FortiSIEM lets you export custom reports, not just the default system reports.

FortiSIEM allows exporting only default system reports. True or False?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only for administrator-generated reports
• D. Only for system-defined reports

Answer: (B)

FortiSIEM provides a flexible reporting system that enables users to not only access but also create and export custom reports. This means that users are not limited to just the default system reports; they can generate reports tailored to their unique needs and export them as required. This capability enhances the functionality of FortiSIEM, allowing users to utilize data in a way that best suits their organization’s security monitoring and compliance reporting requirements. Customization and adaptability are key features of FortiSIEM, which directly contradicts the assertion that it allows exporting only default system reports. Consequently, the affirmation that the statement is false accurately reflects the extended capabilities of FortiSIEM’s reporting features.

Here's a common misconception many folks encounter when they first start with FortiSIEM: exporting reports is limited to the default system reports. False. In practice, FortiSIEM's reporting toolset is designed to be flexible and user-friendly, so you can go beyond the stock templates, tailor what you need, and export it in a way that fits your workflow.

Let me explain why this matters and how you can make the most of it.

FortiSIEM reports: default vs custom

Think of FortiSIEM as a busy security hub. It collects data from firewalls, endpoints, cloud services, and applications, then presents that data in reports. The default system reports are a solid starting point—they cover common needs like incident counts, top sources of events, and basic compliance checks. But the real value comes when you create reports that mirror your organization’s unique priorities.

Creating your own reports is straightforward. You don’t have to be a SQL wizard or a data scientist to get something meaningful. The reporting module is designed to let you pull in the data you care about, combine it in ways that reflect your daily security operations, and present it in a clear, readable format. In other words, you’re not stuck with what’s pre-built—you can shape the output to answer the questions that keep you up at night (in a good, proactive way).

Why customized reports matter

Every security team runs a different show. Some teams care most about user activity and access events; others chase network anomalies, policy violations, or compliance evidence. FortiSIEM’s flexible reporting means you can:

• Focus on metrics that align with your risks and priorities.

• Group data the way your team reviews it, whether by time window, asset type, or business unit.

• Create dashboards that blend multiple data sources for quick containment and decision-making.

This adaptability is what makes FortiSIEM more than just a log collector. It becomes a storytelling tool, helping you explain risk to leadership, justify security budgets, and demonstrate regulatory controls with confidence.

A quick tour: building and exporting tailored reports

Here’s how you can approach reporting without getting tangled in complexity:

• Start with what you want to answer. Do you need to know which assets are most affected by a certain alert? Or which users are initiating unusual login attempts?

• Choose your data sources. FortiSIEM links to logs, events, and trends from across your environment. You can pull in firewall events, endpoint alerts, SIEM correlations, and more.

• Use the report builder. A drag-and-drop style interface helps you assemble charts, tables, and filters. You can customize the time range, groupings, and thresholds so the visuals match your mental model of the threat landscape.

• Save templates. If you build something that works well, save it as a template so you don’t reinvent the wheel next month.

• Export formats. This is where the workflow truly shines. Common options include PDF for formal reviews, CSV or Excel for data-driven analysis, and sometimes HTML for easy sharing in internal portals. You can often export on demand or schedule regular deliveries to teams, executives, or auditors. If you’ve got a recurring reporting cadence, this automation can save hours each week.

Export options that fit how you work

Let’s talk formats and delivery. The ability to export is what makes a report truly useful, not just a pretty picture on a screen. FortiSIEM typically supports:

• PDF: Great for formal summaries, executive dashboards, and compliance packets.

• CSV/Excel: Perfect for analysts who want to slice and dice data, perform further analysis in their preferred tools, or build their own charts.

• HTML or web-viewable formats: Handy for sharing within internal portals or collaboration spaces.

• Schedules and distributions: You can set up recurring exports to arrive in inboxes or shared folders, nudging teams to stay informed without manual clicks.

What this means in practice is simple: you’re not forced into ad hoc, one-off exports. You can design a reporting schedule that mirrors your incident response cycle—during off-hours, you’ll still receive the latest view of incidents, risk trends, and policy enforcement results.

