FortiManager Administrator Course Overview: What to Expect and How to Prepare?

Managing FortiGate devices at scale is not as simple as adding a few rules and hoping for the best.

If you work in network security, you know the pain: disconnected policies, manual errors, update headaches, and limited visibility that can cripple even the strongest setups. You are expected to handle it all: ADOMs, policy packages, dynamic objects, and device provisioning. But without formal FortiManager training, even skilled admins find themselves struggling to manage growth and complexity.

The FortiManager Administrator course gives you a structured, hands-on path to mastering centralized network management. It is not just theory; it is built for the real-world challenges you face managing multiple FortiGate devices every day.

This course is delivered by Datacipher Education Services, a Fortinet Global Authorized Training Partner known for engineer-led, deployment-focused training.

The course equips professionals like you to manage FortiGate environments with real-world confidence. In this article, we will break down who this course is for, what you will learn, and how it can elevate your network management skills.

Who the FortiManager Administrator Course Is Actually For?

This is not an introduction to firewalls course. And it is definitely not for someone learning Fortinet for the first time.

This course is for engineers, analysts, and operations teams managing FortiGate devices day in and day out, and feeling the drag of doing it all manually. You know the CLI. You understand the policy structure. You have handled your share of device updates and deployment chaos.

But when it comes to scaling policies across dozens of FortiGates, cleaning up inherited configs, or managing ADOMs without breaking things, there is no room for trial and error.

This course is for you if:

• You manage FortiGate deployments across locations and need centralized, scalable policy control.
  
• You troubleshoot policy drift, version mismatches, or import failures, and want to fix it fast.
  
• You are part of a service provider or MSSP team that supports multi-tenant environments using ADOMs.
  
• You work on complex enterprise networks and want tighter integration with the Fortinet Security Fabric.
  
• You want structured, expert-led FortiManager training that translates into real-world operational speed.

If any of this strikes a chord, you are in the right place.

FortiManager Administrator Course Overview

Here is the breakdown of the course details:

Feature	Details
Course Duration	12 hours total (7 hours lecture, 5 hours lab); delivered over two full days or three half days
Delivery Format	Instructor-led (online or classroom) and self-paced online
Course Level	Intermediate
Target Audience	Networking and security professionals responsible for the day-to-day management of FortiGate security policies using the FortiManager platform.
Prerequisites	Knowledge of firewall concepts in an IPv4 network, familiarity with all topics in the FCP – FortiGate Administrator course, and a basic understanding of network management systems.
Course Fees	INR 418,640/ USD 5000

What You Will Learn in the FortiManager Administrator Course?

The FortiManager Administrator course is designed to help you move from reactive device-by-device management to centralized, scalable FortiGate administration. It is not just about understanding the interface; it is about building confidence in managing hundreds of devices, rolling out changes cleanly, and avoiding the chaos of configuration drift.

You will learn how to control policy consistency across ADOMs, simplify large-scale deployments, and troubleshoot the real-world issues that slow teams down.

The key modules covered in this course are:

1. Introduction and Initial Configuration
2. Administration and Management
3. Device Registration
4. Device-Level Configuration and Installation
5. Policies and Objects
6. Global Database ADOM and Central Management
7. Diagnostics and Troubleshooting
8. Additional Configuration

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

1. Describe FortiManager’s core features and how it fits into the Fortinet Security Fabric
2. Deploy ADOMs to support multi-tenant or large enterprise environments
3. Use workspace modes to manage administrative access and changes safely
4. Push device-level configuration updates using provisioning templates
5. Sync policies across FortiGates and manage their revision history
6. Create and manage policy packages using shared and dynamic objects
7. Deploy global policies across multiple ADOMs for consistent enforcement
8. Manage device firmware centrally and configure high availability (HA)
9. Provision FortiManager as a local FortiGuard distribution server (FDS)
10. Troubleshoot import, sync, and installation issues across managed devices

This course focuses on practical management skills, not just interface clicks, so that you can build scalable, consistent FortiGate operations with confidence.

Hands-On Labs: Why They Matter?

Centralized network management is not something you can learn from a PDF. You have to get your hands on the system, configure it, break it, fix it, and repeat the process. That is where the FortiManager Administrator course stands out.

The hands-on labs are designed to give you real-world experience with the exact workflows you will use in production environments.

Here is what you will do in the labs:

1. Register FortiGate devices and assign them to ADOMs for multi-tenant management.
2. Create, modify, and deploy policy packages using shared and dynamic objects.
3. Use provisioning templates to push device-level changes across multiple firewalls.
4. Manage configuration revisions and troubleshoot sync or install errors.
5. Set up FortiManager as a local FortiGuard Distribution Server (FDS) for efficient updates.

