Fortinet

5G-Enabled Edges Require the Network, Security to Converge

Published

2 years ago

November 26, 2021

Digital innovation, work-from-home, the Internet of Things, and other macro-trends have forced nearly every organization to redesign their networks to provide better business outcomes and user experiences.

The so-called network perimeter, which was once a narrow point of access at the edge of the network, now extends across the entire IT infrastructure—from home offices, branch offices, and enterprise data centers to multiple public clouds well beyond the traditional trusted zone. This fracturing and extension of the perimeter have introduced new requirements across all of the edges with 5G that make up the new network – the LAN, WAN, and cloud.

The rapid and global business response to COVID-19 served to underscore the need for business continuity plans that include flexible, anywhere, anytime, secure remote access to any information, using any application on any device, and from any location – and at scale. But this was not some radical departure from the direction business was already headed. It simply accelerated our transition to a more fluid, digital world.

Achieve Both Performance and Security With 5G

Applications, device functionality, and user experience will continue to accelerate business for the foreseeable future. And underlying that availability, collaboration, and functionality is the need for ubiquitous performance. It is no surprise that a single end-user device today has more processing power, generates more data, and requires faster access to more digital resources than had existed in the entire world just a handful of decades ago.

Today’s companies use these and similar devices to build complex, hybrid networks and multi-cloud environments to gather, store, and process unprecedented data volumes. They are also constantly building and upgrading applications to simplify and accelerate that process. The challenge is that cybercriminals also want access to those resources.

Cybercrime is a multi-billion-dollar industry. In addition to faster devices and more distributed access to resources, businesses also need security tools capable of supporting hyper scalable and hyperconnected infrastructures to deliver better business outcomes and enhanced experiences securely.

Unfortunately, many security solutions and strategies have failed to keep pace with these new technologies and business requirements. Legacy security solutions have notoriously lagged compared to other network development areas in terms of power and performance. Part of that challenge is that security tools often need to do so much more than a traditional network server, router, or switch.

Network devices generally only need to move data from point A to point B. Security tools need to validate that traffic’s origin and destination, authenticate both the user and device, perform deep inspection of each packet looking for malware, and provide persistent monitoring of traffic looking for anomalous behaviors. This process becomes even more complex as data, workflows, and transactions span different compute environments. In addition to handing over packets and traffic protocols, security also must seamlessly pass along consistent policies and enforcement and dynamically share threat intelligence across the entire security infrastructure.

And most security tools try to do these using common, off-the-shelf processors that were never designed for such specialized performance and functionality. So now, as performance demands accelerate, driven by things like 5G-enabled devices and applications, many security solutions will continue to lag further and further behind. We already see the impact.

There is no need to accept a sacrifice of security to attain performance. First, security solutions need to be built with performance in mind. Every major technology developer uses custom ASICs to enhance the performance of smartphones, cloud-based servers, and other network devices. Only a handful of vendors have spent the time and resources required to ensure their security devices can operate at the speed modern businesses demand.

Second, because today’s networks are highly fluid, security cannot operate as a separate solution isolated from the business demands that constantly shift and shape the network. Networks see users and applications as identities that span the distributed network, both on and off-premises. They are designed to ensure consistent access and performance of any transaction end to 5G-Enabled Edges Require the Network, Security to Converge

That requires security and networking to function as a single, integrated system. That way, whenever the networking infrastructure evolves or expands, security can automatically adapt and scale as an integrated part of that environment, protecting the extended identity of a user or device to ensure consistent protection while enabling accelerated performance across all network edges.

The security-driven networking strategy converges security and networking into a single system that ensures that whenever the networking infrastructure responds to changing business or connectivity requirements, security automatically adapts as an integrated part of that environment.

A More Secure Edge With 5G

Physical integration is only part of the challenge. Performance and interconnectivity between these two areas are also essential. Network and security policies need to meet constantly evolving requirements at digital speeds, especially as we transition to 5G and beyond.

