Cybersecurity Certification
NSE Certification Program Prepares Professionals for Critical Cybersecurity Careers
View Certification LevelsThe Fortinet NSE Certification Advantage
The Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) program is an eight-level training and certification program that is designed to provide interested technical professionals with an independent validation of their network security skills and experience. The NSE program includes a wide range of self-paced and instructor-led courses, as well as practical, experiential exercises that demonstrate mastery of complex network security concepts.
82%
of organizations prefer to hire candidates with certifications.
94%
believe their certifications have better prepared them for their current security role.
770,000+
certifications issued*.
*Last updated 2/2022
NSE Certification Levels
| Cybersecurity Awareness Certification | ||
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Information Security Awareness is the entry-level certification in the program. You will be introduced to today's cyberthreats and advised on how you can secure your information. You must successfully complete all lessons and pass all quizzes within the Information Security Awareness course to obtain the NSE 1 Certification. | Ideal for: Everyone Get started with NSE 1 |
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After you develop a solid understanding of the threat landscape and the problems facing organizations and individuals, you will learn about the evolution of cybersecurity. In the second level, you will learn about the types of security products that have been created by security vendors to address security problems faced by networks and organizations. | Ideal for: Everyone Get started with NSE 2 |
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NSE 3 introduces you to key Fortinet products and describes the cybersecurity problems they solve. The product lessons and use cases in this course are organized into the following Fortinet Security Fabric pillars: Security-Driven Networking, Zero Trust Access, Adaptive Cloud Security, and Security Operations. | Ideal for: Everyone Get started with NSE 3 |
| Cybersecurity Technical Certification | ||
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NSE 4 identifies your ability to configure, install, and manage the day-to-day configuration, monitoring, and operation of a FortiGate device to support specific corporate network security policies. | Ideal for: Network Security Administrators, Technical Support Engineers and System Engineers Get started with NSE 4 |
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NSE 5 recognizes your ability to implement network security management and analytics using Fortinet security devices. The curriculum is recommended for those who require the expertise to centrally manage, analyze, and report on Fortinet security devices. This designation is recognized when you successfully pass a minimum of any two Fortinet NSE 5 certification exams. | Ideal for: Network Security Administrators, Technical Support Engineers and System Engineers Get started with NSE 5 |
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NSE 6 recognizes comprehensive skills with fabric products beyond the firewall. This designation is recognized after you achieve at least four Fortinet Specialist certificates on Fortinet enhanced products, and is recommended for those who are involved in managing and supporting specific Fortinet security products. | Ideal for: Network Security Administrators, Technical Support Engineers and System Engineers Get started with NSE 6 |
| Cybersecurity Advanced Certification | ||
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NSE 7 identifies your advanced skills in deploying, administering, and troubleshooting Fortinet security solutions. This curriculum offers courses for network and security professionals who are involved in advanced administration and support of security infrastructures using Fortinet solutions. You must successfully pass at least one of the NSE 7 exams to obtain this certification. |
Ideal for: IT Security Architects, Network Security Administrators, Technical Support Engineers and System Engineers Get started with NSE 7 |
| Cybersecurity Expert Certification | ||
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The NSE 8 Fortinet Network Security Expert designation identifies your comprehensive and expert knowledge of network security design, configuration, and troubleshooting for complex networks. To attempt the exam, candidates must have related industry experience. We recommend that you complete the appropriate Professional, Analyst, Specialist, and Architect designation training and have extensive experience with Fortinet products in a production environment. The Fortinet Network Security Expert designation does not include training. | Ideal for: Network Security Cybersecurity Professionals Get started with NSE 8 |
Explore Cybersecurity Certifications by Role
Fortinet Education Pathways align NSE training and certification to NICE framework job roles.
Explore certifications for cybersecurity roles in the following:
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| Security-Driven Networking Explore: NSE 4 | NSE 5 | NSE 7 |
Zero Trust Access Explore: NSE 4 | NSE 5 | NSE 6 | NSE 7 |
Security Operations Explore: NSE 4 | NSE 5 | NSE 7 |
Adaptive Cloud Security Explore: NSE 4 | NSE 6 | NSE 7 |
Operational Technology Explore: NSE 4 | NSE 5 | NSE 6 | NSE 7 |
NSE Certification Resources
Exams
Exams for NSE 4 and above are proctored, both online and in person, by Pearson VUE.
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Recertification
All Fortinet certifications expire two years after being earned. Keep up to date with new releases.
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Program Policies & FAQs
Questions about certification? Review the Program Policy Guidelines or our FAQs
The Prestige of NSE 8 Certification
Luke Titmus talks about the challenges of finding people with the right technical skills as cyberattacks are continuing to get more complex.
"Every single level in the Fortinet NSE Certification program is essential, and it all culminates up to level 8, which is the highest level. It gave me a great leg up in my career and has allowed me to take on more advanced projects as I became qualified and experienced in those areas over time."
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Rickard Sellstedt talks about the importance of certification and continuous learning of cybersecurity.
"When an individual is successful at achieving Level 8, it really shows that they know what they’re doing and that they have expert knowledge in network security design, configuration, and troubleshooting for complex networks. What NSE Level 8 also tests is an individual’s proficiency in networking and security in general. You have to bring all your accumulative knowledge to the table when testing for NSE 8."
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Jeff Robbins Talks How to Cultivate the New Generation of Cyber Professionals
"I lead by example, and I wanted to set our engineers apart from others and show a career path. Having the Level 8 certification shows our customers that we have the strongest bench out there. The certification shows that we are all-in. Showing deep technology creds is important to customers when we are talking about such important technology as cybersecurity."
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Sylvia Schlaphof Discusses the Hands-On NSE 8 Exam Environment
"Fortinet has done a great job setting up the exam. It’s really a hands-on exam with real devices, not a simulation. That’s what I loved about it. When I passed, it felt like a big achievement. And, of course, people are impressed. Especially because I was the first woman to accomplish it."
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Mathew Watkinson Outlines the Breadth of Knowledge Required for NSE 8 Certification
"I know a lot of people who are really good at networking... on FortiGate, on the switches, on the wireless, on the authenticator, email, the web – everything comes together in that exam. So, you need to be good at all of it – not just really good at one thing – to be able to get you through an exam."
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Mohammad Al-Zard Reviews the Process of Getting to NSE 8
"I strongly believe the saying “knowledge is power.” It gives me more confidence, and customers have more... At the end, the solution was delivered ahead of schedule and the client was very happy. I attribute this in part to the skills I learned studying for the certification."
Узнать большеAwards & Recognitions
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| 2019, 2020, and 2021 CyberSecurity Breakthrough Award Winner | 2021 Gold Award Winner for Best Cybersecurity Training | 2021 Gold Award Winner for Best Security Training and Educational Programs | 2021 Gold Award Winner for Best Cybersecurity Education Provider | 2021 Global InfoSec Award Winner for Next-Gen in Cybersecurity Training |
