The Palo Alto Networks security platform, if used as a TLS gateway/decryption point or VPN concentrator, must use encryption services that implement NIST FIPS-validated cryptography to protect the confidentiality of remote access sessions.

Without confidentiality protection mechanisms, unauthorized individuals may gain access to sensitive information via a remote access session. Encryption provides a means to secure the remote connection so as to prevent unauthorized access to the data traversing the remote access connection, thereby providing a degree of confidentiality. The encryption strength of the mechanism is selected based on the security categorization of the information.

Remote access is access to DoD nonpublic information systems by an authorized user (or an information system) communicating through an external, non-organization-controlled network. Remote access methods include broadband and wireless connections.