What is the NSE 7 Public Cloud Security, Fortinet Certified Professional exam?
The NSE 7 Public Cloud Security, Fortinet Certified Professional exam is a professional level certification from Fortinet. It sits in the Cloud Security category of the NSE 7 track, which is aimed at experienced network and security professionals rather than beginners.
The exam checks whether you can secure workloads and traffic once they move into a public cloud. That means you need to know how Fortinet security tools work inside AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, not just on a physical network.
Passing this exam adds a specialist credential to your Fortinet certification path. It tells an employer that you can bridge traditional network security with the way public cloud platforms are built and managed.
How much does the NSE 7 Public Cloud Security, Fortinet Certified Professional exam cost?
The official price for the NSE 7 Public Cloud Security, Fortinet Certified Professional exam is $200. You can buy the voucher directly from Fortinet, or you can buy the exam voucher from Cyber VK for $114.99 instead.
That works out to a saving of $85.01, or 43% off the official price. Cyber VK is an authorized reseller, so the voucher is the same official voucher, and it is redeemed through Pearson VUE in the usual way.
The voucher is valid for 12 months from the date you buy it, which gives you time to book a test slot that suits your study schedule. The price covers the exam registration itself. If your first attempt does not go your way, you will need a fresh voucher to sit the exam again.
What is on the NSE 7 Public Cloud Security, Fortinet Certified Professional exam?
The exam is built around four domains. Together they test whether you can design, deploy, and manage Fortinet security across the major public cloud platforms, not just in a traditional data center.
| Domain | What it covers |
|---|---|
| Cloud Security | General principles and practices for protecting workloads, data, and traffic once they move into a public cloud environment |
| AWS/Azure/GCP Integration | Deploying and connecting Fortinet security controls inside AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform |
| FortiGate Cloud | Configuring and managing FortiGate virtual appliances that run in cloud environments |
| SDN Connector | Using software defined network connectors so security policies update automatically as cloud resources change |
Fortinet does not publish the exact question count, time allowed, or passing score for this exam, so this page does not state numbers for those. Treat the domain list above as the map of what to study, and expect a mix of design questions and hands on configuration scenarios.
How hard is the NSE 7 Public Cloud Security, Fortinet Certified Professional exam?
This is a professional level exam, and it sits later in the NSE 7 track, so it is not a starting point for people new to Fortinet or new to cloud computing. Most candidates who do well already work daily with Fortinet products and with at least one of the three major cloud platforms.
The difficulty comes from breadth as much as depth. You need working knowledge of FortiGate, cloud networking concepts, and the automation tools each cloud provider offers. Candidates who have only worked with on premises FortiGate deployments often find the cloud specific material, such as SDN connectors and cloud native integration, the hardest part to prepare for.
Fortinet has not published a passing score, question count, or time limit for this exam, so plan your study around understanding the domains well rather than guessing at a target number.
How to prepare for the NSE 7 Public Cloud Security, Fortinet Certified Professional exam
A steady plan over several weeks works better than cramming, especially since this exam mixes design thinking with hands on cloud configuration. Here is a 5 week plan you can adjust to your own schedule.
- Week 1: Review Fortinet Security Fabric basics and refresh your FortiGate configuration skills, including policies and VPN concepts.
- Week 2: Study cloud networking fundamentals for AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform, focusing on virtual networks, routing, and security groups.
- Week 3: Set up a small lab and deploy FortiGate virtual appliances in at least one cloud platform, practicing east-west and north-south traffic rules.
- Week 4: Learn how SDN connectors work and practice automating policy updates as cloud resources are added or removed.
- Week 5: Work through free practice questions on Cyber VK, review any weak domains, and repeat hands on labs until the workflow feels natural.
If you are new to one of the three cloud platforms, add an extra week to that platform before moving on. It is easier to learn cloud networking basics first and Fortinet integration second than to try to learn both at once.
Common mistakes people make
Many candidates study FortiGate configuration in detail but skip real hands on time inside AWS, Azure, or Google Cloud Platform. Reading about cloud networking is not the same as configuring it, and the exam expects practical familiarity.
Another common mistake is focusing on only one cloud platform when the domains cover all three. Even light hands on exposure to each platform helps you recognize the differences in networking and security group models.
Some candidates also underestimate the SDN connector domain, treating it as a minor topic. Automation is central to how security policy works in modern cloud environments, so it deserves proper study time rather than a quick read through.
Finally, people sometimes sit this exam before they have solid FortiGate fundamentals in place. This is a professional level exam that assumes you already have that foundation, so shore it up first if it feels shaky.
Is the NSE 7 Public Cloud Security, Fortinet Certified Professional certification worth it?
For cloud security engineers, network architects, and Fortinet administrators who manage cloud deployments, this certification fills a real gap. It proves you can carry security practices from traditional networks into public cloud environments, which is a skill many teams are actively looking for.
The certification is most valuable if your current or target role already touches both Fortinet products and public cloud infrastructure. If you rarely work with cloud platforms, a more general Fortinet certification may serve you better first.
For MSSPs, cloud service providers, and enterprises mid way through cloud transformation, having staff who hold this credential is a practical signal of readiness. It shows the organization has people who can secure cloud workloads with the same rigor as on premises ones.