Fortinet Tackles Branch, Edge Security in SD-WAN Implementations
Security specialist Fortinet announced a new product to extend protection to branch networks and devices on the network access edge for enterprises with software-defined wide-area network (SD-WAN) implementations.
The company said the new Fortinet Secure SD-Branch solution extends its existing security portfolio to network edge protection and device edge protection.
In citing the need for such a solution, the company noted the explosion of SD-WAN implementations that expose risks in branch offices that often don't have their own onsite IT staffs, along with other concerns such as direct Internet access, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) applications, the growing number of Internet of Things (IoT) devices and bring your own device (BYOD) risks.
In a June 17 blog post, Fortinet said, "This explosion of edges, which all must be secured, is causing many organizations to struggle to implement adequate security throughout their distributed enterprises, including at the new branch. The complexity of managing these edges -- including often complicated and overlapping point products and appliances -- adds an additional challenge."
The new solution being rolled out to address those challenges extends Fortinet Security Fabric to branch networks, with the aforementioned portfolio of security products including FortiGate firewall, FortiSwitch (secure Ethernet switching), FortiAP (wireless management for the edge), and FortiNAC, for network access control.
A company solution brief summarized the new offering: "SD-Branch consolidates networking and security capabilities into a single solution that provides seamless protection of distributed environments. It covers all critical branch exposures—from the WAN edge, to the branch access layer, to a full spectrum of endpoint devices. It extends Fortinet Secure SD-WAN capabilities across wired and wireless networks while simplifying branch infrastructure management."
More information on the solution can be found here.
About the Author
David Ramel is an editor and writer for Converge360.