These labs are where theory turns into operational skill, so you walk away ready to deploy, manage, and troubleshoot with confidence.

Next Steps

Once you complete the FortiManager Administrator training, the logical next step is to validate your expertise by attempting the FCP – FortiManager 7.4 Administrator certification exam. It is part of the Fortinet Certified Professional – Network Security track and demonstrates your ability to manage FortiGate environments at scale using FortiManager. This certification helps you stand out in both enterprise and service provider roles.

FortiManager Administrator Course Outcomes: What You Walk Away With?

When you are responsible for securing multiple FortiGate devices, “good enough” does not cut it. You need precision, control, and speed, and that is exactly what this course delivers.

After completing the FortiManager Administrator training, you will walk away with:

#1. The ability to deploy and manage ADOMs for scalable, multi-tenant environments.

#2. Confidence to create and apply policy packages using shared and dynamic objects.

#3. Hands-on skills to automate device provisioning with reusable templates.

#4. Troubleshooting strategies to resolve common sync, install, and configuration errors.

#5. Operational mastery of FortiManager as a central hub in the Fortinet Security Fabric.

This course not only upgrades your skills but also enhances the way you manage your network.

Enrolling in the FortiManager Administrator Course

Getting started with the FortiManager course is simple, whether you prefer instructor-led guidance or the flexibility of self-paced learning. Here is how to enroll:

#1. Head to the Fortinet Training Portal or the Datacipher Website.

You can find the FortiManager Administrator course on the Fortinet Training Portal or directly go to Datacipher FortiManager course page. Browse the catalog and choose the format that fits your learning style.

Source: Fortinet

#2. Pick your preferred delivery method

• Instructor-led training (ILT): Join live, expert-led sessions online or in person. Training is delivered over two full days or three half days.
  
• Self-paced online training: Learn on your own schedule with on-demand video modules and the option to purchase interactive lab access separately.

#3. Register and meet the prerequisites

Make sure you have the required background: basic firewall knowledge, FortiGate familiarity, and an understanding of network management systems, before securing your seat.

#4. Get your courseware and start learning

Once enrolled, you will receive official Fortinet learning materials and access to lab environments that simulate real-world FortiManager deployments.

What Makes Datacipher the Go-To Training Partner for FortiManager Administrator Training?

Source: Datacipher

Not all training is created equal, especially when you are managing security policies at scale. At Datacipher, we bring more than just slides and theory. As a Fortinet Global Authorized Training Partner, we specialize in translating real deployment experience into hands-on learning that sticks.

Professionals from organizations like NTT, Ceridian, Becker & Poliakoff, and Accenture have trusted us to upskill their security teams. Why? Because we help them train like they are already on the job.

Here is what you can expect:

• Live sessions taught by Fortinet-certified engineers with field experience
• Real-world labs that reflect the complexity of actual FortiManager environments
• Personal mentoring and support before, during, and after the course
• Flexible timing options built around working professionals
• Deployment-focused guidance to help you apply what you learn immediately

Here’s what professionals who have trained with us have to say:

“This was not checkbox training. It was real, relevant, and directly applicable to our daily operations.”

— Jyoti Khati, Security Analyst, Accenture

Some partners teach. We help you lead. Train with us and bring operational clarity to every FortiGate you touch.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. What is FortiManager, and why do I need it?

FortiManager is Fortinet’s centralized management platform for FortiGate firewalls. Instead of managing each FortiGate individually, FortiManager lets you push policies, configure devices, manage firmware, and monitor performance from a single interface. If you are working in an environment with multiple FortiGates, FortiManager helps you scale efficiently, reduce errors, and maintain consistent security policies across your network.

2. How does FortiManager simplify large-scale firewall policy management?

FortiManager allows you to create policy packages that can be reused across multiple FortiGate devices. You can manage shared and dynamic objects, push consistent rules, and reduce manual errors. It is especially useful for enterprises and service providers managing dozens, or even hundreds of devices.

3. What are ADOMs in FortiManager, and when should I use them?

ADOMs (Administrative Domains) let you segment your FortiManager into isolated environments, making it easier to manage separate departments, business units, or customer networks. They are essential for MSSPs or large enterprises supporting multi-tenant infrastructures.

4. What role does FortiManager play in managing firmware and updates across devices?

With FortiManager, you can centrally manage firmware across all registered FortiGate devices. This reduces the risk of version mismatches, simplifies upgrade scheduling, and ensures consistency across your infrastructure, all from a single pane of glass.

5. Is FortiManager relevant for cloud and hybrid network environments?

Yes. FortiManager supports hybrid network topologies, including physical, virtual, and cloud-based FortiGate deployments. If you operate in a distributed environment, FortiManager provides centralized control without sacrificing flexibility.