Browse tools

Fortinet: Security & Privacy software

Fortinet provides cybersecurity solutions that protect networks, data centers, endpoints, and cloud applications across an enterprise infrastructure.

What is Fortinet?

Fortinet is a United States-based cybersecurity vendor founded in October 2000 and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California. The company designs and manufactures integrated security and networking technologies built around the Fortinet Security Fabric architecture. Running predominantly on a common operating system designated as FortiOS, the vendor's product ecosystem connects security operations, edge networking, endpoint management, and cloud infrastructure into a coordinated defense system driven by threat intelligence from FortiGuard Labs.

At the core of the network security portfolio are FortiGate next-generation firewalls, available as physical appliances powered by specialized ASICs or as virtual machines like FortiGate-VM. The hardware and software line encompasses secure networking infrastructure, such as FortiSwitch Ethernet switches, FortiAP wireless access points, and FortiExtender wireless WAN gateways. Through these components, the architecture converges local networking controls with deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention, SSL traffic analysis, antimalware, and content filtering.

For distributed workforces and enterprise cloud environments, Fortinet provides Unified SASE and Security Service Edge capabilities. Features like Secure Web Gateway, Zero Trust Network Access, Cloud Access Security Broker, and Firewall-as-a-Service are delivered via a global network spanning more than 200 points of presence. Organizations can also deploy FortiSASE Sovereign on-premises within their own data centers to meet regional data residency mandates. Additionally, cloud protection is offered through tools like Lacework CNAPP, FortiWeb application firewalls, and FortiADC application delivery controllers.

Security operations and management are centralized using FortiSIEM, FortiSOAR 8, FortiAnalyzer, and FortiManager. Fortinet embeds artificial intelligence throughout this framework using FortiAI and FortiAI-Assist to support alert triage, network troubleshooting, and automated threat hunting. In endpoint and operational technology sectors, Fortinet provides tools such as FortiEndpoint, FortiEDR, FortiPAM for privileged account governance, FortiDeceptor for deception-based intrusion detection, and specialized ruggedized hardware designed for industrial and SCADA environments.

Main category
Security & Privacy
Official website
fortinet.com
Status
Not yet published

Fortinet use cases

Operational Technology and Industrial Control Protection

Industrial facilities use Fortinet's OT Security Platform to protect critical infrastructure, SCADA control systems, and manufacturing lines without causing operational downtime. By combining ruggedized FortiSwitch and FortiExtender hardware with custom OT intrusion prevention signatures and automated virtual patching, organizations protect unpatched legacy equipment. Granular switch-port microsegmentation and specialized protocol monitoring help isolate industrial zones, prevent lateral threat movements, and maintain compliance across distributed physical locations.

Hybrid Workforce Security via Unified SASE

Organizations with remote, branch, or mobile personnel employ FortiSASE to deliver secure access to cloud resources, internal applications, and internet browsing. By combining Secure Web Gateway, Cloud Access Security Broker, Zero Trust Network Access, and Firewall-as-a-Service, traffic is inspected locally across over 200 global points of presence. Integration with Fortinet Secure SD-WAN allows remote sites to maintain consistent security policies and low latency without routing traffic through centralized enterprise datacenters.

Governance and Defense for Generative AI Infrastructure

Enterprises deploying artificial intelligence and large language models use FortiAIGate and FortiAI features to safeguard AI workloads, prompts, and data stores. The system discovers shadow AI tools used by employees, enforces input and output sanitization, blocks prompt-injection attacks, and prevents data leakage. Additionally, it offers cost controls, GPU-accelerated performance routing, and real-time activity logging, helping organizations enforce risk policies and maintain compliance during generative AI adoption.

Granular Privileged Remote Access for OT Systems

Industrial and enterprise organizations utilize FortiPAM alongside Zero Trust Network Access to secure remote access for third-party contractors, vendors, internal users, and auditors. The solution provides privileged account management, session monitoring, and session auditing to govern access to sensitive operational technology and IT assets. By strictly enforcing identity confirmation and microsegmentation, administrators prevent unauthorized lateral movement while preserving operational flexibility for remote maintenance.

