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Fortinet Online Training Delivery Options
There are two types of training delivery options by Fortinet for the course takers -
Instructor-Led Training
Standard Network Security Expert (NSE) training consists of live classes, taught either onsite or online (over a virtual classroom application).
- Classes are conducted by Fortinet instructors or Authorized Training Centers.
- Private classes are also conducted that offer content customization options based on learners' requirements.
- The instructor conducts training and offers access to interactive labs where students can learn through hands-on exercises.
Self-Paced E-Learning Training
Self-paced e-learning includes access to NSE pre-recorded lessons, online videos, and digital resources via the Training Institute portal.
- All self-paced courses are available for free.
- Access to self-paced courses includes theoretical lectures on NSE training material.
- On-demand lab access with interactive, hands-on exercises can enhance the learning experience and solidify the knowledge acquired with pre-recorded, self-paced lessons.
- On-demand lab access can be purchased. It includes a lab link and lab guides, and it is required to finish the learning activities in the self-paced course.
NSE Certified: Five Levels of Proficiency with 12 Certifications
The NSE Certification program offers a broad spectrum of self-study (free) and instructor-led courses and hands-on, practical exercises that prove mastery of advanced cybersecurity concepts. Each level of certification tests for particular levels of cybersecurity proficiency, from foundation to architect.
NSE Certification Levels
Here are all the NSE certifications, descriptions, and certification requirements.
Fortinet Certified Expert in Cybersecurity
The Fortinet Certified Expert (FCX) in Cybersecurity certification validates your knowledge of complex network security design, configuration, and troubleshooting.
Eligibility/Prerequisites:
- Candidates should possess relevant industry experience to sit for both the practical and written exams.
- They must complete the Professional and Solution Specialist certification training
- Possesses deep experience with Fortinet products in a production environment.
To obtain the certification: You must pass both the written and practical tests.
Certification can be taken up by: Security and networking professionals who implement Fortinet solutions. In addition to formal education, you should have experience with diverse, complex networks and be capable of resolving complex security issues.
Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist
This Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist certification comprises of 6 certification levels -
Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist OT Security
The FCSS in OT Security certification confirms your skills in designing, implementing, monitoring, and troubleshooting Fortinet OT security solutions. This course teaches OT security infrastructures with advanced Fortinet solutions.
To obtain the certification: You need to pass the core exam.
Certification can be taken up by: Individuals who need the skills required to design, manage, support, and analyze advanced Fortinet OT security solutions.
Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist Security Operations
FCSS in Security Operations certification confirms your skills in designing, managing, monitoring, and troubleshooting Fortinet security operations solutions. This course addresses security operations infrastructures with next-generation Fortinet solutions.
To obtain the certification: You need to pass one of the elective exams.
Certification can be taken up by: Those who need the skills required to design, manage, support, and analyze advanced Fortinet security operations solutions.
Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist Network Security
The FCSS in Network Security certification confirms your skills in designing, administering, monitoring, and troubleshooting Fortinet network security solutions. This course teaches network security infrastructures with advanced Fortinet solutions.
To obtain the certification: You need to pass the core exam and one elective exam.
Certification can be taken up by: Those who need the skills required to design, manage, support, and analyze advanced Fortinet network security solutions.
Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist Secure Access Service Edge
The FCSS in Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) certification confirms your skills in designing, managing, monitoring, and troubleshooting Fortinet SASE solutions. This course teaches SASE infrastructures with advanced Fortinet solutions.
To obtain the certification: You need to pass the two main exams.
Certification can be taken up by: Individuals who will be designing, managing, supporting, and analyzing advanced Fortinet SASE security solutions.
Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist Public Cloud Security
The FCSS in Public Cloud Security certificate confirms your skills in designing, managing, monitoring, and troubleshooting Fortinet public cloud solutions. The curriculum is based on public cloud infrastructures with advanced Fortinet solutions.
To obtain the certification: You need to pass the core exam.
Certification can be taken up by: Individuals who will be designing, managing, supporting, and analyzing advanced Fortinet public cloud security solutions.
FCSS in Zero Trust Access (ZTA)
Description: FCSS in Zero Trust Access (ZTA) certification recognizes your skill in designing, implementing, managing, and resolving Fortinet ZTA solutions. This course addresses ZTA infrastructures with sophisticated Fortinet solutions.
To obtain the certification: You need to pass the primary exam.
Certification can be taken up by: Individuals who need the skills required to design, manage, support, and analyze sophisticated Fortinet ZTA solutions.
Note: This certification will retire as of June 30, 2025.
Fortinet Certified Professional
Comprises of three levels of certifications -
1. Fortinet Certified Professional Security Operations
The FCP in Security Operations certification validates your ability to protect networks and applications by implementing, managing, and maintaining Fortinet security operations products. This course will include the daily tasks of Fortinet security operations devices.
To obtain the certification: You must pass two elective exams.
Certification can be taken up by: Individuals who need the expertise to deploy, manage, and analyze Fortinet security operations devices.
2. Fortinet Certified Professional Network Security
The FCP in Network Security certification validates your ability to safeguard networks and applications by deploying, administering, and monitoring Fortinet network security products. The course curriculum covers the day-to-day tasks of Fortinet network security devices.
To obtain the certification: You must pass the core exam and one elective exam.
Certification can be taken up by: Individuals who need the expertise to deploy, manage, and analyze Fortinet network security devices.
