This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of security profiles. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
An administrator enables deep inspection for HTTPS traffic. Users report that they cannot access some websites because of certificate errors. The administrator wants to override these errors and allow access. What should be configured?
Disable certificate verification in the deep inspection profile
Why wrong: Disabling certificate verification would allow all certificates but would reduce security. However, the correct approach is to exempt specific sites.
B
Add the websites to the 'FortiGuard category' allow list
Why wrong: FortiGuard categories are for web filtering, not for bypassing deep inspection certificate errors.
C
Configure the web filter to allow these websites
Why wrong: Web filter does not affect deep inspection certificate processing.
D
Add the websites to the 'SSL/SSH exemption' list in the deep inspection profile
The SSL/SSH exemption list allows specific domains to bypass deep inspection, thus avoiding certificate errors while still protecting other traffic.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add the websites to the 'SSL/SSH exemption' list in the deep inspection profile
In FortiOS, deep inspection can generate certificate errors for sites with self-signed or mismatched certificates. To allow access despite errors, the administrator can add the affected domains to the 'SSL/SSH exemption' list in the deep inspection profile. This exempts those sites from deep inspection, avoiding the certificate error.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
Disable certificate verification in the deep inspection profile
Why it's wrong here
Disabling certificate verification would allow all certificates but would reduce security. However, the correct approach is to exempt specific sites.
✗
Add the websites to the 'FortiGuard category' allow list
Why it's wrong here
FortiGuard categories are for web filtering, not for bypassing deep inspection certificate errors.
✗
Configure the web filter to allow these websites
Why it's wrong here
Web filter does not affect deep inspection certificate processing.
✓
Add the websites to the 'SSL/SSH exemption' list in the deep inspection profile
Why this is correct
The SSL/SSH exemption list allows specific domains to bypass deep inspection, thus avoiding certificate errors while still protecting other traffic.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
Use explanations to understand the rule behind the answer.
TExam Day Tips
→Underline the problem statement mentally.
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the NSE4 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which NSE4 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Security Profiles — This question tests Security Profiles — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add the websites to the 'SSL/SSH exemption' list in the deep inspection profile — In FortiOS, deep inspection can generate certificate errors for sites with self-signed or mismatched certificates. To allow access despite errors, the administrator can add the affected domains to the 'SSL/SSH exemption' list in the deep inspection profile. This exempts those sites from deep inspection, avoiding the certificate error.
What should I do if I get this NSE4 question wrong?
Identify which NSE4 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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