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FortiSASE: Unifying Security and Networking for the Modern Enterprise

In an increasingly distributed and cloud-centric world, traditional network security architectures struggle to keep pace with evolving threats and the demands of remote work. This challenge has led to the rise of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), a cybersecurity framework that converges networking and security functions into a single, cloud-delivered service. Fortinet, a leader in cybersecurity, offers FortiSASE, a comprehensive SASE solution designed to provide consistent security and optimal user experience for organizations of all sizes.

FortiSASE integrates various security services, including Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), with wide area network (WAN) capabilities. This convergence simplifies management, enhances visibility, and ensures consistent policy enforcement across all users and devices, regardless of their location.

What is SASE?

SASE is a cybersecurity model introduced by Gartner in 2019. It defines a new architectural approach that combines network security functions (such as SWG, CASB, FWaaS, and ZTNA) with WAN capabilities (like SD-WAN) into a single, cloud-native service. The core principle of SASE is to deliver security and networking from the cloud edge, closer to the user and the applications they access, rather than routing traffic back to a central data center.

Key Components and Benefits of FortiSASE

FortiSASE leverages Fortinet's extensive security portfolio to deliver a robust SASE solution. Its key components and benefits include:

Unified Security Services

FortiSASE integrates a suite of essential security services, providing comprehensive protection against a wide range of cyber threats. These services include:

  • Secure Web Gateway (SWG): Protects users from web-based threats, enforces acceptable use policies, and filters malicious content.
  • Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB): Provides visibility and control over cloud application usage, preventing data loss and ensuring compliance.
  • Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Implements a "never trust, always verify" approach, granting access based on user identity, device posture, and application context, rather than network location.
  • Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS): Delivers advanced firewall capabilities from the cloud, offering consistent policy enforcement for all traffic.
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP): Prevents sensitive data from leaving the organization's control, whether intentionally or accidentally.
  • Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): Detects and blocks known and unknown threats by analyzing network traffic for malicious patterns.
  • Antivirus/Antimalware: Protects against viruses, ransomware, and other forms of malware.
  • Sandbox: Isolates suspicious files and analyzes their behavior in a secure environment to identify zero-day threats.

SD-WAN Integration

FortiSASE seamlessly integrates with Fortinet's industry-leading Secure SD-WAN solution. This integration optimizes network performance, ensures reliable connectivity, and provides intelligent traffic steering for both cloud and on-premises applications. By combining SD-WAN with SASE, organizations can achieve a unified approach to networking and security, reducing complexity and improving efficiency.

Cloud-Native Architecture

Built on a global network of points of presence (PoPs), FortiSASE delivers security and networking services from the cloud. This cloud-native architecture offers several advantages:

  • Scalability: Easily scales to accommodate growing user bases and increasing traffic demands.
  • Global Reach: Provides consistent security and performance for users anywhere in the world.
  • Reduced Latency: Delivers security closer to the user, minimizing latency and improving application performance.
  • Simplified Management: Centralized management console simplifies policy configuration and monitoring across the entire SASE infrastructure.

Enhanced User Experience

By optimizing network paths and delivering security services at the edge, FortiSASE significantly enhances the user experience. Users benefit from faster access to applications, reduced latency, and consistent security, regardless of their location or the device they are using.

Sovereign SASE Options

For organizations with specific data residency and compliance requirements, Fortinet offers FortiSASE Sovereign. This solution provides the full capabilities of FortiSASE while ensuring that data processing and storage occur within a designated sovereign region, meeting stringent regulatory demands.

FortiSASE for Small Businesses

FortiSASE is not just for large enterprises; it also offers significant advantages for small businesses. By providing a comprehensive, cloud-delivered security and networking solution, FortiSASE helps small businesses:

  • Simplify IT Management: Reduces the need for complex on-premises security hardware and software.
  • Enhance Security Posture: Provides enterprise-grade security capabilities without the associated cost and complexity.
  • Support Remote Work: Securely connects remote employees to critical applications and data.
  • Reduce Costs: Eliminates the need for multiple point solutions and reduces operational expenses.

FortiSASE vs. Traditional Security

Traditional security architectures often involve a patchwork of disparate security appliances and software, leading to complexity, inconsistent policy enforcement, and security gaps. FortiSASE, in contrast, offers a unified, cloud-delivered approach that simplifies security operations and provides comprehensive protection across the entire attack surface.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the primary benefit of FortiSASE?

The primary benefit of FortiSASE is its ability to unify networking and security functions into a single, cloud-delivered service, simplifying management, enhancing security, and improving user experience for distributed workforces.

How does FortiSASE support remote workers?

FortiSASE supports remote workers by providing secure and optimized access to applications and data from any location, leveraging ZTNA, SWG, and other integrated security services delivered from the cloud edge.

Is FortiSASE suitable for small businesses?

Yes, FortiSASE is suitable for small businesses, offering a cost-effective and easy-to-manage solution that provides enterprise-grade security and supports remote work without requiring extensive IT resources.

What is the difference between SASE and SD-WAN?

SASE is a broader framework that converges networking (including SD-WAN) and security functions into a single cloud-delivered service, while SD-WAN primarily focuses on optimizing network connectivity and traffic management. FortiSASE integrates SD-WAN as a core component of its SASE offering.

What is FortiSASE Sovereign?

FortiSASE Sovereign is a specialized offering that provides the full capabilities of FortiSASE while ensuring that all data processing and storage occur within a specific sovereign region, meeting strict data residency and compliance requirements.

What security services are included in FortiSASE?

FortiSASE includes a comprehensive suite of security services such as Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), Antivirus/Antimalware, and Sandbox.