NSE Partner GuideWORLDWIDE

Table of Contents

NSE Training and Certification Path Information for the Channel 3

Part I: Overview of Coursework and Registration 4

PART II: NSE 1-8 Course Descriptions and Requirements 5

Part III: NSE and the Fortinet Partner Program 8

PART IV: FAQ 8

NSE Partner Guide

3

NSE Training and Certification Path Information for the ChannelThe Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) Program is Fortinet’s 8-level certification program designed for technical professionals interested in independent validation of their network skills and experience. The 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.

The NSE Program is a key part of the Fortinet Partner Program, allowing partners to validate network security skills and experience, leverage Fortinet’s full range of network security products, help accelerate sales, and offer new services. Online portions of the training and certifications are offered free of charge to partners. Fees for proctored exams are outlined in this document.

Contact Information North America

Channel Team: partners@fortinet.com

Training Team: training@fortinet.com

Europe, Middle East, Africa

Channel Team: international_partners@fortinet.com

Training Team: emeatraining@fortinet.com

Asia Pacific

Channel Team: apac_partners@fortinet.com

Training Team: apactraining@fortinet.com

Latin America

Channel Team: latam_partners@fortinet.com

Training Team: training@fortinet.com

4

Part I: Overview of Coursework and Registration Step Level Objective

NSE 1 Develop a foundational understanding of network security concepts.

NSE 2 Develop the knowledge and skills necessary to sell key Fortinet solutions. (For Fortinet employees and partners only)

NSE 3Sales Associate

Develop the knowledge and skills to sell Fortinet products. (For Fortinet employees and partners only)

NSE 4Professional

Develop the technical knowledge and skills of how to configure and maintain a FortiGate Next Generation Firewall solution.

NSE 5Analyst

Develop a detailed technical understanding of how to implement network security management and analytics.

NSE 6Specialist Develop a technical understanding of enhanced security technologies beyond the firewall.

NSE 7Troubleshooter Demonstrate a deep technical understanding of the key Fortinet Solutions.

NSE 8Expert

Demonstrate the ability to design, configure, install and troubleshoot a comprehensive network security solution in a live environment.

12345678Accessing the Fortinet Learning Center

Enrollment is free for online courses, and you can progress at your own speed. You must complete each course requirement (outlined in this document) to receive credit.

Course Completion NotificationNSE 1 - 3: Certificates take 1 - 2 weeks to be processed and posted to transcripts.

NSE 4 - 8: Pearson VUE candidates receive a pass/fail email notification. If an individual passes, certificates are processed and posted to transcripts 2 - 3 weeks after receiving this email.

Viewing Your Transcript and Printing CertificatesTo view your transcript or print certificates, please use the following:

1. Log into the Learning Center account via the Partner Portal

2. Go to “Catalog and Coursework”

3. Go to “My Transcript”

4. Find and click on the preferred certificate

5. You will then see the available logo and have the option to print a certificate

To enroll in NSE courses, you must have an account on the Fortinet Learning Center (FLC). Partners can gain access to the FLC through the partner portal (https://partnerportal.fortinet.com). Partners must access the FLC via the portal to receive credit.

§ If you do not have credentials for the Partner Portal, please contact the Primary/Admin Fortinet contact at your company, who can grant you access directly. Individuals must use a company email address to register on the portal.

§ After you are granted Partner Portal access, please allow up to 48 hours for FLC access (during this time period, an error message will be displayed).

Course EnrollmentOnce you’ve logged into the FLC, the home page will display the NSE Program tab which lists all of the featured trainings with links to both the online and public classroom schedule. (Click here for our “Navigating the FLC” guide, located on the Partner Portal’s training page within the Quick Links). Once you select the type of training you are interested in, select the “Enroll” or “Purchase” button (upper right) to register for the training. You will receive an email notification that confirms your enrollment.

Please note, the new NSE Institute learning platform will replace the Fortinet Learning Center in January 2017.

5

Transferring CreditsIf you are transferring to another company, please email your regional training team to request a transfer of your credits.

Questions?For questions about individual or company training current standing, email your regional channel team with subject line: “NSE training standing.”

For additional help, contact your training administrator at your regional training team.

PART II: NSE 1-8 Course Descriptions and RequirementsEach NSE level has a defined learning objective and proposes specific coursework to acquire this knowledge. The certification exam for each level is either handled online, or is a proctored exam that must be taken at a Pearson VUE Test Center. There are no pre-requisites for taking an exam, however some parts of the NSE training path are sequential, and pre-requisites must be met in order to enroll in a course.

