Fortinet is making waves in the cybersecurity landscape by extending its Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution, FortiSASE, to its Wireless LAN (WLAN) portfolio. This strategic move aims to bolster security for microbranches, Internet of Things (IoT), and Operational Technology (OT) devices. The focus on Fortinet SASE WLAN Security is not just timely but also revolutionary.
Why This Extension Matters
Fortinet’s new initiative is particularly beneficial for smaller operations like retail stores, ATM centers, small healthcare clinics, and insurance companies. These microbranches often lack the necessary cybersecurity expertise, making them vulnerable to attacks.
“Oftentimes, they don’t have enough staff, especially with the cybersecurity skills shortage, to provide full security,” says Nirav Shah, VP of Products and Solutions at Fortinet.
Deep Integration with SD-WAN
According to Nirav Shah, the extension is not just about security but also about deep integration with SD-WAN technologies. “When it comes to SASE, it’s about securing that hybrid workforce and providing the SD-WAN deep integration,” he told SDxCentral.
FortiAP: The New Traffic Cop
Fortinet’s wireless LAN access points, known as FortiAP, will now intelligently offload traffic from microbranches to a SASE point of presence (PoP) for comprehensive security inspection.
“But when they are trying to access something outside, that’s when they connect to the SASE and we make sure that it has a full connectivity to that, so we provide enough options so that performance doesn’t become the bottleneck,” Shah added.
Addressing IoT and OT Security Concerns
IoT and OT devices are increasingly becoming targets for cyber-attacks. Fortinet’s SASE will initiate a “full security inspection” as soon as these devices connect to the WLAN.
“So when IoT devices are connecting to the wireless LAN, we need to be extra careful,” Shah emphasized. “And oftentimes, if you look at the wireless LAN industry, security has been an afterthought or there is no security.”
New Security Capabilities
- Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): Scans traffic against known signatures and IoT profiles.
- Sandboxing: Offers inline sandbox capability to find unknown threats.
- Zero-Trust Network Access: Ensures only explicitly authorized access is allowed.
Forrester and Gartner Insights
Both Forrester and Gartner have noted the growing importance of SASE for organizations with distributed small sites. However, Gartner cautions that Fortinet’s PoP footprint is geographically limited.
Conclusion
Fortinet’s extension of SASE to WLAN is a significant step forward in the cybersecurity landscape. By focusing on Fortinet SASE WLAN Security, the company is addressing critical gaps in the market, particularly for microbranches and IoT/OT devices. As we look forward to its release in October, it’s clear that this move will have a lasting impact on how we approach network security. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this development. Feel free to leave a comment below!
