Fortinet has expanded its operational technology (OT) security platform with the unveiling of new integrated solutions and services. Specifically tailored for industrial networks, the upgraded portfolio enables an elaborate understanding of the entire business environment, thus providing the capability for implementing a zero-trust model within OT environments. This includes secure access to OT assets and systems for contractors and remote workers.

John Maddison, Fortinet's Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of Product Strategy expressed the company's deep understanding of the distinct nature of OT compared to traditional IT systems. "We recognise that OT security requires a specialised approach. Our OT security platform is purpose-built to offer integrated protection and risk management specifically tailored to industrial environments," he said.

Maddison also underscored the heightened importance of OT security in the wake of escalating attacks on critical infrastructure. "The recent surge in attacks makes our advanced OT solutions and intelligence more crucial than ever. We're committed to empowering our customers with the most sophisticated OT security capabilities in the industry," Maddison added.

The Fortinet OT security platform, a comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity products, solutions, and services, is uniquely designed for industrial networks. It is powered by real-time OT threat intelligence and forms part of the Fortinet Security Fabric. This integration offers customers deep visibility across their entire environment and facilitates secure IT/OT convergence. Moreover, it enables organizations to implement a zero-trust model within OT environments, ensuring secure remote access for remote employees and contractors.

Alarmingly, Fortinet's research found that three-fourths of OT organizations reported at least one intrusion in the past year, with nearly one-third falling victim to ransomware attacks. These findings highlight the critical need for integrated security solutions tailored to industrial applications, which can enforce policies across the entire attack surface, consolidate point products, and reduce operational overhead.

The latest enhancements to the Fortinet OT security platform include the FortiSwitch Rugged 424F, an industrial-class Ethernet switch, and the FortiAP 432F access point, suitable for hazardous OT environments. Additionally, the FortiExtender Vehicle 211F has been introduced as a robust mobility solution for connected fleets and mobile systems.

FortiOS, Fortinet's operating system, now features an OT View dashboard, offering comprehensive insights into the IT and OT attack surface from a single console. Moreover, FortiAnalyzer now includes OT-specific analytics and reports, and FortiNDR has been updated to analyse more than 15 different OT-network protocols, incorporating AI-powered network behaviour analysis. FortiDeceptor, Fortinet’s deception technology, now supports 30 OT protocols, and the FortiGuard OT Security Service has been expanded to cover more than 70 OT protocols and over 4,000 OT application and device vulnerability signatures.

Dan Sanderson, Vice President of Strategy at Cyber Advisors, highlighted the importance of robust OT solutions and services. "As IT and OT environments converge, the overall risk increases. Our clients need effective OT solutions without the complexity of extensive deployments. The Fortinet OT security platform offers a unified approach to safeguarding both the digital and physical aspects of businesses. We're excited to introduce these updates to our customer community," Sanderson remarked.