“Networking and Security must converge to keep up with the changing pace of today’s digital transformation of interconnected environments. It helps ensure that threat detection and prevention can continue to span the evolving network and respond at network speeds,” said Louie Castaneda, country manager of Fortinet Philippines.

We are at the cusp of a new generation of accelerated digital innovation. Billions of new, high-performance devices will create new edge networks and platforms, many of them ad hoc and temporary. We will see new immersive applications, such as VR and AR-based communications, rich streaming media, and interactive tools that create collaborative experiences that will soon become business-critical.

These solutions will tie multiple services together in new ways, enabling intelligent systems such as smart transportation, smart building and cities, and smart infrastructures. Protecting these environments will require the convergence of networking and security to ensure data and devices’ integrity across their extended and expanding environments and to do so at the accelerating speeds evolving systems will demand.

Because these new integrated platforms and evolving edge environments will be built using a constantly shifting number of interconnected devices and applications, security and networking will need to operate independently. And as the speed and sophistication of cyber threats can target a rapidly expanding and evolving attack surface, security will need to refocus on prevention, far more complex and processor intensive.

High-performance transactions in new edge environments will also require immediate decision-making. As a result, security will not only need also to be integrated consistently across all IoT and networking devices, but it will also need to include advanced AI to meet expanding performance and decision-making demands.

None of this can happen using the traditional security solutions most organizations have in place today. Next-generation challenges require next-generation security solutions built around integration, convergence, adaptability, and performance. 5G is just the tip of the spear. Businesses that want to thrive in today’s evolving digital world will need to retool and more deeply integrate advanced security solutions into their overall technology evolution strategy.

Fortinet

Fortinet and NOW Corp Announce Partnership to Elevate Cybersecurity and 5G Security in the Philippines

Published

5 days ago

September 20, 2023

Jervie David Montejar

Fortinet, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, and NOW Corp, Philippines’ foremost telecommunications and technology company specializing in digital connectivity solutions, have entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cybersecurity and 5G security in the Philippines, expediting the nation’s digital transformation journey.

This MOU signifies a shared commitment to enhancing security solutions tailored for enterprises across the country. By synergizing Fortinet’s cutting-edge cybersecurity expertise with NOW Corp’s prowess in delivering connectivity and security solutions, this partnership seeks to provide robust security solutions that align with the dynamic needs of the Philippine market.

Recognizing the crucial role that 5G technology plays in driving the digital transformation journey, Fortinet and NOW Corp are working together to establish a secure ecosystem for the development and deployment of cutting-edge 5G applications. This initiative involves fortifying the foundations of the 5G ecosystem and identifying potential vulnerabilities and addressing them with the right solutions.

NOW Corp Managing Director Kristian Pura, Fortinet Philippines Country Manager Alan Reyes, NOW Corp Pres and CEO Henry Andrews Abes

“NOW Corp and our telecommunications affiliate, NOW Telecom, play a pivotal role in advocating for the adoption of secure networks within telecommunications infrastructure, commonly referred to as a ‘Trusted Network.’ Through our ongoing partnership with the United States Government, the NOW Group is committed to establishing a secure, high-speed, and reliable network that spurs not only economic growth but also ensures national security. Our collaboration with Fortinet aligns with our Indo-Pacific agenda, which emphasizes the development of secure and resilient network architectures. Furthermore, this alliance strengthens NOW Corp’s Managed Services offering, enriching our portfolio with cybersecurity services to cater to the evolving needs of the enterprise market,” said Henry Andrews Abes, President and CEO of NOW Corp.

“Our partnership with NOW Corp enables us to deliver value-added security services to enterprises. Leveraging NOW Corp’s telecommunications and technology capabilities, enhanced by Fortinet’s security expertise, we aim to empower businesses with efficient security solutions, helping them thrive in an increasingly digital landscape,” said Alan Reyes, Country Manager of Fortinet Philippines.

This MOU between Fortinet and NOW Corp signifies a pivotal moment in the Philippines’ digital journey, promising strengthened cybersecurity and 5G security to drive the nation’s digital transformation forward.

