo Alto Networks as well as to help others in the community.   What keeps you coming back to the community? I have a passion to learn more about Palo Alto Networks and their technology. It’s all about knowledge, sharing and helping others.  I like contributing and I personally get a great deal of satisfaction from digging into topics that I have not refreshed on for awhile.   “I need to admit, I got kind of addicted to the LIVEcommunity.”   What is your message to newcomers in LIVEcommunity? I would recommend going through the articles in the community. They have a solution to the most common problems. Also, learn more about Palo Alto Networks by watching YouTube videos such as Learning Happy Hour, etc.   What advice would you give to someone who is just getting started with Palo Alto Networks products? My advice to anyone interested in Palo Alto Networks is to read, research, study and enjoy the LIVEcommunity as the information there is infinite.   What is your advice to others looking to move to the next level in cybersecurity knowledge? Learn about Palo Alto Networks, wireshark, and DNS and passionately learn new technologies. Connect with cybersecurity professionals on LinkedIn and learn from them.   What most excites you about the future of cybersecurity? I am most excited about how this field is always changing and is dynamic - we are continuously learning. For me, it is about the ability to adapt to evolving threats in real time, as well as to anticipate them before they create security breaches.  It is a most exciting and demanding career for the future!   What do you enjoy doing in your free time? I like to spend my time watching movies and listening to music such as Synthwave, R&B/Soul, Alternative/Indie, and Funk. I love to drive on weekends and go to nearby mountains and lakes, some of  which include Lake Louise, Moraine Lake and Johnson Lake.   “I use the LIVEcommunity to help keep me honed in on Palo Alto Networks technology, as well as to help others.”   What is your Cybersecurity superpower? It is Palo Alto Networks!   We hope you enjoyed getting to know a bit more about our Cyber Elite expert Mahesh Parmar. If you have any specific questions for Mahesh, please reach out to him in the community or comment in the section below.    Be sure to visit the Cyber Elite Program page to learn more and stay tuned as we will feature more of our Cyber Elite members! Stay Engaged!   Cheryl Rasmussen Engagement Program Manager,  LIVEcommunity ... View more

The Cyber Elite Program – Recognizing and rewarding our expert members who help shape LIVEcommunity.   Introducing The LIVEcommunity Cyber Elite Program   June 29, 2020 was a special day at Palo Alto Networks and on the LIVEcommunity, as we launched our new community expert member program, The Cyber Elite Program!   The Cyber Elite program will allow opportunities to provide even MORE insightful technical content, solutions to make your lives easier, and additional tips all from our experts. These key members stand out because they are dedicated high-value contributors who have contributed countless hours to the community.   Our members are the heart and soul of LIVEcommunity, and we are excited to recognize our top contributing members. The Cyber Elite designation is our way of saying “Thank You” for their technical expertise, tireless participation, and generosity they provide to LIVEcommunity.   The combined Cyber Elite contributions to the community is something we’d like to recognize and highlight: 9,730 Messages Posted 2,642 Likes Received 1,069 Accepted Solutions Introducing the 2020 Cyber Elite Experts Brandon Pry   @BPry Otakar Klier @OtakarKlier Mahesh Parmar @MP18 Messages posted: 3854 Likes received: 1278 Accepted solutions: 539 Messages posted: 1831 Likes received: 395 Accepted solutions: 173 Messages posted: 1145 Likes given: 321 Accepted solutions: 26   Remo Mittler @Vsys_remo Brandon Wertz @Brandon_Wertz  Steven Cantwell @SteveCantwell Messages posted: 1759 Likes received: 642 Accepted solutions: 241 Messages posted: 848 Likes received: 227 Accepted solutions: 50 Messages posted: 293 Likes received: 70 Accepted solutions: 40   Learn more about the Cyber Elite program  For more information on our Cyber Elite experts, how you can become a Cyber Elite member, and the benefits of being one, head over to the Cyber Elite Program page on LIVEcommunity . ... View more

