If you are learning advanced network security skills through Fortinet NSE 8 training, one of the core topics you’ll come across is configuring firewall policies. A firewall acts like a security guard for your network—controlling what enters, what leaves, and what should be blocked.
FortiGate is one of the most popular firewall solutions in the world because it is powerful, reliable, and easy to manage. Whether you are preparing for high-level certifications like NSE 8 or FCX certification, or you simply want to protect your office network, learning to create a basic firewall policy in FortiGate is an essential skill.
What is a Firewall Policy?
A firewall policy is a set of rules that tells your firewall what to allow and what to block. For example:
Allow internet access for employees.
Block harmful or non-work-related websites.
Allow secure connections for remote workers.
In FortiGate, firewall policies manage the flow of traffic between different network zones such as LAN (Local Area Network), WAN (Internet), and DMZ (Demilitarized Zone).
Before You Start
Make sure you have:
Access to the FortiGate web interface (GUI).
Basic information about your network such as:
Internal network (LAN) IP range.
External interface (usually connected to the internet).
Admin login credentials.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Basic Firewall Policy in FortiGate
Step 1: Log in to the FortiGate GUI
Open a web browser and enter the IP address of your FortiGate device.
Type your username and password, then click Login.
Step 2: Go to Policy & Objects
On the left menu, click Policy & Objects.
Select IPv4 Policy (for IPv4 networks) or IPv6 Policy if needed.
Step 3: Create a New Policy
Click Create New.
A form will appear where you can set the details for your firewall policy.
Step 4: Configure the Policy Settings
Name: Give your policy a clear name like LAN-to-Internet.
Incoming Interface: Select the interface connected to your LAN.
Outgoing Interface: Select the interface connected to the internet (WAN).
Source: Select all or a specific address group.
Destination: Select all for general internet access.
Schedule: Set to always unless you want it active only at certain times.
Service: Select ALL or choose specific services like HTTP, HTTPS, DNS.
Action: Select ACCEPT to allow traffic.
Step 5: Enable NAT (Network Address Translation)
Check the NAT box so devices on your LAN can share your public IP when accessing the internet.
Step 6: Save the Policy
Click OK to save your firewall policy.
Step 7: Test Your Policy
Connect a device to your LAN and try opening a website.
If it works, your policy is active.
If not, recheck your settings.
Best Practices for Basic Firewall Policies
Use Clear Names – Makes management easier.
Order Policies Carefully – FortiGate processes policies from top to bottom.
Restrict When Needed – Avoid overly broad “ALL” access unless testing.
Enable Logging – So you can review traffic and troubleshoot issues.
Backup Before Changes – Always save your configuration before making updates.
If you are also taking NSE 8 training or other advanced certifications, try experimenting with features like web filtering, intrusion prevention, and application control to strengthen your firewall rules.
Why This Matters
A well-configured firewall policy is the backbone of network security. Even a simple policy, when set correctly, can protect your network from threats while allowing essential access. FortiGate keeps the process user-friendly, but it still requires careful setup to avoid mistakes.
Conclusion
Configuring a basic firewall policy in FortiGate is a key skill whether you’re protecting a small office network or preparing for advanced certifications like Fortinet NSE 8. The process is straightforward—log in, set up your policy, enable NAT, and test it. From there, you can build on the basics with more advanced security features.
Remember: security is never “set and forget.” Review your firewall policies regularly, keep your FortiGate updated, and continue learning through hands-on labs and real-world practice.
