Top Fortinet Certifications

Fortinet is the flag bearer of quality multi-level certifications in the Cyber Security field. Thus, with its partnership with Pearson VUE, this vendor is offered a wide range of accreditation exams. In other words, the Fortinet Network Security Expert or just NSE program is an eight-level certification path helping IT enthusiasts to gain mastery over tedious yet crucial network security concepts. Today, we will give you a quick overview of some of its key and distinguished certifications.  

Network Security Associate - NSE 1, NSE 2, and NSE 3

As mentioned earlier, the Fortinet accreditation pathway consists of 8 steps, so each candidate should start with the first levels, such as NSE 1, NSE 2, and then NSE 3. In more detail, the first Network Security Associate (NSE 1) designation covers the ever-increasing threat landscape and the basic network security concepts. With NSE Level 2 accreditation, you will demonstrate your knowledge of security products to solve problems and prevent threats to your organization's network. To obtain your NSE 1 and NSE 2 certificates you should complete relevant training courses and pass all quizzes and lessons with them.

Meanwhile, Fortinet employers and partners can go further and complete relevant sales training to gain the NSE 3 qualification that focuses on Fortinet's key products and their solutions.

Network Security Professional - NSE 4

This one is a stage-4 designation with a focus on security infrastructure by using a FortiGate device. This certification allows future Fortinet Security Professionals to validate the skills necessitated for configuration, installation and monitoring of the FortiGate network. Thus, earners of this certificate are reliable individuals for generating specific cooperate network security policies.

The NSE 4 accreditation is a game-changer for security and network professionals managing the configuration and administration of firewall solutions in a given ecosystem.

• Exam Overview

Fortinet NSE 4 - FortiOS exam is linked with NSE 4 accreditation path. Keep in mind that the NSE4_FGT-6.2 version of the test is still available until April 30, 2021, after which it will be replaced by NSE4_FGT-6.4, which covers the latest release of FortiOS. Still, the exam for FortiOS 6.4 version is already available. It is a 105-minute exam that you can take at one of the Pearson VUE centers. So, you will have to answer 60 multiple-choice questions about FortiGate deployment, Firewall and authentication, Content inspection, Routing and Layer 2 switching, and VPN. At the same time, the vendor demands a minimum of six months of expertise in FortiGate to proceed to this certification level.

• Career Prospects

The primary job role with this certification is Network Security Professional. In this position, the beginner can easily presume an annual salary of $72,382 according to the Payscale.com website. This figure grows with the increase of years and expertise.

Network Security Analyst - NSE 5

Fortinet Network Security Analyst designation is the next-level expertise after Fortinet NSE 4 certification. This accreditation aims as creating a workforce competent enough to conduct network analysis and reporting with the help of FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer products. Thus, this pathway is recommended to all those who work in the networking and security domain and need to verify their skills related to Fortinet security devices’ management, reporting, and analysis.

• Exam Overview

To earn this certificate, candidates have to secure passing grades in any two official tests out of below mentioned the five options:

a) Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiAnalyzer

b) Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiClient-EMS

c) Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiEDR

d) Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiSIEM

e) Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiManager

Speaking of the format, most of these tests include MCQ and multiple-select questions. Each test focuses on one Fortinet product and tests your ability to implement and deploy it to administer your network. All these exams are globally available and are administrated through Pearson VUE.

• Career Path

Successfully obtaining this accreditation turn the earner eligible for a pivotal cybersecurity position, namely Network Security Analyst. It is a demanding job role with lucrative pay and perks. As per ZipRecruiter, the annual salary of this post is on average $99,815.

Ideally, the next move of NSE 5 certified professionals should be earning the NSE 6 qualification. But, as the vendor has kept the certification pathway free from any pre-requisites restrictions, aiming at other higher-level accreditations is also achievable.

Network Security Specialist NSE - 6

This designation aims to help cybersecurity professionals emerge as a specialist in Secure Fabric, a key Fortinet product. As the certification track continues, the aspirant validates demanding skills and abilities to master this security solution.

• Exam Profile

Before a candidate laid claim on the certification, passing any four out of seven product-specific exams, mentioned below:

a) Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiADC

b) Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiMail

c) Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiNAC

d) Fortinet NSE 6 - Integrated and Cloud Wireless

e) Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiVoice

f) Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiAuthenticator

g) Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiWeb

All these 60-minute tests are closed-book and contain 30 multiple-choice and multiple-select questions. This leads to the exam result declared as pass or fail.

It is important to keep in mind that due to the release of a new version of a covered Fortinet security product, exam content may be updated. To find out up-to-date information about the definite exam, refer to the official website.

• Opportunities

Network Security Specialists is a very notable and trending job role. Moreover, enterprises of medium to big scale are in dearth need of such professionals to protect their IT infrastructure. Thus, opportunities are endless and pay is impressive, as according to ZipRecruiter, professionals working in this position can make an average salary as high as $111,052 annually.

But, as you understand, this is not the limit, as your wage depends on your experience, skills, and accreditation from the official vendor. Further developing your expertise is possible thanks to NSE 7 and NSE 8 accreditations offered by Fortinet NSE. They both are known to prove advanced knowledge and skill set as well as describe you as an expert in working with Fortinet security solutions.

NSE 7 is designed for professionals which are engaged in advanced administration and supporting security infrastructures through using Fortinet solutions. To gain this certification and become Network Security Architect, candidates are to pass one of the 6 exams listed on the vendor’s website. And if you need to strengthen your knowledge, you can take the official courses which are optional.

To become a real Network Security Expert, you can opt for the NSE 8 designation. It will require from you to validate your skills in implementing security design and configuration as well as troubleshooting within complex networks. For this certification you have to pass two exams a written one –NSE8_811 and a practical one.

Being equipped with the main knowledge and skills from the previous levels, you can reach the top of the Fortinet certification program and boost your career greatly.