Today is a special day at Palo Alto Networks and for LIVEcommunity as we launch our ALL NEW community expert member program,  The Cyber Elite Program! Our members are the heart and soul of LIVEcommunity, and we are excited to recognize the new members of the program. These expert colleagues have contributed countless hours to the community. The Cyber Elite program will provide even MORE insightful technical content, solutions to make your life easier, and glean additional tips from our experts. These key members stand out because they are dedicated high-value contributors.   The Cyber Elite designation is our way of saying “Thanks” for their technical expertise, tireless participation, and generosity they provide to LIVEcommunity.   Our combined Cyber Elite contributions to the community is something we’d like to recognize and highlight: 9,730 Messages Posted 2,642 Likes Received 1,069 Accepted Solutions   Introducing our 2020 Cyber Elite Members   Brandon Pry   @BPry Otakar Klier @OtakarKlier Mahesh Parmar @MP18 Messages posted: 3854 Likes received: 1278 Accepted solutions: 539 Messages posted: 1831 Likes received: 395 Accepted solutions: 173 Messages posted: 1145 Likes given: 321 Accepted solutions: 26   Remo Mittler @Vsys_remo Brandon Wertz @Brandon_Wertz  Steven Cantwell @SteveCantwell Messages posted: 1759 Likes received: 642 Accepted solutions: 241 Messages posted: 848 Likes received: 227 Accepted solutions: 50 Messages posted: 293 Likes received: 70 Accepted solutions: 40     How are Cyber Elite Members Selected? Eligibility is available for current Palo Alto Networks LIVEcommunity members. They are hand-selected based on contributions in the community with a laser focus on adding value, being helpful, sharing knowledge, and bringing a unique perspective. Membership will be a year-long appointment that will be re-evaluated annually.     What are the benefits of becoming a Cyber Elite? These exceptional members will receive access to a variety of invaluable perks that include: A shiny new Cyber Elite badge Assigned a special "Cyber Elite" title  Exclusive access to the Cyber Elite Lounge (a private digital gathering place) Opportunities to meet with Palo Alto Networks to discuss new technologies and other topics of interest Random acts of delight and other rewards   Wherever you see a community member identified as a Cyber Elite, you can trust their experience and expect high quality contributions. Visit the NEW Cyber Elite program page and join us in welcoming our Cyber Elite experts for 2020.   Stay Engaged!   Cheryl Rasmussen Engagement Program Manager, LIVEcommunity   ... View more

  We created the Cyber Elite Program to recognize experts in our community from around the globe, who have demonstrated excellence in participation and contributions in LIVEcommunity. This innovative program is part of Palo Alto Networks commitment to empower outstanding members who enrich our online community.   About the Program Cyber Elite members are our LIVEcommunity experts! They are closely engaged with the community, share technical insights, knowledge, and assist fellow community members to elevate their security posture in an increasingly complicated world of cybersecurity. Their know-how and expertise helps others protect their companies and customers. Cyber Elite experts demonstrate characteristics we believe exhibit the values that make up a vibrant and interactive technical community.   Cyber Elite status will be awarded for a one-year period. Ongoing participation will be reviewed annually and membership will be extended based on positive, engaging and shared contributions during that one-year period.   Key Characteristics of a Cyber Elite Member   Advocacy: Act as a trustworthy and balanced representative for our community, fostering the spirit of collaboration and advancement of better security practices.   Expertise: Strong technical understanding of Palo Alto Networks products and provides valuable solutions and recommendations.   Tone: Displays a supportive, positive, and collaborative style in helping community members succeed.   Responsiveness: Actively engages with members in forums. Shares, supports, and provides value to the community.   Leadership: Key extension of our LIVEcommunity team advocating in the community for successful use and best practices of Palo Alto Networks products, technologies, and solutions.    Meet our Cyber Elite Members Brandon Pry @BPry Brandon is the Senior Network and Security Engineer for the Wisconsin Legislature. Through his years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, he is an expert with deep-dive troubleshooting and debugging on Palo Alto Networks devices, holding several certifications including a PCNSE and an Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE). Brandon is responsible for securing legislative resources and ensuring the legislature is capable of serving the people of Wisconsin at all times. When not engaged with day-to-day functions, Brandon can often be found sharing and gaining knowledge within the LIVEcommunity.   