Real-world scenarios: tailoring reports to your security program

To make this concrete, here are a few examples of how customized reports can fit into everyday operations:

• Incident trend view. A monthly summary that shows incident counts, types, and affected assets helps you see where to allocate resources next. You can break it down by department or by risk tier to spot patterns quickly.

• Asset health and exposure. A report that pulls asset inventory, patch status, and exposure windows helps IT and security teams coordinate remediation efforts and demonstrate compliance hygiene.

• Access and authentication analyses. Track privileged access attempts, failed logins, and anomalous login times to spot potential abuse and take targeted action.

• Compliance evidence pack. For auditors, a tailored report that consolidates policy violations, user access reviews, and control mappings can simplify the audit process and provide a clear audit trail.

• Threat hunting results. A narrative-style report pairing detections with the raw data that supported them can be a powerful handoff document for hunters and responders.

But a note of realism: not every report needs to be flashy. Some days, a clean, well-labeled table with the right filters is exactly what you need to move from suspicion to conclusion. The goal is clarity, not vanity metrics.

Best practices to keep your reports sharp

A few practical tips help keep reporting productive and trustworthy:

• Name and version your reports. A simple naming convention—like “Incident_trends_Q3_v2” —avoids confusion when templates evolve.

• Keep data sources consistent. If you mix data from different log formats, you risk skewed results. Use standardized fields and normalizing steps where possible.

• Apply sensible filters. Start broad, then narrow. You’ll avoid cherry-picking data and you’ll maintain integrity in your conclusions.

• Plan for audience. Tailor the depth and language to whether you’re briefing executives, SOC analysts, or compliance teams.

• Schedule reviews. A recurring cadence helps teams stay current and reduces last-minute firefighting.

• Manage permissions. Not everyone should see every report. Use role-based access to protect sensitive information while keeping teams informed.

• Iterate. The first version is rarely perfect. Gather feedback, adjust metrics, and evolve templates over time.

Common pitfalls to avoid

As you explore reporting, a few traps tend to pop up. Don’t let them derail your progress:

• Overloading a single report. When you cram too many data points into one view, it becomes hard to read. Prefer focused reports with clear labels and a logical flow.

• Relying only on defaults. Defaults are helpful, but they aren’t a substitute for genuine, role-specific insights.

• Inconsistent data sources. Mixing unrelated data streams without a plan leads to confusing results.

• Skipping validation. A report that looks right but doesn’t align with the underlying events is worse than no report at all. Always cross-check against raw logs or a trusted data source.

• Neglecting distribution. A great report that never gets to the right people is a missed opportunity. Automation is your ally here.

A mindset for success: think in terms of workflows

The real magic happens when your reports slot into actual workflows. It’s not about having every metric under the sun; it’s about ensuring the right information reaches the right people at the right moments. That means:

• Security operations teams get faster containment cues.

• Compliance managers can assemble evidence without frantic last-minute scraping.

• IT leaders can see risk trends and allocate defenses and budgets more effectively.

The best reports feel almost invisible—they quietly empower decisions without demanding attention or special training.

Bringing it all together

To recap, FortiSIEM does not restrict you to the default system reports. It offers a robust, flexible reporting framework that lets you craft and export custom reports tailored to your organization’s needs. Whether you’re chasing incident dynamics, asset health, or compliance narratives, you can build the exact views your team requires and share them in the formats your audience prefers.

If you’re exploring FortiSIEM, treat reporting as a conversation starter rather than a one-off snapshot. Start with a question you want answered, assemble the data, and export in a format that makes the most sense for your audience. You’ll find that the tool isn’t just a repository for logs—it’s a powerful ally for clear, timely, evidence-backed decision-making.

A friendly reminder as you go: the goal isn’t to produce more data. It’s to produce meaningful clarity. When your reports tell a story that others can grasp in seconds, you’ve unlocked a true advantage. And that advantage isn’t flashy storytelling for its own sake; it’s the kind of practical, repeatable insight that keeps your organization safer and more confident day after day.

If you’re curious to explore more, start with a simple custom report that Tracks incident counts over the last 30 days, broken down by asset type. Add a PDF export for leadership reviews and a CSV export for your analysts. See how the visuals land, gather feedback, and iterate. The beauty of FortiSIEM reporting lies in its responsiveness to real-world needs—no drama, just better security outcomes.