Fortinet FortiAuthenticator Reviews

Name: Fortinet FortiAuthenticator
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.0 (57 reviews)

Vendor: Fortinet

4.0 out of 5

57 reviews
90% willing to recommend

497 followers

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What is Fortinet FortiAuthenticator?

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is the primary secure point of approved access into the Fortinet network, authorizing users, reviewing access permissions, and relaying the information to all Fortigate devices for comparison with identity-based protocols. Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is a top-ranked authorization and SSO solution.

Appropriate secure access is fundamental to every role in an enterprise ecosystem. It is an integral function of every organization to ensure that every access and privilege is secure and to mitigate any possible risk to an organization. Approved users should only have access to the necessary information when they need it, from the appropriate location(s) to safeguard an organization's security at all times.

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Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is the #3 ranked solution in top Authentication Systems, #3 ranked solution in top Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) solutions, #6 ranked solution in top Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions, and #7 ranked solution in top Identity Management (IM) solutions. PeerSpot users give Fortinet FortiAuthenticator an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 57 most recent Fortinet FortiAuthenticator reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.2. (Among the lowest in the category). Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is most commonly compared to Microsoft Entra ID: Fortinet FortiAuthenticator vs Microsoft Entra ID. Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 49% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 19% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator

November 2024

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Featured reviews

Rias_Majeed

CTO at Exceed NetSec Computer Trd LLC

Customer service and support are helpful, but in the last few years, I've found that the first-level support isn't able to understand the issue. They escalate to the tier-two level, who are able to resolve it. On the first level, it takes time. Maybe they have grown too big and aren't able to give each network the unique attention it deserves. We customize some implementations, and at that time, they're not able to help because the people supporting are new and not from the field. The training seems fine, but in practice, it's different. Their support is not that great anymore. A little arrogance is there. It doesn't qualify them very well if there's arrogance in their communication. They do not understand the issue. That's why you're coming back to support. For example, one issue I'm facing is when a person leaves the organization without handing over details. They'll send an email to that person, but that person is not available. How are you going to access this email? These are a few instances where we are finding it difficult, and they take more than a week or two to resolve some issues. Their support used to be very good, but now that they're on top, they're not as responsive at the first-level support.

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Selorm Ahiataku

System&Network Administrator at Spearhead Networks

I recently was involved in an integration process involving Fortinet FortiAuthenticator, so I can't discuss whether the dashboard requires improvement. I know that I am not looking for a tool to offer the latest firmware or dashboard. I can mention other products apart from Fortinet FortiAuthenticator that need improvement. There is always scope for improvement. The customization capabilities of Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is an area of concern addressed by many of our company's clients who use the product, as they find it difficult to customize the product and include their logo and other areas that they require in the solution. The customization capability of Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is not very flexible. Some of the users of the product want to include the name of their institution in the product so that they can make it look more personalized, for which customization capabilities are required.

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Yati Gharat

Chief Technology Officer at Litmus

The security space is changing. The product must provide passwordless and seamless connectivity. If a particular user is identified automatically, they should not be authenticated repeatedly with tokens. It should be seamless. It could be a physical device, hardware, or some digital identity. Once the user logs in, they must be able to connect seamlessly. The integration with third-party tools must be better.

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Fortinet FortiAuthenticator mindshare

Product category:

As of November 2024, the mindshare of Fortinet FortiAuthenticator in the Single Sign-On (SSO) category stands at 11.3%, down from 11.4% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Single Sign-On (SSO)

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Nov 12, 2024

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator excels in integration with Fortinet products, two-factor authentication, and user management across LDAP, RADIUS, and Active Directory. It offers ease of deployment, detailed logging, centralized management, and flexibility with tokens. Enhanced security through multi-factor authentication is a key highlight. Users appreciate its cost-effectiveness, intuitive interface, scalability, and efficient access control. Integration with FortiGate and ease of use further increase its value in security environments.

"The integration into tools, including CI/CD pipelines, is easy and handy."
"We use multi-factor authentication for enhancing security."
"The response from Fortinet is very fast."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator requires an updated interface, easier integration with firewalls, and more robust documentation. Syncing high availability units should be more straightforward. They need better support for diverse protocols, more flexibility with third-party tools, and simpler customization. Cloud capabilities and improved SSO features are desired. Enhanced support and a streamlined CLI would be beneficial. Reducing costs and addressing integration challenges are also necessary improvements for many users.

"The stability of Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is rated as six out of ten, indicating some instability issues."
"The technical support could be improved as some staff lacks the necessary knowledge to assist effectively."
"FortiAuthenticator should integrate with other applications."

ROI

Many found return on investment from Fortinet FortiAuthenticator in under a year, aiding in cost reduction and security enhancement. Some reported lower returns compared to other vendors, while others have not tracked any financial returns yet. Compliance requirements and improved security, particularly with two-factor authentication, are recognized benefits. The tool reduces costs by 50% for some users. It's acknowledged for security and compliance rather than direct cost savings.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator presents a cost-effective licensing model, offering various tiers based on user requirements. The pricing is generally perceived as competitive and affordable compared to competitors like Cisco, with yearly or multiple-year licenses available. Licensing involves stackable options, ensuring scalability and ease of use. Setup costs are reasonable, sometimes including additional expenses for specific features such as FortiToken. While affordable, some consider FortiAuthenticator pricier after recent increases, positioning it as an attractive yet not the cheapest option.

