FCSS_EFW_AD-7.4 vs FCSS_EFW_AD-7.6: Key Updates Every Fortinet Professional Should Know
FCSS_EFW_AD-7.4 FCSS - Enterprise Firewall 7.4 Administrator exam will be retired on November 10, 2025, Fortinet is shifting its focus to the updated FCSS_EFW_AD-7.6 exam. This new version is designed to validate administrators’ expertise with the latest FortiOS, FortiManager, and FortiAnalyzer releases, ensuring that certified professionals stay aligned with current technologies and enterprise security demands.
Why the Change?
Fortinet updates its certification exams regularly to ensure alignment with the latest versions of FortiOS, FortiManager, and FortiAnalyzer. Since the 7.6 software release introduces new features and enhancements, the exam content has been refreshed to validate administrators’ skills on the most current enterprise firewall capabilities.
The retirement of the 7.4 exam doesn't diminish its value; rather, it ensures that certified professionals stay up to date in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.
FCSS_EFW_AD-7.4 vs FCSS_EFW_AD-7.6: Key Differences
| Exam Code | FCSS_EFW_AD-7.4 | FCSS_EFW_AD-7.6 |
| Exam Availability | Retire on Nov 10, 2025 | Active |
| Fortinet Version Coverage | FortiOS 7.4, FortiManager 7.4, FortiAnalyzer 7.4 | FortiOS 7.6, FortiManager 7.6, FortiAnalyzer 7.6 |
| Target Audience | Network & security professionals managing enterprise firewall environments | Same audience, but tested on newer features and optimizations |
| System Configuration | Focused on 7.4 Security Fabric and HA basics | Adds emphasis on hardware acceleration, VLANs, VDOMs, and secure design scenarios |
| Central Management | Centralized management fundamentals | Expanded validation of FortiManager 7.6 central management |
| Security Profiles | SSL/SSH inspection, web filtering, IPS, application control | Same scope, but updated for 7.6 profile integrations |
| Routing | OSPF & BGP implementation | Same, but tested on 7.6 routing features |
| VPN | IPsec VPNs and ADVPN basics | Stronger focus on IKEv2 and ADVPN enhancements in 7.6 |
What's New in 7.6
While much of the exam content overlaps, version 7.6 introduces a few important changes:
Hardware Acceleration: Candidates must understand how to configure hardware acceleration on FortiGate devices, improving network performance.
Enterprise Network Design: The new exam emphasizes VLANs, VDOMs, and secure design use cases, aligning with real-world enterprise deployments.
IKEv2 and ADVPN: VPN coverage has shifted more toward modern VPN deployment strategies, ensuring secure connectivity at scale.
Transition Strategy
If you are already preparing for FCSS_EFW_AD-7.4:
You can still sit the 7.4 exam until November 10, 2025.
Passing it will certify you, but you’ll eventually need to upgrade when Fortinet retires the credential.
If you are starting fresh:
Go directly for the 7.6 exam, as it reflects the latest product capabilities and will remain valid longer.
The move from FCSS_EFW_AD-7.4 to FCSS_EFW_AD-7.6 is more than a version bump - it’s a reflection of Fortinet's ongoing commitment to ensuring certified professionals stay aligned with modern enterprise security challenges. For IT and security professionals responsible for designing, administering, and supporting FortiGate-based infrastructures, the 7.6 upgrade provides an opportunity to validate cutting-edge skills in hardware acceleration, secure network design, and advanced VPN configurations.
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