The Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) is a series of certifications divided into 4 levels. Each level is independent and each progressive certification tests your skills and expertise in network security. A special designation is awarded to the candidate on earning a certification. For example if you have passed NSE 4 exam, you will earn the designation of Network Security Professional. If you have passed NSE 5 exam, you will earn the designation of Network Security Analyst and so on. According to your working knowledge and future goals, you can opt to take any exam of NSE.
Fortinet certifications are much sought-after by IT professionals. Companies favour candidates who have earned NSE credentials. The NSE-certified professionals have the ability to manage the day-to-day network security of an organization using highly advanced and technical methods. This blog gives an elaborative overview of all the NSE certifications that will help you make a better future decision.
What Are The Different Levels Of NSE Certifications?
There are four levels of NSE certifications
Level 1: Cybersecurity Awareness Certification
To pass Level 1, you have to take 3 courses as given in the following order:
Network Security Associate
Course: Information Security Awareness
Key learnings:
- Cyberthreats
- Security of information
Target Audience:
Candidates who want to learn about the threat landscape and information security.
Requirements:
Take 5 compulsory lessons and all quizzes.
Validity: 2 years
Recertification: the current NSE 1 course
Designation: Network Security Associate
Course: The Evolution of Cybersecurity
Key Learnings:
- Types of security products
- Ways to address security problems
Target Audience: Candidates who want to learn about cybersecurity and security products.
Requirements: Take all lessons and quizzes of the course.
Validity: 2 years
Designation: Network Security Associate
Course: Fortinet Product Awareness
Key Learnings:
- Fortinet products
- How to solve cybersecurity problems
Target Audience: Candidates who want to learn about Fortinet cybersecurity products
Requirements: All the lessons and quizzes in the Security-Driven Networking module
One additional module of your choice
Validity: 2 years
Level 2: Cybersecurity Technical Certification
To pass level 2, you have to pass 3 exams as given in the following order:
Network Security Professional
NSE 4
Designation: Network Security Professional
Key Learnings:
- Fortigate configuration and operation
- Day-to-day administration
- Troubleshooting captures
Target Audience:
Candidates who want to learn about management, implementation, and administration of a security infrastructure using FortiGate devices.
About the exam:
- Exam series: NSE4_FGT-7.2
- Number of questions: 60
- Exam time: 105 minutes
- Language: English and Japanese
- Product version: FortiOS 7.2
Requirements:
- Pass the NSE 4 certification exam
- Hand-on knowledge of FortiGate Security and FortiGate Infrastructure
- A minimum of six months of hands-on experience with FortiGate is recommended
Validity: 2 years
Click here: For exam details
Network Security Analyst
NSE 5
Designation: Network Security Analyst
Key Learnings:
- Implement network security management
- Implement analytics
- Utilize the fortinet security devices
Target Audience:
Network and security professionals who require the expertise to centrally manage, analyze, and report on Fortinet security devices.
Requirements:
Pass any two exams out of these five exams.
- Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiAnalyzer
- Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiClient EMS
- Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiEDR
- Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiManager
- Fortinet NSE 5 – FortiSIEM
Validity: 2 years
Complete list of the Fortinet NSE 5 Exams
(Pass any 2)
Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiAnalyzer 7.0
- Exam series: NSE5_FAZ-7.0
- Number of questions: 35
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English and Japanese
- Product version: FortiAnalyzer 7.0
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiManager 7.0
- Exam series: NSE5_0FMG-7.0
- Number of questions: 35
- Exam time: 70 minutes
- Language: English and Japanese
- Product version: FortiManager 7.0
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiClient EMS 7.0
- Exam series: NSE5_FCT-7.0
- Number of questions: 30
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiClient EMS 7.0
- Exam details: exam descriptiona
Fortinet NSE 5 - FortiEDR 5.0
- Exam series: NSE5_EDR-5.0
Number of questions: 30 - Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiEDR 5.0
- Exam details: exam description
bFortinet NSE 5 - FortiSIEM 6.3
- Exam series: NSE5_FSM-6.3
- Number of questions: 33
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiSIEM 6.3
- Exam details: exam description
Network Security Specialist
NSE 6
Designation: Network Security Specialist
Key Learnings:
- Fabric products of security
- manage security products
- build secure networks
Target Audience:
Candidates involved in managing and supporting security products
Requirements:
Pass any four exams out of these twelve exams.
- Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiAD
- Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiAuthenticator
- Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiMail
- Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiNAC
- Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiSandbox
- Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiSwitch
- Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiVoice
- Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiWeb
- Fortinet NSE 6 – FortiSOAR
- Fortinet NSE 6 – Cloud Security for AWS
- Fortinet NSE 6 – Cloud Security for Azure
- Fortinet NSE 6 – Secure Wireless LAN
Validity: 2 years
Complete list of the NSE 6 Exams
(Pass any 4)
Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiADC 6.2
- Exam series: NSE6_FAD-6.2
- Number of questions: 30
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiADC 6.2
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiAuthenticator 6.4
- Exam series: NSE6_FAC-6.4
- Number of questions: 30
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiAuthenticator 6.4
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiMail 7.2
- Exam series: NSE6_FML-7.2
- Number of questions: 31
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiMail 7.2
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiNAC 9.1
- Exam series: NSE6_FNC-9.1
- Number of questions: 30
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiNAC 9.1
Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiVoice 6.0
- Exam series: NSE6_FVE-6.0
- Number of questions: 30
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiVoice 6.0
Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiWeb 6.4
- Exam series: NSE6_FWB-6.4
- Number of questions: 33
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English and Japanese
- Product version: FortiWeb 6.4
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 6 - Cloud Security 7.0 for AWS
- Exam series: NSE6_WCS-7.0
- Number of questions: 30
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiOS 7.0, FortiWeb 6.3
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 6 - Cloud Security 7.0 for Azure
- Exam series: NSE6_ZCS-7.0
- Number of questions: 30
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiOS 7.0, FortiWeb 6.3
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 6 - Secure Wireless LAN 6.4
- Exam series: NSE6_FWF-6.4
- Number of questions: 30
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiOS 6.4
Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiSwitch 6.4
- Exam series: NSE6_FSW-6.4
- Number of questions: 32
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiOS 6.4
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiSOAR 7.0 Administrator
- Exam series: NSE6_FSR-7.0
- Number of questions: 33
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiSOAR 7.0
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 6 - FortiSandbox 4.2
- Exam series: NSE6_FSA-4.2
- Number of questions: 35
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiSandbox 4.2
Level 3: Cybersecurity Advanced Certification
To pass level 3, you have to pass the NSE 7 exam:
NSE 7
Designation: Network Security Architect
Key Learnings:
Deploy, administer, and troubleshoot Fortinet security solutions
Target Audience:
Candidates responsible for designing, administering, and supporting security infrastructures using Fortinet solutions.
Requirements:
Pass any one out of these eight exams.
