The answer is that the FortiGate skips this policy and tries the next policy; if no match, implicit deny blocks the traffic. This occurs because firewall policy schedule behavior dictates that when the current time falls outside a configured schedule object, the policy is not evaluated at all—it is simply bypassed as if it did not exist for that session. The FortiGate then proceeds to check subsequent policies in order, and only if no other policy matches does the implicit deny rule at the bottom of the policy list take effect, silently dropping the traffic. On the Fortinet NSE 4 Network Security Professional NSE4 exam, this concept tests your understanding of policy evaluation flow and the role of schedule objects as a precondition, not a filtering action. A common trap is assuming a non-matching schedule triggers an explicit deny or that the policy is evaluated and then rejected; instead, remember that schedules act as an on/off switch for the entire policy. Memory tip: think of a schedule as a bouncer who simply doesn’t open the door when it’s off-hours—the guest moves to the next club, and if no club is open, they’re turned away by the implicit bouncer.
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.
An admin configures a firewall policy with a schedule object that restricts access to Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00. A user attempts to connect on Saturday at 10:00. Which of the following best describes what happens?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "best"
Why it matters: Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The FortiGate skips this policy and tries the next policy; if no match, implicit deny blocks the traffic
If the schedule does not match the current time, the firewall policy is not evaluated for that traffic. The FortiGate continues to check subsequent policies. If no other policy matches, the implicit deny rule blocks the traffic.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The traffic is allowed because the schedule is only used for logging
Why it's wrong here
Schedule is used for policy enforcement, not just logging.
✗
The traffic is allowed because the schedule is optional
Why it's wrong here
Schedule is not optional; it must match for the policy to apply.
✓
The FortiGate skips this policy and tries the next policy; if no match, implicit deny blocks the traffic
Why this is correct
Policy evaluation continues; if no policy matches, traffic is dropped by implicit deny.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "best" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
✗
The traffic is denied because the schedule is not valid
Why it's wrong here
The schedule is valid; it simply does not match the current time, so the policy is skipped.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: ACLs stop at the first match
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Extended ACLs can match source, destination, protocol and ports.
The first matching ACL entry is used.
There is usually an implicit deny at the end.
TExam Day Tips
→Check inbound versus outbound direction.
→Read the ACL from top to bottom.
→Look for a broader permit or deny above the intended line.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related NSE4 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Firewall Policies and NAT — This question tests Firewall Policies and NAT — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The FortiGate skips this policy and tries the next policy; if no match, implicit deny blocks the traffic — If the schedule does not match the current time, the firewall policy is not evaluated for that traffic. The FortiGate continues to check subsequent policies. If no other policy matches, the implicit deny rule blocks the traffic.
What should I do if I get this NSE4 question wrong?
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related NSE4 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "best". Signals that multiple options may be partially correct. Choose the option that most directly solves the exact problem described, not the one that sounds most complete.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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