Free NSE7_SSE_AD-25 Fortinet Updates

The FortiSASE On/off-net detection feature is a two-part configuration designed to optimize bandwidth and user experience by determining when a device is in a trusted environment.

Rule Set Definition: The first part involves defining what constitutes an "on-net" or "on-fabric" status. In this scenario, the customer successfully configured a rule set named CERT-PUBLIC-IP using the Connects with a known public IP detection type. This tells FortiSASE that if the endpoint’s public WAN IP matches the corporate gateway, it is considered to be on the corporate network.

Profile Exemption Logic: Defining the rule set is not enough to stop the VPN connection. Within the Endpoint Profile (under the Connection tab > On/off-net Settings), there is a specific toggle labeled Exempt endpoint from FortiSASE auto-connect when endpoint is on-net (or in some versions, Bypass FortiSASE when endpoint is on-net).

Exhibit Analysis: Looking at the provided exhibit (image_57097d.jpg), the "Exempt endpoint from FortiSASE auto-connect..." toggle is clearly disabled (switched to the left).

Root Cause: Because this toggle is disabled, FortiClient identifies that it is "on-net" based on the IP rule, but it has no instruction to skip the VPN connection. Consequently, the "Automatically" initiate tunnel setting remains the dominant instruction, causing the VPN to connect regardless of the network location.

To resolve the issue, the administrator must enable the Exempt endpoint from FortiSASE auto-connect when endpoint is on-net option in the SASECert01 profile.

For small branch offices (thin edges) where users utilize unmanaged personal devices (BYOD) like laptops and mobile phones, the most efficient way to provide Secure Internet Access (SIA) with minimal configuration is by deploying a FortiAP.

Thin Edge Integration: FortiSASE includes expanded integrations with the Fortinet WLAN portfolio, allowing FortiAP wireless access points to function as "thin edge" devices. These access points intelligently offload and steer traffic from the branch directly to the nearest FortiSASE Security Point of Presence (PoP).

No Endpoint Agents Required: Because the devices are personal and unmanaged, installing the FortiClient agent (Option A) is often not feasible or desirable. The FortiAP deployment secures all client devices at the location without requiring any endpoint agents.

Minimal Configuration & Zero-Touch: This solution is specifically designed for small office locations with limited budgets and no local IT staff. FortiSASE offers cloud-delivered management with zero-touch provisioning for FortiAP. Once the AP is connected, it automatically establishes a secure CAPWAP or IPsec tunnel to FortiSASE, ensuring all connected users are protected by the cloud security stack (Antivirus, Web Filtering, etc.) with almost no manual setup on the end-user side.

Why other options are less ideal:

Option C and D: SD-WAN on-ramp and FortiGate LAN extensions typically require a physical FortiGate appliance at the branch. For a small office with only ten users and personal devices, this adds unnecessary hardware costs and configuration complexity compared to a simple, cloud-managed FortiAP.

FortiSASE Geofencing and Regional Compliance allow administrators to control where remote users connect based on their physical location, which is determined by the endpoint's public IP address.3

Default Connection Behavior: By default, FortiSASE uses a "best-effort" geolocation logic to ensure the lowest latency for the user. If an administrator has not configured a specific regional compliance rule for a user's country or region, FortiClient will automatically attempt to connect to the closest available FortiSASE security PoP (Point of Presence) based on proximity.4

Regional Compliance Rules: When an organization must enforce data residency or specific security routing requirements, they create Regional Compliance rules. According to the FortiSASE 25 Feature Administration Guide, these rules allow the administrator to override the default "closest PoP" behavior for specific countries.

Connectivity Options: Within a regional compliance rule, the administrator must specify the destination for the traffic. The system provides a choice between two distinct connection types: a FortiSASE Security PoP or an On-premises device (such as a FortiGate acting as a gateway).5 The documentation specifies that a rule is designed to point to one of these types at a time to satisfy the compliance requirement for that specific region.

Connection Priority: While multiple connections can be managed in a priority table, the logic for Regional Compliance is focused on directing the user to the designated compliant entry point. Option D is incorrect because the connection order is determined by the Priority and custom fail-over connections table; an administrator can manually adjust the sequence, so it is not "always" the security PoP first.

The provided exhibit (image_57e69d.jpg) displays the Software Installations dashboard within the FortiSASE portal. This dashboard is a key component of the endpoint visibility and management features provided by the integrated FortiClient EMS functionality.

Visible Metadata: The output provides a granular list of all software detected on managed endpoints, including the application Name, the Vendor (e.g., Igor Pavlov, Microsoft Corporation, Adobe), the specific Version currently installed, and critical timestamps such as First Detected and Last Installed.

Administrative Utility: This information allows an administrator to audit the software environment effectively. By reviewing these details, they can identify unwanted software (PUA), shadow IT, or outdated software versions that may possess known vulnerabilities.

Actions Available: While the primary view is informational, the presence of the View Endpoints button (visible in the top-left) allows administrators to pivot from a specific application to a list of all individual devices where that software is present, facilitating targeted remediation.

Analysis of Incorrect Options:

Option A: While FortiSASE manages profiles and tags, this specific "Software Installations" view is focused purely on software inventory.

Option B: Although the "First Detected" date is visible, FortiSASE does not support "automatic patching" of third-party software directly from this inventory screen.

Option C: The dashboard shows what is installed, not the "latest available" version in the market, nor does it provide a mechanism to "push updates" to these third-party applications.