FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) Reviews

Name: FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4 (43 reviews)

4.2 out of 5

43 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. 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)

October 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 October 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 Sep 16, 2024

Valuable Features

FortiGate NGFW is user-friendly, offers comprehensive security, and integrates seamlessly with other tools. Key features include SD-WAN, application control, reporting, filtering, and technical support. The interface is intuitive, with cost advantages and wide availability. It provides excellent connectivity, regular updates, and effective threat defense. Its robust ecosystem includes FortiMail, FortiSwitch, and other security fabric components, making it highly reliable for managing various cyber threats.

"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"
"The solution is secure."

Room for Improvement

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) needs better licensing pricing, enhanced security, and improved customer support. Users find the GUI outdated and difficult password management. They face memory issues, challenges with compatibility and integration, and limited virtualization options. Technical support response is slow, the hardware features need upgrades, and better scalability is necessary. Enhanced SD-WAN features, more flexible management consoles, and reduced vulnerabilities are also needed. Simplified setup processes and better small business connectivity are essential.

"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"
"The performance can be improved."

ROI

Some users find FortiGate Next Generation Firewall expensive, but many see a positive ROI. While some have not seen a return yet, they plan to increase usage. ROI varies depending on the use case and can be high, especially when used with FortiGuard. Many value the investment for its security effectiveness, with claims of nearly 100% ROI due to its comprehensive threat intelligence.

Pricing

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall pricing varies based on user requirements and chosen features. Licensing costs are generally considered high, with annual fees and additional expenses for support tiers and feature upgrades. Users note that while it is more affordable than high-end competitors like Cisco and Palo Alto, it is more expensive than brands like Barracuda and Sophos. The solution is valued for its reasonable pricing relative to its comprehensive features, especially for small to medium-scale 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

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is primarily used for network security, VPN access, and SD-WAN connectivity. It functions as a border firewall, provides internal LAN segregation, manages IPv4 policies, and offers cybersecurity features such as IPSec tunnels, antivirus, IPS, URL filtering, and application filtering. Organizations implement it for branch network security, remote site protection, and secure access points, ensuring their environments are secured across all layers from application to networking.

Service and Support

Customer service and support of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) are contextually mixed. Some find the support great, responsive, and helpful, highlighting their 24/7 availability and knowledgeable team. However, others report delays in response, slow technical support, and a preference for faster assistance. Many appreciate the multiple support levels and adequate issue resolution, while specific regions like India face challenges. Support ratings vary broadly due to these mixed experiences.

Deployment

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall's initial setup is commonly seen as straightforward and user-friendly. Deployment often depends on specific customer requirements but generally takes one to a few days to complete. Simplicity and smooth implementation are frequently highlighted, with many citing high ease-of-use scores. Some also mention that previous experience with other firewalls facilitates an easier setup process. However, certain users find that expertise and planning play crucial roles in the deployment's success.

Scalability

Scalability of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is generally rated highly, with scores ranging from seven to ten out of ten. Users assert that it can handle small, medium, and some large enterprises effectively. Some users mention that specific scalability needs may be a challenge. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall supports contexts like Virtual Domains (VDOMs) and offers various models. Users also highlight flexibility in working with multiple contexts and third-party integrations.

Stability

FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is highly stable, often rated between eight and ten out of ten for stability. Users praise its reliability, especially with newer firmware versions. Some noted occasional issues with security features, logs, and VPN, but these are generally manageable. High availability features and SD-WAN capabilities further enhance its stability. Users recommend it for various scales of businesses, highlighting 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.