Please visit the Fortinet website for complete details on each technical training course presented below.

NSE 1: Network Security Technology FoundationsNSE 1 is the entry-level designation of the NSE program. It is intended to provide a basic understanding of the various aspects of creating a secure environment for network computing.

NSE 1 Program Requirements

§ Completion of all NSE 1 training modules

§ Passing each module exam with a score of 90% or better

Certification

The NSE 1 certification is valid for two years from date of completion. Individuals can renew their NSE 1 by taking the current NSE 1 offering in the Fortinet Learning Center.

NSE 2 – Network Security Solutions for SalesNSE 2 is the core solutions level of the NSE program. It is intended to provide salespeople a basic understanding of Fortinet solutions.

NSE 2 Program Requirements

§ Successful completion of the NSE 1 course.

§ Completion of any 5 of the total number of available NSE 2

§ Passing the five chosen module exams with a score of 80% or better

Certification

The NSE 2 requirement is valid for two years. Individuals can renew their NSE 2 by taking the current NSE 2 offering in the Fortinet Learning Center.

NSE 3: Network Security Products for SalesNSE 3 is the advanced solutions level of the NSE program. It is intended to provide salespeople a basic understanding of the advanced solutions in the Fortinet product line.

NSE 3 Program Requirements

§ Completion of any four of the total number of NSE 3

§ Passing each chosen module exam with a score of 80% or better

Certification Duration

The NSE 3 requirement is valid for two years. Individuals can renew their NSE 3 requirements by taking the current NSE 3 offering in the Fortinet Learning Center.

NSE 1, 2, 3 “FAQ”

§ Obtain NSE 1, 2, and 3 and become a Fortinet NSE Sales Associate

§ NSE 1 and 2 are mandatory for all Fortinet Partner Levels. NSE 3 is mandatory for the salesforce of Fortinet Platinum Partners

§ NSE 1 - 3 are sales-oriented and are not mandatory for technical and pre-sales, but are STRONGLY recommended

§ NSE 1 – 3 EXAMS are built into the courses and students can take them in any order they want

NSE 4 – FortiGate Network Security ProfessionalThe FortiGate NSE 4 – Security Professional designation recognizes a candidate’s ability to configure, install, and monitor the FortiGate Unified Threat Management product in a customer’s network.

6

NSE 4 Program Requirements

§ Passing the NSE 4 exam at a Pearson VUE Test Center

§ Existing FCNSP v4 certificates were honored as NSE 4 through December 31, 2015. If you hold an expired FCNSP v4 certificate, please renew your NSE 4 standing by taking the NSE 4 exam.

§ NSE 4 - 8 exams have no pre-requisites. An individual can take any exam whether they have taken coursework or not.

Certification Duration

The NSE 4 certification is valid for two years. You can re-certify by taking the current NSE 4 exam at a Pearson VUE Test Center.

NSE 4 “FAQ”

§ Available at: Pearson VUE Test Centers worldwide

§ Cost: $400

§ Number of items: 60

§ Time allowed to complete: 120 minutes total test time

§ Passing Score: 70%

§ Scoring Method: Item must be 100% correct for credit, no partial credit. No deduction for incorrect answers.

§ Type of questions: Multiple Choice, Multiple Select

§ Time required between attempts: 15 days

§ Time for acknowledgement/score to be reflected in FLC transcripts: 21 days

NSE 5 – FortiGate Network Security Management and AnalysisFortiGate Security Management and Analysis designation recognizes an individual’s ability to use FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer to provide network analysis and reporting.

NSE 5 Program Requirements

§ Completion of the NSE 5 exam at a Pearson VUE Test Center

§ Note: the FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer courses are no longer required but are highly recommended

§ NSE 4 - 8 exams have no pre-requisites. An individual can take any exam whether they have taken coursework or not. NSE 5-7 coursework may have prerequisites.

Certificate Duration

The NSE 5 certification is valid for two years. You can re-certify by fulfilling the current NSE 5 requirements.

NSE 5 “FAQ”

§ Available at: Pearson VUE Test Centers worldwide

§ Cost: $400

§ Number of items: 60

§ Time allowed to complete: 120 minutes total test time

§ Passing Score: 70%

§ Scoring Method: Item must be 100% correct for credit, no partial credit. No deduction for incorrect answers.

