Try our new research platform with insights from 80,000+ expert users

Forescout Platform vs Fortinet FortiNAC comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 5, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Customer Service

Sentiment score
7.3
Customer service excels in responsiveness; technical support praised but some report slow Tier 1 responses and mixed experiences.
Sentiment score
9.0
Fortinet FortiNAC's support is responsive with effective community forums, but faces issues with expertise, documentation, and communication.
 

Room For Improvement

Sentiment score
3.8
Forescout users seek improved accuracy, interfaces, integration, support, analytics, and scalability, highlighting needs in usability, training, and communication.
Sentiment score
4.7
Fortinet FortiNAC faces challenges in user-friendliness, integration, learning curve, support, compatibility, pricing, and configuration complexity.
 

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.4
Forescout Platform offers scalable management for diverse users and devices, supporting seamless integration and deployment across industries.
Sentiment score
8.0
Fortinet FortiNAC is highly scalable, adaptable for various environments, and praised for flexible licensing and system integration.
 

Setup Cost

Sentiment score
3.4
Forescout Platform offers flexible, endpoint-based licensing for enterprises, considered expensive yet competitive, with discounts potentially available.
No sentiment score available
Fortinet FortiNAC pricing is high but competitive, offering feature-rich value, with reasonable maintenance for prioritized visibility and control.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.8
Forescout Platform is praised for reliability but has occasional issues resolved quickly; users rate it 7-10 out of 10.
Sentiment score
7.9
Fortinet FortiNAC is generally stable, with occasional issues during updates and HA setups, improving in recent versions.
 

Valuable Features

Sentiment score
7.6
Forescout Platform enhances network security with agentless visibility, flexible access control, and real-time threat detection for diverse environments.
Sentiment score
8.3
Fortinet FortiNAC delivers IoT visibility, compliance checks, automation, security, user-friendly interfaces, and integration, enhancing device management flexibility.
 

Categories and Ranking

Forescout Platform
Ranking in Network Access Control (NAC)
4th
Average Rating
8.4
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
75
Ranking in other categories
IoT Security (1st), Endpoint Compliance (4th), Extended Detection and Response (XDR) (16th)
Fortinet FortiNAC
Ranking in Network Access Control (NAC)
3rd
Average Rating
7.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
53
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of November 2024, in the Network Access Control (NAC) category, the mindshare of Forescout Platform is 13.8%, up from 12.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortinet FortiNAC is 17.7%, up from 15.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Network Access Control (NAC)
 

Q&A Highlights

it_user781137 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 24, 2018
 

Featured Reviews

Odai Halawani - PeerSpot reviewer
It's an easy and effective solution, especially for device profiling without agents
Forescout Platform's most valuable aspect is its excellent device profiling for devices without agents, which is crucial for our work due to challenges with agent-based devices. Its isolation and blocking actions are particularly effective for network security. The device compliance feature helps us ensure device compliance through immediate actions like updating antivirus software. We have already integrated Forescout with antivirus and vulnerability assessment tools, allowing it to monitor vulnerability scores and automatically isolate devices if critical vulnerabilities are detected.
Batu Akalin - PeerSpot reviewer
I like the solution's native integration with other devices from the same vendor
I like FortiNAC's integration with other Fortinet devices. They work together well, but the solution also works with other network devices. FortiNAC has improved our security posture because we made some use-case scenarios for unauthorized devices. When unauthorized device IDs enter our network, and the associated team sees a new device, they can block the attackers.
report
Use our free recommendation engine to learn which Network Access Control (NAC) solutions are best for your needs.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
 

