Cyber Security Architect at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
A cloud solution for Internet-facing applications but is expensive

What is our primary use case?

We use Fortinet FortiGate SWG to secure both Internet-facing and internal applications.

What is most valuable?

The web solutions are the most important features.

What needs improvement?

The solution could add API protection.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiGate SWG for a year.

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

Support is good.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

The deployment depends on the requirements. It takes a minimum of one day to complete.

What about the implementation team?

The initial setup is managed by a partner.

Three to four people are enough for setup, depending on the tools. You need a network engineer, a partner, and a firewall engineer to install.

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

The product is expensive. It comes with a yearly subscription, which includes support and everything.

What other advice do I have?

Maintenance is easy. One person is enough to do the regular maintenance, but two are suitable for feasibility.

The product is good. It does the job of what is said. It is very stable and reliable. One should consider based on the POC and their requirement, but for our requirement, FortiGate was the one to go for.

We use it for Internet-facing applications and web-based applications. We use it more as a web solution. There might be other use cases or other requirements for other companies.

Overall, I rate the solution a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Jaffar Ali - PeerSpot reviewer
Director Technical Services at TechnoBIZ
Reseller
Top 5
A comprehensive solution for web filtering, malware protection, and application control that offers robust security features and user-friendly interface
Pros and Cons
  • "Web filters, particularly web application controls, grant us the ability to regulate user access effectively."
  • "There's room for improvement in the interface, especially following their upgrade to version nineteen."

What is our primary use case?

Our standard practice involves tailoring deployments to meet specific customer needs. Typically implemented at the network edge, FortiGate SWG addresses diverse security requirements. Use cases include securing online services, protecting internal servers in a DMZ for LAN user access, and employing a segmented approach where different firewalls safeguard distinct zones, collaborating to manage and pass traffic for unique security needs. One of the firewalls also serves as the primary filter for internet traffic.

What is most valuable?

Web filters, particularly web application controls, grant us the ability to regulate user access effectively. Among the various features, I find web application control and IPS to be the most valuable.

What needs improvement?

There's room for improvement in the interface, especially following their upgrade to version nineteen. The issue arises from the increased complexity, where tasks like defining the NAS require navigating a separate window, and regular policy configurations are done in a different window.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using it for seven years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I would rate its stability capabilities nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Regarding scalability, I would rate Fortinet highly, giving them eight out of ten due to the effectiveness of their new hardware, which greatly enhances scalability. We've carried out installations for a variety of setups, spanning from small to medium-sized deployments.

How are customer service and support?

I would rate its technical support services seven out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

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

WatchGuard deserves credit for offering multiple options, including a client base and a comprehensive reporting feature, all within a unified license and toolset.

How was the initial setup?

I would rate the initial setup six out of ten in terms of complexity.

What about the implementation team?

The deployment can take up to a week but typically can be done in a couple of days.

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

We essentially customize implementations based on the customer's chosen appliance. The cost varies depending on the specific appliance they purchase. We provide coverage for whatever they acquire, and throughout the year, we pay different amounts to various vendors. The cost has increased since the update so I would rate it eight out of ten.

What other advice do I have?

In terms of reliability and security, FortiGate stands out. WatchGuard excels in additional features, offering the best reporting and various configuration options. While Sophos is also strong in security, I would rate it slightly lower than FortiGate. Overall, I would rate it 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: Reseller
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Fortinet FortiGate SWG
May 2024
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiGate SWG. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: May 2024.
769,789 professionals have used our research since 2012.
MOHAMMED BENHARRAF - PeerSpot reviewer
Associate Director at NVIT
Real User
Top 10
A highly scalable security solution that is easy to deploy and provides good technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The technical support is good."
  • "The solution is expensive."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product for our customers. We use it for security.

How has it helped my organization?

We can use the URL filtering and antivirus features. We can also configure rules and protocols from source to destination.

What is most valuable?

The technical support is good.

What needs improvement?