3. Fortinet Certified Professional Public Cloud Security
The Fortinet Certified Professional Public Cloud Security certification validates your ability to secure cloud applications by deploying, managing, and monitoring Fortinet public cloud products. The course curriculum will cover the daily tasks related to Fortinet public cloud devices and VMs.
To obtain the certification: You must pass one core and one elective exam.
Certification can be taken up by: Individuals who need the expertise to deploy, manage, and analyze Fortinet public cloud security devices and VMs.
Fortinet Certified Associate
The Fortinet Certified Associate (FCA) in Cybersecurity certification validates your ability to execute high-level operations on a FortiGate device. This curriculum covers the fundamentals of operating the most common FortiGate features.
To obtain the certification: You must complete the FortiGate Operator course and pass the exam.
Certification can be taken up by:
- Professionals who will be executing high-level configuration and monitoring tasks on FortiGate devices
- Network security administrators of small and medium-sized companies.
Fortinet Certified Fundamentals
The Fortinet Certified Fundamentals (FCF) in Cybersecurity certification validates that you have mastered the technical skills and knowledge required for any entry-level job role in cybersecurity. This curriculum will offer courses covering today’s threat landscape and cybersecurity fundamentals.
To obtain the certification: You must complete one core and one elective course.
Certification can be taken up by: Entry-level cybersecurity professionals and anyone willing to pursue a career in cybersecurity.
Core Course
Introduction to the Threat Landscape: Introduction to the Threat Landscape is a core course applicable to network security, data security, and cloud security. The course covers the cyberthreat landscape and threats to computer networks, the reasons and people involved, and cybersecurity first principles.
Elective Course
- Getting Started in Cybersecurity: This is an elective course suitable for professionals in non-technical roles who require the technical fundamentals of cybersecurity.
- Technical Introduction to Cybersecurity: Technical Introduction to Cybersecurity is also an elective course, suitable for those in technical roles who require a more in-depth understanding of cybersecurity fundamentals. People willing to pursue a technical job in cybersecurity can also take it.
Recommended Learning
- FortiGate Operator: Learn how to strengthen your network security using FortiGate features. The course also covers demos and interactive simulations.
- OT Security: Learnt to secure their OT infrastructure using Fortinet solutions by designing, deploying, administering, and monitoring FortiGate, FortiNAC, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiSIEM devices.
- FortiEDR: Learn to use FortiEDR to protect your endpoints against advanced attacks, with real-time orchestrated incident response functionality.
- FortiAnalyzer Analyst: Learn the fundamentals of using FortiAnalyzer to identify current and potential threats through log analysis, and examine managing events, incidents, reports, and task automation with playbooks.
- FortiGate Immersion: Immerse yourself in self-paced configuration tasks in a virtual lab.
- AWS Cloud Security Administrator: Familiarize yourself with AWS infrastructure elements, security issues, and ways to handle cloud traffic using Fortinet products.
- Google Cloud Security Administrator: Explore Google Cloud infrastructure and security challenges, as well as manage cloud traffic.
- FortiGate Administrator: Learn to secure networks using core FortiGate features and functions.
- FortiMail Administrator: Learn how to protect networks from email-borne threats using FortiMail.
- FortiWeb Administrator: Learn to deploy, configure, and troubleshoot Fortinet’s web application firewall.
- Public Cloud Security Architect: Learn about infrastructure and security challenges with public cloud providers.
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Commonly asked questions On All Courses
The level of difficulty of Fortinet certification exams varies with the certification level:
Beginner Level (NSE 1 - 3, FCF) certification: These are entry-level courses and easier to learn with no prior IT experience required.
Intermediate Level (NSE 4 - 6) certification: Intermediate-level certifications cover Fortinet product deployment, resolution, and higher-level network security principles. These certifications require hands-on training and an in-depth understanding of networking concepts.
Advanced Level (NSE 7 - 8) certification: These are professional-level certifications that require comprehensive knowledge and real-world experience. NSE 8, for instance, entails both a written test and a practical lab exam, making it one of the most challenging cybersecurity certifications to acquire.
Fortinet's Network Security Expert (NSE) Program consists of eight levels:
NSE 1 - 3 (Foundation Level): Includes general cybersecurity principles, fundamental threats, and Fortinet's security philosophy.
NSE 4 - 6 (Professional Level): Deals with Fortinet's security solutions, such as FortiGate firewalls, VPNs, IPS, and email security.
NSE 7 (Advanced Level): Deals with advanced security solutions, network troubleshooting, and multi-cloud security.
NSE 8 (Expert Level): The most advanced certification, where candidates must pass both a written exam and a practical lab test on actual Fortinet deployments.
Yes, the Fortinet Certified Fundamentals (FCF) certification is free. It is included in Fortinet's effort to educate starters about the basics of network security, Fortinet security solutions, and general cybersecurity fundamentals.
To get certified in FCF, you must go through the training modules on the Fortinet Training Institute's platform and clear the respective exam. This certification is especially helpful for those new to IT security or those wanting to establish a solid foundation in cybersecurity.
Prerequisites for Fortinet courses depend on the course level:
- NSE 1–3: No prior knowledge required; suitable for beginners.
- NSE 4–6: Basic understanding of networking and security concepts is recommended. Experience with Fortinet products is helpful but not mandatory.
- NSE 7–8: Advanced levels require hands-on experience with Fortinet solutions and completion of lower NSE levels.
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Updated on Apr 15, 2025
