Fortinet Enhances Top Operational Technology Security Platform

Fortinet, a global cybersecurity organization of integrating networking and security, unveiled the latest release of integrated operational technology (OT) security solutions and services. These enhancements solidify Fortinet's OT Security Platform as an industry leader, setting it apart from competitors in the market.

“We understand that OT differs significantly from traditional IT systems, and that’s why our OT Security Platform was purpose-built to provide integrated protection and risk management specific to industrial environments,” said John Maddison, Chief Marketing Officer and EVP of Product Strategy at Fortinet. “Rising attacks on critical infrastructure have made OT security more important than ever before. With today’s news, Fortinet continues to empower customers with the most sophisticated OT solutions and intelligence in the industry.”

The Need for Integrated OT-Specific Security

The proliferation of industrial devices extending beyond their network confines is on a swift rise, posing heightened risks for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in their Operational Technology (OT) environments. Fortinet's research reveals that three-quarters of OT organizations experienced at least one intrusion in the past year, with nearly one-third falling prey to ransomware attacks. Addressing this dilemma requires an integrated security approach tailored for industrial solutions, facilitating policy enforcement across the entire attack surface, streamlining point products, and mitigating operational overhead.

Strengthening the Fortinet OT Security Platform through Innovative Offerings

The Fortinet OT Security Platform comprises an integrated array of cybersecurity products, solutions, and services tailored for industrial networks. Fueled by real-time OT threat intelligence, this platform, integrated into the Fortinet Security Fabric, provides customers with extensive visibility across their entire environment, ensuring secure IT/OT convergence. Moreover, it enables the implementation of a zero-trust model within OT environments, facilitating secure remote access to OT assets and systems for both remote employees and contractors.

OT Security Platform updates announced today, which build on improvements unveiled earlier span two key pillars of the Security Fabric:

Secure Networking for OT

The FortiSwitch Rugged 424F, a newly introduced industrial-class ethernet switch (IES), caters to the specific needs of digital substations and the power utility industry. Engineered to support real-time Operational Technology (OT) networking protocols, this switch seamlessly integrates with FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), ensuring comprehensive security and access control.

The recently introduced FortiAP 432F access point complies with Class 1, Division 2 standards, making it suitable for deployment in hazardous Operational Technology (OT) environments. It excels in segmenting industrial Wi-Fi networks, thwarting the spread of attacks to vulnerable devices and systems. This extension of the IP67-rated access-point line facilitates the implementation of various OT applications, particularly benefiting industries like oil and gas.

The recently launched FortiExtender Vehicle 211F wireless gateway stands as a semi-ruggedized mobility solution tailored for connected fleets, mobile systems, and Operational Technology (OT) deployments. Additionally, its design aligns with the specifications of the AT&T FirstNet wireless communications network, catering to the needs of first responders.

Fortinet has enhanced its operating system, FortiOS, with the addition of the OT View dashboard. This dashboard effectively correlates and presents crucial Operational Technology (OT) data, providing organizations with a comprehensive view of their entire attack surface, encompassing both IT and OT. This unified console facilitates streamlined actions for improved cybersecurity management.

Security Operations and Services for OT

FortiAnalyzer has been updated to incorporate analytics, risk assessment, and compliance reports specifically tailored for Operational Technology (OT). This enhancement empowers security operations teams with accelerated threat detection, seamless correlation of assets and vulnerabilities, and efficient reporting.

FortiNDR, compatible with on-premises, cloud, and hybrid deployments, has expanded its capabilities to analyze over 15 distinct Operational Technology (OT) network protocols. Additionally, it incorporates AI-powered OT network behavior analysis to discern malicious network activity and files.

FortiDeceptor, Fortinet's deception technology designed for early breach and attack isolation, has been enhanced to support 30 Operational Technology (OT) protocols. It also introduces additional OT decoys, enhancing protection for a wide range of industrial environments.

The FortiGuard OT Security Service showcases the most extensive OT threat intelligence database in the industry, encompassing over 70 OT protocols and featuring more than 4,000 signatures for OT application and device vulnerabilities. These signatures empower the implementation of rigorous access control policies on network traffic and offer virtual patching for susceptible OT assets.

FortiGuard Outbreak Alerts, a forefront cybersecurity resource, has expanded to incorporate crucial details about threats specific to Operational Technology (OT). This enhancement equips customers with essential information to fortify their systems against novel and emerging attacks, aligning with the NIST Cyber Security Framework.

“IT and OT are converging and these colliding environments are increasing overall risk. Our clients require robust OT solutions and services without extensive deployments that complicate administration and place additional strain on IT and security teams. Through the Fortinet OT Security Platform, we can provide clients with a unified approach of safeguarding both the carpeted side of a business as well as the concrete side of the business. We eagerly anticipate introducing these updated and novel offerings to our customer community.” Dan Sanderson, VP of Strategy, Cyber Advisors.