* [Blog](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog) * [Network Security](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/) * [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/) * Eliminate Over-Provisioni... # Eliminate Over-Provisioning Costs with Elastic Security [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2Fnetwork-security%2Feliminate-over-provisioning-costs-with-elastic-security%2F) [](https://twitter.com/share?text=Eliminate+Over-Provisioning+Costs+with+Elastic+Security&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2Fnetwork-security%2Feliminate-over-provisioning-costs-with-elastic-security%2F) [](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww2.paloaltonetworks.com%2Fblog%2Fnetwork-security%2Feliminate-over-provisioning-costs-with-elastic-security%2F&title=Eliminate+Over-Provisioning+Costs+with+Elastic+Security&summary=&source=) [](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com//www.reddit.com/submit?url=https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/eliminate-over-provisioning-costs-with-elastic-security/&ts=markdown) \[\](mailto:?subject=Eliminate Over-Provisioning Costs with Elastic Security) Link copied By [Josh Pederson](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/josh-pederson/?ts=markdown "Posts by Josh Pederson") Feb 02, 2026 3 minutes [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown) [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown) Today's CISOs must secure high-volume data centers and dynamic cloud environments where traffic spikes are unpredictable. Traditionally, securing these workloads required a costly trade-off: organizations had to over-provision hardware for worst-case scenarios, resulting in expensive capacity sometimes sitting idle a majority of the time. Palo Alto Networks addresses these financial and operational hurdles now with the [Hyperscale Security Fabric (HSF)](https://live.paloaltonetworks.com/t5/community-blogs/hyperscale-security-fabric-securing-the-dynamic-data-center-for/ba-p/1236825) within the Prisma AIRS platform. Instead of over-provisioning expensive, proprietary hardware that sits idle, HSF enables you to leverage your existing compute infrastructure to deliver enterprise-grade protection that fluctuates with your real-world traffic. This software-defined approach eliminates the bottleneck risk of traditional firewalls; your security environment automatically expands to support rapid business growth and contracts during low-demand periods to optimize costs. By integrating intelligent load-balancing directly into a NGFW fabric, HSF ensures your critical applications remain "always-on," effectively future-proofing your data center with the same elasticity and performance found in the public cloud. By replacing static hardware with an elastic software cluster, HSF drives strong business value across three specific areas of TCO savings: capital efficiency, revenue protection, and operational agility. 1. Eliminate Wasted CapEx ------------------------- Legacy security models create significant "ghost costs" through over-provisioning. To prevent latency or dropped packets during peak events like product launches, teams historically purchased firewall hardware sized for theoretical maximums. This is a critical inefficiency given that an estimated 21% of enterprise cloud infrastructure spend---approximately $44.5 billion in 2025---is wasted on underutilized resources ([Harness, 2025](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/44-5-billion-in-infrastructure-cloud-waste-projected-for-2025-due-to-finops-and-developer-disconnect-finds-finops-in-focus-report-from-harness-302385580.html)). HSF decouples capacity from hardware limitations through elastic scaling, which automatically expands security resources to meet any demand---including AI workloads---and scales back in when traffic subsides. This ensures you only pay for the capacity you actually use. 2. Protect Revenue Streams -------------------------- Unexpected traffic surges that exceed static capacity often overwhelm traditional appliances, turning security into a performance bottleneck that degrades user experience or causes outages. For high-traffic sectors, the stakes are extreme: financial services firms lose an average of $152 million annually due to downtime ([Splunk/Resolve Pay, 2025](https://resolvepay.com/blog/statistics-indicating-api-downtimes-cost-to-finance-operations)). HSF removes these bottlenecks using active health monitoring to continuously track instance health and resilience. By maintaining high availability through automated scaling, you protect revenue streams and prevent the reputational damage associated with service disruptions during critical business spikes. 3. Optimize Engineering Resources --------------------------------- Operational complexity remains a hidden tax on the security budget; manually adding capacity is slow, error-prone, and often requires disruptive maintenance windows. This burden can be significant, as 73% of IT leaders report that structured automation can save their teams up to 50% of their time ([VegamAI, 2025](https://www.vegam.ai/blog/business-process-automation-statistics-2025)). HSF eliminates manual intervention by employing intelligent load balancing to distribute traffic efficiently across the dynamic cluster. This automation optimizes resource utilization and frees your senior engineering talent from infrastructure maintenance to focus on strategic priorities. ## Realize Measurable ROI Our Hyperscale Security Fabric can transform security from a static cost center into a dynamic business enabler. As a core capability of [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security), Palo Alto Networks' flagship AI and multicloud security solution, HSF allows you to scale and protect your most critical, high-volume workloads with robust [Layer 7](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia/what-is-layer-7) security. By aligning infrastructure costs directly with actual traffic demand across your environment, you can achieve a level of financial predictability and security efficacy that traditional firewall models cannot match. ### Maximize Your Security Investment Transitioning to a dynamic security model is simpler and more cost-effective than ever. Use our [credits estimator](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/tools/ngfw-credits-estimator) to see how you can switch to HSF and elastic security using our flexible credits, allowing you to reallocate resources in real-time and maximize more dollars of your security budget. *** ** * ** *** ## Related Blogs ### [AI Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/ai-application-security/?ts=markdown), [AI Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-governance/?ts=markdown), [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Firewall](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/firewall/?ts=markdown), [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown), [Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/partners/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [#### Palo