Security is implemented in multiple layers. The more layers you have and the stronger each one is, the more robust your company’s security architecture becomes against cyber threats. Emerging in the 1980s and evolving into Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) after 2010, firewalls are a critical component of any security architecture, serving as the first line of defense for a network. By not using a firewall, organizations remove an essential security layer, leaving themselves vulnerable to threats such as malware, ransomware, and unauthorized access.

Fortinet has been recognized as the only network firewall leader by Gartner for 13 consecutive years. With over 50% of the global market share in units shipped, Fortinet’s firewall solutions are trusted worldwide for securing networks across various environments. In this article, we will examine three key use cases for Fortinet firewalls—branch offices, campus networks, and data centers—detailing the challenges faced in each scenario and how Fortinet’s firewall solutions help mitigate risks while ensuring optimal network performance.

 

Fortinet Firewall for Branches and Subsidiaries

Secondary locations such as branches, subsidiaries, or offices are typically connected to a central corporate network through MPLS, SD-WAN, or VPNs. These remote sites often have limited IT staff and resources, making them attractive targets for cyberattacks. The primary challenges in securing branch offices include:

• Lack of centralized visibility and management: IT teams struggle to manage multiple branch locations efficiently.
• Inconsistent security policies: Ensuring uniform security enforcement across all locations can be difficult.
• Performance trade-offs with security: Network performance must be maintained despite implementing stringent security measures.
• Secure access to cloud applications: Many branch offices rely on SaaS applications, requiring secure and optimized cloud connectivity.

What advantages offers Fortinet

Fortinet’s FortiGate firewalls provide robust security and networking capabilities tailored for branch office environments. Some key benefits include:

• Integrated SD-WAN: Fortinet’s Secure SD-WAN enables direct, secure access to cloud applications without backhauling traffic to the central data center, reducing latency.
• Centralized Management: FortiManager allows IT teams to manage security policies across multiple branches from a single pane of glass.
• Next-Generation Security: Features such as deep packet inspection (DPI), AI-powered threat intelligence, and application control ensure branch security.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA): Ensures only authenticated and authorized users can access critical resources.

Recommended Fortinet Firewall Models for Branches

• FortiGate 40F/60F/80F: Compact and ideal for small-to-medium branch offices.
• FortiGate 30G/50G/70G/90G: Provides enhanced performance and security for larger branch deployments.

Tips from Datanet Systems experts

1. Implement SD-WAN for cloud optimization: Configure Secure SD-WAN policies for direct cloud connectivity while maintaining security.
2. Use centralized management: Deploy FortiManager to simplify policy enforcement across branches.
3. Enable intrusion prevention system (IPS): Protect against known and emerging threats by enabling IPS.

Fortinet firewall for Campus networks

Challenges in Campus Network Security and Networking

Large campus networks serve thousands of users and devices, presenting unique security and networking challenges:

• High traffic volume and bandwidth demands: Campuses require high-performance firewalls capable of handling massive throughput.
• Segmentation and access control: Different user groups (students, faculty, employees, guests) must have properly segmented access.
• Visibility into network activity: Detecting and mitigating lateral movement of threats is essential.
• IoT and BYOD security: Large numbers of unmanaged devices increase the attack surface.

How Fortinet Helps

Fortinet’s security-driven networking approach ensures high-performance security while addressing campus-specific challenges:

• High-throughput firewalling: FortiGate appliances offer hardware acceleration via Fortinet’s purpose-built Security Processing Units (SPUs), ensuring low latency.
• Advanced segmentation: FortiGate’s VLAN and micro-segmentation capabilities isolate different user groups and devices.
• AI-powered security analytics: FortiAnalyzer provides real-time visibility into network events and security threats.
• Automated threat response: Fortinet Security Fabric enables seamless integration with endpoint protection (FortiClient) and Network Access Control (FortiNAC) for dynamic threat mitigation.

Recommended Fortinet Firewall Models for Campus Networks

• FortiGate 100F/200F/400F/600F: High-performance models suited for large campus deployments.
• FortiGate 120G/200G/900G: Ideal for multi-gigabit environments with advanced threat protection.

Tips from Datanet Systems experts

3. Use FortiNAC for enhanced security: Implement network access control to prevent unauthorized device access.
4. Enable AI-driven threat detection: Use FortiAnalyzer for real-time network visibility.
5. Implement user-based policies: Use FortiAuthenticator for identity-based access controls

Fortinet Firewalls for Data Centers

Challenges in Data Center Security and Networking

Data centers house critical infrastructure and data, making them prime targets for cyberattacks. The primary challenges include:

• Ensuring high availability and performance: Firewalls must support low-latency, high-throughput traffic.
• Protecting against advanced threats: Modern attacks such as zero-day exploits and ransomware must be mitigated.
• Compliance and regulatory requirements: Data centers must adhere to stringent security and compliance regulations (e.g., GDPR, PCI-DSS).
• East-West traffic inspection: Traditional firewalls focus on perimeter security, but data centers require internal segmentation to prevent lateral movement of threats.

How Fortinet Helps

Fortinet’s data center firewall solutions deliver high-speed, low-latency security with advanced threat protection:

• Ultra-fast threat protection: FortiGate firewalls leverage ASIC hardware acceleration for minimal impact on performance.
• Zero Trust Segmentation: Internal segmentation firewalls (ISFW) prevent lateral movement of threats within the data center.
• DDoS protection: FortiDDoS mitigates volumetric attacks, ensuring service availability.
• Cloud and hybrid integration: FortiGate VM supports multi-cloud environments, integrating seamlessly with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud.

Recommended Fortinet Firewall Models for Data Centers

• FortiGate 1000F/1800F/2600F/3200F/4200F: High-capacity firewalls for enterprise data centers.
• FortiGate 6300F/7081F  Series: High-capacity firewalls with modular scalability, supporting multi millin connections per second.

Tips from Datanet Systems experts

1. Use ISFW for east-west security: Deploy internal segmentation firewalls to isolate workloads and prevent threats from spreading.
2. Implement high-availability clusters: Use active-active or active-passive HA for redundancy.
3. Enable DDoS protection: Configure FortiDDoS to protect against volumetric attacks.

 

Fortinet through Datanet Systems

Fortinet firewalls provide comprehensive security solutions for branches, campus networks, and data centers. Each of these environments presents unique challenges, but with the right Fortinet firewall model and deployment strategy, organizations can ensure robust protection against cyber threats while maintaining network performance. Fortinet’s leadership in network security, backed by continuous innovation, makes it the preferred choice for enterprises worldwide.

To achieve optimal usability and performance, Fortinet devices require detailed configurations, rule definitions, automation setups, and replicable models. As an official Fortinet partner, Datanet Systems offers a complete service package for the delivery, installation, and proper configuration of Fortinet firewalls tailored to each client’s specific scenario. Our additional service package includes:

• Analysis of the client’s technical requirements
• Recommendation of the appropriate firewall model
• Installation, commissioning, and configuration of the products
• Technical support and fast service with guaranteed issue resolution times

 

For more information on the availability of Fortinet products and solutions through Datanet Systems, contact us at sales@datanets.ro.