In a bid to strengthen cybersecurity for essential services, Fortinet has unveiled significant updates to its Operational Technology (OT) Security Platform, aimed at protecting critical infrastructure against evolving cyber threats. Announced at the Gartner Digital Workplace Summit in Singapore, these enhancements offer advanced visibility, segmentation, and secure connectivity tailored for industries such as energy, transportation, and manufacturing.
The latest features include the FortiGuard OT Security Service, which provides in-depth threat visibility specific to OT environments. This service enables organisations to detect threats across over 3,300 OT protocol rules and nearly 750 intrusion prevention system rules. Nirav Shah, senior vice president of Products and Solutions at Fortinet, highlighted the importance of these developments: "As cyber threats against critical infrastructure continue to grow, Fortinet is committed to delivering comprehensive security solutions tailored for operational technology environments."
The introduction of ruggedised FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) further enhances security enforcement, allowing for automated threat detection and virtual patching of legacy OT systems. This proactive approach aims to protect against known exploited vulnerabilities and other cyber risks, crucial for chief operating officers managing operational resilience.
Fortinet has also expanded its portfolio with the FortiSwitch Rugged series, which facilitates secure segmentation at the port level, preventing unauthorised lateral movement within OT networks. These additions are designed to integrate seamlessly with Fortinet's broader security ecosystem, streamlining network management.
With the rise of remote operations, Fortinet's new ruggedised 5G solutions, including the FortiExtender Rugged 511G, promise secure, high-speed connectivity for remote OT sites. The introduction of embedded Wi-Fi 6 and eSIM capabilities simplifies connectivity management, addressing the growing need for resilient remote access.
Moreover, the enhancements to Fortinet’s AI-driven security operations, including updates to FortiAnalyzer and FortiDeceptor, provide deeper insights into security threats while simplifying compliance reporting. This is particularly important for COOs who must navigate complex regulatory environments.
The updates position Fortinet as a leader in OT cybersecurity, emphasising the need for businesses to adopt proactive security measures. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, the integration of comprehensive security solutions is essential for maintaining operational continuity and safeguarding critical infrastructure against potential disruptions.
