Our clients use the solution to ensure their environment is secured on all the layers. The application layer all the way to the networking. That's one of the main reasons they use the product in their environment.
Core Network Team Lead at Green Enterprise Solutions (Pty) Ltd
A user-friendly and easy-to-install product that has a seamless performance
Pros and Cons
- "The product is user-friendly and not complex."
- "The solution must improve the support provided for customers around the globe, considering the time differences in different places."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
It's a seamless product, and it's not buggy. The updates we receive from FortiGate are one of the most important features. The product is user-friendly and not complex.
What needs improvement?
The solution must improve the support provided for customers around the globe, considering the time differences in different places. The product could add some functionalities and features provided by its competitors to stay ahead in the market.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for two years.
Buyer's Guide
FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW). Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
823,875 professionals have used our research since 2012.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The product is stable. We haven't had issues so far. I rate the stability a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable in most cases. It all depends on the customer's requirements. We haven't yet come across a situation whereby scaling is not possible. Our clients are small, medium, and enterprise businesses. Currently, one of our customers is not able to reach the specific level of scalability that they require so far. I rate the scalability an eight out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
The support is great. However, support needs to improve constantly. Even though they are good, they should try to stay ahead of the competitors.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The solution is easy to install. The ease of setup depends upon the customer’s requirements. I rate the ease of setup a ten out of ten.
What about the implementation team?
The time to deploy the product depends on the clients’ requirements because we have to work hand in hand with the service provider. If we have to terminate a link on the firewall and everything from the networking perspective is all in place, it might just take a couple of minutes to deploy.
We need just need one to three engineers to deploy the solution. It depends on the magnitude of the client. The solution requires maintenance. More than three people are needed to maintain the product.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The product is a little bit expensive. The certifications cost $400. Other vendors provide it for an average of $200 to $300. The product has an annual licensing fee. Additional costs depend on the user's requirements.
What other advice do I have?
People looking to use the product must ensure they have enough engineers who know how to work with it. Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
IT Support at GK Auto
Secure, stable, and provides excellent filtering features
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is secure."
- "The performance can be improved."
What is our primary use case?
We use the solution in our network.
What is most valuable?
IPsec is valuable. Internet filters are valuable features. The solution is secure. The VPN is good.
What needs improvement?
The performance can be improved.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The tool is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have around 90 users.
How are customer service and support?
We contacted support while we worked with IPsec. The support team helped us.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The deployment of IPsec took around 5 hours for 90 users.
What was our ROI?
The security provided by the product is our return on investment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The tool is moderately priced. We pay $500 per year for the license.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, I rate the product a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Last updated: Jun 15, 2024
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FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW)
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW). Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
823,875 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Network Presales Engineer at a computer software company with 501-1,000 employees
A scalable solution that allows easy integration with Fortinet defense systems
Pros and Cons
- "I like the common administration and the possibility of adding Fortinet defense systems."
- "I see problems with the licensing. If I have to add a new feature, we need to add a license."
What is our primary use case?
We use FortiGate Next Generation Firewall first and foremost for the main site's security, remote sites, and establishing the connection between the firewalls they use. More recently, we have been using it when implementing SD-WAN.
How has it helped my organization?
The total ownership of equipment has several benefits when using one platform for administration. Training is then more focus-oriented to technology like Fabric. From the operations point of view, we have better savings by using this solution.
What is most valuable?
I like the common administration and the possibility of adding Fortinet defense systems.
What needs improvement?
I see problems with the licensing. If I have to add a new feature, we need to add a license. There may then be extra costs for our maintenance budget.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for the past five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Fortigate is very stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
FortiGate is a very scalable solution.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We used SonicWall. We switched to FortiGate looking for better security technology, and better fabric technology based on security. In this approach, FortiGate is still better than SonicWall.
How was the initial setup?
With the initial setup, it's important to sit with the team to establish the application and the main issues to get the best possible script to implement in Fortinet equipment. We had to spend some time to implement it better.
Deployment could take one week, depending on the site, or even three weeks to implement the solution. Around four people were involved in the deployment.
What about the implementation team?
We contacted an external company to provide some professional services through engineers who have better experience in certain kinds of implementations.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is better compared to other solutions like Check Point, Arista, or Cisco.
What other advice do I have?
To anyone who plans on supporting this solution, refer to training resources in the Fortinet training center. There are people who have some experience that could provide some guidelines to people who start with basic issues and basic tasks, to then grow with experience by implementing some maintenance windows. I rate FortiGate Next Generation Firewall a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
IT Manager at Heat and Control
Scalable platform with efficient filtering features
Pros and Cons
- "FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) 's most valuable features are reporting and filtering."
