FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Reviews

Name: FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.2 (46 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

46 reviews
97% willing to recommend

What is FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)?

The FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) from Fortinet is a comprehensive cybersecurity solution designed to cater to a wide array of organizational needs. It integrates seamlessly into the Fortinet Security Fabric, offering robust protection against various internal and external threats, including attacks, malware, and vulnerabilities. The NGFW is known for its advanced features such as SSL inspection, application control, visibility enhancements, and an effective intrusion prevention system (IPS). This IPS plays a critical role in identifying and blocking malicious traffic by monitoring and inspecting incoming data.

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FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is the #4 ranked solution in top ZTNA solutions, #9 ranked solution in top Unified Threat Management (UTM) solutions, and #13 ranked solution in best firewalls. PeerSpot users give FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) an average rating of 8.4 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 46 most recent FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.1. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate: FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) vs Fortinet FortiGate. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is popular among the small business segment, accounting for 40% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 22% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)

November 2024

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Featured reviews

Anish Bheekoo

IT Lead at CMH

In terms of support, they are very responsive. If you reach out to them, they will contact you within 15 minutes. Managing FortiGate is easy and simple compared to other products. It's not too complex. Even if we miss renewing our licenses, FortiGate provides a grace period of 90 days, which is exceptional. Most products only offer 30 days. That's the best part, in my opinion. The support is excellent. I've had very positive experiences with FortiGate's support team. They are friendly and always available. Their support is available 24/7 via phone, email, or chat. They even offer remote access if we need help with configuration or auditing logs. Their support is reliable both locally and internationally.

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Einstein Rozario

Principal Consultant at Sapienze Tech FZE

Setting up FortiGate NGFW was straightforward, with some considerations during the migration process. Migrating from an old firewall required meticulous rule review and manual configuration. Ensuring adherence to best practices and testing in a beta environment were crucial steps. We also coordinated with our ISP to clear the ARP cache for a smooth transition. Despite a minor misconfiguration leading to an issue, we swiftly addressed it over a weekend with minimal impact. Regular backups and failover tests added an extra layer of assurance. A team of three people deployed it. The deployment and migration from the old firewall to FortiGate took approximately one month. To ensure a smooth transition for our 24/7 operations, we invested extra time for thorough testing and rule validation.

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Sammy Mukuna

Network Admin at Naivas Ltd

While integrating FortiGate Next Generation Firewall in our company's infrastructure I faced an error while implementing a secure LDAP server. I had to roll back for the aforementioned issue and review the authentication certificates. The learning curve of the solution varies depending on the use cases and the different features the user starts interacting with within a specific environment. The initial setup of the FortiGate Next Generation Firewall can be claimed to be straightforward. I would rate the setup a six out of ten. The deployer's CLI understanding will also be a major factor in the deployment process of the solution. The solution's initial setup can be completed in a few days, but much more time is required to learn about the environment, evaluate the policies' interference with the services, and implement optimizations based on the insights. In total, the complete deployment takes a few weeks.

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FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) mindshare

Product category:

As of November 2024, the mindshare of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) in the Firewalls category stands at 0.3%, up from 0.1% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewalls

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 15, 2024

Valuable Features

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's key features include a user-friendly interface, strong support, and seamless integration with other tools. SD-WAN, IPS, and application control are significant for users. Its rapid patch updates enhance security. Reporting and filtering capabilities are also emphasized, along with threat detection features and cost advantages. The robust ecosystem, availability, and flexible configuration make it preferable compared to alternatives. Its top-notch reputation is highlighted in various external tests.

"The common valuable feature for FortiGate is its UTM functionality, which includes various features under a license that is commonly implemented."
"The firewall and VPN features are the most valuable in protecting our customers' networks."
"The firewall and VPN features are the most valuable in protecting our customers' networks."

Room for Improvement

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) needs pricing and licensing adjustments. The improvement in technical support and compatibility with third-party integrations is essential. Customers highlight the need for enhanced security features, including vulnerability management and better IPS engine efficiency. The GUI and memory performance deserve improvement. FortiGate's SD-WAN capabilities and scalability for large environments are concerns, and users experience difficulties with password management. Hardware features and VPN functionality should be better optimized.

"Improvements could be made when companies expand and need better equipment and more licenses."
"Improvements could be made when companies expand and need better equipment and more licenses."
"I would like to see improvements in the IPS/IDS feature to enhance protection against attacks from attackers, including ransomware protection."

ROI

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall is perceived as expensive, yet many report a positive return on investment, especially when paired with FortiGuard. Users highlight enhanced security, user access control, and improved operations management. Some users plan increased usage despite current low returns. The ROI varies by use case, but its effectiveness and security benefits are generally valued, indicating zero complaints from users regarding its performance. A robust perimeter setup contributes to high ROI perceptions.

