FortinetSecure every site, user and connection with one network security platform
Fortinet builds network security products centred on the FortiGate next-generation firewall, with Secure SD-WAN, secure access for remote users, and switching, wireless and security operations tools that work together.
- FortiOS
- One operating system across hardware, virtual and cloud firewalls
- Built-in SD-WAN
- Secure SD-WAN is integrated into FortiGate
- Any form factor
- Hardware appliances, virtual machines, cloud and as-a-service
- Central management
- FortiManager for policy and FortiAnalyzer for logging and reporting
Problems Fortinet is used to solve
Most Fortinet projects start with one of these network and access problems.
| Topic | What it can lead to | How Fortinet helps |
|---|---|---|
| An ageing or unsupported firewall | What it can lead to: Missing security updates, weak inspection of modern threats and performance limits. | How Fortinet helps: FortiGate next-generation firewalls (NGFW) with intrusion prevention, antivirus, application control and web filtering through FortiGuard subscriptions. |
| Expensive or unreliable branch connectivity | What it can lead to: High MPLS costs and poor application performance at remote sites. | How Fortinet helps: Secure SD-WAN built into FortiGate steers applications across broadband, 5G and MPLS links based on real-time path performance. |
| Remote and hybrid users | What it can lead to: Users connect from anywhere, but security is applied only in the office. | How Fortinet helps: FortiSASE provides cloud-delivered secure internet, private and SaaS access, and FortiClient provides VPN and zero trust network access (ZTNA). |
| Many devices managed one by one | What it can lead to: Inconsistent policies across sites and slow, error-prone changes. | How Fortinet helps: FortiManager centralises management and policy across FortiGate devices; FortiAnalyzer centralises logs and reporting. |
| Separate tools for networking and security | What it can lead to: Gaps between products and more consoles to run. | How Fortinet helps: The Fortinet Security Fabric connects FortiGate with FortiSwitch, FortiAP and other Fortinet and third-party products. |
| Industrial or OT sites | What it can lead to: Harsh environments and industrial networks that need protection. | How Fortinet helps: FortiGate Rugged appliances and OT security services. |
What Fortinet does
Fortinet’s portfolio is large. These are the products most organisations build on.
Next-generation firewall
FortiGate inspects traffic with intrusion prevention, antivirus and application control, and supports VPN and encrypted traffic inspection. It runs on hardware, virtual and cloud models.
Secure SD-WAN
Software-defined WAN built into FortiGate, steering applications across available links and rerouting traffic when a path degrades.
Secure access (SASE and ZTNA)
FortiSASE secures remote and hybrid users from the cloud. Zero trust network access (ZTNA) controls access to applications per user and device.
Secure networking
FortiSwitch switches and FortiAP wireless access points are managed from the Fortinet platform, with FortiNAC for network access control.
Central management and analytics
FortiManager provides centralised management and policy automation. FortiAnalyzer provides logging, analytics and reporting.
Security operations
FortiSIEM, FortiSOAR, FortiEDR and FortiSandbox for detection, investigation and response.
FortiGate deployment options
Because FortiGate runs the same FortiOS everywhere, the same policies can apply across these options. The right mix depends on where your users and workloads are.
| Topic | Where it runs | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Hardware appliances | Where it runs: On-site, from small branches to data centres, including rugged models | Typical use: Office, branch and data centre perimeter, and SD-WAN at each site |
| FortiGate VM | Where it runs: Virtual appliance in private and public clouds | Typical use: Protecting virtual and cloud workloads |
| Cloud firewall and FortiGate-as-a-Service | Where it runs: Delivered as a cloud service | Typical use: Cloud environments, without managing the firewall infrastructure |
For remote and hybrid users, Fortinet also offers FortiSASE, a separate cloud-delivered SASE service. Security features depend on the FortiGuard subscription bundle. Sizing depends on throughput with inspection enabled, not only raw firewall throughput. Confirm models, bundles and sizing with Fortinet or our team.
Before you replace a firewall or roll out SD-WAN
Preparation that makes any firewall or SD-WAN project smoother, whatever vendor you choose. Nothing you tick is saved or sent.
How VirtuThinko helps you adopt Fortinet
- 01
Requirements
We can help you review your sites, users, traffic and current firewall, and identify the Fortinet products and sizing that fit.
- 02
Demo or proof of concept
A trial at one site or with a pilot group, to test inspection, SD-WAN or remote access with your own traffic.
- 03
Design and deployment
Network and policy design, rule migration, SD-WAN and VPN configuration, and central management.
- 04
Tuning and handover
Policy clean-up, logging and reporting, documentation and knowledge transfer to your team.
- 05
Ongoing support
Firmware updates, policy changes and troubleshooting.
FortiGate is the firewall itself, available as hardware, virtual and cloud models. FortiOS is the operating system that runs on all of them, so the same policies and features apply across form factors.
No. Fortinet states that Secure SD-WAN is integrated into FortiGate, so the same device provides firewall and SD-WAN.
FortiGuard is Fortinet’s threat intelligence and security services. Features such as intrusion prevention, antivirus, web and DNS filtering and sandboxing are licensed as individual services or in bundles.
Fortinet offers FortiClient for VPN and zero trust network access (ZTNA) from managed devices, and FortiSASE for cloud-delivered security for remote and hybrid users.
FortiManager provides centralised management and policy automation across sites, and FortiAnalyzer collects logs and produces reports. Fortinet also offers cloud-based management options.
Fortinet offers FortiConverter, a firewall migration service. Whatever tool is used, review and clean up rules as part of the migration.
Explore Fortinet for your organisation
Tell us about your sites, users, current firewall and connectivity, and what you want to improve. A member of our team will contact you to arrange an initial conversation.