FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) Reviews

Name: FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF)
Brand: Fortinet
Rating: 4.3 (13 reviews)

4.3 out of 5

13 reviews
100% willing to recommend

What is FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF)?

FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (CNF) is a cloud-native, next-generation firewall as a service (FWaaS) that delivers enterprise-grade security for dynamic cloud environments like AWS and Azure.

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FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) is the #8 ranked solution in top Firewall Security Management solutions. PeerSpot users give FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) an average rating of 8.6 out of 10. FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) is most commonly compared to Fortinet FortiGate Cloud: FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) vs Fortinet FortiGate Cloud. FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 50% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a manufacturing company, accounting for 18% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Firewall Security Management

March 2025

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Featured FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) reviews

MuhammadJahangir

Senior Manager Tech Compliance at Qenta Inc.

We are using two Fortinet firewalls. One is as an office firewall for all users behind it, configured with remote VPN for users working from home. The other firewall is for production use, with our applications behind it, ensuring PCI DSS compliance. It is deployed in AWS Cloud FortiGate has…

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Uri Harf

Technical Presales at A.G.A.S. מחשוב ותקשורת לעסקים

We use FortiGate firewalls for endpoint protection and communication lines, and we have some Cloud-Native and local appliances for VPN connections or multiple sites FortiGate provides features such as Internet connections, monitoring, VPN, WiFi management, and centralized management system with…

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Noor-E-MozammilAlighan

Senior IT Engineer at NMA Technologies Services Ltd

Unlike other products, the FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall has many features under one appliance. For example, you have only two interfaces with Cisco Meraki for SD-WAN, but with the FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall, you can have multiple ports in one interface. The solution has some vulnerabilities, but the good thing is that whenever there are any vulnerabilities, you have a new patch within one or two weeks. They are improving their service and putting in more features. They are also improving the CPU and traffic part. People like the solution because it is reliable. Apart from that, the solution has been among the leaders in the Gartner report for more than four to five years.

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FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) mindshare

As of March 2025, the mindshare of FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) in the Firewall Security Management category stands at 1.8%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Firewall Security Management

Key learnings from peers

Last updated Mar 16, 2025

Valuable Features

FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) offers Advanced Threat Protection, a comprehensive feature set under one appliance, scalability, and reliability. Users value the setup ease, efficient monitoring, and cost-effectiveness. It supports multiple ports, third-party software, and efficient traffic management. Unified Threat Management, URL filtering, and intrusion prevention enhance cloud security. Regional support and documentation are effective. Visibility to logs aids InfraSec teams. Regular updates address vulnerabilities promptly.

"FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall provides the same features that higher-end models offer, but at a much lower cost."
"Support is excellent. There is local support through the distributor, which is efficient and provides a friendly relationship."
"FortiGate provides features such as Internet connections, monitoring, VPN, WiFi management, and centralized management system with FortiManager."

Room for Improvement

FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) requires enhancements in DNS options, stability, and support services. There is a need for more affordable pricing and flexible licensing. The device lacks sufficient processing power for extensive DPI and AI-based capabilities, leading to performance issues in large-scale networks. Better resources for migration management and clearer upgrade process descriptions are necessary. Challenges with SSL certificates and clustering configurations need addressing, alongside improvements in international threat monitoring.

"There are some bugs that need to be fixed, and they can take some time to resolve."
"The prices for FortiGate are way too high and are perceived as overpriced."
"The prices for FortiGate are way too high and are perceived as overpriced."

ROI

Users mention FortiGate CNF delivers solid returns through technical upgrades and excellent service. It provides a superior return compared to limited alternatives, especially avoiding some Chinese options, and proves cheaper. The cost stands favorably against Cisco ASA in terms of features, offering one license that saves money and time. Significant reduction in CapEx costs is noted, as FortiGate CNF offers features comparable to higher-end models at a lower price.

Pricing

FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall pricing is perceived variably by enterprises. Some view it as expensive, while others find it competitive or cheap. Users appreciate its cost-effectiveness, with licenses providing numerous features that save costs compared to competing solutions like Cisco ASA. Licensing is described as affordable and annual. Many organizations note a good price-to-value correlation, and although some consider it pricey, others see it as a cost-effective option among similar products.