The solution is expensive.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used the solution in the past twelve months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is not the same as WatchGuard. If we have a power problem, we can lose configurations, VPN, SSL, and other things. Other products do not have these issues. The tool is stable when there are no power outages. I rate the stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the tool’s scalability a nine out of ten. It has high scalability. We integrate the solution for our customers. Some customers have 15 to 50 users, while others have 300 to 1000 users. Our customers are small and medium enterprises.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is easy. It was not complex.

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

I rate the pricing an eight out of ten on a scale where one is cheap and ten is expensive. We need to pay for additional features.

What other advice do I have?

The product could provide SD-WAN and VPN features. People can use the tool. Overall, I rate the solution 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: Integrator
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Consultant at Zepto
Real User
A comprehensive and easy to use solution that needs to improve offerings for SMBs
Pros and Cons
  • "FortiGate also makes GRE tunneling possible."
  • "FortiGate needs to be elastic to the market's trends. It should be easy for SMBs to get the solution."

What is most valuable?

FortiGate has a lot of things that you can do. You have VPN, VRRP, and VDOM tools. FortiGate also makes GRE tunneling possible. Those are a few things that I like the most about FortiGate.

What needs improvement?

We are in an era of cloud-based things, so most need a simpler pay-as-you-go model. That might be effective for SMBs, where small organizations can afford features. FortiGate needs to be elastic to the market's trends. It should be easy for SMBs to get the solution. A cloud or SaaS model would be effective. FortiGate should bring a solution that allows smaller companies to use firewalls. Very small or medium companies do not focus on security, but it is the major concern of every organization. To tap that market, FortiGate must bring an innovative product everyone can adopt.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for six to seven years and currently use the latest version.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the stability an eight out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Scalability is not an issue, but it's difficult for small organizations. The devices that have FortiGate are the issue. I rate FortiGate a seven out of ten.

FortiGate is deployed in a centralized way. The way it is deployed in our organization, all the employees benefit from the security features.

How are customer service and support?

FortiGate's technical support depends on the region. FortiGate's support in my region is very helpful.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

I rate the initial setup a seven out of ten. Deployment takes a few months, but no more.

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

I rate FortiGate's pricing a five out of ten.

What other advice do I have?

FortiGate, as per my usage, is good. It's a very nice, sophisticated, and realistic firewall. I don't have any issues with FortiGate. It's a good UTM and has very simple dashboards. I rate FortiGate a seven out of ten.

We use FortiGate on-prem, but now we are trying to adopt it on the cloud. I'm not sure how it is because I have not seen a cloud-based FortiGate.

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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Mustapha Bako - PeerSpot reviewer
Chief Executive Officer at Spokes network
Real User
A cost-effective solution for security with application control, web filtering and SD-WAN
Pros and Cons
  • "The most useful features are application control, web filtering, and SD-WAN."
  • "Support could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use the solution at the Internet edge to provide a security boundary between the public network and the private network.

What is most valuable?

The most useful features are application control, web filtering, and SD-WAN.

What needs improvement?

Support could be improved like Sophos. Some clients don't have the expertise to manage their environment. If they have a problem with Fortinet, they should have easy access to support. Secondly, the process of evaluation as a partner with Cisco should give you the ability to deploy access as a partner. You can do team labs and a lot of things.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiGate SWG for five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We never had any problem with stability. I rate the solution’s stability a ten out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability depends on the client's size. We have clients with as few as 500 users, as many as 800 users, and clients with just 100 users. We cater to small and medium businesses. I rate the solution’s scalability a seven out of ten.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward. Deployment time depends on the client's requirements. Some clients may agree to a monthly deployment, while others may require a different team. If you sell a new environment, the deployment time may increase. The basic setup takes one to two hours. Deployment is a continuous process, as you will need to refine the policies and settings to meet the client's specific business needs. I rate the initial setup a nine out of ten.

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

The solution is cheap. Fortinet FortiGate SWG licenses are based on features, so you can choose the license that best meets your needs. This is especially beneficial for enterprise environments with different use cases. However, it can be costly for other segments, such as small businesses. I rate the solution’s pricing a seven out of ten, where one is cheap, and ten is expensive.