§ Type of questions: Multiple Choice, Multiple Select

§ Time required between attempts: 15 days

§ Time for acknowledgement/score to be reflected in FLC transcripts: 21 days

NSE 6 – Fortinet Advanced Products Professional The Advanced Products Professional designation recognizes an individual’s broad and in-depth skills with Fortinet’s security products. This designation is recognized by demonstrating skill in four or more identified specialized content areas.

NSE 6 Program Requirements

Partner certification requires one person passing a minimum of four Fortinet Specialist Exams for the technologies below:

§ FortiWeb

§ FortiMail

§ FortiAuthenticator

§ Integrated Wireless

§ FortiDDoS

§ FortiSandbox 2.0.3

§ FortiADC-D 4.1.0

Certification

NSE 6 certification is valid for two years. To remain current, you must have passed any current exams associated with your areas of specialization.

7

NSE 6 “FAQ”:

§ All NSE 6 exams are hosted at Pearson VUE.

§ A special NSE 6 voucher can be purchased that allows one to take any 4 NSE 6 exams. The cost of the voucher is $400. Alternatively, a single technology NSE exam voucher can be purchased for $150

§ Corresponding coursework is recommended but not required

NSE 7– Fortinet Troubleshooting ProfessionalNSE 7 designation certifies that individuals have the expertise to isolate, diagnose, and fix the most common issues in networks with FortiGate devices, and to configure more advanced features often used in large networks such as OSPF routing.

NSE 7 Requirements

§ Successfully passing the NSE 7 exam at a Pearson VUE Test Center

§ The FortiGate III course is highly recommended as the best way to prepare for the NSE 7 exam

§ NSE 4 - 8 exams have no pre-requisites. An individual can take any exam whether they have taken coursework or not. NSE 5 - 7 coursework may have prerequisites.

Certification

The NSE 7 certification is valid for two years. You can recertify by fulfilling the current NSE 7 requirements.

NSE 7 “FAQ”

§ Available at: Pearson VUE Test Centers worldwide

§ Cost: $200

§ Number of items: 30

§ Time allowed to complete: 60 minutes total test time

§ Passing Score: 70%

§ Scoring Method: Item must be 100% correct for credit, no partial credit. No deduction for incorrect answers.

§ Type of questions: Multiple Choice, Multiple Select

§ Time required between attempts: 15 days

§ Time for acknowledgement/score to be reflected in FLC transcripts: 21 days

NSE 8 – Fortinet Network Security ExpertThe FortiGate Security Expert designation recognizes a candidate’s broad and in-depth ability to design, configure, and troubleshoot network security in complex networks.

NSE 8 Requirements

§ Completion of the NSE 8 written exam (a practice exam is available on the FLC)

§ Completion of the NSE 8 practical exam

§ NSE 4 - 8 exams have no pre-requisites. An individual can take any exam whether they have taken coursework or not.

Certification

The NSE 8 certification is valid for two years. You can re-certify by taking the current written exam at a Pearson VUE Test Center.

NSE 8 Written Exam “Good to Know”

The Fortinet NSE 8 written exam is a 90-minute multiple-choice exam that is offered at Pearson VUE Test Centers worldwide. Questions include design scenarios, exhibits, configuration extracts, and troubleshooting that assess the networking, security, and Fortinet solution knowledge and experience of the test taker. A practice exam is available to give you a sense of the kinds of questions you’ll find on the NSE 8 exam at Pearson VUE. The practice exam is available in the Fortinet Learning Center.

§ Available at: Pearson VUE Test Centers worldwide

§ Cost: $400

§ Number of items: 65

§ Time allowed to complete: 90 minutes total test time

§ Passing Score: Pass or Fail

§ Scoring Method: Each item must be 100% correct for credit, no partial credit. No deduction for incorrect answers

§ Type of questions: Multiple Choice, Multiple Select

§ Time required between attempts: 15 days

§ Time for acknowledgement/score to be reflected in FLC transcripts: 21 days

NSE 8 Practical Exam “Good to Know”

Once a candidate has passed the prerequisite NSE 8 written exam, the candidate can schedule to take the practical exam in person at one of Fortinet’s NSE 8 test centers worldwide. The Fortinet NSE 8 practical exam is a two-day hands-on evaluation. During the practical exam, the candidate must configure and validate a complete network topology involving multiple Fortinet products. Reference materials are not allowed in the exam room for either written or practical exams.