Security Operations Center Automation and Threat Hunting

Security operations teams use FortiSOAR 8, FortiSIEM, and FortiAnalyzer to centralize telemetry across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. Employing agentic playbooks and artificial intelligence through FortiAI, security analysts automate alert triage, perform zero-day vulnerability prioritization, and execute incident responses. The platform integrates endpoint context from FortiEDR, enabling threat hunting and continuous monitoring across complex multi-stage attack scenarios without overwhelming analysts with manual tasks.

Educational Campus Security and Digital Learning

K-12 school districts and higher education institutions use Fortinet's secure networking solutions to support digital learning environments while protecting campus infrastructure. The platform combines web filtering, wireless LAN access points via FortiAP, and network access controls to ensure both physical and digital safety for students and staff. Educational networks maintain safe internet browsing, secure smart campus devices, and enforce access policies without restricting legitimate open expression.

Alternatives to Fortinet

Other tools in Security & Privacy, listed A–Z. No vendor pays to appear here.

IDriveIDrive is a cloud storage and backup service that secures data across computers, mobile devices, servers, and cloud applications. Individuals and businesses use the platform to perform file synchronization, system imaging, and remote data restoration. INEINE is an online learning platform that delivers technical courses in networking, cloud management, and data science. Organizations use the platform to train technical teams through practice labs and scenario-based cybersecurity certifications. Keeper SecurityKeeper Security is an identity protection platform that manages privileged access, secrets, remote connections, and database credentials. It serves organizations needing to control administrative access rights, monitor system threat activity, and enforce security policies across infrastructure. KisiKisi is a cloud-based access control platform that enables users to unlock physical doors using mobile applications or secure badges. Facility managers use it to grant permission levels, monitor building entries remotely, and integrate video surveillance with visitor check-in systems. N2WSN2WS is a cloud backup and disaster recovery platform that protects data across multiple cloud environments from a single console. It is designed for organizations looking to automate data archiving, configure recovery policies, and perform disaster recovery drills. OpteryOptery is a privacy management service that identifies and removes personal information from data broker websites and search results. It is intended for individuals seeking to eliminate their phone numbers, addresses, and private details from public web listings. Palo Alto NetworksPalo Alto Networks offers cybersecurity software and services to secure network infrastructure, cloud workloads, and hybrid work environments using threat intelligence. The platform is built for security engineers, cloud architects, and IT leaders to implement zero trust architecture and manage digital risks. PasspackPasspack is a credential management tool that enables teams to store login details, keys, and secrets using zero-knowledge encryption. The software helps businesses maintain account security, collaborate safely, and analyze administrative activity logs.

Fortinet FAQs

What is the Fortinet Security Fabric?

The Fortinet Security Fabric is an integrated architectural framework that unifies over 50 security and networking solutions under a single operating system, FortiOS. It enables shared threat intelligence, continuous operational context, and automated security enforcement across endpoints, local networks, cloud environments, and operational technology settings. Driven by real-time threat data from FortiGuard Labs, the Security Fabric coordinates threat detection, policy management, and automated incident response across an organization's entire attack surface.

How does FortiGate combine networking and security functions?

FortiGate firewalls combine routing, Secure SD-WAN, switching control, and wireless management with security inspection inside a single appliance powered by specialized ASICs. Running on FortiOS, FortiGate performs deep packet inspection, SSL decryption, intrusion prevention, web filtering, and malware blocking without degrading network performance. This convergence allows organizations to eliminate dedicated networking hardware while maintaining uniform security controls across branch offices, enterprise datacenters, and cloud workloads.

What options exist for organization data sovereignty with SASE?

