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Exam Information
Official specifications published by Fortinet
Exam Format
120 min
60
Pass/Fail (no numeric score)
Expert
Registration
$400 USD
Pearson VUE or online proctoring
English
Validity
3 years
Pass written exam (NSE8_812) within 6 months of expiration - max 3 attempts; If failed after 3 attempts, must pass both written and practical exams; Recertification also renews all other Fortinet certifications
NSE8-812 Exam Topics and Domains
NSE8-812 is organized into 7 weighted domains. Expect to work with FortiAnalyzer, FortiSIEM, FortiClient, FortiMail, and more.
1
Security Architecture
15%
FortiGate Network Security Products
Chassis Solutions ArchitectureHardware Product Selection
- Select appropriate FortiGate hardware for complex enterprise deployments
- Understand chassis-based FortiGate architecture
Fortinet Security Fabric Solution Deployments
Security Fabric ComponentsHybrid and Multi-Cloud NetworksLogging and Management Protocols
- Deploy comprehensive Security Fabric solutions
- Integrate Fortinet products in complex environments
Fortinet High-Availability Solutions
HA for Core ProductsCloud HA DeploymentsHA Optimization
- Design and implement high-availability solutions
- Optimize HA deployments for various scenarios
2
Infrastructure
15%
FortiGate Operation Modes
Transparent Mode and Layer-2 TrafficVDOM and VDOM Links
- Deploy FortiGate in various operation modes
- Implement VDOM-based segmentation
FortiGate Hardware Technology
Hardware AccelerationHyperscale FeaturesTraffic Flows and Packet LifeChassis and Module Architecture
- Understand FortiGate hardware acceleration technologies
- Design networks leveraging hardware acceleration
- Optimize traffic flows for performance
Non-FortiGate Hardware Technology
Hardware vs Virtual AppliancesFortiAnalyzer and SIEM
- Understand differences between hardware and virtual appliances
- Design logging and analytics infrastructure
Fortinet Solutions for Cloud Security
Private Cloud SecurityPublic Cloud SecuritySAAS and SASE
- Deploy Fortinet security in cloud environments
- Implement SASE architectures
3
Networking
20%
Advanced Routing and Networking Technologies
Dynamic Routing ProtocolsHigh Availability Routing ConceptsPolicy Routing and MulticastNAT TechnologiesIPv6 TechnologiesTraffic ShapingVirtual Wire Pairs
- Design and implement complex routing solutions
- Configure advanced NAT scenarios
- Implement IPv6 and dual-stack networks
- Optimize traffic with QoS and shaping
Advanced VPN Design Methodologies
IPsec and SSL VPNAggregate and ADVPNVXLAN over IPsec and GRE
- Design scalable VPN architectures
- Implement ADVPN for dynamic mesh networks
- Configure Layer-2 extension technologies
Fortinet Access Solutions
FortiSwitch Advanced ConfigurationsFortiAP Advanced ConfigurationsFortiExtender Use CasesAccess Control FeaturesFortiLink Advanced Configurations
- Design and deploy Fortinet access layer solutions
- Implement NAC and ZTNA
- Configure FortiSwitch, FortiAP, and FortiExtender
Application Delivery
Load Balancing and Health Checks
Implement application delivery and load balancing
4
Secure SD-WAN
15%
SD-WAN Advanced Architecture and Design
Full-Featured SD-WAN with Dynamic RoutingLocal Traffic Routing and Failover
- Design full-featured SD-WAN solutions
- Implement SD-WAN with dynamic routing integration
SD-WAN Advanced Features
Azure vWAN IntegrationADVPN with SD-WANPacket Duplication and Aggregate Tunnels
- Implement advanced SD-WAN features
- Integrate SD-WAN with cloud platforms
SD-WAN Troubleshooting
Session Failover with NATRoute Change with Max Bandwidth MethodShortcut Tunnels and BGP
- Troubleshoot SD-WAN deployments
- Understand session behavior during failover
5
Security Solutions
20%
Fortinet Application Security Solutions
Operation and Deployment ModesDesigning Resilient SolutionsAdvanced Security InspectionFortiGuard Services
- Deploy and configure Fortinet application security products
- Design resilient application security architectures
- Implement advanced threat protection
Fortinet Network Security Solutions
Inspection ModesSecurity ProfilesVoIP SecurityHTTP/2 and Modern Protocols
- Configure comprehensive security profiles
- Implement SSL inspection
- Secure modern protocols (HTTP/2, QUIC, VoIP)
Authentication Mechanisms
SAML AuthenticationRADIUS and LDAP IntegrationFortiAuthenticator IntegrationCertificate Management and AD Integration
- Implement modern authentication mechanisms
- Integrate with enterprise identity systems
- Configure multi-factor authentication
6
Security Operations
10%
Fortinet SOC Solutions
Advanced Threat Protection IntegrationSecurity Incident Handling and ResponseManagement and Logging Tools
- Implement SOC solutions with Fortinet products
- Automate threat response
- Design logging and SIEM architecture
Fortinet Endpoint Solutions
Network Admission ControlFortiClient EMSZTNA ConfigurationEndpoint Protection and EDR
- Deploy comprehensive endpoint security
- Implement ZTNA solutions
- Configure EDR and automated response
7
Automation
5%
Fortinet Automation Tools and Integrations
Automation StitchesFabric ConnectorsZero Touch ProvisioningSOAR and Automated Response
- Implement automation stitches for security orchestration
- Configure Fabric connectors for cloud integration
- Deploy Zero Touch Provisioning
Fortinet Built-in Scripting Capabilities
FortiManager CLI and TCL ScriptingFortiGate AutoScript
- Write CLI scripts for FortiManager
- Implement FortiGate AutoScripts
- Use templates and variables for mass deployment
Fortinet API Configuration and Usage
FortiGate APIAPI Integration in Security FabricLarge-Scale Network Management
- Use Fortinet REST APIs for automation
- Implement webhook-based automation
- Manage large-scale deployments programmatically
How do I earn this certification?
Passing NSE8-812 earns the Fortinet Certified Expert (FCX) - Cybersecurity certification. It sits in the Cybersecurity Expert track.
Current Level Exams
NSE8_870 - FCX Practical Exam 9 hours hands-on, 2 sessions, online proctored
Next Level Options
None - FCX is the highest Fortinet certification Focus on maintaining certification through recertification
Practice with Precision
The PlanetCert Simulator mirrors the real exam environment with authentic questions and timed pressure.
How to study for this exam?
Use the official PlanetCert Practice Test alongside the study plan below to prepare efficiently for NSE8-812.
What's changed on this exam?
Current Status
- ACTIVE
- Last content update: 2024-10-18
Updates
- FortiGate Hardware Acceleration NP7/CP9/SoC4 Critical understanding for Infrastructure domain (15% of exam) • Release date: 2024
- Security Fabric Automation 7.x Automation stitches and Fabric connectors in Automation domain (5% of exam) • Release date: 2024
- ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access) FortiClient 7.x Major component of Security Operations domain (10% of exam) • Release date: 2024
Who should take this exam?
This exam is typically taken by Network security professionals and Cybersecurity architects.
- Extensive network security and cybersecurity experience
- FCP certifications (FortiOS, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager)
- FCSS certifications (Enterprise Firewall, LAN Edge, SD-WAN)
- Experience with Fortinet products in production environments
- NSE 4-7 level knowledge