Websites using Fortinet FortiGate

Okay, let s break down Fortinet FortiGate.

What is Fortinet FortiGate?

FortiGate is a next-generation firewall (NGFW) platform from Fortinet. It s a core component of the Fortinet Security Fabric, an integrated security system designed to protect networks from a wide range of threats. It combines traditional firewall capabilities with advanced security features.

Key Features and Capabilities:

• Firewall: Basic traffic filtering based on source/destination IP address, port, and protocol.
• Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): Detects and blocks malicious network activity.
• Application Control: Identifies and controls applications running on the network (e.g., block specific games, limit bandwidth for streaming services).
• Web Filtering: Blocks access to malicious or inappropriate websites.
• VPN (Virtual Private Network): Enables secure remote access to the network. Supports IPsec and SSL VPN.
• Antivirus/Antimalware: Scans network traffic and files for viruses and other malware.
• Sandboxing: Executes suspicious files in a safe, isolated environment to analyze their behavior.
• SSL Inspection: Decrypts and inspects SSL/TLS encrypted traffic for threats.
• SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network): Optimizes network traffic across multiple WAN links for improved performance and reliability.
• Advanced Threat Protection (ATP): Provides protection against sophisticated and evasive threats.
• Centralized Management: FortiManager provides a single pane of glass for managing multiple FortiGate devices and other Fortinet security products.
• Reporting and Analytics: FortiAnalyzer provides reporting and analytics capabilities for security events.

Target Audience:

FortiGate firewalls are designed for organizations of all sizes, from small businesses to large enterprises. Fortinet offers a range of models with varying performance and features to meet different needs. Common use cases include:

• Securing corporate networks.
• Protecting data centers.
• Securing branch offices.
• Providing secure remote access.
• Protecting cloud environments.

Revenue

As a public company (NASDAQ: FTNT), Fortinet s overall revenue is reported quarterly and annually. You can find this information in their investor relations section of their website and financial news outlets. While they don t typically break out revenue specific to FortiGate, it is a substantial portion of their overall security product revenue. Fortinet reports product and service revenue.

Alternatives to FortiGate:

The NGFW market is competitive. Here are some prominent alternatives to FortiGate:

• Palo Alto Networks: Considered a market leader with a strong focus on advanced threat prevention and cloud security. Their firewalls are known for their comprehensive feature set and ease of use.
• Cisco Firepower: Integrates with Cisco s broader networking and security ecosystem. Offers robust features, particularly for large enterprises.
• Check Point: A long-standing security vendor with a strong reputation for threat prevention. Known for their virtualized and cloud-based solutions.
• SonicWall: Popular among small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) due to their ease of deployment and competitive pricing.
• Juniper Networks: Offers high-performance firewalls and security solutions for service providers and large enterprises.
• Sophos: Known for their endpoint protection and integrated security solutions, including firewalls. Caters to SMBs and mid-sized organizations.
• WatchGuard: Another provider focusing on the SMB market, providing easy-to-use and affordable security solutions.
• Barracuda Networks: Offers a range of security solutions, including firewalls, with a focus on cloud and email security.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an Alternative:

• Security Effectiveness: Independent testing results (e.g., NSS Labs, ICSA Labs) can provide insights into the effectiveness of different firewalls in blocking threats.
• Performance: Consider the firewall s throughput, latency, and connection capacity to ensure it can handle your network traffic.
• Features: Evaluate the features you need, such as IPS, application control, web filtering, VPN, and advanced threat protection.
• Scalability: Choose a firewall that can scale to meet your future needs.
• Ease of Use: Consider the firewall s management interface, reporting capabilities, and overall ease of use.
• Integration: Ensure the firewall integrates with your existing security infrastructure.
• Cost: Compare the total cost of ownership, including hardware, software, support, and training.

Pricing:

FortiGate pricing is complex and varies depending on:

• Model: Different FortiGate models have different hardware specifications and performance capabilities, affecting the base price.
• Licensing: You ll need to purchase licenses for the security features you want to use (e.g., IPS, application control, web filtering). These are often subscription-based.
• Support: Support contracts are essential for receiving updates and technical assistance.
• Region: Pricing can vary slightly depending on your geographic location.

General Pricing Structure:

• Hardware Appliance: The cost of the physical firewall device. Ranges from a few hundred dollars for entry-level models to tens of thousands of dollars for high-end enterprise appliances.
• Security Subscriptions (FortiCare and FortiGuard): These are annual subscriptions that provide access to Fortinet s security services, including:
  • FortiCare: Technical support, hardware replacement, and firmware updates.
  • FortiGuard: Security updates, including IPS signatures, application control signatures, web filtering categories, antivirus definitions, and sandboxing.
• Virtual Appliances: FortiGate can also be deployed as a virtual appliance in cloud environments or on-premises virtualization platforms. Pricing for virtual appliances is typically based on a subscription model.

How to Get Pricing Information:

• Fortinet Partners: The best way to get accurate pricing is to contact a Fortinet partner. They can assess your needs and provide a customized quote.
• Fortinet Website: While Fortinet doesn t typically publish specific prices on its website, you can request a quote or contact a sales representative through their website.
• Resellers: Online resellers may list prices for some FortiGate models, but it s important to verify that the prices include the necessary licenses and support.

Customer Care Details:

Fortinet provides customer care through several channels:

• FortiCare Support: This is Fortinet s comprehensive support service, offering:
  • Technical Support: Phone, email, and web-based support.
  • Hardware Replacement: In case of hardware failure, FortiCare provides replacement services.
  • Firmware Updates: Access to the latest firmware updates and security patches.
• Fortinet Documentation: Fortinet provides extensive documentation on its products, including user guides, configuration guides, and troubleshooting articles. This is available on their support portal.
• Fortinet Knowledge Base: A searchable database of technical articles and solutions to common problems.
• Fortinet Community: An online forum where users can ask questions, share knowledge, and collaborate with other Fortinet customers and experts.
• Fortinet Training and Certification: Fortinet offers a range of training courses and certifications to help users learn how to configure, manage, and troubleshoot FortiGate firewalls.
• Fortinet Partners: Fortinet partners provide support and services to their customers.

Accessing Fortinet Support:

• Fortinet Support Portal: The primary entry point for accessing Fortinet support resources. You ll need a Fortinet support account to access the portal.
• Phone Support: Fortinet provides phone support to customers with valid FortiCare contracts. The phone number will vary depending on your region.
• Email Support: You can submit support requests via email through the Fortinet Support Portal.

Key Takeaways:

• FortiGate is a comprehensive NGFW platform with a wide range of features.
• It s suitable for organizations of all sizes.
• Pricing is complex and depends on the model, licenses, and support.
• Fortinet provides a variety of customer care resources.
• Carefully consider your specific requirements and compare FortiGate to other NGFW alternatives before making a decision.