Fortinet Launches New Architecture for Distributed Enterprise Networks

New UTM Platforms and Network Security Switches Unveiled at National Retail Federation Conference

SUNNYVALE, Calif. - Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT) - a world leader in high-performance network security – today announced the introduction of new network security appliances and secure switching platforms designed for the landline and wireless security needs of distributed enterprises at the National Retail Federation conference. The new products were developed for the demanding security needs of retailers that face stringent PCI regulatory compliance, the growing need for uninterrupted network uptime, and support for centralized system management for remote branch offices and outlets with little to no technical resources.

Fortinet will showcase the new products in Booth C414 at the NRF conference January 13 – 15 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City.

The six new products from Fortinet include four new FortiGate network security appliances: the FortiGate-60D, FortiWiFi-60D, FortiGate-60C-POE and the FortiGate-60CM-3G4G-B; and two new secure FortiSwitch platforms: the FortiSwitch-124B-POE and FortiSwitch-224B-POE. As a single source provider, Fortinet is uniquely positioned to offer this comprehensive range of security products for distributed enterprises that, until now, have historically required multiple vendors. By providing customers with a single vendor option, Fortinet is delivering unprecedented price/performance, lower TCO and centralized “single pane of glass” management for remotely deployed devices.

Advantages of Fortinet’s New Architecture for Distributed Enterprises

Today’s announcement introduces new products to support Fortinet’s new distributed enterprise architecture. This architecture consists of four primary building blocks:

Management Level – Given the widely distributed nature of modern retail establishments, the ability to quickly modify and manage security appliances is essential. Fortinet provides the FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer products to help retailers manage their distributed environments.

Aggregation Level – The aggregation level is the destination for all data.  Typically this is the retail headquarters. Core security functions such as firewall, application control and VPN termination take place here.

Store Level – The individual store level requires security and connectivity for a wide variety of functions including WiFi, voice and traditional network connectivity. With the addition of consumer connectivity, each store must also be able to provide security functions such as anti-malware and application control. Fortinet products including FortiGate, FortiWiFi and FortiVoice provide all the components needed for a next generation retail store to operate in a secure manner while offering an enhanced consumer experience.

Access Level – As stores extend access to employees using tablets and to consumers using mobile devices, ensuring secure access is critical. Fortinet products can ensure secure access control through rogue AP detection, authentication, guest WiFi services, rate limiting and load balancing.

“Fortinet’s announcement illustrates that Fortinet clearly understands today’s distributed enterprise requirements,” said Michael Suby, Stratecast vice president of research at Frost & Sullivan. “These new products are not only designed to consolidate features and functionality, simplify installation and management, and improve security posture, but they are able to do so with minimal impact to network bandwidth.”

Fortinet’s New Products at a Glance

Fortinet is introducing four new network security appliances running FortiOS-5.0, the world’s most advanced security operating system. The new FortiGate-60D and FortiWiFi-60D are next-generation network security appliances that use Fortinet’s new dual core, system-on-chip II (SOC2) application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) technology. Delivering up to twice the unified threat management performance, this is the first usage of SOC2 technology for Fortinet’s entry level security appliances. In addition to providing superior price/performance, reduced power consumption and greater port density, these two FortiGates are designed to support custom functions such as accelerated firewall, intrusion prevention and antivirus performance.

The FortiGate-60C-POE integrates security with 24 Gigabit Power over Ethernet  ports that can power Fortinet access points, switches and wireless repeaters to simplify secure network infrastructures at remote sites. It also delivers enterprise-class protection for applications and data through a wide range of onboard security technologies for distributed locations, branch offices and retail networks. With a built-in wireless controller, the appliance is designed to support up to 10,000 square feet of retail and/or office space to support secure wireless communications for employees and guest hot spot connectivity.

FortiGate-60CM-3G4G family of products incorporates an embedded 3G/4G wireless WAN modem for wireless carrier connectivity. This flexible platform can be populated with specialized modem technology and certified for various carrier networks. This highly integrated secure access device allows high availability by simultaneous use of fast 4G wireless connectivity and Ethernet as primary links and V.90 analog as backup, eliminating the need for external USB WAN modems. This capability also makes the device ideal for mobile kiosks in locations that don’t provide wired Internet access services.

Fortinet is also introducing two new Gigabit PoE managed switches; the 12-port FortiSwitch-124B-POE and the 24-port FortiSwitch-224B-POE, which are designed for distributed remote locations deploying converged network applications including voice, video, data and wireless. These remote locations can leverage each system’s PoE ports to power a wide variety of devices such as wireless access points, video cameras and/or VoIP phones without the need for separate power supplies. Each centrally managed switch provides VLAN segmentation for voice, video, data and wireless traffic and allows remote power toggle of individual PoE devices to aid in remote troubleshooting.

“I choose Fortinet for my distributed network because they had the broadest range of products covering connectivity and access at the local and Wide Area Network. We can turn on security within the infrastructure without affecting performance and the central management and reporting simplifies operation,” said Larry Havlik, senior director, Information Technology & Facilities at Hat World / Lids.com.

“The days of having to cobble together secure network service solutions from multiple vendors for remote sites is over,” said Koroush Saraf, senior director of product management for Fortinet. “With the introduction of our cost effective UTM network security appliances, secure switches and wireless connectivity solutions, we’re providing distributed enterprises with the most complete secure networking systems in the industry. Equally important, all of our new products are centrally managed from a single console that allows remote sites to enjoy true enterprise-class security.”

For more information on Fortinet’s distributed enterprise solutions, please visit: http://www.fortinet.com/solutions/distributed_enterprise.html

Availability

The FortiGate-60C-POE, FortiGate-60D, FortiWiFi-60D-POE, FortiSwitch-124B, FortiSwitch-224B POE andFortiSwitch-324 POE are available now.