- "The product's data guard feature should support a USB port when the internet connection is unavailable."
What is our primary use case?
We use the product for security and filtering purposes.
How has it helped my organization?
The product helps block multiple ports during ransomware attacks.
What is most valuable?
FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) 's most valuable features are reporting and filtering.
What needs improvement?
The product's data guard feature should support a USB port when the internet connection is unavailable.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) for three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the platform's stability a ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Our organization has 500 FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) users. We utilize the platform 24/7. I rate its scalability a ten out of ten.
How was the initial setup?
The platform's initial setup process is easy. I rate the process a ten out of ten. It takes a couple of days. The deployment involves integrating it with SSO in FortiGate. It helps with filtering access to user accounts through Active Directory. One executive is required for deployment. Additionally, one executive is needed to take care of packet updates for maintenance.
What about the implementation team?
We implemented the product with the help of our in-house team.
What other advice do I have?
I rate FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Information Security Manager at Konew Fintech Corporation Limited
The solution helped improve our security through its encryption and integrated security features
Pros and Cons
- "There are multiple features I have found to be valuable, such as encryption and integrated security features."
- "The management consoles can be improved."
What is our primary use case?
I use FortiGate Next Generation Firewall for network protection using its DMZ network.
How has it helped my organization?
The solution has helped our network security.
What is most valuable?
There are multiple features I have found to be valuable, such as encryption and integrated security features.
What needs improvement?
The management consoles can be improved. I have used them before, and they are not so good.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using FortiGate Next Generation Firewall for over two years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the solution eight out of ten points for stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate the solution eight out of ten points for scalability. Over 200 people use it, some of whom are in IT.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I used Palo Alto more than a year ago at my previous job.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was easy, I rate it a nine out of ten. Deployment took several days, involving one or two people. The steps involved in the process are design, configuration and implementation, testing and implementation, and also some fine-tuning.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I would rate pricing to be about four or five out of ten, it is reasonable.
What other advice do I have?
I recommend this solution because the price is reasonable and the performance is quite good. Overall I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Technical Officer at Leads Innovation
An easy-to-deploy solution with a seamless user interface and a helpful support team
Pros and Cons
- "The usability of the solution is its best feature."
- "Being a great product, some changes in the pricing would make it a great choice for even more organizations."
What is most valuable?
The usability of the solution is its best feature. The product has a great UI. The UI is seamless and easier to navigate compared to other firewalls. The reporting and logging are good too. Additionally, Fortinet Security Fabric is another great feature.
What needs improvement?
Being a great product, some changes in the pricing would make it a great choice for even more organizations.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for two to three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I rate the tool’s stability a nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Currently, we have around ten customers. Our customers are mostly medium-sized businesses. We also have small and enterprise-level customers.
I rate the tool’s scalability a nine out of ten. FortiGate's VDOM is a great feature for scalability.
How are customer service and support?
Support is good. A local organization provides us with first-level support. I have raised a few cases with them.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
I rate the ease of setup a nine out of ten. Most organizations like to have everything deployed within the premises. The initial setup can be done within a few hours if the planning is done beforehand. The policies and other requirements are added gradually.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
In our country, pricing is very important. The product is not cheap. Although companies do invest in one-time setup, retaining license renewal is not the same for every organization. I rate the pricing a five out of ten. Support should be purchased as per various levels and other licenses for security features, like Application Control and Web Filtering, should also be purchased.
What other advice do I have?
Overall, it is a great technology to use. It is imperative to train employees to get the best out of the product and robust implementation. FortiGate has a great learning platform and commendable documentation for that which should be utilized. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
Technical Support Engineer at ITCG SOlutions Pvt Ltd
A feature-rich solution that offers application blocking, web protection, and IPS, with a need to improve its support and pricing
Pros and Cons
- "It is easy to install. There is not much complexity involved."
- "The pricing of the solution is expensive, so it could be cheaper."
What is our primary use case?
The main use case of FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is that it is used to search for a firewall whenever we need to connect multiple sites to a VPN. At times, the solution needs a web filter or a particular filter. With the IPS and the cloud protection on the gateway, we are also looking for a firewall that can act as zero-depth protection.
What is most valuable?
The solution's most important feature is that it will work on the app whenever we block the application order, making it a plus point for the NGFW firewall. The solution also works with all the other web protection aspects, because of which we get everything in a single box.
What needs improvement?
There are multiple firewalls, and I mainly worked with Sophos and FortiGate. To weigh the pros and cons, different types and aspects should be considered in different firewalls.
