Are you ready to take the next step in your career by passing the WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Exam? Stuck! don’t know where to begin? Then you have definitely hit the jackpot. Indeed, professional certifications make you job ready and provide a competitive edge. But, preparing for a certification exam is just like planning to accomplish any significant goal. But before venturing into your preparations, it is essential to get the basic details and right resources at the same time and place.
Familiarising yourself with exam course and concepts is indeed important. Therefore to help you out we present to you a detailed article that covers all the aspects of this exam and helps you stay ahead of your competition. Furthermore, we will be adding a few quick links to ease your preparation process. So lets begin
WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Exam Overview
The WatchGuard Fireware Essentials certification exam tests your knowledge of how to configure, manage, and monitor a WatchGuard Firebox. This exam is appropriate for network administrators who have experience configuring and managing Firebox devices that run Fireware v12.2.1. It helps you demonstrate your skills and validate your experience. This exam is definitely your way ahead.
WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification Exam Details
To successfully complete the exam you need to have an understanding of the following key concepts
Fireware Knowledge
- Firstly, Firebox and XTM device activation and initial setup
- Secondly, Network configuration
- Thirdly, Policy and proxy configuration
- Also, Subscription services configuration
- Moreover, User Authentication n Device monitoring, logging, and reporting
- Lastly, Branch office and mobile VPN configuration
General IT Knowledge
- To begin with, IPv4 networking concepts (DNS, TCP/IP, DHCP, NAT, static routing)
- Also, General understanding of firewalls
WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Exam Format
Before commencing on your preparation voyage it’s better to have the knowledge about the basic exam details. Let’s understand the exam format as it acts as a blueprint for the exam:
- To begin with, this exam covers 60 questions that you need to complete in 2 hours. Therefore you must maintain a great speed to complete the exam on time.
- There are a variety of types in which the questions are asked for the WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification Exam. The major categories are-
- Firstly, Multiple Choice
- Secondly, Multiple Selection
- Then, True or False
- Also, Matching Questions
- This exam is a proctored one. There are two options for the test environment. You can choose either of them, whichever suits you the best. The testing options are:
- Firstly, Kryterion testing center
- Secondly, Online, with virtual proctoring through an approved webcam
- Moreover, you need to score 75% and above to pass the exam
- Also, this exam will cost you $200 USD
Registering for the WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification
You can register for the exam using the WatchGuard Portal that is for customers or the Learning Center for Partners. Or you can register for exams using the WatchGuard Exam Registration Site. The exams are scheduled on the basis of the time zone associated with the address used when your exam account is created. However, WatchGuard offers exam testing at local Kryterion proctored test centers around the world or with an approved webcam, through Kryterion’s online proctored services (OLP). After creating the account, you can schedule or reschedule the exam directly with Kryterion for a time, location, and delivery method that is convenient for you. The steps include:
- Firstly, Create a Kryterion account.
- Then, Log in to your account.
- After that, click on Schedule an Exam.
Exam Policy
The WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification Exam can be rescheduled or cancelled depending on the exam you have opted for.
- Online Proctored Exams: Up to the start time of the exam, without any additional cost
- Exams at Kryterion Test Center: At least 72 hours before the exam start time. Otherwise, additional fees will be incurred.
Also, If you’re unable to clear the exam in the very first attempt then WatchGuard offers you another chance to clear it. The retake fee is $100 USD for the first retake. If you’re unable to clear the exam in the first retake you can give a second retake by paying a fee of $200 USD.
Exam Results
You will get your exam results right after you complete the exam, on the screen. The result will also be emailed to you. On passing the exam the email message sent to you will also include a date-stamped certificate for your records.
Certification Validity
The WatchGuard certifications are valid for a period of two years from the issuing date.
WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification Exam Outline
The course outline highlights the exam objectives and necessary skills that you require to crack the exam. The WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Certification Exam covers the following 7 domains. Further each domain is further divided into subtopics to provide you a better understanding of the exam topics. Additionally, the percentage against each domain signifies its weightage in the exam. Higher the percentage, more the number of questions from that particular domain.
