Converging security at every network edge: FortiOS 7.2

FortiOS 7.2, the latest upgrade to Fortinet‘s flagship operating system and the foundation of the Fortinet Security Fabric, has been released. Over 300 new features improve Fortinet’s ability to converge security at every network edge, while also providing the performance and scale required to detect and prevent threats across an organization’s entire infrastructure.

John Maddison, EVP of Products and CMO at Fortinet said, “Fortinet continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in converging networking and security to enable customers and partners to safely and effectively compete in today’s digital marketplace. Networking and security can no longer be treated as separate strategies. The present and foreseeable future consists of hybrid networks, and only with security at their core will those networks be able to adapt at speed and scale to secure every edge. Over 20 years of prioritizing organic research and development have positioned Fortinet as the driving force behind cybersecurity innovation. And now, with the release of FortiOS 7.2, Fortinet is setting new industry standards for converged networking and security.”

Hybrid Networks and Accelerating Business Demands

Growing and scaling a digital business while safeguarding a distributed infrastructure has never been more critical or difficult. Today’s networks are hybrid by design, spanning on-premises, multiple edges, and the cloud, and they will continue to be the enabler of digital acceleration.

According to Brandon Butler, Research Manager, Enterprise Networks at IDC, “The network is foundational for enabling the secure, scalable, and efficient use of cloud, edge, and IoT applications. Hybrid networks are needed for enterprises today, allowing applications and workflows to move seamlessly across every edge so critical information can be accessed by any user or device from any location. Combined management of advanced networking and security becomes a powerful enabler of digital acceleration.”

FortiOS 7.2 introduces new AI-powered FortiGuard security services, updates to the industry’s only converged networking and security platform, and further consolidation of security point products across networks, endpoints, and clouds.

These enhancements allow FortiOS to better protect today’s hybrid networks against an escalating threat landscape while also assisting organizations in achieving digital acceleration.

New services include:

• Inline Sandbox: This innovation transforms a traditional detection sandbox capability into real-time in-network prevention to stop both known and unknown malware, with minimal impact on operations. The result is better ransomware protection when compared to solutions that allow suspicious files into the network and then must chase down malware once it’s been identified.
• Advanced Device Protection: This service automatically discovers and segments OT and IoT devices based on their unique network features, maintains asset inventory, and uses pattern matching to enforce appropriate policies and automate remediation. This service is offered on our NGFW solution and at the LAN Edge through integration with FortiNAC, including NAC playbooks that enable detection and response close to the protected asset. 
• Outbreak Detection: Enables faster response to outbreak attacks through immediate alerts and threat hunting scripts that automatically identify and respond to new threats to provide SOC teams with faster time to detection and remediation.  
• SOC-as-a-Service: Free up SOC teams to focus on major executions by offloading all tier-one analysis to Fortinet’s global team of experts. This attached service is conveniently priced at a fixed cost for NGFW deployments.  
• Dedicated IPS: Designed for finance and other regulated deployments, this solution enables migration from separate hardware to NGFW while preserving operations and compliance practices.
• Inline CASB: This new service for FortiGate NGFWs integrates with the FortiClient Fabric Agent to enable inline ZTNA traffic inspection and ZTNA posture check.