The support for FortiGate in the Indian region can be improved along with the scalability. The pricing of the solution is expensive, so it could be cheaper.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have worked as a system integrator with FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) for five years.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We can say that the solution's scalability is moderate. It is not that easy, nor too hard. If the technician is sound, then he can understand the solution easily.
Our customers include small, medium, and enterprise businesses.
How are customer service and support?
In India, support takes some time. If the call gets connected outside India, then it is very good. SonicWall has the best support, and Sophos also offers good support. For FortiGate, the support in the Indian region can be improved.
As for the rating, I would say that FortiGate offers very good support. Once we get the support, it is very good. However, the support team is not connecting as easily as we require. If the issue is too critical, the process becomes more complicated for us. I rate the support an eight out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I mainly worked with Sophos and FortiGate. I have used different solutions depending on the customer's requirements. We can suggest a particular solution to a customer based on their needs. Every firewall solution has its own pros and cons, which we just bifurcate as per the customer's requirement.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is easy if I am going to talk about Sophos' and FortiGate's installation. It is easy to install. There is not much complexity involved.
As for deployment, it depends on the customer's requirements. But the average time is 3 to 4 hours. At times, deployment takes 12 to 13 hours, but it depends on the model and the configuration.
It takes two engineers to deploy the product. One of them is the deployment engineer, and one is an architect.
The solution is deployed on-premises.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is more expensive than Sophos. It could be cheaper. The licensing is on a yearly basis. We have had it for about three years. We must only pay extra for the license, additional requirements, and the hardware box.
What other advice do I have?
I am fine with the solution's interface. The solution is easy to use. FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW) is a base product, and anyone can use it. I recommend it to those planning to use it.
There is not much maintenance for FortiGate Next Generation Firewall (NGFW). OEM provides the support. Whenever it becomes complicated or any issues come up, we can call OEM directly, and they are always available to help.
Overall, I would rate it ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Integrator
Product Manager at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
A highly stable and scalable solution for security with easy setup
Pros and Cons
- "FortiGate is a rapidly growing vendor with a wide range of ready-to-use products. Their delivery time is remarkably quick, usually between two to four weeks."
- "FortiGate NGFW can improve technical support. The engineer who answers the technical support call, email, or phone call, whatever the medium may be. The response time is very bad."
What is our primary use case?
We are a distributor of Fortinet products. My role primarily involves importing these products and delivering them to our partners and resellers, who in turn sell them to the end customers.
What is most valuable?
FortiGate is a rapidly growing vendor with a wide range of ready-to-use products. Their delivery time is remarkably quick, usually between two to four weeks. They provide excellent support, especially when it comes to helping resellers who may encounter implementation issues with Fortinet. The technical presales and support teams are readily available to assist them. So, there are definitely several benefits to working with Fortinet.
The interface, pricing, and support are good. FortiGate release new patches and offers regularly. In the integration file, they don't have anything to add because they have a very wide portfolio and models in the next-generation firewalls. FortiGate has a variety of add-on license tools that can be applied to the firewall.
FortiGate should continue to push them to continue to grow up as they've been growing for the last eight years.
What needs improvement?
FortiGate NGFW can improve technical support. The engineer who answers the technical support call, email, or phone call, whatever the medium may be. The response time is very bad.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with FortiGate Next Generation Firewall for eight years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
We don't have broken devices to be repaired or replaced with new ones, so they are very stable while working.
I rate the solution’s stability a ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate the solution’s scalability a ten out of ten.
We have all types of business models and customers in our portfolio, such as the midsized business, enterprise, entry-level, and small businesses. We are working with all of that with all of the Fortinet solutions.
How are customer service and support?
The customer support is very slow. The engineer who answers the technical support call, email, or phone call, whatever the medium may be. The response time is very bad.
On the other hand, Cisco takes one or two hours to respond, while Fortinet takes a few days. This is an area that they could improve on a global scale.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of the solution is easy, which is the most important feature for in-domain-wide resellers, partners, and customers. In the end, if you want to use Fortinet as a firewall administrator in your network, it is highly recommended because it is extremely easy to set up, especially for first-time users.
Even if you have previous experience with Cisco or Check Point, setting up Fortinet is easy. It is a very user-friendly configuration.
I rate the solution setup a ten out of ten. It is very user-friendly.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall is cheaper than Cisco or CheckPoint or Palo Alto and more expensive than Barracuda or Sophos or any smaller brands. The prices fit right where they are on the global market.
What other advice do I have?
I advise you to buy it ASAP because it's a very good product.
From my experience as a distributor, some customers don't buy technical support on the devices. They buy only devices. I will advise them to buy the technical support of FortiCare service. In that case, they will have technical support by phone call, or by mail. They will have a replacement if anything is broken 24/7.
Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
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Updated: December 2024
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