Fortinet Advances OT Security Platform to Strengthen Protection for Critical Infrastructure
Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global leader in cybersecurity driving the convergence of networking and security, has announced significant advancements to its Operational Technology (OT) Security Platform. These updates are designed to provide deeper protection for critical infrastructure and industrial environments facing increasingly sophisticated cyberthreats. By introducing new capabilities such as enhanced threat visibility, ruggedized solutions for harsh environments, and upgraded OT security operations tools, Fortinet continues to set the standard for securing OT environments.
A Unified Approach to OT Security
“Fortinet has been building an industry-leading OT Security Platform for over 20 years and remains at the forefront of OT security innovation,” said Nirav Shah, Senior Vice President, Products and Solutions at Fortinet. “As cyberthreats targeting critical infrastructure—across industries like energy, transportation, and manufacturing—continue to escalate, Fortinet is committed to delivering comprehensive security solutions tailored for operational technology environments. These latest enhancements empower organizations to improve their OT security posture, meet regulatory requirements, and manage everything through a single, unified platform.”
The Fortinet OT Security Platform integrates advanced visibility, segmentation, and automated threat response capabilities to address the unique challenges of OT environments. With deep integration into the Fortinet Security Fabric, the platform provides end-to-end protection that goes beyond traditional OT security solutions.
Key Enhancements to the Fortinet OT Security Platform
1. Advanced Threat Visibility with FortiGuard OT Security Service
The updated FortiGuard OT Security Service offers unparalleled threat detection and prevention tailored specifically for OT environments. Organizations can now leverage:
- Over 3,300 OT protocol rules to monitor industrial communications.
- Nearly 750 OT Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) rules to detect and block malicious activity.
- 1,500 virtual patching rules to protect legacy OT systems against known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs).
These capabilities ensure robust protection even for aging or unpatchable systems, enabling organizations to mitigate risks without disrupting critical operations. Additionally, updates to FortiSRA enhance secure remote access with improved secrets and password management for OT environments.
2. Ruggedized Solutions for Harsh Environments
To address the unique demands of industrial settings, Fortinet has expanded its portfolio of ruggedized hardware:
- The FortiSwitch Rugged 108F and FortiSwitch Rugged 112F-POE are industrial-grade small form-factor switches designed for granular security enforcement at the port level. These switches prevent unauthorized lateral movement across OT networks while maintaining seamless integration with Fortinet’s broader security ecosystem.
- Two new ruggedized 5G solutions—the FortiExtender Rugged 511G and FortiExtender Vehicle 511G—deliver high-speed, secure connectivity for remote OT sites and fleet vehicles. Both devices feature embedded Wi-Fi 6 and eSIM capabilities, simplifying carrier selection and eliminating the need for physical SIM cards.
These ruggedized solutions ensure reliable performance in harsh environments, making them ideal for industries like energy, manufacturing, and transportation.
3. Enhanced OT SecOps for Automated Threat Response
Fortinet is also bolstering its AI-driven security operations (SecOps) capabilities for OT environments:
- FortiAnalyzer 7.6 and FortiDeceptor 6.1 now offer deeper insights into security threats and simplify compliance reporting for OT teams.
- Updates to FortiNDR Cloud include new OT protocol support for threat hunting, while FortiNDR (on-premises) introduces features like a Purdue Model view and an enhanced device inventory aligned with the Mitre ATT&CK ICS Matrix.
These tools streamline threat detection, response, and compliance tracking, enabling organizations to stay ahead of evolving cyberthreats.
Industry-Leading Capabilities Powered by FortiOS
The Fortinet OT Security Platform stands out as the most comprehensive solution in the industry, powered by the company’s proprietary FortiOS operating system. Key differentiators include:
- Unified Visibility: A single pane of glass for managing both IT and OT security, simplifying risk assessment and compliance reporting.
- Seamless Segmentation: Granular control over network traffic to prevent unauthorized access and lateral movement.
- End-to-End Ruggedized Portfolio: A full suite of OT-specific solutions built to withstand the rigors of industrial environments.
By integrating with the Fortinet Security Fabric, the platform delivers unmatched efficiency, effectiveness, and scalability, ensuring holistic protection for critical infrastructure.
Industry Recognition and Customer Success Stories
Fortinet’s OT Security Platform has earned widespread recognition and trust from global organizations seeking to integrate IT and OT security seamlessly. The company was named the sole leader in the Westlands Advisory 2023 IT/OT Network Protection Platforms Navigator™, reinforcing its leadership position in the market.
Honeywell Collaboration
“Together, Fortinet and Honeywell help strengthen cybersecurity for critical infrastructure and operational technology environments,” said Manish Goyal, General Manager, Honeywell Connected Cybersecurity. “Our relationship enhances Honeywell’s cybersecurity offerings, providing strategic advantages in securing and managing risk for remote and on-campus customer sites. Fortinet’s FortiGate and FortiGate Rugged series, combined with Honeywell’s OT Cybersecurity portfolio, deliver unmatched services to reduce risk, enhance resilience, and improve compliance.”
Customer Testimonials
- Chris Lubinski, Network Security Engineer at Alleima: “The Fortinet infrastructure has transformed our operations. Connections are faster and more stable, and our support ticket response time has improved tenfold. Everyone at Alleima is thrilled with the results.”
- Wolfgang Bitomsky, Ph.D., CIO at FCC Environment CEE: “The new network’s increased performance and simplified management have reduced our security team’s workload by at least 15%. This gives us the bandwidth to pursue next-phase initiatives like zero trust and IT/OT convergence—all with Fortinet’s support.”
Why This Matters for Critical Infrastructure
As cyberattacks targeting critical infrastructure grow in frequency and sophistication, organizations must adopt proactive measures to safeguard their OT environments. Fortinet’s latest enhancements provide the tools needed to detect, prevent, and respond to threats effectively while ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements.
With its comprehensive OT Security Platform, Fortinet empowers businesses to modernize their security strategies without compromising operational continuity. By combining cutting-edge technology, ruggedized hardware, and AI-driven analytics, Fortinet is redefining what it means to secure critical infrastructure in the digital age.