Alto Networks Announces Support for NVIDIA Enterprise AI Factory](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2026/01/support-nvidia-enterprise-ai-factory/) ### [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown) [#### Stop Guessing: CLARA Ends the Cloud and AI Visibility Paradox](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/stop-guessing-clara-ends-the-cloud-and-ai-visibility-paradox/) ### [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown), [Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/partners/?ts=markdown), [Public Sector](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/public-sector/?ts=markdown) [#### Secure Your Cloud: Palo Alto Networks \& AWS LZA for Public Sector](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/secure-your-cloud-palo-alto-networks-aws-lza-for-public-sector/) ### [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown) [#### Enterprise \& Branch Security with Palo Alto Networks New NGFWs](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/enterprise-branch-security-with-palo-alto-networks-new-ngfws/) ### [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Hybrid Cloud Data Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/hybrid-cloud-data-center/?ts=markdown), [IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/iot-security/?ts=markdown), [Network Perimeter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/network-perimeter/?ts=markdown), [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown), [Products and Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/products-and-services/?ts=markdown), [Strata Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/strata-network-security-platform/?ts=markdown), [Zero Trust Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/zero-trust-security/?ts=markdown) [#### Palo Alto Networks Leads the Way with Quantum and Multicloud Security](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/08/paves-way-for-quantum-ready-security/) ### [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/category/next-generation-firewalls/?ts=markdown), [Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/partners/?ts=markdown) [#### Secure App Traffic with Nutanix Flow \& Palo Alto Networks VM-Series](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/network-security/secure-app-traffic-with-nutanix-flow-palo-alto-networks-vm-series/) ### Subscribe to Network Security Blogs! Sign up to receive must-read articles, Playbooks of the Week, new feature announcements, and more. ![spinner](https://www2.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/wp-content/themes/panwblog2023/dist/images/ajax-loader.gif) Sign up Please enter a valid email. By submitting this form, you agree to our [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) and acknowledge our [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown). Please look for a confirmation email from us. If you don't receive it in the next 10 minutes, please check your spam folder. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply. {#footer} {#footer} ## Products and Services * [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown) * [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security/secure-ai-by-design?ts=markdown) * [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/prisma-ai-runtime-security?ts=markdown) * [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown) * [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown) * [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown) * [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown) * [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown) * [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown) * [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown) * [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown) * [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown) * [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown) * [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown) * [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown) * [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown) * [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown) * [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown) * [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown) * [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown) * [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown) * [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown) * [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown) * [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown) * [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown) * [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown) * [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown) * [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown) * [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown) * [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown) * [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown) * [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown) * [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown) * [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown) ## Company * [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown) * [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/) * [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown) * [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown) * [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown) * [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown) * [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown) ## Popular Links * [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown) * [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown) * [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown) * [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown) * [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center) * [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown) * [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown) * [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown) * [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown) * [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd) ![PAN logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg) * [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown) * [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown) * [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) * [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown) Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved * [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks) * [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown) * [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/) * [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks) * [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks) * EN Select your language