- A
Set the signature action to 'pass' and use an application control profile to bypass the server.
Why wrong: Application control manages application traffic, not IPS signatures; 'pass' action would affect all traffic matching the signature.
- B
Disable the signature in the IPS sensor configuration.
Why wrong: Disabling the signature stops all inspection for that signature, affecting all traffic, not just the trusted server.
- C
Add the server's IP to the exempt list in the IPS sensor.
Why wrong: The exempt list excludes all IPS inspection for that IP, not just a specific signature.
- D
Create an IPS filter that excludes the server's source IP address from the signature.
An IPS filter with a source address exception allows selective exclusion for a specific signature.
Quick Answer
The correct answer is to create an IPS filter that excludes the server’s source IP address from the specific signature. This works because an IPS filter in FortiGate allows you to define granular exceptions for individual signatures based on source or destination IP, without disabling the signature for all traffic. By setting the filter to exclude 10.1.1.100 from that signature, the sensor continues inspecting all other traffic against the full signature set, reducing false positives while maintaining security posture. On the Fortinet NSE 4 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of IPS filter overrides versus simply disabling a signature or using a DoS policy—common traps include confusing IPS filters with firewall policies or assuming you must disable the signature entirely. Remember the memory tip: “Filter the source, not the signature” to keep other detections active.
NSE4 Security Profiles Practice Question
This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of security profiles. 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 network administrator notices that an IPS sensor is generating excessive false positives for a specific signature. The administrator wants to exclude traffic from a trusted internal server (IP 10.1.1.100) from inspection for that signature only, while keeping other signatures active. Which configuration change should the administrator apply?
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Create an IPS filter that excludes the server's source IP address from the signature.
Option D is correct because an IPS filter allows the administrator to define a rule that excludes traffic from a specific source IP address (10.1.1.100) from inspection for a particular signature, while leaving all other signatures active. This granular approach ensures that false positives for that signature are reduced without disabling the signature entirely or affecting other traffic.
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.
- ✗
Set the signature action to 'pass' and use an application control profile to bypass the server.
Why it's wrong here
Application control manages application traffic, not IPS signatures; 'pass' action would affect all traffic matching the signature.
- ✗
Disable the signature in the IPS sensor configuration.
Why it's wrong here
Disabling the signature stops all inspection for that signature, affecting all traffic, not just the trusted server.
- ✗
Add the server's IP to the exempt list in the IPS sensor.
Why it's wrong here
The exempt list excludes all IPS inspection for that IP, not just a specific signature.
- ✓
Create an IPS filter that excludes the server's source IP address from the signature.
Why this is correct
An IPS filter with a source address exception allows selective exclusion for a specific signature.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the 'exempt list' (which bypasses all IPS inspection for a host) with an 'IPS filter' (which can exclude traffic from a specific signature only), leading them to choose option C incorrectly.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
IPS filters in FortiGate use a match-and-action mechanism where you can specify conditions like source IP, destination IP, and signature ID, then set the action to 'exclude' or 'monitor' to bypass detection for that specific signature. This is implemented via the 'ips filter' CLI or GUI, allowing fine-grained control without modifying the signature database. In real-world scenarios, this is critical for reducing noise from legitimate internal services like DNS or NTP servers that trigger false positives on certain signatures.
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.
TExam Day Tips
- 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 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.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
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Security Profiles — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this NSE4 question test?
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: Create an IPS filter that excludes the server's source IP address from the signature. — Option D is correct because an IPS filter allows the administrator to define a rule that excludes traffic from a specific source IP address (10.1.1.100) from inspection for a particular signature, while leaving all other signatures active. This granular approach ensures that false positives for that signature are reduced without disabling the signature entirely or affecting other traffic.
What should I do if I get this NSE4 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This NSE4 practice question is part of Courseiva's free Fortinet certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the NSE4 exam.
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