NSE7 Advanced Threat Protection Practice Question
An administrator is investigating a security incident where a workstation is communicating with a known command and control (C2) server. The FortiGate has IPS enabled but did not block the traffic. Which TWO configuration issues could explain why the IPS did not detect the C2 communication? (Choose two.)
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume 'Inline' mode or 'Transparent' mode inherently affect detection capability, when in fact they only affect traffic flow or logging, not the IPS engine's ability to inspect decrypted content.
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
✓
The firewall policy does not have SSL deep inspection enabled
Without SSL deep inspection, the FortiGate cannot decrypt HTTPS traffic to inspect the payload for C2 signatures. IPS operates on decrypted content; if the C2 communication uses TLS, the IPS engine only sees encrypted packets and cannot match application-layer signatures. Enabling SSL deep inspection with a valid CA certificate is required to decrypt and inspect the traffic.
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 firewall policy does not have SSL deep inspection enabled
Why this is correct
Without SSL inspection, encrypted C2 traffic is invisible to IPS.
- ✗
The IPS sensor is configured in 'Inline' mode
Why it's wrong here
Inline mode allows blocking, not a reason for no detection.
- ✗
The IPS sensor has 'Logging' disabled
Why it's wrong here
Logging disabled still allows detection, just no logs.
- ✓
The IPS sensor does not include signatures for the C2 protocol or pattern
Why this is correct
If no relevant signature, detection will not occur.
- ✗
The FortiGate is operating in 'Transparent' mode
Why it's wrong here
Transparent mode still performs IPS inspection.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This NSE7 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 NSE7 exam.