FortiGate
FortiGate Next Generation Firewall utilizes purpose-built security processors and threat intelligence security services from FortiGuard labs to deliver top-rated protection and high performance, including encrypted traffic.
auppal
Staff
Staff
Article Id 220357
Description

This article describes how to enable Security Event logging when Security Fabric is enabled.

It applies to both Fabric root and subordinate FortiGates.

 

When the FortiGates are a part of a security Fabric, then logging is by default set to 'All Session' logging.

Users cannot directly change the logging to the Security Events as the option is greyed out.

In some networks, it might be required to log only Security Events to avoid generating too many logs as a result of all sessions.

 

As shown below, the security fabric is enabled, and local FortiGate is the Fabric root:

  MicrosoftTeams-image (53).png

 

As seen below, in the policy, the option to select Security Event logging is greyed out:

 

MicrosoftTeams-image (54).png

 

Although the CLI will give us an option to select the log traffic to 'UTM', it will never change it in the GUI and will continue to log all traffic.

MicrosoftTeams-image (55).png

 

MicrosoftTeams-image (56).png

 MicrosoftTeams-image (57).png

Scope FortiGate.
Solution

To resolve this, set the configuration-sync to use 'local' instead of the 'default'. This can be achieved as shown below:

 

MicrosoftTeams-image (58).png

 

After making the change, set the logging to Security Events from the GUI:

 

MicrosoftTeams-image (59).png

 

Note: There are 2 options that configuration-sync can be set to, which are:

  • Default: Synchronize configuration for FortiAnalyzer, FortiSandbox, and Central Management to the root node.
  • Local: Do not synchronize configuration with the root node.

 

As mentioned, setting it to local will prevent the device from synchronizing the configuration with the root node.

 

Note: The 'set configuration-sync local' command is available only on a downstream FortiGate; in a root FortiGate, it is not available and therefore has been removed in FortiOS 7.6.1 and onwards.

Refer to the article below for details to know how to enable 'set configuration-sync local' on a downstream device affects Security Fabric devices: Technical Tip: The impact of 'set configuration-sync local' on the Security Fabric.