Fortinet is one of the few cybersecurity vendors that has gone through a full certification restructuring — and then partially reversed it. If you are confused about whether Fortinet uses NSE 1–8 or FCF / FCP / FCSS, you are not alone.

The short answer is: Fortinet uses both.

And this decision is not accidental — it is driven by market reality, employer demand, and brand value.

The Original NSE 1–8 System: A Strong Market Brand

For years, the NSE (Network Security Expert) 1–8 certification system was one of the most recognizable security certification paths in the industry:

• NSE 1–3: Security awareness and foundational knowledge
• NSE 4: FortiGate / FortiOS administration (core skill)
• NSE 5: Centralized management and analytics
• NSE 6: Specialized security technologies
• NSE 7: Advanced enterprise firewall & security architecture
• NSE 8: Elite expert-level certification

In job postings, training programs, and partner requirements, “NSE 4” and “NSE 7” became industry shorthand for Fortinet expertise.

Why Fortinet Introduced a New Certification Framework

Around 2023, Fortinet introduced a new modern certification framework:

• Fortinet Certified Fundamentals (FCF)
• Fortinet Certified Associate (FCA)
• Fortinet Certified Professional (FCP)
• Fortinet Certified Solution Specialist (FCSS)
• Fortinet Certified Expert (FCX)

This new structure aligned Fortinet with other vendors like AWS, Cisco, and Palo Alto Networks by:

• Creating a clear role-based progression
• Supporting multi-domain security paths (SASE, SOC, Cloud, ZTNA)
• Improving global certification standardization

From a design perspective, the new framework made sense.

The Market Reaction: NSE Never Really Left

However, something unexpected happened. Despite the new framework:

• Employers continued asking for NSE 4 / NSE 7.
• HR teams rarely searched for “FCP” or “FCSS”.
• Partners and training centers kept teaching NSE-based paths.
• Search demand for “Fortinet NSE” remained extremely high.

In short, the market never stopped using NSE. This created a disconnect between Fortinet’s certification strategy and real-world recognition.

The Compromise: Dual Certification System

Instead of forcing a full migration, Fortinet adopted a dual-track approach:

1. NSE 1–8 Remains the Exam & Technical Path

• NSE exam names are active and valid
• NSE levels still represent technical depth
• Certification value remains unchanged in the job market

2. New Framework Defines Certification Levels

At the same time, Fortinet maps NSE exams into the new structure:

This approach preserves NSE brand value while allowing Fortinet to evolve its certification architecture.

Why This Strategy Actually Makes Sense

Fortinet’s decision solves multiple problems at once:

• No disruption for employers and candidates
• No loss of SEO and brand recognition
• Smooth transition to role-based certifications
• Backward compatibility for existing professionals

Few vendors are willing to admit that the market knows better — Fortinet did.

By restoring NSE 1–8 while keeping the new Fortinet Certified framework, Fortinet created one of the most flexible and market-aware certification systems in cybersecurity today. And we will share the details of the new Fortinet certification framework soon.