Fortinet Certifications | Requirements, Validity & Exam Information

by | Sep 14, 2019 | Fortinet | 1 comment

Fortinet is an American Multinational Company headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. Founded in 2000 by brothers Ken Xie and Michael Xie. Fortinet develops and sells cybersecurity software and appliances like firewalls, anti-virus, endpoint security, etc.

Fortinet focuses on two products, Security Fabric and FortiGate. Let’s have a look at both of them.

Fortinet mainly focuses on providing top rated network services, along with content security and securing access products which share intelligence. All of this combines to form the Security Fabric.

Security Fabric is a combination of Security Processors, Intuitive Operating System and Applied Threat Intelligence which results in Proven Security, Exceptional Performance & Better Visibility and Control.

FortiGate is a next-generation firewall and fits in all environments and provides next-generation security and networking functions. FortiGate covers the following functions:

  • Network Security
  • Multi-Cloud Security
  • Secure Access
  • Security Operations
  • Network Operations
  • Application Security
  • Endpoint Protection
  • Device Protection

Looking for Fortinet Firewall Training? Register for a Free Demo Session

The Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) is an Eight Level Fortinet Certification program designed for professionals wanting to gain security skills and knowledge.

Fortinet Certifications Level

NETWORK SECURITY EXPERT (NSE – 1): SECURITY ASSOCIATE

The NSE 1 Network Security Associate develops a foundation to understand about threats to a network. It provides skills for a key executive role. This certification creates awareness about security while using the Internet. It also provides a foundation to the learnings for NSE 2.

Course Name The Threat Landscape
Certification name NSE 1 Network Security Associate
Requirements
  • Complete NSE 1 course lessons
  • Passing each module
Modules
  • The Bad Actors
  • CIO Perspectives
  • CISO Perspectives
  • CFO Perspectives
  • Personal Security Awareness
Validity 2 years
Who all should appear?
  • Sales and support personnel who want to learn about Fortinet network security
  • Inquisitors for Network Security Topics
Exam Completion Time 0.3 hour
Time required between attempts 15 days
Re-certification Retake NSE 1 or NSE 8 must be attained

NETWORK SECURITY EXPERT (NSE – 2): SECURITY ASSOCIATE

The NSE 2 Network Security Associate introduces products to different types of Security Products developed in the security industry to fight threats.

Course Name The Fortinet Security Fabric
Certification name NSE 2 Network Security Associate
Requirements
  • Complete NSE 2 course lessons
  • Passing each module
Modules
  • The Fortinet Security Fabric
  • Network Security and Email Security
  • Web Application Security
  • Multi-cloud Security
  • Advanced Threat Protection
  • Secure Unified Access
  • Management and Analytics
  • Support and Services
  • Endpoint Security
Validity 2 years
Who all should appear?
  • Fortinet Sales Employees
  • Channel Partners
Exam Completion Time 1 hour
Time required between attempts 15 days
Re-certification Retake NSE 1 or NSE 8 must be attained

NETWORK SECURITY EXPERT (NSE – 3): SALES AND TRAINING

NSE 3 is a product level of Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) program. It provides a fundamental understanding of Fortinet products within Fortinet Solutions

*** Recommended for Fortinet employee and channel partners only.

Course name Fortinet Core Products
Certification name NSE 3 Network Security Associate
Requirements
  • Complete any 4 NSE 3 training modules
  • Pass the corresponding tests
Modules
  • Application Delivery Controller (ADC) Solution
  • Wireless Application Firewall (WAF) Solution
  • Advance Threat Protection (ATP) Solution
  • Secure eMail Gateway Solution
  • Identity Solution Management
  • Telephone System Solution
  • DDoS Protection Solution
  • Wireless Lan Solutions
  • Client/BYOD Solutions
Validity 2 years
Who all should appear?
  • Fortinet partners and employees ONLY
  • Fortinet sales and pre-sales associate ONLY
Exam Completion Time
Time required between attempts
Re-certification

NSE 1, NSE 2 and NSE 3 are a part of the NSE Associate Designation. Candidates need to clear all 3 Certifications to become a Fortinet NSE Associate.

NETWORK SECURITY EXPERT (NSE – 4): PROFESSIONAL

The NSE 4 designation identifies a candidate’s ability to configure, install and monitor a FortiGate device. It is to prepare the candidates for the NSE 4 to FortiOS 6.0 Exam.