Pricing

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) pricing varies significantly based on needs and regions, with users noting both high and reasonable costs. Licensing is typically annual, impacting overall expenses, with support adding additional fees. While considered expensive compared to smaller brands, FortiGate remains competitively priced against major competitors like Cisco or Palo Alto. Costs can increase with additional features like FortiAnalyzer, but the solution is often deemed reasonable for the value, particularly for small to medium enterprises.

"I would rate the pricing a seven out of ten"
"We pay $500 per year for the license."
"Although the solution's pricing is high, compared with other products, it may be cheap."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use FortiGate Next Generation Firewall for border and internal security, network segmentation, and policy management. It is employed for securing various layers, including application to networking, and provides essential features like VPN, SD-WAN, IPS, antivirus, URL filtering, and more. FortiGate serves as a gateway firewall, ensures remote connectivity for distributed branches, acts as a defense against threats, integrates security tools, and facilitates secure branch-to-branch connections, monitoring, and traffic routing.

Service and Support

Support for FortiGate Next Generation Firewall receives mixed feedback. Many find it responsive and efficient, highlighting 24/7 availability and knowledgeable staff, while others note delays and scripted interactions. Some users report positive experiences and quick resolutions, particularly in complex scenarios. Regional differences affect satisfaction levels, with Indian support requiring improvement. Users appreciate the grace period for license renewals. Fortinet has strengthened its support over recent years, although some still desire faster responses.

Deployment

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's initial setup is frequently described as easy and straightforward. Management and deployment are user-friendly, usually taking one to several days depending on factors like customer requirements and expertise. While some complexities arise, such as integrating specific configurations and policies, resellers and professionals often rate the ease eight to ten out of ten. For first-time users, prior experience with firewall systems further simplifies the process. Initial deployment can involve one or more individuals.

Scalability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) showcases robust scalability, highly rated by users. It effectively supports diverse business sizes, accommodating varying user counts and configurations. Businesses can scale seamlessly across different models, which offer significant performance. Some users find scalability excellent, though others note potential limitations with specific requirements. The solution is frequently highlighted for its versatility in supporting small to large enterprises. Its flexible scaling options meet a wide range of organizational needs.

Stability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is generally considered stable, with many users rating its stability between seven and ten out of ten. Users note improvements in stability with newer FortiOS versions, such as Version 7. Some mention minor issues with firmware bugs, security features, and VPN functions. Users emphasize the importance of an experienced operational team to maximize stability, highlighting FortiGate's reliability with SD-WAN and high availability configurations.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

22%

Comms Service Provider

13%

Educational Organization

Non Profit

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Media Company

Government

University

Retailer

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Healthcare Company

Security Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Outsourcing Company

Legal Firm

Venture Capital & Private Equity Firm

Construction Company

Performing Arts

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Transportation Company

Program Development Consultancy

Logistics Company

Leisure / Travel Company

Hospitality Company

Compare FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) with alternative products

Learn more about FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)

FortiGate NGFW can be deployed in diverse environments, including on-premises, in the cloud, or hybrid setups. The firewall is equipped with next-generation antivirus capabilities, IPS, web filtering, sandboxing, and intelligent security automation features like threat intelligence integration and automated incident response. Its reporting and analytics tools are comprehensive, aiding in enhancing an organization's security posture.

A notable aspect of the FortiGate NGFW is its diverse and highly rated features, including a powerful VPN, a user-friendly Firewall Management Console, policy-based controls, and advanced reporting and logging capabilities. The system also supports Identification Technologies, Visualization Tools, Content Inspection, and seamless integration with Active Directory and LDAP directories. Its High Availability and the flexibility to deploy in various configurations, such as on-premises or as a Virtual Machine, make it a versatile choice for different business needs.

The FortiGate NGFW also excels in providing secure connectivity. It supports various VPN protocols, offers SD-WAN for intelligent traffic routing, and integrates SASE for unified security and networking solutions. These features contribute to improved security, reduced operational costs, and increased agility for organizations.

When it comes to user experiences and satisfaction, FortiGate NGFW has garnered positive feedback, with an average rating of about 4.26 out of 5 on PeerSpot Reviews. Users from diverse roles, including core network teams, technical officers, and cybersecurity engineers, and from various sectors such as tech services, education, and finance, have found the solution effective. This indicates its versatility and suitability across different company sizes and types.

However, there are areas for improvement. Enhancing the details in Logging Services and making 10 Gigabit Interfaces available for lower models are some suggested enhancements. Simplifying the installation of FortiAP services is also noted as a potential area for improvement.