FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Reviews

Name: FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4 (44 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

44 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 44 most recent FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.9. (Among the highest in the category). 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 23% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)

November 2024

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Featured reviews

Eduardo_Lopez

Manager Operations Technology at EJCLME Inc.

I’ve worked with network and security information since 1999. My use cases for FortiGate are in the telecom environment. In my experience, we have used Fortinet to connect sites. I’m working with an SMB in São Paulo, and we work with small equipment. I have a project to define a model from the end…

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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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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 Oct 28, 2024

Valuable Features

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is user-friendly, easy to configure, and stable with excellent reporting and patching features. It offers effective SD-WAN, IPS, application control, and seamless integration. Regular updates ensure security and performance. It provides a wide range of integrated security solutions. The ecosystem is strong, including FortiSwitch and FortiMail integration. Users appreciate the quick delivery, comprehensive support, and cost-effectiveness. It outperforms alternatives like Cisco Firepower with strong connectivity, reporting, and filtering capabilities.

"FortiGate's threat detection capability is excellent."
"You can integrate certain other services with FortiGate and use additional threat intelligence services because they allow you to combine various solutions, enhancing your overall security."
"FortiGate Next Generation Firewall has a very high ROI"

Room for Improvement

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall requires improvements in pricing, support, integration, and security features. Users find the licensing expensive and the technical support lacking. Enhancements in GUI design, scalability, and compatibility with other networks are needed. Vulnerability management and memory issues are concerns. There is a demand for more VPN features and user-friendly configurations. Integration with other vendors, improved SD-WAN features, and enhanced threat intelligence would benefit users seeking more comprehensive security solutions.

"I would like to see improvements in some of the hard drive features on FortiGate so that we can generate reporting within a single box."
"FortiGate may include AI capabilities and integrate external threat intelligence. However, version management and backup/restore operations could be improved."
"The pricing of the solution should be more affordable"

ROI

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall ROI experiences vary. Some indicate a positive ROI and highlight its security capabilities, justifying the investment. They mention zero complaints about its effectiveness but note that the cost may lower its ROI for general usage. For others, ROI is achieved when used with FortiGuard, providing nearly 100% ROI due to its robust firewall and global threat intelligence. Some have not yet seen ROI but plan to increase usage.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers report mixed experiences with FortiGate Next Generation Firewall pricing. The product is considered expensive but provides good value compared to alternatives like Cisco, Palo Alto, and CheckPoint. Costs vary with licensing options, such as one-year to five-year plans, and additional features can raise prices significantly. Support and additional features like FortiManager incur extra costs. Despite some high expense ratings, Fortinet's affordability makes it appealing for SMBs and competitive in emerging markets like India.

"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

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is mainly utilized as a border firewall for LAN segregation, VPN, and IPSec tunnels. Users emphasize its use across application and network layers for comprehensive security. Features like antivirus, IPS, SD-WAN, web and application filtering, and threat prevention are essential. It acts as a gateway-level firewall for protecting sites, maintaining perimeter security, and providing remote access. Many businesses also manage data with FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer.

Service and Support

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's customer service and support receives mixed feedback. Many find it responsive, praising its 24/7 availability and knowledgeable staff, while others note delays and inconsistent response times. Support levels range from quick answers and effective troubleshooting to slow interactions and complex processes, especially in specific regions. Users appreciate helpful guidance and the flexibility of communication, but also express desires for faster response and improved support agent expertise. Ratings typically range from seven to eight out of ten.

Deployment

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's initial setup is generally easy and straightforward for organizations, with many rating it highly on ease. It often takes a few days to complete, depending on the deployment complexity and customer requirements. The process requires technical expertise, especially for detailed configurations and integrations. Time taken can vary based on on-premises or cloud deployment and availability of necessary resources, typically involving two to ten people for the task.

Scalability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall exhibits strong scalability, fitting diverse business sizes. User counts vary widely, with some installations handling thousands. Ratings are mostly high, suggesting ease in scaling to meet demands. Different models accommodate various needs, though some concerns about pricing exist with larger deployments. Features like Virtual Domains enhance flexibility. A minority reports limitations, but generally, users find enlarging user capacity feasible.

Stability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is stable, with ratings mostly between seven and ten. Users report stability improving with newer FortiOS versions, particularly after FortiOS 5.0.5 issues. Some experience minor problems with security features and updates but highlight its reliability, especially with SD-WAN and high availability. Many appreciate its robustness, though a few note it isn't ideal for small companies due to stability concerns. Users emphasize the importance of experienced operational teams for optimal performance.

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

23%

Comms Service Provider

13%

Educational Organization

Non Profit

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Media Company

Government

University

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Retailer

Security Firm

Healthcare Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Venture Capital & Private Equity Firm

Legal Firm

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Construction Company

Hospitality Company

Transportation Company

Leisure / Travel Company

Logistics Company

Aerospace/Defense Firm

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.