8

§ The written exam is a prerequisite for the practical exam

§ The practical exam is available in limited locales; refer to the Fortinet Partner Portal/Training for opportunities in your area.

§ Cost: $1600

Part III: NSE and the Fortinet Partner ProgramThe NSE Program is an integral part of the Fortinet Program, contributing to your security leadership in the marketplace. Each of the four Partner Levels have specific NSE requirements that must be met in order to maintain your level.

Partner Requirements by Level

Authorized Silver Gold Platinum

NSE 1 1 1 2 3

NSE 2 1 1 2 3

NSE 3 1

NSE 4 1 2 3

NSE 5 1 2

NSE 6 4*

NSE 7 1 1

NSE 8 1

NSE in the Partner PortalPartners can view their NSE certification achievements directly in the Partner Portal. After logging into the Portal, visit the Training Page and click on ‘View My NSE Certifications’ in the righthand menu. Alternatively, visit ‘My Profile’, and click on the red button at the bottom of the screen: My NSE Certifications.

Your company’s Partner Portal Primary contact can also view a summary of company-wide achievements, compared to the requirements for your Partner level. When on the Training Page, primary contacts will see the menu option ‘View My Company’s NSE Achievements’ in the righthand menu.

Please contact your regional Channel Team for further information on partner compliancy.

PART IV: FAQAccessing & Completing Courses How do I access the NSE online training classes?

§ Online training classes are available on the FLC. Access is via the Partner Portal (http://partnerportal.fortinet.com). Once logged into the learning center, click Training / Learning Center Access.

–– If you do not have credentials for the Partner Portal, please contact the Primary/Admin Fortinet contact at your company, who can grant you access directly. Individuals must use a company email address to register on the portal.

–– After you are granted Partner Portal access, please allow up to 48 hours for FLC access (prior to this, an error message will be displayed).

–– If you are transferring to another company, please email your regional Training Team to request a transfer of your credits.

SA

LES

TE

CH

NIC

AL

* At least four different technologies

9

Are all training courses available online?

§ NSE 1-7 trainings are available online to partners at no fee. NSE 7 is also available in a Virtual Instructor Led Training format. This format is different from NSE 4 and NSE 5, but remains an online training free of charge (FOC) for partners.

How long does it take to prepare and be certified on each level?

§ The time required preparing for any particular level of the NSE Program is based on the amount of time an individual can allot to study, the amount of experience they possess, and their individual aptitude. Lower levels of the program can be achieved in a fairly short period of time, given one’s situation. Mid to upper level technical levels NSE 4 - 7 require a greater investment in time and resources to attend more formal training, proctored labs, and exams. NSE 8, depending on the amount of knowledge and skill gained through experiential learning, can require many months to prepare. NSE 8 is an expert-level, assessment-only part of the program and is intended only for well-seasoned technical professionals.

How many seats per session?

§ An unlimited number of partner individuals can participate in the self-paced versions on any training available. There is a limited number of seats that partners can reserve in the Instructor-led facilitated labs, virtual instructor led and classroom based training. This number is limited to 12.

§ Partners can only attend 1 class of each session for free once enrolled in an online class, and they are limited to 1 attempt for each lab or virtual instructor-led training. Following these attempts, registration will no longer be available.

What happens if I register for an instructor-led class, such as a FortiGate l & ll Facilitated Lab and cannot attend?

§ Cancellation policies apply to instructor-led classes and labs, these are available on the Fortinet.com site here: https://www.fortinet.com/content/dam/fortinet/assets/training/Fortinet-Training-Cancellation-Policy.pdf If you are unable to attend a class that you registered for, please adjust as necessary on the Learning Portal. If you need further assistance please contact the Training Team.

Where can I find information on upcoming training courses?

§ Visit https://www.fortinet.com/support-and-training/training/course-schedule.html for a complete list of upcoming classes.

Certification & TranscriptsI passed all the exams for my NSE level. When will I receive my certificate?

§ NSE 1, 2, 3, and 6 processing can take up to 14 days before certificates appear in your transcript.

§ NSE 4, 5, and 7 certifications earned through Pearson VUE can take two to three weeks to appear in your transcript.

How can I view my transcript or download and print my NSE certificate?

§ To view your transcript or print certificates:

1. Log into the Learning Center account via the Partner Portal

2. Go to “Catalog and Coursework”

3. Go to “My Transcript”

4. Find and click on the preferred certificate

5. You will then see the available logo and have the option to print a certificate

Certification RenewalHow long are my NSE certificates valid?