Answers from the Community

it_user781137 - PeerSpot reviewer
Sep 24, 2018
Sep 24, 2018
Thank for your nice works. I am working on the similar type comparison between Fortescout, FortiNAC(Bradford) and ISE for a project in a healthcare organization.
See 2 answers
Sep 7, 2018
Hi Nkwa, I did some research comparing ForeScout with ClearPass. Fundamentally they do the same but in a very different ways. It is important to understand these differences and how they could help you to achieve or not what you need in your organization. I will only point these differences and not every single detail. This is based on my own experience and I do not represent either ForeScout or Aruba ClearPass. DISCOVERY PROCESS / Profiler - METHODS. • NetFlow or SFlow: ForeScout do not support Sflow only NetFlow. Is this important? Yes, it is if your switches are not Cisco or any other vendor that support the NetFlow protocol. ForeScout says: "This capability becomes more relevant in large scale deployments, where the CounterACT packet engine is limited in its "ability to detect activity in remote sites and branch offices". Use of information reported by NetFlow improves visibility and speeds detection of new endpoints." Reference: https:\www.forescout.com\wp-content\uploads\2018\04\CounterACT_NetFlow_1.2.pdf Page 3. ClearPass: NetFlow V5/V9 and V10 aka IPFIX + sFLOW are supported. Reference: https://www.arubanetworks.com/techdocs/ClearPass/CP_ReleaseNotes_6.6.3/Content/WhatsNew/NewFeatures_ProfilerNWDiscovery.htm ORCHESTRATE = Integration/Collaboration with other Systems. ForeScout: * ForeScout is able to interchange contextual information with 3rd party solutions, however the most of the contextual collaboration capabilities are available using an Extended Module option and ForeScout charges separately for this. Reference Links: https://www.forescout.com/platform/extended-modules/#cmt https://www.cdw.com/product/forescout-extended-module-for-palo-alto-networks-next-generation-firewall/4589573 https://www.cdw.com/search/?key=forescout&searchscope=all&sr=1 Clear Pass: * 140+ Integrations are included as part of the core solution. Basically, you can integrate ClearPass to anything in your IT infrastructure at no extra cost to share contextual information. Firewalls, MDM, TicketSystem, SIEM, etc.. Using build-in Modules or APIs. You can request as well customized APIs. Reference Link https://www.arubanetworks.com/partners/programs/security-exchange/ Reference Link https://www.arubanetworks.com/assets/so/SO_ClearPassExchange.pdf AGENT OR AGENTLESS? Basically, an agent based solution needs a software installed, while an agentless approach don't. Independently of what NAC solution you will use, it is important to understand if you need or not an agent. When a device connects to a network, the agent software performs some actions that have been defined in a central access controller or policy management platform. If persistent, the agent performs auto-remediation functions during a connection and will permanently monitor the device throughout a session to “fix” things that may change. The dissolvable agent: a user clicks on a web portal link to download the agent, which authenticates the user and device, checks the endpoint for compliance, and allows access to the network if policy conditions are met. It then disappears until the user runs it again. ForeScout ForeScout is proud to claim that they don’t require an agent (agentless approach NAC) but this is not completely true. ForeScout needs a “dissolvable agent” for authorization & compliance of unmanaged assets e.g. Employee BYOD, Contractor Laptops, printers, CCTV cameras, Smart TVs, etc. Agentless is fine when all your devices are Windows and all of them are under your management. For none windows devices you will need the dissolvable agent to perform health check and remediation. Based on this explanation having an agent or not is irrelevant for most of the cases. there many identities sources from where you can extract contextual information to help the NAC to do his work, examples are: AD, Wireless AP, End-Point protection software, SCCM, MDM, the Switches, the Firewall, etc... To do this you need integration, this is possible with ForeScout using the extended module /Plugins and normally paying the extra cost. Reference Link: https://www.forescout.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/Agentless-Visibility-and-Control-ForeScout-White-Paper.pdf ClearPass Clear pass can run with an agent and without the agent. It hast the persistence option, the dissolvable option for BYOD and Guest devices. It can be easily integrated to the mentioned identity stores at no extra cost. https://www.bradfordnetworks.com/agent-based-agent-less-other-understanding-the-different-ways-to-enable-nac/ http://community.arubanetworks.com/t5/Technology-Blog/When-and-why-agents-for-NAC-It-s-not-a-Secret/ba-p/256672 https://community.extremenetworks.com/extreme/topics/nac-vs-seperate-radius-server 802.1X RADIUS AUTHENTICATION OR NOT Here is one of the major differences. Both support Radius authentication. ClearPass see it like the most secure way to protect your network and ForeScout see it like something complex that you should try to avoid if possible, in my opinion. ForeScout * says: 802.1X presents several deployments, operational and troubleshooting challenges, particularly on wired networks. * To perform RADIUS-based network authentication you need a “Plugin” to forward the authentication requests to an external authentication Sever, like the Microsoft NPS. Page 10, Reference link , you will need as well a Switch Plugin for wired network RADIUS-based deployment and a Wireless plugin for wireless network RADIUS-based deployment. All this sounds like a complexity to me. * By not having 802.1x configured you save also configuring all switches on your network. Which is not a big problem because you do this once during the useful life of the switch. * Not build-in TACACS+ - centralized remote authentication to network devices like switches, routers, etc. Reference Link: https://www.forescout.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/CounterACT_RADIUS_4.3.pdf ClearPass: * Is build-in CA and if you like you can use an external CA as well. * Centralizing the radius authentication make the administration and configuration very easy because you don’t have to manage the NAC and the CA separated. * No plugin is needed for non-802.1x Auth and non-domain joined devices. In this case you can enforce machine authentication and many other security layers to allow non-domain devices to safely connect without a certificate. * non-domain devices can automatically or manually be provisioned using a guest network and dissolvable agent. * Integration with the Aruba Wireless system for Radius Authentication is very easy (if you own an Aruba Wireless Infrastructure) and no extra cost. You must configure your switches to work with 802.1x. This can be easily done using a template on HPE IMC. • Build in TACACS+ DEPLOYMENT AND INITIAL POLICY SETUP: ForeScout: preferred method is: I let you in then I find out who you are. • ForeScout CounterACT propose the Post-connect deployment strategy for network visibility and access control in which endpoints are initially allowed access to the network while CounterACT profiles them to determine ownership and compliance. Access to the network is then adjusted based on profiling results and security policy. Reference link: https://www.forescout.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/CounterACT-Deployment-Guide-Wired-Post-Connect.pdf This makes sense on new deployments because the NAC can be configured transparent to the end user with no dramatic impact. My question is: What is the process after deployment? Do I let you in then I find a good policy for you? ClearPass: preferred method is: I let you in if you tell me something about you. Then depending on the roles/policies this unknown device will be moved to a quarantine VLAN for remediation or moved to a dead end VLAN. At the same time this will trigger a ticket to helpdesk and a message to the user to know what is happening and what is the next step. SUPPORT, SERVICE and DOCUMENTATION: ForeScout: • The references are very good everywhere you read in internet. Also, the expertise of their engineers. You can browse a little and it won't be hard to find references. Online support, documentation, communities (forescout Chatter), etc. Aruba/HPE The references are very good everywhere you read in internet. Also, the expertise of their engineers. You can browse anywhere on internet and it won't be hard to find references. Online support, documentation, communities (aruba airheads), etc. PRICE: This will depend on many factors. I would suggest that you consult both and make your own decision.
ZF
Sep 24, 2018
Thank for your nice works. I am working on the similar type comparison between Fortescout, FortiNAC(Bradford) and ISE for a project in a healthcare organization.
 

