Fortinet FortiAuthenticator Reviews

Name: Fortinet FortiAuthenticator
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4 (56 reviews)

Vendor: Fortinet

4.0 out of 5

56 reviews
92% willing to recommend

493 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 56 most recent Fortinet FortiAuthenticator reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 7.3. (Among the highest 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 20% 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

We use the solution for identity access management. The people who manage our network devices use the tool as an SSO tool for security or interconnectivity. We use it for remote access, too. We use it in our environment and three of our clients’ environments. We haven’t faced any issues The…

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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 Oct 9, 2024

Valuable Features

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator offers valuable features such as seamless integration with Fortinet products, two-factor authentication, and single sign-on capability. It supports LDAP, RADIUS, and other credential sources. Users appreciate its centralized user identity management, ease of setup, and intuitive user interface. It enhances security with strong authentication methods, including OTP and tokens, and allows efficient user management. It provides cost-effective, scalable performance and secure access control.

"The response from Fortinet is very fast."
"The tool's most valuable features are push notifications and integration with the FortiGate firewall. Push notifications provide an instant acceptance mechanism. When customers try to access SSL VPN, the solution sends a push notification to their mobile phone, and they can easily approve the access. The integration with FortiGate firewall is very easy if our customers use FortiGate for their firewall."
"It has simplified network management, reduced operational costs, and ensured seamless connectivity across all our sites."

Room for Improvement

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator users note that the GUI is outdated and difficult to navigate. They report challenges with integration, especially with third-party applications. Configuration often requires the command line, which is not user-friendly. Users also express the need for improved documentation and support. The synchronization process and compatibility with other systems can be problematic, and some advocate for more automation and a cloud-based version. Customization options are limited, particularly for branding and personalized settings.

"FortiAuthenticator should integrate with other applications."
"I think the tool could provide this solution on the cloud. It's currently an on-premises solution. A cloud-based version could make setup, installation, and management easier. With on-premises, you must pay capital expenses (CapEx) upfront. However, if the solution was cloud-based, it would be operational expenses (OpEx), which is often easier to manage. You can pay monthly instead of paying the total cost at once. In my opinion, OpEx is more easily manageable than CapEx."
"The solution's command line interface could be improved to provide better support for low-level debugging and advanced configurations."

ROI

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator has varying impacts on financial returns. Some achieve returns in under a year and experience cost reductions, particularly through enhanced security and compliance with two-factor authentication. Others find it challenging to quantify returns or see it as more of a necessary expense rather than a cost-saving measure. Some organizations have yet to evaluate financial benefits. For many, it's essential for improving security and reducing unauthorized access despite sometimes offering a lower financial return compared to other vendors.

Pricing

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator offers competitive and reasonably priced licensing compared to similar products. Licenses are stackable, allowing enterprises to choose based on the number of users. Pricing can range from $1,600 to $2,500 for around 100 users, with additional costs for features like FortiToken. Annual or multi-year payment options are available. Customers find setup costs acceptable, and many appreciate the lack of recurring license fees. The product remains more affordable than competitors like Cisco ISE.

"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 utilized by companies to implement two-factor authentication for VPN and desktop access, manage identity information, and centralize authentication across multiple domains and environments. Organizations integrate it with active directories for user authentication, ensuring secure access to various services including SSL VPN, office email, and internal applications. It supports FortiToken management and serves as a multifunctional security tool for authentication and authorization processes across different network scenarios.

Service and Support

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator customer service and support are generally considered responsive and knowledgeable. Many users appreciate the promptness and effective solutions provided, with diverse language support available. Some mention the quality varies at different support levels, with tier-two often offering more accurate resolutions. Occasional feedback highlights delays in resolving complex issues and suggests potential improvements in addressing critical situations promptly. Nevertheless, many users rate their overall experiences positively, valuing the knowledgeable assistance received.

Deployment

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator's initial setup varies in complexity. Many users find it straightforward and manageable with the right knowledge. Resources such as guides and support aid the setup. It typically ranges from hours to weeks, depending on integration needs and user expertise. LDAP and directory integration can pose challenges, requiring external assistance. Training improves ease of setup, but new users might face difficulties, especially with network configurations.

Scalability

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator allows seamless expansion, supporting thousands of users. The virtual device is easily scalable with additional licenses and fits various company sizes. It requires proper initial sizing, certified personnel for setup, and it’s effective across medium to large enterprises. Licenses can scale up, suitable for VPN access and other applications. While considered scalable, effectiveness varies based on business needs, with ratings often around eight or nine out of ten.

Stability

Stability for Fortinet FortiAuthenticator receives mixed feedback. Numerous users find it highly stable, often rating it between eight and ten out of ten, noting no significant issues. Some report minor syncing hiccups with Active Directory. Others experience initial setup problems, necessitating replacements. Challenges arise with large user numbers or new software releases, causing temporary instability. Despite these issues, the platform integrates well, remaining largely reliable and stable across varied environments.

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

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Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

20%

Government

Financial Services Firm

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

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University

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Healthcare Company

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Media Company

Wholesaler/Distributor

Real Estate/Law Firm

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Recreational Facilities/Services 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.