Fortinet Enhances Its Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) Network Security Solution With New Mobile Clients

SUNNYVALE, Calif., August 20, 2012 - Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT) - a world leader in high-performance network security – today announced key enhancements to address the numerous challenges surrounding network, data and device security posed by the Bring Your Own Device(BYOD) phenomenon wherein end users are bringing their own smartphone and tablet devices to their work environments. As part of its broad strategy to apply effective security measures for BYOD environments, Fortinet is introducing new versions of its FortiClient application for iOS and Android platforms that are downloadable from the iTunes store at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/forticlient/id525600370?mt=8.

And on Google Play at:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fortinet.forticlient&hl=en

The FortiClient application for Android platforms allows for both SSL tunnel mode and IPSec VPN connections to FortiGate appliances. The end user connection is fully encrypted and all traffic is sent over a secure tunnel. The updated FortiClient application for iOSdevices provides Web-mode SSL VPN functionality and has been modified for the iPad platform.

Fortinet’s comprehensive BYOD security strategy, which is designed to protect organizations by authenticating devices, controlling user behavior in the network and restricting data access rights, is built around a combination of six key differentiating capabilities:

· A wide range of high-performance deployment options supporting LAN and WAN connectivity centered around the FortiGate family of appliances

· The lack of ‘per-user’ or ‘per-seat’ licensing means that customers can add new devices to their network without incurring additional license fees. This feature becomes critical as the number of devices attached to the network can double or even triple due to users bringing their smartphones and tablets to work

· Centralized “single pane of glass”management

· Integrated wireless controllers in all FortiGate appliances for improved application and user visibility and control, rogue access point detection, guest access and bandwidth management

· Built-in Wi-Fi for secure LAN deployments on certain FortiGate models reduces the need for a separate wireless access point

· Mobile VPN clients and interoperable soft-tokens for two-factor authentication

The Scope of the BYOD Security Challenge

In a recent global survey of Gen-Y BYOD users conducted by Fortinet in fifteen countries – including the U.S., western Europe, the Middle East and Southeast Asia – 42 percent of respondents believe potential data loss and exposure to malicious IT threats are the dominant risks posed by BYOD to their organization. Despite these concerns, more than a third of respondents admitted they have or would contravene a corporate policy banning the use of personally owned devices for work purposes.

Traditional Approaches Falling Short

While the security challenges associated with mobile devices are not necessarily new, BYOD environments make it difficult for organizations to enforce corporate security policies.The broad scope of Fortinet’s security solution, including application control, next generation firewall, intrusion prevention, antimalware, antispam and data leak prevention helps organizations ensure that information flowing to and from mobile devices is protected on both the LAN and WAN.

Fortinet’s Approach to the BYOD Security Challenge

As a network-based solution, Fortinet supports a variety of approaches to smartphone and tablet security. This includes support for Mobile Device Management (MDM), Virtual Desktop and third party VPN clients.

“While mobile devices have tremendous potential for enhancing productivity, the challenge for organizations today is to provide the same level of security regardless of the device or location of the user,” said Kevin Flynn, senior product manager at Fortinet. “We’re helping organizations of all sizes – from SMBs to large enterprises – deploy a robust BYOD security infrastructure that uniquely combines integrated wireless functions, embedded security technologies and simple, cost-effective licensing.”

Availability

The free FortiClient applications for iOS and Android platforms are available for download now. IPSec functionality on the Android client is expected to be available on Monday, September 3.