Moeed  Mahmood - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Administrator at Chase Up
Real User
Top 5
Great for intrusion prevention, with a great pipe filter application
Pros and Cons
  • "The pipe filter application is an outstanding feature."
  • "The updates Fortinet provides are sometimes unstable."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case is for social network blocking and for unusual applications in our network as well as for intrusion prevention. We are a department store. 

How has it helped my organization?

This product has made it easier to secure our network. 

What is most valuable?

The pipe filter application is an outstanding feature. The hardware processors are also very impressive. In general, this is an easy-to-use application, with a user-friendly interface. If you have any issues, Fortinet has a support library where you can search for videos and documentation. If you want to configure anything and you're unsure about it, the solution is in the videos. If a single link fails, it automatically connects to a secondary one and that's saved me a lot of time as I would have previously had to deal with it manually. Fortigate blocks unusual traffic and therefore secures our network. Third-party integrations are good.

What needs improvement?

The updates Fortinet provides are sometimes unstable. We have to check everything thoroughly before any upgrade.

Buyer's Guide
Fortinet FortiGate
December 2023
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2023.
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For how long have I used the solution?

We've been using this solution for seven years. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is very scalable. The processor, the microprocessor and the security processors are very intelligent so they can scale significantly and manage that well. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward and easy to manage. There is no maintenance required. 

What was our ROI?

We've seen a return on our investment. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

This is a very comprehensive solution but the cost is quite high. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated several options before going with Fortinet. 

What other advice do I have?

I think this is the best solution of its kind on the market and I rate it nine out of 10. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Leif Thomas - PeerSpot reviewer
Director, Information Systems at Ohio Art Co
Real User
Outstanding HA Failover capabilities and strong integrated protection with the security fabric
Pros and Cons
  • "This solution has helped our organization by having strong functions and a reliable firewall."

    What is our primary use case?

    This solution is configured as our primary gateway to the internet in and out of the network.

    How has it helped my organization?

    Fortinet delivers high-performance network security solutions that
    protects our network, users, and data from continually evolving threats.

    What is most valuable?

    The features I found most valuable are the high availability rollover/fail-over capabilities. The integration with other Fortinet products is worth a look at the lineup.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using this solution for about two years.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    I would say that the scalability possibilities of this solution are first-rate.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    In the past, we have used Cisco and WatchGuard Firewalls.

    How was the initial setup?

    Our model of deployment is on-premises. I would say the initial setup process was complex. Integrating the security fabric with multiple firewalls, FortiClient, and FortiMail was slightly more complex than originally anticipated. The results are great.

    What about the implementation team?

    Our implementation strategy was to hire vendors with expertise. 

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    On-premises
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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    Buyer's Guide
    Fortinet FortiGate
    December 2023
    Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2023.
    746,670 professionals have used our research since 2012.
    Sales Director at Visualize Technology (M) Sdn. Bhd.
    Real User
    Top 20
    Provides great firewall security and has good VPN features
    Pros and Cons
    • "Provides good firewall security and has great VPN features."
    • "The solution lacks sufficient filtering."

    What is our primary use case?

    The case of FortiGate is for firewall and VPN connection. We are partners and resellers of Fortinet and I'm a director. Our company is based in Malaysia.

    How has it helped my organization?

    FortiGate has improved our operational efficiency. 

    What is most valuable?

    The solution provides good firewall security and has great VPN features. The product is generally very simple to deploy and is quite flexible. 

    What needs improvement?

    They need to improve features related to mobiles with more and more customers adopting that as their way to manage things. They need to look to the future with their features and meet filtering requirements which the solution cannot currently do. 

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I've been using this solution for 10 years. 

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The solution is stable. 

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The product is not scalable. 

    How are customer service and support?

    We are self-sufficient in terms of support. 

    How was the initial setup?

    Initial deployments can be complex depending on the customer's requirements. Implementation can take up to a couple of days. There aren't usually too many issues. The solution requires some maintenance, mainly monitoring. 

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The licensing costs are reasonable. You get value for your money. 

    What other advice do I have?

    It's important to understand your customer's requirements. Once we work that out we then do a round of checks on the security vulnerabilities.