Fortinet offers FortiSASE Sovereign as an out-of-the-box, turnkey solution for organizations needing strict control over data residency and compliance. Deployed on-premises within an enterprise's own data center, FortiSASE Sovereign provides Secure Web Gateway, Cloud Access Security Broker, Zero Trust Network Access, and Firewall-as-a-Service capabilities. This local deployment model gives administrators full control over core operational data, satisfying regional data sovereignty regulations without relying on shared public cloud infrastructure.

How does Fortinet secure operational technology (OT) environments?

Fortinet provides specialized OT security featuring ruggedized FortiSwitch and FortiExtender hardware built for harsh industrial environments. The platform offers protocol-aware intrusion prevention supporting broad OT signatures, dynamic switch-port microsegmentation, automated virtual patching for unpatched legacy systems, and deception tools like FortiDeceptor. Centrally managed via FortiOS, it allows industrial operators to isolate control zones, monitor SCADA networks, and govern third-party remote access through FortiPAM without disturbing continuous operational uptime.

What role does artificial intelligence play in Fortinet solutions?

Artificial intelligence is embedded across the Fortinet AI-Native Security Fabric using tools like FortiAI, FortiAI-Assist, and FortiAIGate. AI capabilities automate network troubleshooting, generate SD-WAN configurations, perform dynamic threat baselining, and triage security operations center alerts. Additionally, FortiAIGate protects enterprise generative AI usage by filtering malicious prompts, inspecting input and output data flows, blocking rogue queries, and enforcing corporate compliance rules in real time.

Does Fortinet offer virtualized firewall deployments?

Yes, Fortinet supplies FortiGate-VM, a full-featured virtual appliance version of the FortiGate next-generation firewall. FortiGate-VM offers the same threat protection features as physical hardware, including intrusion prevention, SSL inspection, web filtering, and sandbox analysis. It is designed to monitor, segment, and secure virtualized datacenters and multi-cloud environments across platforms such as Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud.

How does Fortinet facilitate Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)?

Fortinet embeds ZTNA capabilities into FortiOS 7.0 and later versions, managed via FortiClient and FortiGate appliances. ZTNA replaces traditional VPN access by continuously verifying user identity, device posture, and context before granting application-level access. By controlling access on a per-session basis, ZTNA ensures that users—whether working remotely or on-premises—only access explicitly authorized applications, reducing the overall attack surface and stopping lateral network movement.

How does FortiSOAR 8 assist security operations centers?

FortiSOAR 8 connects security operations center tools using agentic playbooks, artificial intelligence, and automated workflows to accelerate incident detection and response. It provides transparent guardrails and controls while allowing security analysts to orchestrate investigations across Fortinet solutions and preferred third-party security agents. By automating alert triage, threat context gathering, and zero-day vulnerability prioritization, FortiSOAR 8 reduces manual labor and helps SOC teams resolve security incidents faster.

Can Fortinet hardware operate in extreme outdoor or industrial conditions?

Yes, Fortinet offers specialized ruggedized appliances certified for harsh environments, outdoor installations, fleet vehicles, and industrial settings. Products like FortiSwitch Rugged and ruggedized FortiExtender 5G gateways are built to resist dust, physical shock, and operational vibrations. These devices provide Din-rail or rack-mount form factors and run on FortiOS, extending corporate security policies, wireless networking, and cellular WAN connectivity to demanding industrial and remote field locations.

Who uses Fortinet?

Fortinet serves organizations across public and private sectors, ranging from small businesses to enterprise networks, service providers, and government entities. Stated sectors on the vendor's website include K-12 and higher education, federal, state, and local governments, hospitality, financial services, manufacturing, power and utilities, media and entertainment, transportation, healthcare, retail, oil and gas, SCADA control systems, and technology companies.

  • Small Businesses
  • Large Enterprises
  • Federal Government
  • State and Local Government
  • K-12 Education
  • Higher Education
  • Financial Services
  • Healthcare
  • Manufacturing
  • Power and Utilities
  • Oil and Gas
  • Retail
  • Hospitality
  • Transportation
  • Media and Entertainment
  • SCADA and OT Operators
  • Service Providers

Fortinet pros and cons

Until real users review Fortinet, this tab shows what the vendor highlights and the points worth checking — never invented opinions.