"FortiGate's price is really good."
"It is an expensive platform."
"The tool's licensing costs are cheap and yearly."

Popular Use Cases

FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) is utilized for cybersecurity, stopping cyber threats, detecting incidents, and maintaining hygiene. It's employed for web filtering, IPS, DDoS protection, and IP segment VPNs. Organizations use it for virtualization, malware protection, and VPNs. FortiGate CNF implements zero trust policies, secures communication lines, and manages firewall security by acting as a layer 3 router. It's deployed in AWS Cloud and enhances cloud security by securing APIs and perimeter fiber.

Service and Support

FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) technical assistance is rated positively. Users commend expertise, particularly in telecom sectors, ensuring issues are handled professionally. Local distributor support is efficient and personable. Some users highlight the need for regular training, especially in regions lacking it. Though certain bugs require time for fixes, customer service is generally reliable. Feedback suggests varying satisfaction levels, with ratings around seven to eight out of ten for support quality.

Deployment

FortiGate CNF setup varies in complexity based on user expertise and network size. Those familiar with security and networking find it straightforward, often requiring minimal personnel. However, less experienced users encounter challenges. Deployment typically takes a few hours to days, with teams of varying sizes. Complex network configurations can complicate the process, but many find it user-friendly and efficient. Issues can arise during initial large-scale setups, highlighting the importance of expertise and planning.

Scalability

FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall offers impressive scalability, accommodating diverse needs across varying user numbers. It effectively supports medium and enterprise-level operations, with the ability to scale hardware as user demands grow. It's praised for handling large-scale operations efficiently. FortiGate CNF is ideal for both medium-sized and enterprise businesses, providing customizable configurations for up to hundreds of users. The platform's structure requires adherence to specific tools, and while currently stable, there is room for enhancing its adaptability with future improvements.

Stability

Users report FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) as highly stable, with no bugs, crashes, or freezes. Many rate its stability at nine or nine and a half out of ten. It effectively supports infrastructure security needs and users rarely experience issues. The platform's capabilities provide confidence, and client feedback suggests consistent performance without disruptions.

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

Download our Firewall Security Management Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Manufacturing Company

18%

Computer Software Company

16%

Financial Services Firm

11%

Media Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Insurance Company

Government

Cloud Solution Provider

Construction Company

Healthcare Company

Hospitality Company

Non Profit

Wholesaler/Distributor

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Pharma/Biotech Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Comms Service Provider

Translation And Localization Position

Transportation Company

Logistics Company

Compare FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF) with alternative products

Learn more about FortiGate Cloud-Native Firewall (FortiGate CNF)

FortiGate CNF offers seamless protection by automatically scaling to meet the needs of modern cloud environments. By focusing on threat prevention for malware, data exfiltration, botnets, and compliance violations, it simplifies operations and reduces costs by being managed entirely by Fortinet. With capabilities like intrusion prevention, web filtering, and DNS security, FortiGate CNF integrates smoothly with cloud service tools such as AWS Firewall Manager, ensuring centralized policy management across cloud and on-premise deployments.

What are the core features?

Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): Protects against known and emerging threats without sacrificing performance.
Web Filtering: Monitors and controls access to web resources to prevent malicious content.
DNS Security: Protects against DNS-based threats and improves network reliability.
East-West Traffic Security: Prevents lateral movement of threats across different trust zones.
Outbound Traffic Inspection: Ensures outgoing traffic is inspected and filtered to prevent data leaks to malicious destinations.

What benefits can users expect?

Cost Efficiency: Lower operational costs with cloud-native management and simplified security operations.
Scalability: Automatic scaling matches the elastic nature of cloud environments without manual intervention.
Integration: Seamless connection with existing FortiManager deployments and cloud service tools for enhanced management.
Comprehensive Threat Protection: Offers advanced threat detection and prevention for securing workloads effectively.

FortiGate CNF is particularly useful in industries that require stringent security measures, offering flexible, scalable protection while simplifying compliance management in sectors like finance, healthcare, and technology. By integrating with existing infrastructures, it provides robust security aligned with industry-specific needs.