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Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect

Mobile device management (MDM) software
Mobile data security software
Data security software
Features
Ease of use
Ease of management
Quality of support
Affordability
Market presence
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What is Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect

Palo Alto Networks GlobalProtect is an endpoint agent and remote-access service that provides secure connectivity from user devices to corporate applications and networks. It is commonly used by IT and security teams to enforce access controls, route traffic through security inspection, and apply device- and user-based policies for remote and hybrid work. GlobalProtect integrates with Palo Alto Networks firewalls and the vendor’s security platform to support VPN and zero trust network access (ZTNA) style access. It focuses on secure access and traffic protection rather than full mobile device lifecycle management.

pros

Tight firewall policy integration

GlobalProtect works closely with Palo Alto Networks next-generation firewalls for authentication, policy enforcement, and traffic routing. This enables consistent access rules for on-network and remote users using the same security policy constructs. Organizations that already standardize on these firewalls can centralize remote-access policy and logging in the same administrative plane. This can reduce the need to operate separate remote-access gateways and policy stores.

Supports ZTNA-style access

The product supports user- and device-context-based access decisions, including posture checks and identity-driven policies when integrated with the broader Palo Alto Networks stack. It can provide per-application access patterns in addition to traditional full-tunnel VPN configurations. This helps teams move from network-level access toward more granular access models for remote users. It is suited to enterprises that need controlled access to internal apps from unmanaged or partially managed endpoints.

Enterprise-scale client availability

GlobalProtect provides endpoint clients for major desktop platforms and is commonly deployed at enterprise scale for remote access. It includes features such as always-on connectivity options and centralized configuration distribution. Logging and telemetry can be integrated into security operations workflows through Palo Alto Networks tooling. This aligns with organizations that prioritize standardized remote-access clients across large user populations.

cons

Not a full MDM suite

Despite being installed on endpoints, GlobalProtect does not replace mobile device management capabilities such as device enrollment, app catalog distribution, OS update orchestration, or deep device configuration management. Organizations needing full MDM typically require a separate unified endpoint management platform. GlobalProtect’s strengths are in secure access and traffic control rather than device lifecycle administration. This can increase tool count when MDM is a core requirement.

Best fit in Palo Alto stack

Many of the most useful capabilities depend on integration with Palo Alto Networks firewalls and related services. In environments that use different perimeter or access infrastructure, feature parity and operational simplicity may be harder to achieve. This can lead to additional integration work for identity, posture, and logging. Buyers should validate how much functionality is available without standardizing on the vendor’s broader ecosystem.

Client and tunnel troubleshooting overhead

Remote-access clients can introduce operational overhead related to connectivity issues, split-tunnel behavior, DNS routing, and certificate/authentication problems. GlobalProtect deployments often require careful configuration and ongoing support to avoid user-impacting issues, especially across diverse networks and device types. Changes to endpoint OS versions and security controls can also affect client behavior. IT teams should plan for monitoring and a support process for endpoint connectivity incidents.

Plan & Pricing

Pricing model: Subscription / license-based (vendor does not publish list prices on public website; contact sales)

Licensing options (official vendor descriptions):

  • GlobalProtect Gateway (NGFW deployments): annual GlobalProtect Gateway subscription required only for advanced features (HIP checks, support for mobile/Linux/IoT GlobalProtect apps, IPv6 support, split-tunnel by domain/process/video, clientless VPN dynamic updates, HIP redistribution, etc.). Basic remote access via single or multiple internal/external gateways does not require a GlobalProtect license. (See vendor docs for feature-by-feature license requirements.)

  • Prisma Access (cloud-delivered GlobalProtect / Mobile Users): licensed as Prisma Access Mobile Users (units = mobile users) or Remote Networks (units = Mbps). Prisma Access license editions determine included capabilities (e.g., Mobile Users, ZTNA/Enterprise editions) and optional add‑ons (Strata Logging Service, Strata Cloud Manager tiers). Prisma Access Agent license (replaces former GlobalProtect Gateway license for NGFW deployments) entitles use of GlobalProtect app + Prisma Access Agent.

  • Evaluation / trials: Prisma Access Agent can be evaluated (official doc states up to a 90‑day evaluation for Prisma Access Agent on NGFWs). Vendor also documents that trial licenses (including GlobalProtect) are available and can be activated through the Customer Support Portal (CSP).

Key notes / vendor guidance:

  • Palo Alto Networks does not publish public list prices for GlobalProtect / Prisma Access on its product pages; customers are directed to contact sales or partners for quotes and purchasing.
  • Licensing units: Mobile user license unit = 1 mobile user; Remote network license unit = 1 Mbps (official docs).
  • End-of-Sale / SKU changes: Palo Alto Networks announced End‑of‑Sale for legacy GlobalProtect SKUs on NGFW form factors; legacy GlobalProtect SKUs were replaced by Prisma Access Agent SKUs (EOS announcement dated August 4, 2025; effective August 15, 2025).

Seller details

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
Santa Clara, CA, USA
2005
Public
https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/
https://x.com/PaloAltoNtwks
https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks/

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