NSE7_SSE_AD-25 Exam Results

The Secure Web Gateway (SWG) policy is used to control traffic between the FortiClient endpoint and FortiSASE for secure internet access. SWG provides comprehensive web security by enforcing policies that manage and monitor user access to the internet.

Secure Web Gateway (SWG) Policy:

SWG policies are designed to protect users from web-based threats and enforce acceptable use policies.

These policies control and monitor user traffic to and from the internet, ensuring that security protocols are followed.

Traffic Control:

The SWG policy intercepts all web traffic, inspects it, and applies security rules before allowing or blocking access.

This policy type is crucial for providing secure internet access to users connecting through FortiSASE.

In FortiSASE Secure Private Access (SPA) deployments, establishing a stable connection between the FortiSASE PoPs and the corporate FortiGate hub relies on two primary layers: the IPsec Tunnel and the BGP Peering.

Exhibit Analysis: The exhibit (image_577e17.jpg) shows the status of several Security PoPs (Singapore, Tokyo, Frankfurt, and San Jose) connected to an "FGT-Hub".

Tunnel Status vs. BGP Status: For all listed PoPs, the Health Check IP Status and Tunnel status are both shown with a green "Up" icon. This confirms that the underlying IPsec connectivity and the physical path between the SASE cloud and the hub are functioning correctly.

Identifying the Failure: The BGP Peering State is reported as Active. In BGP terminology, the "Active" state specifically indicates that the router is attempting to initiate a TCP connection with its peer but has not yet received a response. A fully functional and successful BGP connection must reach the Established state.

Root Cause Determination: Since the tunnel is up (eliminating Gateway or Authentication Method issues as the primary suspects) but the BGP state remains stuck in "Active," the most likely cause is a mismatch or misconfiguration in the BGP Peer IP or BGP neighbor settings. This prevents the exchange of routing information necessary for users to access private applications.

To resolve the connectivity problem, the administrator must ensure that the BGP neighbor IPs configured on the FortiGate hub match those assigned by the FortiSASE orchestration and that firewall policies on the hub allow BGP traffic (TCP port 179) across the tunnel.

The distinction between SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) and SSE (Security Service Edge) is a fundamental architectural concept in modern networking and security.

SASE Definition: SASE is a comprehensive framework that converges networking capabilities (specifically SD-WAN) with cloud-native security services (SSE) into a single, unified service model.

SSE Definition: SSE represents the security-focused subset of SASE.4 It encompasses the core security pillars required for secure access, including Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA).

The Key Differentiator: While both solutions share the same security stack (SWG, CASB, ZTNA), SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network) is the specific networking component that exists in a full SASE solution to provide intelligent path selection and optimized connectivity. SSE intentionally excludes these wide-area networking functions, focusing purely on the security service delivery layer.

According to the FortiSASE 25 Enterprise Administrator Study Guide, organizations that already have a robust networking infrastructure and only require a cloud-delivered security overlay would opt for SSE, whereas those seeking a complete transformation of both network and security would deploy a full SASE solution that includes SD-WAN.

In a FortiSASE environment, the Unified FortiClient agent is the critical component that fulfills the requirement for "always-on" connectivity and security for remote users.

Persistent Encrypted Tunnels: The Unified FortiClient maintains a persistent, always-on connection to the FortiSASE infrastructure.4 This is typically achieved through an auto-connect VPN tunnel (SSL or IPsec) that initiates as soon as the user logs into their device and has internet access.

Continuous Security Enforcement: By staying connected to a nearby FortiSASE Point of Presence (PoP), the endpoint ensures that all traffic is inspected. This allows the organization to enforce a consistent security posture—including Web Filtering, Antivirus, and Application Control—regardless of whether the user is at home, in a coffee shop, or traveling.

Zero-Trust Integration: Beyond simple connectivity, the unified agent supports Universal ZTNA. It continuously verifies the identity of the user and the security posture of the device before granting access to specific applications, thereby satisfying modern zero-trust security mandates.

Comparison of Other Components:

SD-WAN on-ramp (B): Used primarily to integrate existing branch office SD-WAN networks with the SASE cloud for private application access.

Secure Web Gateway (C): While a feature of the SASE PoP, the agentless SWG deployment (using PAC files) does not provide the same level of "always-on" persistent tunnel protection as the FortiClient agent.

Thin-branch SASE extension (D): Focused on securing small branch locations (using FortiAP or FortiExtender) where individual client agents may not be deployed on every device.