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Educational Organization
32%
Computer Software Company
10%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Government
7%
Educational Organization
34%
Computer Software Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
6%
Financial Services Firm
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What advice do you have for others considering Forescout Platform?
Forescout is a very powerful NAC product that does not rely on port level configuration. It can detect and block unauthorized devices very quickly. But it has a lot of capabilities and really would...
What advice do you have for others considering Forescout Platform?
I would rate the Forescout Device and Visibility Control Platform at a six out of ten.
What advice do you have for others considering Forescout Platform?
I recommend doing a compression demo. If people use it, they will buy it. So they have to see the product in place. That's the main recommendation is to do a proof of concept. If they do, they will...
What is the biggest difference between Aruba ClearPass and FortiNAC?
I've done quite a lot of work with ClearPass, and not a lot with FortiNAC/Bradford. ClearPass incorporates a number of different functions including ClearPass Guest for creating complex wireless g...
How does Cisco ISE compare with Fortinet FortiNAC?
Cisco ISE uses AI endpoint analytics to identify new devices based on their behavior. It will also notify you if someone plugs in with a device that is not allowed and will block it. The user exper...
What do you like most about Fortinet FortiNAC?
The support responds to our queries within two to four hours.
 

Also Known As

Forescout Platform, CounterACT for Endpoint Compliance, ForeScout CounterACT
FortiNAC, Bradford Networks, Bradford Networks Sentry, Network Sentry Family
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

NHS Sussex, SAP, SEGA, Vistaprint, Miami Children's Hospital, Pioneer Investments, New York Law School, OmnicomGroup, Meritrust
Isavia, Pepperdine University, Medical University of South Carolina, Columbia University Medical Center, Utah Valley University
Find out what your peers are saying about Forescout Platform vs. Fortinet FortiNAC and other solutions. Updated: October 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.