Fortinet

Fortinet 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant™ for Single-Vendor SASE

Published

2 weeks ago

September 13, 2023

Jervie David Montejar

Fortinet delivers unified management using a single console while delivering seamless integration of SD-WAN and cloud-delivered AI-powered security to secure the hybrid workforce

John Maddison, Chief Marketing Officer and EVP, Product Strategy at Fortinet

“Fortinet’s single-vendor SASE solution brings together all of the components needed for comprehensive security across the entire hybrid environment. With unified management and simple licensing, many customers are able to successfully consolidate point products and shift to an OpEx model. We believe that our inclusion in the 2023 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Single-Vendor SASE is a testament to Fortinet’s ability to deliver integrated, enterprise-grade solutions to secure the hybrid workforce.”

News Summary

Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced its position as a Challenger in the 2023 Gartner^® Magic Quadrant™ for Single-Vendor SASE. This Magic Quadrant is the first of its kind, and Fortinet is one of only eight vendors included. Fortinet is recognized for its ability to execute and completeness of vision.

Fortinet believes that being recognized as a Challenger in the 2023 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for Single-Vendor SASE is a result of its ability to deliver:

Converged SD-WAN and cloud-delivered security: FortiSASE seamlessly converges cloud-delivered security, including secure web gateway (SWG), Universal ZTNA, next-generation dual-mode CASB, and Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), with Fortinet’s industry-leading Secure SD-WAN networking solution.
Consistent security for the hybrid workforce: Powered by FortiOS, FortiSASE provides uniform security for users no matter the location, whether employees are working on premises, at a branch, or remotely.
Superior user experience: Managed from a single console and leveraging a unified agent, natively available SD-WAN capabilities in FortiSASE offer a seamless user experience and empowers organizations to consolidate security products and simplify policy management.
Simple licensing: FortiSASE offers a compelling total cost of ownership and simple licensing. Additionally, many services are available at no extra cost, like Universal ZTNA, which enables robust secure access to and from the internet, privately hosted applications, and SaaS applications.
AI-Powered Security: FortiSASE uses built-in FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services, including Web filtering, DNS filtering, SSL inspection, intrusion protection (IPS), sandboxing, and data loss prevention (DLP), to protect against new and emerging threats.

Additional Third-Party Recognition of FortiSASE

Fortinet was also recently named a Leader in the Forrester Wave™: Zero Trust Edge Solutions, Q3 2023 report. Zero Trust Edge is also known as SASE, and Fortinet believes this recognition validates our continuing commitment to developing one of the leading single-vendor SASE solutions on the market.

Fortinet

Fortinet Asia-Pacific SASE Survey Reveals “Branch-Office-of-One” Remains a Challenge for Network Security in the Hybrid Work Era

Published

3 months ago

June 25, 2023

Jervie David Montejar

The survey highlights the importance of Single vendor SASE to secure remote workers amidst the surge of unmanaged devices and increased security incidents.

Fortinet®, the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, unveiled the findings of a new Asia-Pacific SASE survey commissioned by Fortinet from IDC today. The report is based on a recent survey conducted by IDC across nine countries in Asia/Pacific and explores cybersecurity leaders’ perspectives on hybrid work, particularly how it impacted their organizations in the last year and their strategies to mitigate the security challenges arising from the adoption of hybrid work. Key findings from the survey include:

The Rise of the ‘Branch-Office-of-One’: According to the survey, 88% of respondents in The Philippines have a hybrid or fully remote working model, with more than two-thirds (58%) having at least 50% of their employees working in hybrid mode. This shift to remote work has resulted in employees becoming ‘branch offices of one,’ working from their homes or other locations outside the traditional office. Consequently, 48% of respondents in The Philippines anticipate managed devices to surge by more than 100% over the next two years (with some expecting growth of 400%). Additionally, 76% in The Philippines expect unmanaged devices to grow by over 50%. This is expected to compound the complexity and risk of security breaches, placing additional strain on already overburdened IT security teams.
Unmanaged Devices Pose a Risk: With cloud computing and remote work becoming more prevalent, an increasing number of users, devices, and data are located outside of enterprise networks. Currently, 30% of devices connecting to networks in The Philippines are unmanaged, raising the possibility of security breaches. Survey respondents in The Philippines expect this figure to rise, with 76% predicting a 50% increase by 2025.
The Need to Secure Cloud: With hybrid work increasing, employees require multiple connections to external systems and cloud applications to remain productive. Survey respondents indicated that their employees in The Philippines need more than 30 connections to third-party cloud applications, increasing the risk of security breaches. Over the next two years, 100% of respondents in The Philippines expect this number to double, while more than 70% feel that this number will triple, exacerbating the risk. Maintaining network security while ensuring employee connectivity to third-party and cloud-based services is a significant challenge, as traditional security measures are inadequate.
From L-R Kelvin Chua, Director System Engineering Southeast Asia and Hongkong, Alan Reyes,Country Manager Fortinet Philippines, Daniel Kwong- Field CISO, Southeast Asia and Hongkong
Increased Security Incidents: Hybrid work and the growth in managed and unmanaged connections have caused a significant rise in security incidents, with 62% of surveyed organizations in The Philippines reporting more than triple the number of breaches. According to the Survey, 94% of respondents in The Philippines have experienced at least a 2X increase in security incidents. The top security incidents include phishing, denial of service, data/identity theft, ransomware, and data loss. However, only 49% of organizations across Asia have dedicated security personnel, which leaves them more vulnerable to security incidents and breaches.
SASE: a Game-Changer for Hybrid Work: To tackle the challenges of hybrid work, many organizations across The Philippines plan to invest in a Single-Vendor SASE solution to improve their security posture and provide consistency in the user experience for remote employees. The need for a comprehensive solution that offers a consistent security posture for users on and off the network while simplifying security policy management and enhancing the user experience for remote employees is driving many organizations to explore SASE.
The Preference for a Single Vendor: As organizations adopt SASE to manage networking and security services, they are seeking a converged platform to streamline their operations. According to the survey, 76% of respondents across The Philippines prefer a single vendor for networking and security capabilities, with 82% consolidating or in the process of consolidating their IT security vendors. More than half (54%) of the respondents prefer a single vendor for cloud-delivered security services and SDWAN, citing various benefits such as reduced security gaps, improved network performance, ease of deployment, and addressing integration and scalability challenges.

Supporting Quotes:

Alan Reyes, Country Manager, Fortinet Philippines, said, “As Philippines continues to embrace the digital future and become a leader in the digital economy, it is essential that we acknowledge the increasing frequency and sophistication of cyber-attacks and data breaches. The shortage of skilled talent in the cybersecurity industry only makes this issue more challenging. At Fortinet, we are committed to bridging the skills gap and providing the necessary cybersecurity knowledge and awareness to all employees in an organization. With our Single-Vendor SASE solution, we aim to simplify security policy management and enhance the user experience for remote employees, helping The Philippines n businesses address the security challenges of the changing workforce.”
Daniel Kwong, Field CISO for SEA, and HK, said, “As the world shifts to hybrid work, organizations face the challenge of securing a ‘branch-office-of-one’ environment where employees and devices operate outside of traditional office boundaries. The Survey underscores the urgency for organizations to adopt a comprehensive security strategy that addresses the complexity and risk posed by the growth of remote work. Single-Vendor SASE, with its converged networking and security capabilities, is proving to be a game-changer for many organizations seeking a simplified and consistent security posture for users both on and off the network.”
Simon Piff, Research Vice President, IDC Asia/Pacific, said, “These findings highlight the importance of prioritizing security posture and investing in cloud-delivered solutions that seamlessly integrate with on-prem solutions to manage hybrid work environments and mitigate risks. The preference for a single vendor and infrastructure convergence demonstrates the need for efficient management, and zero-trust architecture can enhance security and usability. Organizations need to address these challenges and invest in security solutions to support their hybrid workforce and reduce security threats.”