Fortinet Expands FortiCloud: A New Era in Cloud Security

Fortinet, recognized globally as a leader in cybersecurity, has recently announced significant enhancements to its FortiCloud infrastructure. This expansion introduces several new services aimed at bolstering identity management and secure communications for hybrid teams. Among these are FortiIdentity, a cloud-based identity management solution, and two beta offerings: FortiDrive and FortiConnect. Together, these services provide robust storage and communication options designed with enterprise-level security in mind.

Enhancing Security Through Integration

Each of the new services—FortiIdentity, FortiDrive, and FortiConnect—seamlessly integrates with the Fortinet Security Fabric. This cohesive approach offers organizations more secure, native alternatives to point solutions that often depend on supplementary security measures. By fostering a comprehensive security environment, Fortinet aims to streamline operations while enhancing security across the board.

Michael Xie, Fortinet’s Founder, President, and Chief Technology Officer, emphasizes the company’s commitment to building a unified cloud network. “FortiIdentity, FortiDrive, and FortiConnect are key milestones in our vision to bring enterprise-grade security directly into the day-to-day activities of teams,” he explains. This vision underscores Fortinet’s strategy to reduce complexity, minimize vendor clutter, and empower hybrid workforces at scale.

A Foundation of Global Infrastructure

Fortinet’s latest development is built upon extensive investments in a global hybrid-cloud infrastructure. The company operates data centers in several major cities, including Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Plano, Frankfurt, Sydney, and Torija, Spain. These strategically located centers are designed to deliver low-latency services that meet regional demands for compute, storage, recovery, and security. Moreover, Fortinet’s approach addresses increasing data sovereignty requirements, allowing organizations to keep data localized.

To augment its infrastructure, Fortinet boasts over 160 points of presence (POPs) through partnerships with major cloud providers like Google Cloud, AWS, and Digital Realty. This extensive network ensures secure, high-performance delivery of edge services. Furthermore, a diverse portfolio of offerings is accessible through popular cloud marketplaces, granting organizations the flexibility they need for seamless access to Fortinet’s cloud solutions.

New Offerings in FortiCloud

The expansion of FortiCloud supports Fortinet’s vision of delivering a unified platform that consolidates essential tools and strengthens overall security. Here’s a closer look at the new services:

FortiIdentity

FortiIdentity is a robust identity and access management (IAM) solution that offers features such as secure single sign-on (SSO), multifactor authentication (MFA), and identity federation with support for Fortinet and third-party applications. It incorporates FortiToken Mobile and adheres to SAML/OIDC standards. Additionally, the service now includes FortiPAM-as-a-Service, enhancing continuous zero-trust access for privileged accounts.

FortiDrive

FortiDrive serves as a secure file storage and collaboration platform that safeguards sensitive data both at rest and in transit. It provides granular access controls, real-time collaboration features, version histories, and organized site management tailored for different teams or projects. Compliance is enforced through role-based access control and principles of least privilege.

FortiConnect

FortiConnect facilitates a unified communication experience, integrating seamlessly with FortiDrive. This platform encompasses secure calling, messaging, meetings, and file sharing, all supported by FortiGuard Labs’ AI-driven threat intelligence. This ensures effective protection against the ever-evolving landscape of cyber threats.

Commitment to Global Investment and Innovation

Fortinet’s ongoing investments are integral to its hybrid-cloud platform strategy. The FortiCloud portal now offers unified access to a growing suite of services, including FortiSASE, FortiAppSec, FortiCNAPP, FortiSOC, FortiMail, and FortiAIOps. This unified access not only simplifies operations but also enhances visibility and security across distributed environments.

Simplifying Hybrid Operations

The introduction of these new services reinforces Fortinet’s dedication to simplifying and securing hybrid operations. By leveraging a unified, cloud-native platform, organizations can reduce operational complexity, enhance visibility, and ensure data security across diverse environments. This makes cloud security more integrated, scalable, and cost-effective than ever before.