Brandon Wertz  @Brandon_Wertz Brandon is a Senior Systems Engineer for Conagra Brands, who has spent the past 12 years working primarily in data center services, eventually transitioning into firewall architecture and implementation, working on core technologies such as datacenter switching, WAN/internet connectivity, and firewall services. As an L6 contributor on LIVEcommunity, his expertise involves well-rounded exposure to network designs and methodologies and is heavily involved in Palo Alto Networks technologies. Watch the Spotlight Video Interview with Brandon! Mahesh Parmar   @MP18 Mahesh is the System Administrator III at The City of Calgary (Canada). Mahesh holds PCNSE and Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) certifications and has spent the past 16 years becoming proficient in network security. His experience has helped him develop a knack for working with Palo Alto Networks technology including GlobalProtect and Next-Generation Firewall. Read the Spotlight Interview with Mahesh! Otakar Klier @OtakarKlier As the Sr. Security Engineer at Perspecta, Inc. in the RDG Division, Otakar is focused on all things security and networking related. He is a seasoned security professional with over a decade of experience in cybersecurity, making his L7 status in LIVEcommunity well deserved. Otakar holds PCNSE and Accredited Configuration Engineer (ACE) certifications from Palo Alto Networks and several others that help solidify his presence as a Cyber Elite expert. Watch the Spotlight Video Interview with Otakar! Remo Mittler @Vsys_remo Remo is a Senior Security Engineer at Avectris AG, a Switzerland based full-service provider. His 14 years of experience in network security have helped him become an expert in firewalls, vulnerability management, log management, archiving, and multi-factor authentication infrastructure to name a few. Remo possesses a PCNSE certification along with several others that help him stand out in ranks of Cyber Elite experts. Steven Cantwell @SteveCantwell With more than 23 years of experience in IT and cybersecurity, Steven is a Senior Security Architect for Cloud Harmonics, a Palo Alto Networks preferred Authorized Training Partner (ATP). Steven holds Palo Alto Networks certifications as a PCNSA, PCNSE, and PCNSC and has spent the past eight years working for Elite ATPs as a certified instructor for all Palo Alto Networks EDU classes. Lastly, Steven is the business Lead for Cloud Harmonics’ Professional Services, focusing on implementations and migrations to Palo Alto Networks Strata, Prisma, and Cortex branded solutions.   Member Benefits From a unique LIVEcommunity badge to special Ignite benefits, members will be awarded, recognized, and assigned the Cyber Elite title within the LIVEcommunity.   Some of the member-only benefits include: A private forum to enable deeper discussions about advanced topics and answers (The “Cyber Elite Members Lounge”) A Cyber Elite badge that clearly differentiates a member as a top contributor and trusted advisor Promoted within the LIVEcommunity and Palo Alto Networks at company events Exclusive access to technical information, experiences, and resources that help Cyber Elite experts do more with Palo Alto Networks technology May include options to meet privately with Palo Alto Networks team and executives in a roundtable format And, we have a fantastic Cyber Elite appreciation package and giveaways that a member can proudly display at Ignite conferences, Fuel User Group events, or anywhere else. These are just a few of the benefits... with more to come!   Become a Cyber Elite Member To begin your Cyber Elite journey, register in LIVEcommunity, share your knowledge and expertise, engage in discussions, provide answers, and help your peers in the community. Cyber Elite members are hand-selected by Palo Alto Networks based on positive contributions in the community, demonstrating a laser focus on bringing value, being helpful, sharing your know-how, and providing your unique expert perspective. We want to reward and recognize community members that contribute high value and go above and beyond in assisting our vibrant community. Start your journey today! For more information, please reach out to the LIVEcommunity team at: community@paloaltonetworks.com   ... View more