What other advice do I have?

Fortinet FortiGate SWG is a good solution that meets your security requirements and is an excellent alternative to more expensive security products like Cisco and Palo Alto. If budget is a concern, Fortinet FortiGate SWG is a good choice for a security product. Overall, I rate the solution an eight 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: Reseller
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CISM at Exceed NetSec LLC
Real User
Top 5
Has an easy initial setup process and good security features
Pros and Cons
  • "The product has the most valuable configuration, offloading, and security features."
  • "Fortinet FortiGate SWG's SSL offloading features need improvement."

What is most valuable?

The product has the most valuable configuration, offloading, and security features.

What needs improvement?

Fortinet FortiGate SWG's SSL offloading features need improvement.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Fortinet FortiGate SWG for five years.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I recommend Fortinet FortiGate SWG to larger companies as the lease line is expensive. It is suitable for companies who are running web applications. It is not a necessity for small businesses.

How are customer service and support?

The product's tier-one support process is time-consuming. It takes time to reach the right person to sort out the issues.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

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

I have previously worked with a product related to SSL offloading and caching through a reverse proxy. Currently, we are serving the small and medium-sized business (SMB) segment, where the requirements and infrastructure may not necessitate SSL offloading and related features due to the absence of web servers within their networks. Simpler and more streamlined solutions suffice for their requirements in such cases.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup process is easy. It takes two or three hours for basic implementation. At the same time, it takes around two days to perform a clone test. It includes fine-tuning, optimizing, and transforming it to the environment once stabilized.

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

The product is expensive.

What other advice do I have?

I rate Fortinet FortiGate SWG an eight out of ten. It has a lower failure rate in terms of configuration. Once it is configured, it keeps running for years. However, they have increased the process by almost 60% to 70%.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
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Real User
Top 10
A comprehensive web filtering and security solution for enhanced protection
Pros and Cons
  • "It offers web filtering capabilities at a more affordable price compared to other solutions like PSMs or NETGEAR."
  • "Integrating OpenVPN with FortiGate would provide a powerful combination of secure remote access and comprehensive network security."

What is our primary use case?

It provides features such as web filtering, antivirus, data loss prevention, and application control.

What is most valuable?

It offers web filtering capabilities at a more affordable price compared to other solutions like PSMs or NETGEAR.

What needs improvement?

Integrating OpenVPN with FortiGate would provide a powerful combination of secure remote access and comprehensive network security.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been testing it for few weeks now. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

After using it for several weeks, I found it to be operating smoothly and stable.

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

When comparing Fortinet FortiGate with DSOS and NETGEAR, it is important to note that FortiGate does not have native support for OpenVPN, whereas other options offer those features. However, FortiGate excels in terms of comprehensive network security, with a wide array of antivirus and security solutions available.

How was the initial setup?

It is easy to set up and configure, instilling confidence in its reliability.

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

It is a cost-effective solution that meets the user's needs.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate it ten out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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LinhNguyen7 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Manager at PTECH
Real User
Top 10
Filled with excellent content and is a very competitive option
Pros and Cons
  • "Fortinet FortiGate SWG's content is its most valuable feature."
  • "Fortinet FortiGate SWG can be expensive for some customers."

What is our primary use case?

We use it as a security solution.

What is most valuable?

Fortinet FortiGate SWG's content is its most valuable feature.

What needs improvement?

Fortinet's licensing is high compared to other products.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Fortinet FortiGate SWG for ten years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The product is stable, and I rate the solution's stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

A few private and government companies use Fortinet FortiGate SWGs. It is popular among enterprise customers.

How are customer service and support?

The customer service team is helpful. They have good technicians.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is easy.

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

Fortinet FortiGate SWG can be expensive for some customers. We recently had a project for a customer where we could not protect the cost, so we had to look elsewhere.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend this solution. Fortinet FortiGate SWG is better than the market alternatives. It's easy to install and manage, and I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
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Updated: May 2024
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Secure Web Gateways (SWG)
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