- Fortinet NSE 7 – Advanced Analytics
- Fortinet NSE 7 – Advanced Threat Protection
- Fortinet NSE 7 – Enterprise Firewall
- Fortinet NSE 7 – FortiSOAR Design and Development
- Fortinet NSE 7 – LAN Edge (formerly Secure Access)
- Fortinet NSE 7 – OT Security
- Fortinet NSE 7 – Public Cloud Security
- Fortinet NSE 7 – SD-WAN
Validity: 2 years
Complete list of the NSE 7 Exams
(Pass any 1)
Fortinet NSE 7 - Advanced Analytics 6.3
- Exam series: NSE7_ADA-6.3
- Number of questions: 35
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiSIEM 6.3.0, FortiSOAR 7.0.1, FortiOS 7.0.1
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 7 - Enterprise Firewall 7.0
- Exam series: NSE7_EFW-7.0
- Number of questions: 35
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English and Japanese
- Product version: FortiOS 7.0.1, FortiManager 7.0.1, FortiAnalyzer 7.0.1
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 7 - FortiSOAR 6.4 Design and Development
- Exam series: NSE7_FSR-6.4
- Number of questions: 35
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiSOAR 6.4, FortiOS 6.4, FortiSIEM 6.1
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 7 - Public Cloud Security 6.4
- Exam series: NSE7_PBC-6.4
- Number of questions: 30
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiOS 6.4, FortiWeb 6.4
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 7 - OT Security 6.4
- Exam series: NSE7_OTS-6.4
- Number of questions: 35
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiOS 6.4
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 7 - LAN Edge 7.0
- Exam series: NSE7_LED-6.4
- Number of questions: 37
- Exam time: 70 minutes
- Language: English
- Product version: FortiOS 7.0
- Exam details: exam description
Fortinet NSE 7 - SD-WAN 7.0
- Exam series: NSE7_SDW-7.0
- Number of questions: 35
- Exam time: 60 minutes
- Language: English and Japanese
- Product version: FortiOS 7.0
- Exam details: exam description
Level 4: Cybersecurity Expert Certification
To pass level 4, you have to pass the NSE 8 exam:
Network Security Expert
NSE 8
Designation: Fortinet Network Security Expert
Key Learnings:
- Understanding of network security design
- Ability to configure networks
- troubleshooting for complex networks
Target Audience:
Networking and security experts who use Fortinet solutions. In addition to formal training, you should have experience with a variety of complex networks and can solve complicated security problems.
Requirements:
- Pass the NSE 8 Written Exam
- Pass the NSE 8 Practical Exam
Validity: 3 years
Exam details of the NSE Written Exam
- Name: NSE 8 – Network Security Expert 8 Written Exam (NSE8_811)
- Exam method: Pearson VUE Test Centers and OnVUE
- Number of questions: 60
- Time allowed to complete: 120 minutes
- Scoring method: Answers must be 100% correct for credit. There are no partial credit given or deductions for incorrect answers.
- Type of questions: Multiple choice and multiple select
Time required between attempts: 15 days
Exam details of the NSE Practical Exam
- Available at: Fortinet offices – Check the schedule for upcoming sessions
- Number of tasks: 38
- Time allowed to complete: 2 days, proctored
- Scoring method: Answers must be 100% correct for credit. There is no partial credit given or deductions for incorrect answers.
- Type of tasks: Hands-on configuration and troubleshooting
- Time required between attempts: 15 days
Scoring: You will receive a document containing a general pass or fail result.
What Is The Exam Renewal Policy For The Fortinet NSE Exam?
Take the current NSE 1 course in the NSE Training Institute.
Take the current NSE 2 course in the Fortinet Training Institute.
Complete all the lessons and quizzes in the latest version of the Security-Driven Networking module, plus one additional module of your choice.
- Take the current NSE 4 exam at a Pearson VUE test center.
- If you obtain the NSE 7 certification, it will automatically renew your NSE 4 certification if your NSE 4 certification has not expired.
- If you obtain NSE 8 certification, it will automatically renew your NSE 4 certification, even if your NSE 4 certification has expired.
- NSE 5 certification by taking the current NSE 5 specialist exams at a Pearson VUE test center.
- Obtaining NSE 7 certification automatically renews your NSE 5 certification, if your NSE 5 certification has not expired.
- Obtaining NSE 8 certification automatically renews your NSE 5 certification, even if your NSE 5 certification has expired.
- Pass any four NSE 6 exams at a Pearson VUE test center.
- Obtaining NSE 7 certification automatically renews your NSE 6 certification, if your NSE 6 certification has not expired.
- Obtaining NSE 8 certification automatically renews your NSE 6 certification, even if your NSE 6 certification has expired.
- Take at least one of the current NSE 7 exams at a Pearson VUE test center.
- Obtaining NSE 8 certification automatically renews your NSE 7 certification, even if your NSE 7 certification has expired.
- Take the current NSE 8 written exam at a Pearson VUE test center, as long as your certification has not expired.
- Obtaining NSE 8 certification automatically renews all of the other NSE certification levels you previously earned, regardless of whether those certifications have expired.
- If your NSE 8 certification has expired, you must retake both the written and practical exams to recertify.
NSE Certifications Are Designed for What Job Roles?
