Cisco Network and Fortigate Firewall Optimization
Budget: $750 – $1,500 CAD
# Senior Cisco & Fortinet Enterprise Network Consultant (Assessment, Optimization & Documentation)
## Project Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced and certified Cisco and Fortinet Enterprise Network Consultant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of our existing enterprise network infrastructure.
The selected consultant will be responsible for reviewing, analyzing, validating, and optimizing our entire network environment, identifying gaps, risks, misconfigurations, and areas for improvement based on industry best practices and enterprise standards.
This is a strategic project requiring a hands-on expert with proven experience in large-scale enterprise environments.
## Current Environment
* Approximately 100 Cisco switches (Core, Distribution, and Access Layers)
* Cisco Enterprise Campus Network Architecture
* FortiGate High Availability (HA) Firewall Cluster
* Multiple ISP connections terminating on FortiGate
* Enterprise Wireless Network Infrastructure
* Hybrid Data Center and Campus Environment
* Approximately 1,500+ users
## Scope of Work
### Phase 1 – Discovery & Assessment
* Review the complete Cisco network architecture.
* Review FortiGate firewall design, HA configuration, routing, SD-WAN, security policies, NAT, VPNs, and overall security posture.
* Review Layer 2 and Layer 3 design.
* Assess VLAN architecture, routing protocols, redundancy, high availability, and failover mechanisms.
* Review network segmentation and security controls.
* Evaluate wireless infrastructure and architecture.
* Assess performance, scalability, resilience, and operational readiness.
* Review monitoring, logging, and management practices.
### Phase 2 – Gap Analysis
* Identify technical and operational gaps.
* Identify security weaknesses and risks.
* Identify configuration issues and design limitations.
* Compare findings against Cisco and Fortinet best practices.
* Validate whether proposed changes are genuinely required and provide clear business and technical justification.
### Phase 3 – Documentation & Knowledge Transfer
* Produce a detailed professional assessment report.
* Provide current-state and recommended-state network diagrams.
* Deliver configuration review findings.
* Document all recommendations and implementation priorities.
* Conduct workshops and knowledge-transfer sessions with the internal IT team.
* Explain the existing architecture, traffic flow, dependencies, and security design.
### Phase 4 – Optimization & Fine-Tuning
* Fine-tune network and firewall configurations.
* Improve performance, availability, resiliency, and security.
* Implement approved recommendations.
* Validate changes through testing and reporting.
## Deliverables
* Executive Summary Report
* Detailed Technical Assessment Report
* Gap Analysis Report
* Risk Register
* Current-State Network Diagram
* Future-State Network Design
* Configuration Review Findings
* Best Practice Recommendations
* Knowledge Transfer Sessions
* Final Project Documentation
## Required Qualifications
The consultant must have:
* Extensive hands-on experience with Cisco Enterprise Networks.
* Extensive hands-on experience with Fortinet Security Solutions.
* Proven experience in large enterprise environments.
* Strong troubleshooting and network optimization expertise.
* Experience performing enterprise network assessments and audits.
* Excellent documentation and reporting skills.
* Ability to work independently and lead the project from start to finish.
### Preferred Certifications
* Cisco CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
* Cisco CCNP Enterprise
* Fortinet NSE 7 / NSE 8 or equivalent
* Fortinet Certified Expert (FCX)
* Relevant network architecture and security certifications
## Post-Implementation Support
The consultant must be available for post-project support to assist with:
* Validation of implemented changes
* Knowledge transfer and operational support
* Issue resolution related to implemented recommendations
* Follow-up optimization and tuning activities
## Proposal Requirements
Interested candidates should provide:
1. Detailed resume/CV
2. Relevant certifications
3. Similar enterprise project references
4. Sample network assessment reports (if available)
5. Proposed methodology and timeline
6. Availability and engagement model
Only candidates with proven enterprise Cisco and Fortinet experience will be considered.
## Project Overview
We are seeking a highly experienced and certified Cisco and Fortinet Enterprise Network Consultant to conduct a comprehensive assessment of our existing enterprise network infrastructure.
The selected consultant will be responsible for reviewing, analyzing, validating, and optimizing our entire network environment, identifying gaps, risks, misconfigurations, and areas for improvement based on industry best practices and enterprise standards.
This is a strategic project requiring a hands-on expert with proven experience in large-scale enterprise environments.
## Current Environment
* Approximately 100 Cisco switches (Core, Distribution, and Access Layers)
* Cisco Enterprise Campus Network Architecture
* FortiGate High Availability (HA) Firewall Cluster
* Multiple ISP connections terminating on FortiGate
* Enterprise Wireless Network Infrastructure
* Hybrid Data Center and Campus Environment
* Approximately 1,500+ users
## Scope of Work
### Phase 1 – Discovery & Assessment
* Review the complete Cisco network architecture.
* Review FortiGate firewall design, HA configuration, routing, SD-WAN, security policies, NAT, VPNs, and overall security posture.
* Review Layer 2 and Layer 3 design.
* Assess VLAN architecture, routing protocols, redundancy, high availability, and failover mechanisms.
* Review network segmentation and security controls.
* Evaluate wireless infrastructure and architecture.
* Assess performance, scalability, resilience, and operational readiness.
* Review monitoring, logging, and management practices.
### Phase 2 – Gap Analysis
* Identify technical and operational gaps.
* Identify security weaknesses and risks.
* Identify configuration issues and design limitations.
* Compare findings against Cisco and Fortinet best practices.
* Validate whether proposed changes are genuinely required and provide clear business and technical justification.
### Phase 3 – Documentation & Knowledge Transfer
* Produce a detailed professional assessment report.
* Provide current-state and recommended-state network diagrams.
* Deliver configuration review findings.
* Document all recommendations and implementation priorities.
* Conduct workshops and knowledge-transfer sessions with the internal IT team.
* Explain the existing architecture, traffic flow, dependencies, and security design.
### Phase 4 – Optimization & Fine-Tuning
* Fine-tune network and firewall configurations.
* Improve performance, availability, resiliency, and security.
* Implement approved recommendations.
* Validate changes through testing and reporting.
## Deliverables
* Executive Summary Report
* Detailed Technical Assessment Report
* Gap Analysis Report
* Risk Register
* Current-State Network Diagram
* Future-State Network Design
* Configuration Review Findings
* Best Practice Recommendations
* Knowledge Transfer Sessions
* Final Project Documentation
## Required Qualifications
The consultant must have:
* Extensive hands-on experience with Cisco Enterprise Networks.
* Extensive hands-on experience with Fortinet Security Solutions.
* Proven experience in large enterprise environments.
* Strong troubleshooting and network optimization expertise.
* Experience performing enterprise network assessments and audits.
* Excellent documentation and reporting skills.
* Ability to work independently and lead the project from start to finish.
### Preferred Certifications
* Cisco CCIE Enterprise Infrastructure
* Cisco CCNP Enterprise
* Fortinet NSE 7 / NSE 8 or equivalent
* Fortinet Certified Expert (FCX)
* Relevant network architecture and security certifications
## Post-Implementation Support
The consultant must be available for post-project support to assist with:
* Validation of implemented changes
* Knowledge transfer and operational support
* Issue resolution related to implemented recommendations
* Follow-up optimization and tuning activities
## Proposal Requirements
Interested candidates should provide:
1. Detailed resume/CV
2. Relevant certifications
3. Similar enterprise project references
4. Sample network assessment reports (if available)
5. Proposed methodology and timeline
6. Availability and engagement model
Only candidates with proven enterprise Cisco and Fortinet experience will be considered.