Device Administration- 20%
- Configure and install a Firebox or XTM device with the default security settings
- Connect to Fireware XTM Web UI Edit a device configuration in Policy Manager
- Install a feature key
- Upgrade and downgrade Fireware XTM OS
- Create a device backup image
- Enable remote administration
- Configure role-based administration
- Understand the default threat protection features of Fireware
Authentication- 5%
- Configure Firebox authentication for users and groups
- Configure user authentication with a third-party authentication server
Device Monitoring, Logging, and Reporting-15%
- Use WatchGuard System Manager and Firebox System Manager to monitor a device
- Use Dimension to monitor a device
- Run diagnostic tasks in Firebox System Manager
- Set up a WatchGuard Log Server
- Enable logging to a Dimension Log Server or a WatchGuard Log Server
- Review log messages generated by a Firebox or XTM device
- Understand how to enable logging for reports
Networking and Network Address Translation (NAT) -15%
- Configure an external, trusted, optional, or custom interface
- Configure secondary network on an interface
- Add a static route, and read the Route table
- Configure WINS and DNS, and why this is important
- Understand when to use dynamic NAT, 1-to-1 NAT, static NAT, NAT loopback
- Configure dynamic NAT, 1-to-1 NAT, and static NAT
Policies, Proxies, and Application Layer Gateways-15%
- Understand policy precedence
- Configure policies for different users and groups
- Understand the function of the default firewall policies
- Understand the function of incoming and outgoing proxy actions
- Configure Firebox authentication for users and groups
- Configure a Firebox to use a third-party authentication server
Subscription Services- 15%
- Configure Application Control, WebBlocker, spamBlocker, Gateway AntiVirus, Intrusion Prevention Service, Data Loss Prevention, Reputation Enabled Defense, and APT Blocker
Virtual Private Networking-15%
- Understand the differences between the three branch office VPN types
- Configure a manual BOVPN between two Firebox or XTM devices
- Use log messages to troubleshoot a branch office VPN tunnel
- Understand the differences between the four mobile VPN types
- Configure Mobile VPN with IPSec and Mobile VPN with SSL
- Configure authentication for mobile VPN users
“Before anything else, strong preparation is the key to success” Lets have a quick glance at your preparatory resources
WatchGuard Fireware Essentials Study Guide
Preparation for an exam is one of the most essential yet difficult journeys. Further, the key to successfully pass an exam is by preparing right. The resources you choose determine how well you prepare and pass the exam. So, to make it a little bit easy for you, we have curated the most reliable and helpful resources to ace the exam.
Firstly, begin with the Official Site and review all the exam details. Make sure that you and the vendor are on the same page. Then, enrol for WatchGuard’s instructor-led training class. These instructor led trainings are a 3-day course that provide hands-on experience.
Further, you must enrich your preparations with WatchGuard courseware which is available on the Technical Training tab in the WatchGuard Portal. It includes the The Fireware Essentials Student Guide and Fireware Essentials Online Course. Also, you can join online forums. These forums will help you connect with experts who can share their valuable knowledge and keep you motivated throughout.
Lastly, you should refer the Online Tutorials and Study Guides. These Tutorials provide in depth understanding about the exam and its concepts. Additionally, it also covers exam details and policies. Prepare with these resources and strengthen your preparation.
Expert Corner
To sum up everything that has been stated so far, this certification exam opens various opportunities for you. But preparations are not an easy nut to crack. Always remember that all incredible things need time. Therefore preparing for a certification is not easy. Neither is it quick. But it is worth the hard work and determination. You must begin your preparations by mastering the exam concepts and having utmost clarity about the exam, details. Devise a study plan to stay consistent with your preparations. Lastly, you must put your preparations to test with Practice Tests. They provide you with insights about your strengths and weaknesses. Strengthening your weakness will help you ace the exam. Attempt as many practice papers as you can and try to perform better than the previous one each time. Start Practising Now!
