Quick Answer
The answer is traffic logs. On a FortiGate, traffic logs are the specific log type that records all session activity evaluated by firewall policies, including both allowed and denied traffic. When a packet matches a firewall policy rule with an action of deny, the FortiGate generates a traffic log entry with the action field set to deny, capturing details like source, destination, and the specific policy ID that blocked the connection. This distinction is critical for the Fortinet NSE 4 Network Security Professional NSE4 exam, where you must differentiate traffic logs from security logs (which cover antivirus, IPS, and web filtering events) and event logs (which track system and administrative changes). A common trap is confusing denied traffic with security events—remember that a firewall deny is still a traffic decision, not a detection. Memory tip: think of traffic logs as the gatekeeper’s report card—they note every pass or block, while security logs are the security guard’s incident report for threats found inside.
This NSE4 practice question tests your understanding of high availability and diagnostics. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Which of the following log types on FortiGate records traffic that is denied by a firewall policy?
HA logs
Why wrong: HA logs record cluster events, not traffic.
Event logs
Why wrong: Event logs record administrative actions and system events.
Traffic logs
Traffic logs log all permitted and denied session attempts.
Security logs
Why wrong: Security logs record threats detected by security profiles.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
Traffic logs
Traffic logs record both allowed and denied traffic based on firewall policies. Security logs record detection events (antivirus, IPS). Event logs record system events.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
HA logs
Why it's wrong here
HA logs record cluster events, not traffic.
Event logs
Why it's wrong here
Event logs record administrative actions and system events.
Traffic logs
Why this is correct
Traffic logs log all permitted and denied session attempts.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Security logs
Why it's wrong here
Security logs record threats detected by security profiles.
Common exam traps
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
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.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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.
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FAQ
High Availability and Diagnostics — This question tests High Availability and Diagnostics — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: Traffic logs — Traffic logs record both allowed and denied traffic based on firewall policies. Security logs record detection events (antivirus, IPS). Event logs record system events.
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.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 21, 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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