§ All individual NSE certifications expire after two years.

How do I renew my certificates?

§ You must take the current exam before your certificate expires to maintain your NSE level.

Do I have to re-take courses to renew my certificates?

§ Courseware is highly recommended but is not a pre-requisite for NSE exams.

FortiOS has been upgraded since I took my courses. Can I take the older NSE exam?

§ Upon the release of a new FortiOS version, the previous version will remain available for 6 months at on the Learning Center and at Pearson Vue.

Do I have to renew each certificate or will lower levels auto-renew as I move up?

§ Each NSE level is independent and must be renewed every two years. Renewing a higher level does not reset the date of the lower level certificate. For example, you receive NSE 4 in January 2015. You then earn NSE 7 in November. You must renew NSE 4 before February 2017 to maintain your NSE 4 standing.

Partner Compliance How do I obtain a list of employees in my organization that hold certifications and at what levels?

For questions about individual or company training current standing, email your regional Channel Team with subject line: “NSE training standing.”

What is the equivalence between the old FCNSA/FCNSP and the NSE Program?

§ FCNSA and FCNSP were two separate exams under the previous Fortinet Certification Program. Under the new NSE Program, those exams have been updated and combined into a single exam, NSE 4: Fortinet Network Security Professional.

What happens to my existing FCNSP certifications?

§ FCNSP v4 certificates are no longer valid for NSE 4 standing.

§ As of December 31st, 2016, FCNSP v5 are no longer valid for NSE 4 standing. Please renew by taking the NSE 4.

How does ERC Code qualification work with the NSE program?

Engineers working for Platinum, Gold and Silver partners can obtain an ERC Code if they are NSE 4 and if their company is compliant with all NSE 1-8 partner level certification requirements.

Selling Fortinet CertificationsWhat is the process for end-customers to follow the training? Can a customer purchase courses?

§ Customers do not participate in NSE 2-3, but may use NSE 1 if they wish. NSE 4 is the entry point for end-user/customers. If a customer wishes to purchase courses, training SKUs are available for resellers to quote.

Additional Resources and Contact InformationWhat other NSE resources are available?

§ Visit fortinet.com (https://www.fortinet.com/support-and-training/training/courses.html) for more information. Further information can also be found on the Partner Portal under the training tab. Visit the NSE What’s New section on the portal for the latest updates on NSE coursework.

Who do I contact with questions about the NSE program?

§ You can contact the NSE Administrator at NSE@fortinet.com (for course-related information) or your regional Training Team (see contact information on page 3).

Who do I contact with questions about our current partner-standing?

§ Please email your regional Channel Team (see regional contact details on Page 3).

Copyright © 2016 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. Fortinet®, FortiGate®, FortiCare® and FortiGuard®, and certain other marks are registered trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., and other Fortinet names herein may also be registered and/or common law trademarks of Fortinet. All other product or company names may be trademarks of their respective owners. Performance and other metrics contained herein were attained in internal lab tests under ideal conditions, and actual performance and other results may vary. Network variables, different network environments and other conditions may affect performance results. Nothing herein represents any binding commitment by Fortinet, and Fortinet disclaims all warranties, whether express or implied, except to the extent Fortinet enters a binding written contract, signed by Fortinet’s General Counsel, with a purchaser that expressly warrants that the identified product will perform according to certain expressly-identified performance metrics and, in such event, only the specific performance metrics expressly identified in such binding written contract shall be binding on Fortinet. For absolute clarity, any such warranty will be limited to performance in the same ideal conditions as in Fortinet’s internal lab tests. Fortinet disclaims in full any covenants, representations, and guarantees pursuant hereto, whether express or implied. Fortinet reserves the right to change, modify, transfer, or otherwise revise this publication without notice, and the most current version of the publication shall be applicable.

GLOBAL HEADQUARTERSFortinet Inc.899 Kifer RoadSunnyvale, CA 94086United StatesTel: +1.408.235.7700www.fortinet.com/sales

EMEA SALES OFFICE905 rue Albert Einstein Valbonne 06560, Alpes-Maritimes, France Tel +33 4 8987 0500

APAC SALES OFFICE300 Beach Road 20-01The ConcourseSingapore 199555Tel: +65.6513.3730

LATIN AMERICA SALES OFFICEPaseo de la Reforma 412 piso 16Col. JuarezC.P. 06600 México D.F.Tel: 011-52-(55) 5524-8428

Jan 2, 2016