    I rate this solution eight out of 10. 

    Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
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    PeerSpot user
    Ibidapo Ibrahim - PeerSpot reviewer
    Head of IT Infrastructure at a non-tech company with 1,001-5,000 employees
    Real User
    Top 5Leaderboard
    Includes many valuable features, is extremely stable, and scalable
    Pros and Cons
    • "The most valuable features of the solution are SD-WAN, filtering testing applications, web filtering, and the new VPN."
    • "The routing capability on the FortiGate devices has room for improvement."

    What is our primary use case?

    We use Fortinet FortiGate for the protection of our perimeter, VPNs, web filtering, application filtering, and general edge protection.

    How has it helped my organization?

    I received four tickets a year when I joined my current company, and what the solution has really done is enabled the SD-WAN feature. This has given us more value and reduced the amount of time spent on the manual management of our edge device. We are now able to set our SLAs and be on autopilot.

    What is most valuable?

    The most valuable features of the solution are SD-WAN, filtering testing applications, web filtering, and the new VPN. The new web flash is especially noteworthy because it supports Google and the single sign-on for our VPN activities.

    What needs improvement?

    The routing capability on the FortiGate devices has room for improvement.

    For how long have I used the solution?

    I have been using the solution for three and a half years.

    What do I think about the stability of the solution?

    The solution is very stable.

    What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

    The solution is very scalable. To scale our firewall we only need to add more hardware. We currently have over 2,000 users.

    Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

    We previously used Mikro Tik before the organization decide to switch.

    How was the initial setup?

    The initial setup is straightforward. As long as we know what we are doing the deployment can be completed within one business day.

    What about the implementation team?

    The implementation was completed by a partner and two people were required. We completed the configurations ourselves.

    What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

    The pricing is flexible. We pay for our device and our subscription according to our needs.

    What other advice do I have?

    I give the solution a ten out of ten.

    One interesting and critical thing about Fortinet is the add-ons they have included with their firewalls, such as SD-WAN, which would cost a lot of money with other providers but is included with Fortinet's firewall.

    When looking for a solution that can better optimize our connectivity and also keep providing security along the website for our branch offices, Fortinet FortiGate is the best solution. The solution is worth every cent. I use FG-61E and for the size of the device it has been very stable for the three years with only occasional reports to apply updates. Fortinet FortiGate has been very responsive to vulnerabilities that have been released. Our business is 24/7 and we don't have leaks. Our servers are always available.

    Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

    Hybrid Cloud

    If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

    Other
    Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
    PeerSpot user
    Ehab.Fawzy Mohamed - PeerSpot reviewer
    Chief Engineer at Hilton Worldwide
    Real User
    Top 5
    A next-generation firewall solution with a useful FortiManager feature
    Pros and Cons
    • "Whenever I need something, Fortinet improves and updates the software for me."

      What is our primary use case?

      We use Fortinet FortiGate for VPN. We connect the branches together for the HQ. That's why we are using the VPN, and we publish some of the websites in the HQ, and the users can access that website from outside with the two-factor authenticator and a token key. We are using FortiGate to control the connection between the branches. But, for the software, we are using this to collect the data to extract reports.

      What is most valuable?

      I like FortiManager.

      What needs improvement?

      Improvements depend on your specific needs. Currently, it meets my requirements. Whenever I need something, Fortinet improves and updates the software for me.

      For how long have I used the solution?

      I have been working with Fortinet FortiGate for about ten years.

      What do I think about the stability of the solution?

      Fortinet FortiGate is a stable solution.

      On a scale from one to five, I would give its stability a five.

      What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

      Fortinet FortiGate is scalable. If you are familiar with it, you can work from anywhere and do whatever you want. It is very easy to scale. We have about 500 users in our organization. It is not only engineering and not IT because we publish many websites from HQ to other branches. End-users use the Fortinet username and password to log in with two-factor authentication and the token.

      How are customer service and support?

      Technical support is good.

      On a scale from one to five, I would give technical support a five.

      How would you rate customer service and support?

      Positive

      How was the initial setup?