What Fortinet highlights

  • Convergence of networking and security capabilities under one operating system (FortiOS).
  • ASIC-powered hardware appliances delivering high-speed inspection with low latency.
  • Global cloud security infrastructure with over 200 points of presence (PoPs).
  • Native AI capabilities woven across the Security Fabric for automated threat detection and SOC operations.
  • Specialized OT security support covering more than twice the OT protocols of competitor solutions.

Points to check before choosing

  • The vendor's website does not list baseline public pricing or subscription fee structures for its products.
  • Hardware specifications and storage capacity limits for physical firewalls and appliances are not detailed on the main product overview pages.
  • Hardware maintenance schedules and hardware lifecycle upgrade timelines are not specified on the website.

Fortinet features

FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall

FortiGate NGFW delivers network protection powered by custom application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for high-speed traffic inspection. Available as physical appliances or virtual machines like FortiGate-VM, it combines deep packet inspection, SSL inspection, antimalware, web filtering, and intrusion prevention capabilities. FortiGate acts as the central security anchor within the Fortinet Security Fabric, converging network routing and security policy enforcement across cloud, enterprise, and branch environments.

FortiSASE

FortiSASE provides cloud-delivered security access for remote, branch, and mobile workforces. It unites Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), and Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM) into a single cloud platform. Operating on a global network of over 200 points of presence, FortiSASE enforces unified access policies across web, cloud, and corporate applications with integrated FortiAI-Assist troubleshooting.

FortiSOAR 8

FortiSOAR 8 is a security orchestration, automation, and response platform designed to streamline security operations center workflows. It utilizes agentic playbooks, artificial intelligence, and centralized controls to automate alert triage, incident investigation, and remediation actions. The platform provides guardrails and transparent reporting while enabling security teams to orchestrate tools across the Fortinet Security Fabric as well as preferred third-party security agents and platforms.

FortiEDR

FortiEDR delivers endpoint detection and response, telemetry analysis, and threat-hunting capabilities across multi-stage attack scenarios. The solution provides automated protection against process injection, shellcode execution, and memory-based attacks, validated by AV-Comparatives testing. By integrating endpoint telemetry into the broader Security Fabric, FortiEDR assists analysts in identifying suspicious endpoint activity, stopping malware propagation, and rapidly containing compromised endpoints across distributed device fleets.

FortiAIGate

FortiAIGate is an application security gateway purpose-built to secure generative AI models, large language models, and AI data flows. It provides input and output sanitization, intelligent query routing, cost governance, and GPU-accelerated performance. By filtering prompt-based attacks, preventing sensitive data leakage, and defending against DDoS or bot-driven abuse, FortiAIGate enables organizations to adopt generative AI applications safely while maintaining audit trails.

FortiClient

FortiClient is an endpoint fabric agent that integrates end-user devices into the Fortinet Security Fabric. It supplies endpoint telemetry, user identity context, posture assessment, and compliance checks to enforcement points across the network. FortiClient enables zero-trust network access, endpoint security management, and automated threat containment across a wide range of operating systems and user devices in work-from-anywhere environments.

FortiWeb

FortiWeb is a web application firewall (WAF) designed to protect web applications and application programming interfaces (APIs) against known and zero-day vulnerabilities. Utilizing machine learning models, it identifies web exploits, bot attacks, and application-layer DDoS threats. Available as a physical, virtual, or cloud application, FortiWeb helps maintain application availability, prevent sensitive data exposure, and support regulatory compliance for hosted web services.

FortiSandbox

FortiSandbox provides automated, dynamic threat analysis to detect zero-day vulnerabilities, hidden malware, and advanced evasion techniques. It performs static and dynamic inspection of files and URLs within isolated testing environments before threats reach internal networks. Operating inline or as a cloud service, FortiSandbox shares real-time threat intelligence back to FortiGate, FortiClient, and FortiMail to trigger network-wide automated quarantine actions.

