FortiClient is a free security tool with robust anti-virus defenses and customizable parental controls, as well as firewall protection and USB device management features.
Configuring a bridge, which forwards packets directly to their next-hop router, is also useful when having both static and policy routes in use.
Security Fabric Integration
The Security Fabric provides comprehensive protection with unified visibility and management. It enables a consistent security posture across physical, virtual and cloud environments with coordinated detection and response, using top-of-breed technologies for threat analysis and automated prevention; process automation reduces manual intervention to free IT teams to focus on innovation instead.
Fortinet refers to its Security Fabric as “security driven networking.” Everything within it has been designed with security in mind – from frontline firewalls and secure access solutions like switches and wireless.
FortiClient is part of this network security solution and provides continuous monitoring and control, secures remote access, protects against advanced threats, all while remaining an easy to manage client application for endpoints.
FortiClient integrates seamlessly with the Security Fabric, offering a consolidated view of all FortiClient clients and endpoints through telemetry, providing all Security Fabric components (FortiGate, FortiAnalyzer, EMS, managed APs and managed Switches) a consolidated view of endpoint activity for compliance enforcement, reporting, alerting and secure remote connectivity via traditional virtual private network (VPN) tunnels as well as our Zero Trust Network Access tunnels.
FortiClient 4.0 also enhances integration with SentinelOne’s Fabric-Ready Partner Program, where SentinelOne collaborates closely with Fortinet to validate technology integration and share roadmaps for consistent interoperability.
FortiClient 5.6.1 features several Security Fabric enhancements designed to make network management more efficient, including a refreshed GUI design that consolidates Security Fabric features under one menu and new topological changes to better display device connections in both Physical and Logical Topologies views, such as adding more Fortinet products to the list and more information in device tooltips. In addition, FortiGuard licenses now undergo separate tests depending on whether they are valid, expired, never activated, or unavailable allowing you to quickly identify vulnerable assets for rapid remediation efforts.
Endpoint Visibility
Endpoints pose significant security threats when they access corporate networks from outside their firewall, and visibility into them and any threats they pose has never been more difficult. Security teams typically manage endpoints separately from broader network, with limited visibility; this often results in ineffective protection of critical assets in your network.
With more and more business processes moving to the cloud and IoT connected devices connecting to the internet, businesses must adopt an holistic approach to endpoint security. They must identify all endpoints on their networks and evaluate risk associated with each one before applying an appropriate level of protection that is both consistent and automated.
Organizations require an advanced endpoint management solution in order to accomplish this feat. Such solutions allow IT staff members to remotely access all devices connected to their network, providing appropriate protection levels on each one and fixing problems as necessary as well as supporting users.
FortiClient from Fortinet is an advanced endpoint management solution that offers security, simplified endpoint administration and secure remote access. Its close integration with Fortinet Security Fabric allows it to offer advanced threat protection, visibility and automation features.
Advanced endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities from Tripwire protect everything from workstations to servers with current and legacy operating systems, point of sale terminals, manufacturing controllers, as well as proactive reduction of unauthorized entries into networks, malware infection protection, real time threat identification and mitigation in real time.
FortiClient allows IT teams to easily locate devices on the network and view an assortment of information regarding them in EMS, such as model, vendor and serial numbers, serial numbers for CPU RAM memory information or any tags applied via Zero Trust Tagging Rules.
Understanding all of this data about your endpoints is essential for making informed decisions, such as applying security updates. Knowing if an endpoint is actively being used can also assist you with assessing its security status and performance status so you can determine if replacement or upgrading are required.
Policy-Based Automation
With Fortinet’s Security Fabric, automating endpoint monitoring and defense can be made simpler than ever. Thanks to close integration between EPP/APT/ZTNA deployments and EMS management platforms, this comprehensive approach ensures your endpoints are safe from advanced malware threats with advanced malware detection and protection capabilities.
This comprehensive endpoint protection suite comprises next-generation antivirus, anti-malware, web filtering, application control and vulnerability scans as well as built-in VPN access with zero trust model security for remote access – providing a cost-effective solution easily managed through EMS.
FortiClient and its advanced capabilities are supported by FortiEMS’ central management console, providing an easy-to-navigate web-based dashboard that makes monitoring and managing endpoints from any location a simple process. Furthermore, FortiClient allows EMS to give a centralized overview of software installed across your endpoints to quickly identify and resolve installation issues as soon as they arise.
For EMS to report installed applications on an endpoint profile, navigate to System Settings -> Software Inventory and check “Send to EMS.” This will allow EMS to display the list of installed apps on endpoints in its Software Inventory tab of its console.
Fortinet’s Enterprise Management Suite (EMS) is a powerful cloud-based app that makes network monitoring simple from anywhere around the world. By unifying all aspects of your network into one easily manageable dashboard, EMS allows for easy visibility into its operation from any corner.
By using the EMS platform, you can deploy policies across all of your devices so they communicate seamlessly – protecting your network even as it grows and expands.
EMS not only offers central administration and monitoring capabilities, but can also configure devices according to rules you create for immediate responses to threats and reduced manual effort. This feature makes EMS even more efficient at helping organizations stay ahead of threats quickly while decreasing effort required.
Utilizing the EMS Tagging feature, you can define Resource Groups of workloads and their connections in order to form Resource Clusters. Once resource groups are defined, using filters you can further narrow your Workloads table; for example by including application names or naming convention patterns as filters. Furthermore, search capabilities allow for easy discovery of specific workloads, ports or connection types.
Secure Remote Connectivity
Endpoint security is of primary importance for remote workers in many organizations. To best accommodate this user base, organizations should offer several access methods that enable users to gain access to corporate data and applications from remote devices – popular options being Virtual Private Networks (VPN), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), and Secure Remote Connectivity (SRC).
FortiClient helps your customers securely connect remote users to their corporate networks with seamless Security Fabric Integration, free download and offering strong defense against threats – such as advanced threat prevention that detects both known and previously unseen malware. FortiGate next generation firewall also offers visibility and automation of endpoint protection across networks – including wireless APs and managed switches.
FortiClient provides secure VPN connectivity between remote computers and the corporate network, enabling your customers to grant more granular access to cloud applications for remote teleworkers without forcing them back and forth through the corporate firewall.
Customers using Citrix application servers can also leverage FortiClient configuration settings to enable split tunneling for secure remote worker access of both their application and Internet connections simultaneously. This removes the need to send all traffic through a corporate VPN headend which would otherwise double up their bandwidth consumption requirements for remote workers on your network.
Furthermore, you can configure FortiClient EMS (Enterprise Management Server) to scan for vulnerabilities on all devices connected to their network and notify users if critical vulnerabilities are discovered. It can even block remote users from connecting via VPN tunnel if they run an insecure version of their operating system on their device.
FortiClient can assist your customers who are having difficulty supporting a growing remote workforce due to the Covid pandemic by offering them a robust set of tools for secure remote connectivity. It serves as an excellent complement for existing security infrastructure like SD-WAN, CASB, DLP and IPS from Fortinet as well as being ideal for work-from-anywhere policies that prioritize user experience and performance.