NSE certifications are offered for the following job roles:
- Network Security Administrators
- Technical Support Engineers
- System Engineers
- IT Security Architects
- Cybersecurity Professionals
What Is The Worth Of Fortinet NSE Certifications?
The Fortinet NSE programs have many great advantages:
- Professionals have seen a significant boost in their salaries by gaining NSE certification.
- Fortinet credentials are one of the highly recognized credentials by employers.
- In terms of skills, these certifications are known to deliver the most refined set of advanced and up-to-date teachings of network security.
What Salary Is Offered To NSE Certified Professionals?
The salary of an NSE certified person is defined by the level of certification that he has passed. The higher the level you have secured, the more the salary you can expect to earn. Following is the list of the four levels of the NSE program and their corresponding salaries on average:
- Network Security Associate: $85,000 per year
- Network Security Professional: $97,000 year
- Network Security Architect: $110,000 per year
- Network security expert: $130,000 per year
How to Pass Fortinet NSE Exam in First Attempt?
We have made the study method convenient for you by organizing it in the following steps:
1. Understand the Fortinet NSE Exam Structure
You need to learn the exam structure before you start the preparation for the NSE exams. Detailed exam topics and exam patterns are available on the official site of Fortinet. The more information you get for your exam preparation, the easier it will be for you to gather and organize your study material.
2. Start your NSE learning
Study material is the most important thing that you need to prepare for the Fortinet NSE exams. The study material is available at the Fortinet site. You need to log in to get the lectures. After the preparation of the course, you need to practice the concepts for a full study of concepts.
3. Practice your exam concepts
Just like preparing for exams is important, practicing the concepts is equally important. But what matters is that you practice from an authentic and genuine dump site.
4. Revise your shortcomings
When you practice your concepts, you will know about the topics that still need to be learnt and practiced. Revise all the topics and practice them so that you can fully prepare for the NSE exam.
5. Be Attentive and alert
When taking the Fortinet exam, you must be alert and active. It is important to manage the exam time and complete your exam within the given time. Fortinet exams are challenging, but you need to learn to tackle the questions technically.
How To Get The NSE Course?
- Go to the Fortinet Training Institute site.
https://training.fortinet.com.
- Create an account on the Fortinet Training Institute.
- Click on ‘Library’ to get the NSE course.
Closure
If you are interested in making your career in network security, Fortinet NSE certifications are indeed the most advisable pathway. The NSE program helps you gain knowledge and skills step-by-step, starting from the associate level to the expert level. Professionals have seen notable progress in their skills and career demand through this learning pack.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Fortinet NSE certifications expire?
Fortinet NSE level 1, level 2 and level 3 certifications are valid for two years from the date of completion. Level 4 certifications are valid for 3 years. Before the certification expires, you need to renew your certification.
Is the Fortinet NSE exam easy?
The NSE exam is not an easy nut to crack, especially the advanced levels exams like NSE 7 and NSE 8. You need to study very hard to grasp all the concepts necessary to pass the NSE exam. Good study resources and reliable practice material is needed to learn the topics precisely.
How many exams are there for the Fortinet NSE Associate designation?
You have to take the NSE 1, NSE 2 and NSE 3 courses to obtain the Fortinet NSE Associate designation.
Who should take the Fortinet Security Expert (NSE) course?
Fortinet NSE course is not targeted to any specific audience. Anyone can take the NSE exam. One of the biggest edges is that anyone can start by taking the beginner-level certification and then passing the progressive levels.
Is NSE Fortinet free?
The basic level courses required to gain the Network Security Associate are free of cost and easily accessible to any candidate. Learners would earn one credit for every hour of NSE Training Institute training they obtain at Fortinet. However, the exam cost is to be paid by the applicant.
How can I get an NSE certificate from Fortinet?
- NSE 1-3 certifications: Available within 48 hours of completing the certification requirements.
- NSE 4-7 certifications: Available within five (5) business days of passing the exam at a Pearson VUE test center.
- NSE 8 certifications: Available approximately one (1) month after passing the NSE 8 practical exam.