      The initial setup was very easy. We had two third-party members and four of my team members implement this solution. It took us five to six days to install and deploy both the software and hardware. For the software alone, it took us about two days to implement. You need two people to manage and maintain this solution.

      What about the implementation team?

      We had a third-party company help us with this implementation. They came and did the first setup, and after that, I followed the technical support from Fortinet.

      What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

      Licensing costs are acceptable. I think it's cheaper than Cisco. We pay for the license on a yearly basis.

      What other advice do I have?

      On a scale from one to ten, I would give Fortinet FortiGate a ten.

      Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
      PeerSpot user
      Senior Network Engineer at a government with 201-500 employees
      Real User
      Top 10
      Great routing, layer three throughput, and firewall management capabilities
      Pros and Cons
      • "It can expand easily."
      • "With the reports, you can see it, and you can get good feelings so upper management can go, "Oh, wow. That looks pretty." However, it's very basic."

      What is our primary use case?

      I use it for a VPN. I use it as a gateway between locations. That's what I use it for.

      They're Point-to-Point Networks, Metro Ethernet Networks, and over across the internet. We set it up with an AD VPN tunnel in between the various connections.

      We use it for interconnectivity between the various sites to provide VPN tunnels. In contrast, service providers, even on Metro Ethernet and Point-to-Point Networks, cannot provide a secure connection between two points.

      How has it helped my organization?

      We've actually replaced 30 or more Cisco routers that were doing these VPN connections, and we replaced them with the FortiGates in order to provide Point-to-Point connectivity. It increased throughput on the various links, and it increased security.

      What is most valuable?

      Their VPN connection, their routing capabilities, their layer three throughput, and their firewall management capabilities that limit access from one VLAN to another are all the most valuable aspects for us. 

      The solution is stable.

      It can expand easily.

      Support is helpful.

      The product is significantly cheaper than, for example, Cisco. 

      The user productivity has been good as they can, for example, transfer files easier. There is no slowdown. 

      What needs improvement?

      In their IPS Web Security Gateway, the reporting functions need to be a little bit more user-friendly for how to get the reports from it. That's one of the reasons why we don't use that function.

      With the reports, you can see it, and you can get good feelings so upper management can go, "Oh, wow. That looks pretty." However, it's very basic.

      For how long have I used the solution?

      I've been using the solution for two years. 

      What do I think about the stability of the solution?

      The stability is very good. There are no bugs or glitches, and it doesn't crash or freeze. 

      What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

      We've been able to scale pretty well. It's not a problem of you need to expand. 

      End users will be passing through it. Most of the accounting passes through it to various other locations. We have about 1,500 people on the product, technically.

      We do have plans to increase usage. We have not completed the entire County yet. We've done 80% and still need to action the last 20%.

      How are customer service and support?

      Technical support is very helpful. 

      How would you rate customer service and support?

      Positive

      Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

      We used to use Cisco. We switched to FortiGate due to its throughput, ease of use, and cost.

      How was the initial setup?

      Our needs are a little bit more complex than others. That said, overall, I would say it's about average in terms of the ease of setup. We got to do a VPN tunnel across, and it was AD VPN, it was something brand new. 

      When I set things up now, it's pretty straightforward. When I first started, it was different as I'd never seen the technology before. When I first started, I'd never seen this technology, I didn't have a clue. Others may be in the same boat. 

      Now that we're familiar with technology, this is very easy to set up. We've deployed 30 of them. I've got junior engineers that can follow my instructions and set up the FortiGate, and we're up and running. It gets easier over time. We've been doing this over the last two years.

      We have up to two people needed for deployment and maintenance tasks. 

      What about the implementation team?

      The deployment is completely done in-house. We didn't have any outside assistance. 

      We did use Fortinet's tech support when we came into some problems. However, we didn't use any extra vendor.

      What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

      Licensing is renewed every three to five years. They are less expensive e than Cisco. It has reduced the overall cost of maintaining a Cisco environment.

      It's a package deal. There are no extra costs. 

      Which other solutions did I evaluate?

      We did not look into other solutions. 

      What other advice do I have?

      I'd advise potential users to just implement the right size for you and what your needs are.

      I'd rate the product nine out of ten. 

      We are just a customer and end-user.

      Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
      PeerSpot user
      Kirubel Markos - PeerSpot reviewer
      Senior Cyber Security Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
      Real User
      User-friendly setup, beneficial APIs, and reliable
      Pros and Cons
      • "The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiGate are the APIs. They are the most widely known."
      • "The support from Fortinet FortiGate could improve. They are not easily accessible when we need them. They could improve their response time."

      What is our primary use case?

      Fortinet FortiGate is used as a firewall.

      What is most valuable?

      The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiGate are the APIs. They are the most widely known.

      For how long have I used the solution?

      I have been using Fortinet FortiGate for approximately four years.

      What do I think about the stability of the solution?

      I rate the stability of Fortinet FortiGate a five out of five.

      What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

      I rate the scalability of Fortinet FortiGate a five out of five.

      All sizes of organizations can use this solution. All levels of a company are using this solution.

      How are customer service and support?

      The support from Fortinet FortiGate could improve. They are not easily accessible when we need them. They could improve their response time.

      I rate the support from Fortinet FortiGate a three out of five.

      How would you rate customer service and support?

      Neutral

      How was the initial setup?

      The initial setup of Fortinet FortiGate is very simple and user-friendly. The configuration for the solution is easy. The time it takes for the deployment depends on the environment of the company. It can take a week, but typically it takes three to four days.

      What about the implementation team?

      We have more than six certified engineers in our company that can do the deployment of the solution.

      What was our ROI?

      The customers have seen an ROI from using Fortinet FortiGate. They are satisfied with the solution.

      What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

      The price of Fortinet FortiGate is affordable. Most of our customers are on a three-year license to use the solution. All the features and support are included in the price.

      I rate the price of Fortinet FortiGate a five out of five.

      What other advice do I have?

      I rate Fortinet FortiGate a nine out of ten.

      Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

      On-premises
      Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
      PeerSpot user
      AhmedAboalassaad - PeerSpot reviewer
      Network & Security Team Head at Amiral
      Real User
      Top 10
      Highly reliable, effective profiles, and scalable
      Pros and Cons
      • "The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiGate are the different types of profiling. It has been the most effective for me. The WAF and the antivirus profile are the most effective in network protection."
      • "Fortinet FortiGate is a stable solution. However, my issue is the performance only. When I use all the profiles, this affects the performance. From the beginning, I should have had a better sizing of the box."

      What is our primary use case?

      We use Fortinet FortiGate mostly for a data center firewall.

      What is most valuable?

      The most valuable features of Fortinet FortiGate are the different types of profiling. It has been the most effective for me. The WAF and the antivirus profile are the most effective in network protection.

      For how long have I used the solution?

      I have been using Fortinet FortiGate for approximately seven years.

      What do I think about the stability of the solution?

      Fortinet FortiGate is a stable solution. However, my issue is the performance only. When I use all the profiles, this affects the performance. From the beginning, I should have had a better sizing of the box.

      What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

      The coverage and scalability of Fortinet FortiGate are good.

      We use the solution for daily operations in the data center. There are hundreds of users that use the solution.

      How are customer service and support?

      The support from Fortinet FortiGate is great. When I have an issue with the support team, it is when I can't understand what they need and they do not understand. They then typically ask for a remote session which can help us receive the solution. Overall, the support team for Fortinet FortiGate is very good.

      How was the initial setup?

      The initial setup of Fortinet FortiGate is very straightforward.

      I rate the initial setup of Fortinet FortiGate a four out of five.

      What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

      We pay for the solution annually.

      What other advice do I have?

      The sizing is very important for the Fortinet FortiGate because after designing you have to choose what size and what kind of FortiGate you will implement. Sometimes you need to implement profiling and this will take from your processing.

      In my area, this solution is recommended for many projects because it's very easy to do the implementation and troubleshoot and is highly stable. The integration between many devices, such as the FortiAnalyzer and FortiManager, is good and helps us. Fortinet FortiGate is recommended for any firewall design.

      I rate Fortinet FortiGate a nine out of ten.

      Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
      PeerSpot user
      Buyer's Guide
      Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
      Updated: December 2023
      Buyer's Guide
      Download our free Fortinet FortiGate Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.