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Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Logo

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access pros and cons

Vendor: Fortinet
4.1 out of 5

Pros & Cons summary

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Prominent pros & cons

PROS

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access offers enhanced integration with FortiGate, allowing centralized management of security and network functions from a single point.
It provides strong security features like Zero Trust technology, improving overall network safety while maintaining affordability.
Users benefit from powerful integration capabilities, enabling management of multiple devices through a single dashboard, reducing the complexity of managing different technologies.
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access demonstrates great stability, scalability, and reliability, ensuring long-term performance and ease of expansion.
It has a low total cost of ownership, requiring no additional licenses for full feature access, making it cost-effective compared to competitors like Cisco.

CONS

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access could benefit from reduced cost and improved pricing models, especially considering regional currency exchange rates.
Stability is a concern, particularly with issues observed during switching of ELANs and integration challenges with FortiGate.
Firmware updates for Fortinet FortiSwitch require manual intervention due to lack of internet connectivity for remote updates.
Integration with platforms and interoperability with devices from other companies could be improved for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access.
Technical support for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access requires enhancement in terms of response time, quality, and a more hands-on approach to problem-solving.
 

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Pros review quotes

HM
Cyber Security Manager at Greater Cairo Water Company (GCWC)
Jul 9, 2026
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access has a positive impact and return on investment that revolves around security, as it allows me to apply Zero Trust technology, which is currently the trend in the world and is needed for security layers.
Uri Harf - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Presales at A.G.A.S. מחשוב ותקשורת לעסקים
Apr 3, 2025
The main benefit of Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is its integration with FortiCloud, which allows me to manage all appliances in a single interface.
SherifAbdelrahman - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Director at Rabbit Mart
Nov 11, 2024
It's easy to be configured and powerful in terms of performance.
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2026.
908,402 professionals have used our research since 2012.
PauloRio - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Consultant at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Dec 5, 2024
Having a single dashboard to manage everything simplifies the process.
Jenesty Alissoutin - PeerSpot reviewer
Project Manager at Expertsys Technologies Inc.
Jul 31, 2024
You can hook all the other components to be monitored. You can create policies and block certain people from accessing the Internet.
JM
IT Manager at Gandia Consulting Group
Jan 25, 2024
With FortiSwitch, you can easily identify who is connected to each port, disable ports as needed, and retrieve configurations from FortiGate when required.
Raphael Haroun  Ikyagh - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Administrator at Letshego
Feb 2, 2024
I would rate the the ease of management and scalability within our network architecture an eight out of ten, with ten being best.
Volodymyr Khorenzhyi - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Engineer at Thunder Software Technology Co., Ltd.
Feb 2, 2024
What I actually use in this deployment are Forti APs (Fortinet Access Points). So, I can see all my office infrastructure from a single console, which is handy. One FortiGate, one FortiSwitch, and five access points, everything under good control. It's really nice to see it all together like this.
AS
Network Engineer at Static IPs Bremerhaven-2
Jul 19, 2024
The solution has enhanced network security by integrating access control more seamlessly, reducing overhead, and simplifying the network environment by removing the need for interfaces with other vendors.
DP
vice president at IMP Solutions
Aug 4, 2022
I like that everything flows back to FortiGate, which is the controller, management console, and firewall. There's one central point for the entire network, so the security, switching, wireless, etc., flows back to the FortiGate. The ease of management is what customers like. They don't need separate solutions like Cisco.
 

Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access Cons review quotes

HM
Cyber Security Manager at Greater Cairo Water Company (GCWC)
Jul 9, 2026
I believe enhancement in security is essential for Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access.
Uri Harf - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Presales at A.G.A.S. מחשוב ותקשורת לעסקים
Apr 3, 2025
Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access is expensive, and this initial cost can be a barrier, especially for new businesses setting up from scratch.
SherifAbdelrahman - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Director at Rabbit Mart
Nov 11, 2024
The pricing is considered high due to the currency exchange changes in our region.
Learn what your peers think about Fortinet FortiSwitch - Secure Access. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2026.
908,402 professionals have used our research since 2012.
PauloRio - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Consultant at a tech services company with 5,001-10,000 employees
Dec 5, 2024
The introduction of AI integration could be valuable for detecting abnormal traffic directly on the switch.
Jenesty Alissoutin - PeerSpot reviewer
Project Manager at Expertsys Technologies Inc.
Jul 31, 2024
FortiSwitch offers eight and 24-port models. They don't have a 16-port model, which can be an issue for some clients.
JM
IT Manager at Gandia Consulting Group
Jan 25, 2024
Renewing the annual licenses for Secure the Switch FortiSwitch can be cumbersome, especially considering the relatively high cost of Fortinet licenses.
Raphael Haroun  Ikyagh - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Administrator at Letshego
Feb 2, 2024
More integration would be helpful, especially since we sometimes have devices from other companies. Improved interoperability would be very beneficial.
Volodymyr Khorenzhyi - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Engineer at Thunder Software Technology Co., Ltd.
Feb 2, 2024
It is always nice when something is cheaper.
AS
Network Engineer at Static IPs Bremerhaven-2
Jul 19, 2024
One of the main challenges was integrating FortiSwitch with FortiGate, as the switches are managed through FortiGate rather than independently.
DP
vice president at IMP Solutions
Aug 4, 2022
While Fortinet is good for school boards and mid-sized businesses, enterprise-class networks require a zero-trust solution. If you're building a zero-trust network with end-to-end security, that's where Fortinet falls behind Cisco, HPE, and Aruba.