Fortinet unifies networking and security with FortiGate-224B

Fortinet announced the FortiGate-224B, the first in a line of unified security and networking platforms that uniquely integrate multiple layers of threat protection with granular security access controls to help safeguard against both external and internal network threats without the need for multiple point solutions. Designed to meet the disparate and expanding network access security needs of enterprises, the FortiGate-224B is a new class of high-performance LAN security devices that enforce internal security policies at the network access layer to blunt intrusion attempts, viruses, worms, denial-of-service attacks and blended threats at wire speed.

While broadband and wireless technologies bring with them the welcomed benefits of increased productivity and reduced costs, not as welcome is the escalating amount of security threats originating from trusted devices within the network. Laptops, PDAs and other mobile devices frequently used outside the corporate network over untrusted connections present added vulnerabilities. Back in the corporate network, these devices are typically treated as trusted assets and given unrestricted network access. At this point, security threats acquired outside can bypass perimeter defenses and make their way into trusted networks.

The FortiGate-224B delivers clientless access security control that enforces network policies without requiring special end-user software agents. In addition, this new switch integrates comprehensive network and content protection through the integration of eight essential security applications and services — including antivirus, firewall, VPN, intrusion prevention (IPS), anti-spam, anti-spyware, Web filtering and traffic shaping.