Fortinet is continuing to evolve the Engage Partner programme with new updates to create even more growth opportunities for its global partners of all types. The enhancement includes changes to the Network Security Expert, NSE educational offerings, expansion of the Engage programme, and a new configuration tool.
NSE updates
Fortinet has updated its flagship Network Security Expert Certification programme with a focus on more role-based training that is aligned to in-demand careers, such as Cloud Security Specialists and Security Operations Centre, SOC Analysts.
The NSE updates now align more strongly with the solutions in the Fortinet Security Fabric, and for partners, this targeted enablement programme now better represents a partner’s progressive expertise.
The new NSE Certification designations include:
● Fortinet Certified Fundamentals, FCF focuses on the foundational knowledge and skills that are required to learn how to operate cybersecurity products and solutions and includes courses that cover today’s threat landscape and the fundamentals of cybersecurity.
● Fortinet Certified Associate, FCA goes deeper into cybersecurity technology with a focus on network security and the technical aspects of the next-generation firewall.
● Fortinet Certified Professional, FCP takes a deep dive into role-based training with the ability to take coursework that aligns with the following three areas: Network Security, Public Cloud Security, and Security Operations.
● Fortinet Certified Engineer, FCE goes into specialised cybersecurity solutions that map to the following key areas: Zero Trust Access, Network Security, Public Cloud Security, Security Operations, and OT Security.
● Fortinet Certified Expert, FCX is the most elite designation, formerly NSE level 8 and identifies the highest proficiency in comprehensive and expert knowledge of network security design, configuration, and troubleshooting for complex networks.
The NSE changes benefit partners by giving them more flexibility in crafting their NSE path in the way that best aligns with their business needs. The NSE updates also provide an efficient path for partners to add additional certifications such as cloud or OT. And from a marketing perspective, the new NSE digital badging gives partners an easy way to promote their skills and certifications.
Programme expansion
To further enable partner-led professional services and support services, the Engage programme has been expanded with two new service designations: Engage Preferred Services Partner, EPSP and Expert Technical Support Partner, ETSP.
● Engage Preferred Services Partner meets a growing customer need for professional services with a programmatic approach for the successful partner-led services delivery. Partners with established professional services practices benefit from vendor support and accreditation with the aim of increasing service sales and delivery excellence. The EPSP designation is aligned to the Security Fabric pillars of operational technology, OT, Zero Trust Access, ZTA, Cloud, SecOps, and Secure Access Service Edge, SASE.
● Engage Technical Support Partner designation is available to Expert-level, compliant partners and offers the opportunity to upskill support engineers for better, more efficient customer support. This designation also offers privileged access to Fortinet Support and Services teams.