"The platform is cost-effective as it does not require a separate license for SD-WAN functionality."
"The price seems okay. It's not that expensive compared to other authenticators."
"The platform provides a user-based pricing model rather than a subscription pricing model."

Popular Use Cases

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is primarily utilized for two-factor authentication, enhancing security for VPN access and desktop systems. Organizations employ it for integration with Active Directory across multiple domains, single sign-on capabilities, FortiToken management, and centralizing user identity information. It's crucial for secure access to applications, network security, and managing authentication for services within on-premise and cloud environments, especially for medium to enterprise-level companies across various industries.

Service and Support

FortiCare provides quick responses with knowledgeable staff, rated highly by users. Technical support is effective, offering prompt service, though response times vary based on the support level. Some users experience slow initial responses, requiring escalation. Fortinet offers support in multiple languages. Users highlight a mixed experience: helpful for some, but others find arrogance or inexperienced staff at lower levels. License issues can hinder support access. Major problems require advanced support for resolution.

Deployment

Many users found Fortinet FortiAuthenticator's initial setup straightforward, often depending on familiarity with the product. Some encountered challenges with specific integrations like LDAP and Active Directory, requiring support assistance. Documentation and guides were noted as helpful. Deployment times varied, ranging from hours to a few weeks, affected by integration needs and user experience. Larger or more complex environments sometimes faced longer setup periods, with advanced configurations necessitating expert involvement.

Scalability

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is highly scalable, easily supporting expansions through virtual and physical plans. No significant scalability barriers exist for those who plan deployment properly and use appropriate licensing. Most users find it scales well across medium and large enterprises, with capacities ranging significantly. The tool's scalability is generally rated between seven and ten out of ten. It easily integrates with existing systems for user management, making it suitable for diverse organizational needs.

Stability

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator demonstrates stability for many users, though some experience issues. Users report smooth operation on environments like VMware, yet larger user bases may encounter problems. There are instances of hardware failures and syncing hiccups, but integration with other products is generally positive. Stability ratings vary, with some as low as four and others as high as ten. Frequent upgrades are appreciated by some, while others face challenges in new software releases.

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

Download our Fortinet FortiAuthenticator 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

19%

Government

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Manufacturing Company

Educational Organization

University

Retailer

Construction Company

Insurance Company

Healthcare Company

Hospitality Company

Non Profit

Media Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Real Estate/Law Firm

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Outsourcing Company

Legal Firm

Transportation Company

Performing Arts

Logistics Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

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Learn more about Fortinet FortiAuthenticator

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator is available as an appliance, virtual machine, or in the cloud.

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator Methods

FSSO: FortiAuthenticator Single sign-on user will easily identify users and assign role or group access based on preset identity-based protocols. FortiAuthenticator integrates well with third-party LDAP or active directories, is very flexible, and combines these methods to provide effective security.
Active Directory Polling: Active directory access is securely identified by consistent polling of domain controllers. As users log in, username, IP address, and other details are logged into the database and can be shared across devices as directed by FortiAuthenticator protocols.
FortiAuthenticator Portal and Widgets: If a user system does not support AP polling, or for other reasons it is not feasible, FortiAuthenticator offers a unique secure authentication portal. Users can be manually authenticated and, to diminish the effect of numerous logins, an intuitive set of widgets is available to integrate into an organization's ecosystem that will automatically grant access to users when they access the organization's intranet homepage.
RADIUS Accounting Login: For organizations that use RADIUS authentication, RADIUS Accounting is available for user identification. This process will prompt user access information (IP and group, etc.) and eliminate the need for multiple levels of authentication.

Reviews from Real Users

Ernesto C., Presales Engineer at a comms service provider, shares,

”Key Features and Benefits

Two-factor/OTP Authentication with FortiToken: Enforce user-based policies. Fortitoken is available in soft and hard versions for flexible usage. Most Valuable in Mobile Phones App for OTP.
Integration with LDAP and AD: This solution integrates with existing enterprise systems and technologies from diverse vendors of user information management systems.
LPAD/AD/RADIUS/SYSLOG/KERBEROS/REST API/FSSO and Web Portals: There is flexible integration with these services.
It is usable in network, WAN, wireless, and VPN Scenarios.
The domain and guest-users support are good.”

Ibrahim M., Senior Network & Security Engineer at a tech services company, relates, "The initial setup is a valuable point on Fortinet products. Most of the time, putting the theory into practice on the devices is quite friendly and straightforward. As long as you can read English you can find your way around the solution and make it work. This is a high value point on Fortinet - the way everything is laid out in the web UI is user-friendly and quite straightforward. The UI is quite simple."

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator was previously known as FortiAuthenticator.