The correct policy configuration is source=internal, destination=DMZ, service=HTTPS, action=ACCEPT, with the web filter profile set to default. This works because the firewall policy must explicitly match the HTTPS service (TCP 443) from the internal 10.0.0.0/8 network to the DMZ server at 192.168.1.100, and applying a web filter profile at the policy level allows the FortiGate to inspect the encrypted traffic for malicious URLs while still permitting legitimate requests. On the Fortinet NSE 4 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of how web filtering integrates with firewall policies, and a common trap is selecting a policy that uses HTTP instead of HTTPS or omitting the web filter profile entirely. Remember the key sequence: source, destination, service, action, then profile—skipping any one of these breaks the requirement. A helpful memory tip is “S-D-S-A-P”: Source, Destination, Service, Action, Profile—always apply the profile last to enforce security without blocking the allowed traffic.
NSE4 Firewall Policies and NAT Practice Question
This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of firewall policies and nat. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A FortiGate administrator needs to allow all internal users (10.0.0.0/8) to access a web server in the DMZ (192.168.1.100) using HTTPS. The administrator wants to apply a web filter profile to block malicious URLs while allowing legitimate traffic. Which of the following is the correct policy configuration?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Policy: source=internal, destination=DMZ, service=HTTPS, action=ACCEPT, web filter profile=default
To allow HTTPS traffic from internal to DMZ with web filtering, the policy must have source=internal_network, destination=DMZ_server, service=HTTPS, action=ACCEPT, and the web filter profile applied. The other options either block the traffic, use the wrong service, or misapply the profile.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Policy: source=internal, destination=DMZ, service=ALL, action=ACCEPT, web filter profile=default
Why it's wrong here
Using ALL services is less secure and may allow unintended traffic.
✗
Policy: source=internal, destination=DMZ, service=HTTP, action=ACCEPT, web filter profile=default
Why it's wrong here
HTTP is port 80, not HTTPS (443). The requirement is HTTPS.
✓
Policy: source=internal, destination=DMZ, service=HTTPS, action=ACCEPT, web filter profile=default
Why this is correct
This correctly allows HTTPS traffic and applies web filtering.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
Policy: source=internal, destination=DMZ, service=HTTPS, action=DENY, web filter profile=default
Why it's wrong here
Action DENY blocks all traffic, so web filtering is irrelevant.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related NSE4 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
Firewall Policies and NAT — This question tests Firewall Policies and NAT — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Policy: source=internal, destination=DMZ, service=HTTPS, action=ACCEPT, web filter profile=default — To allow HTTPS traffic from internal to DMZ with web filtering, the policy must have source=internal_network, destination=DMZ_server, service=HTTPS, action=ACCEPT, and the web filter profile applied. The other options either block the traffic, use the wrong service, or misapply the profile.
What should I do if I get this NSE4 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related NSE4 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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