Course name Network Security Professional
Certification name NSE 4 Network Security Professional (Fortinet NSE 4 – FortiOS 6.0)
Requirements
  • Clear the Fortinet NSE 4 – FortiOS 6.0
Modules
  • Fortigate Securtiy
  • Fortigate Infrastructure
Validity 2 years
Who all should appear?
  • Network and Security professionals involved in day-to-day management, implementation and administration of a security infrastructure using FortiGate devices
Exam Completion Time 2 hours
Time required between attempts 15 days
Re-certification Retake NSE 4 exam or possess NSE 7/ NSE 8

NETWORK SECURITY EXPERT (NSE – 5) : SECURITY ANALYST

The candidate provides network administration, network analysis and reporting using FortiAnalyzer and FortiManager. The client needs to clear both FortiAnalyzer and FortiManager to achieve the NSE 5 Certification.

Course name Network Security Analyst
Certification name NSE 5 Network Security Professional SKU: NSE-EX-CERT: One exam for both courses
Requirements
  • Clear the FortiAnalyzer 6.0 Specialist Exam
  • Clear the FortiManager 6.0 Specialist Exam
Modules
  • FortiManager Device Management
  • FortiAnalyzer Administration
  • FortiSIEM Fundamental Training
Validity 2 years
Who all should appear?
  • Network and Security professionals who require the expertise to use FortiAnalyzer and FortiManager to manage, analyse and report on Fortinet Security devices
Exam Completion Time 2 hours
Time required between attempts 15 days
Re-certification Retake and pass 2 out of 3 NSE 5 exam or possess NSE 7/ NSE 8 Certification

NETWORK SECURITY EXPERT (NSE – 6) : SECURITY SPECIALIST

The NSE 6 Network Security Specialist is skilled with Fabric products. The candidate need to achieve minimum four Fortinet Specialist Certifications on Fortinet Enhanced Products.

Course Name Network Security Specialist
Certification name NSE 6 NETWORK SECURITY SPECIALIST
Requirements Pass any four exams from the below:

  • FortiADC 5.2 Specialist
  • FortiAuthenticator 5.4 Specialist
  • FortiDDoS 4.5.0 Specialist
  • FortiMail 6.0 Specialist
  • FortiWeb 5.6 Specialist
  • FortiWLC Specialist – 8.2
  • Integrated and Cloud Wireless
Modules
  • Integrated and Cloud Wireless
  • FortiADC D-Series
  • FortiAuthenticator
  • FortiDDoS
  • FortiMail
  • FortiNAC
  • FortiWeb
  • FortiWLC
Validity 2 years
Who all should appear? Network and Security Professionals who manage and support Fortinet Products
Exam Completion Time 2 hours
Time required between attempts 15 days
Re-certification Four specializations as stated above
Must possess NSE 7 and/or NSE 8

NETWORK SECURITY EXPERT (NSE – 7) :NETWORK SECURITY ARCHITECT

This certification helps candidates develop skills to deploy, administer and troubleshoot Fortinet Security Solutions.

Course name
  • Advance Threat Protection
  • Enterprise Firewall
  • Private Cloud
  • Public Cloud
  • Secure Access
Certification Name NSE 7 Network Security Architect-SKU: NSE-EX-CERT
Requirements Pass minimum one out of the below 4:

  • NSE 7 Advanced Threat Protection 2.5
  • NSE 7 Cloud Security – FortisOS 6.0
  • NSE 7 Enterprise Firewall – FortisOS 6.0
  • NSE 7 Secure Access 6.0
Modules Same as the course names
Validity 2 years
Who all should appear?
  • Network Professional
  • Security Professionals involved in design, administration and support
Exam Duration 1 hour
Time required between attempts 15 days
Re-certification
  • Pass one of the seven NSE 7 exams OR
  • Possess NSE 8 Certification

NETWORK SECURITY EXPERT (NSE – 8) NETWORK SECURITY EXPERT

This certification provides skills and knowledge of network security design, configuration and troubleshoot network architectures

Course name Network Security Expert
Certification name
  • NSE 8 Written Exam
  • NSE 8 Lab Exam
Requirements
  • No pre-requisites required
  • Recommended to have passed 4-7 exams
Modules
  • NSE 8 Written Exam
  • NSE 8 lab Exam
Validity 2 years
Who all should appear?
  • Candidates intending to be experts in Network Security and Fortinet Security Products
  • Experienced candidates in networking
  • Experienced candidates who can solve perplexed security problems
Exam Duration 18.5 hours
Time required between attempts 15 days
Re-certification
  • Appearing for the NSE 8 Exam

Fortinet Certification syllabus understands the operations, implementation and management of Fortinet products.

These Fortinet Certifications will make you self sufficient to manage high performance security and achieve business goals.

After achieving the Fortinet Certifications, you will garner recognition within the network security industry.

I-Medita

I-Medita is an ISO 9001:2015 certified Professional Training Company. I-Medita is India's Most Trusted Networking Training Company. We help in providing industry oriented skill training to networking enthusiasts and professionals to kick-start their career in Networking domains. Our efforts are to keep momentum with the Industry technological demands and diversifying universe of knowledge.
Register for Free Demo Session