FortiPAM

FortiPAM delivers privileged access management to control, govern, and monitor elevated user accounts, administrative processes, and critical systems. It offers centralized oversight for privileged credentials, session recording, and real-time monitoring across enterprise IT infrastructure and industrial OT networks. FortiPAM helps organizations restrict unauthorized administrative actions, secure remote third-party maintenance sessions, and construct detailed audit trails for regulatory compliance.

FortiSwitch and FortiSwitch Rugged

FortiSwitch products are high-performance Ethernet switches managed directly through FortiGate firewalls using FortiLink technology. FortiSwitch Rugged variants offer din-rail and rack-mount form factors designed for harsh industrial settings, resisting dust, shock, and thermal extremes. The switches enable granular port-level access policies, network microsegmentation, and automated security controls across corporate offices, branch sites, and operational technology environments.

FortiExtender

FortiExtender is a cellular wireless wide area network (WWAN) appliance providing LTE and 5G broadband connectivity. It serves as an out-of-band management interface, primary WAN connection, or failover link for distributed branches, microbranches, and mobile fleets. Offered in enterprise and ruggedized formats, FortiExtender offloads traffic to FortiSASE points of presence or local FortiGate firewalls to maintain secure, continuous network operations.

FortiDeceptor

FortiDeceptor utilizes deception technology to detect early-stage intrusions, lateral movement, and unauthorized reconnaissance. By deploying fake network assets, decoys, and breadcrumbs across IT and OT environments, it tricks malicious actors into revealing their presence. When an intruder interacts with a decoy, FortiDeceptor triggers high-fidelity alerts and initiates automated isolation protocols across the Security Fabric to neutralize threats before damage occurs.

Fortinet pricing

We don't publish prices: they change often and differ by country. Check current plans on Fortinet's own pricing page.

Fortinet provides flexible deployment and licensing packages structured around specific software subscriptions, SaaS modules, cloud-hosted services, and physical or virtual appliances. Options include turnkey on-premises software like FortiSASE Sovereign, cloud SaaS subscriptions like FortiManagement Cloud and FortiAuthenticator Cloud, and custom quotes via sales representatives. Specific pricing amounts or plan tiers are not published on the vendor's website. Free product demos and free software trials are available.

Free plan
No
Free trial
Yes

Fortinet integrations

Fortinet connects its security and networking infrastructure through the Fortinet Security Fabric, which supports open API integrations and an agentic ecosystem. Fortinet collaborates with semiconductor provider Intel to advance custom ASIC development. Cloud security services integrate natively with public cloud providers including Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud for direct connectivity and workload protection.

  • Intel
  • Amazon Web Services (AWS)
  • Google Cloud
  • Oracle Cloud

Fortinet support

Technical assistance and support services are provided through FortiCare Services. The vendor offers access to an online Resource Center, cybersecurity certification programs, technical documentation, CVE security analysis, free product demos, self-guided interactive product tours, and free software trials. Organizations can also engage directly with sales teams or attend regional events such as the Fortinet Cybersecurity Summit West 2026, Fortinet OT Day, and SASE Summit.

  • FortiCare Services
  • Resource Center
  • Free Product Demo
  • Free Trials
  • Contact Sales
  • Interactive Product Tours
  • Regional Summits and Events

Fortinet reviews

We don't show a rating for Fortinet until at least 10 real users have reviewed it — so far, 0 of 10. Reviews are read and approved by hand; none are identity-verified, but none are bought or invented either.

Write a review

Your rating

How this page was made

Prepared by our automated operator · Awaiting review by the publisher (not shown to search engines until approved)

This page was written with AI from 8 pages of fortinet.com's own website (read on Sep 15, 2026) and checked automatically: no copied wording, no prices, and no figure that isn't on the vendor's site. Nobody on our team has tested Fortinet.

Report an error on this page · Are you the vendor?

Visit fortinet.com