What is required to use SSL inspection on a FortiGate device?

To use SSL inspection on a FortiGate device, having a valid SSL certificate is essential. SSL inspection, also known as SSL deep packet inspection, enables the FortiGate device to decrypt and inspect SSL/TLS traffic for threats and to apply security policies to that traffic.

A valid SSL certificate allows the FortiGate to act as a trusted intermediary during the SSL handshake process between the client and the server. When the FortiGate initiates the connection with the server, it presents the valid certificate to the client, establishing trust. Without a valid SSL certificate, clients would see warning messages about untrusted connections, causing users to distrust the setup and potentially defeating the purpose of the inspection. This assurance of trust is critical for a seamless experience while ensuring the security policies are enforced effectively.

The other options do not directly enable SSL inspection. While Fortinet support might provide assistance with configurations, it is not a technical requirement for SSL inspection itself. Specific firewall configuration is indeed necessary to set up SSL inspection, but it doesn't replace the need for a valid SSL certificate. As for the enablement of SSL VPN, it is unrelated to SSL inspection processes and thus does not affect the overall capability to perform SSL inspection.