Fortinet Further Enhances Its BYOD Network Security Soln

Fortinet a network security provider has announced key enhancements to address the numerous challenges surrounding network, data and device security posed by the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) phenomenon wherein end users are bringing their own smartphones and tablet devices to their work environments. As part of its broad strategy to apply effective security measures for BYOD environments, Fortinet is introducing new versions of its FortiClient application for iOS and Android platforms.

The FortiClient application for Android platforms allows for both SSL tunnel mode and IPSec VPN connections to FortiGate appliances. The end user connection is fully encrypted and all traffic is sent over a secure tunnel. The updated FortiClient application for iOSdevices provides Web-mode SSL VPN functionality and has been modified for the iPad platform.

Fortinet’s comprehensive BYOD security strategy, which is designed to help protect organisations by authenticating devices, controlling user behaviour in the network and restricting data access rights, is built around a combination of six key differentiating capabilities.

The Scope Of The BYOD Security Challenge

In a recent global survey of Gen-Y BYOD users conducted by Fortinet in fifteen countries – including the U.S., Western Europe, the Middle East and Asia – 42 percent of respondents believe potential data loss and exposure to malicious IT threats are the dominant risks posed by BYOD to their organisation. Despite these concerns, more than a third of respondents admitted they have or would contravene a corporate policy banning the use of personally owned devices for work purposes.

Traditional Approaches Falling Short

While the security challenges associated with mobile devices are not necessarily new, the increase in BYOD environments makes it difficult for organisations to enforce corporate security policies. The broad scope of Fortinet’s security solution, including application control, next generation firewall, intrusion prevention, antimalware, antispam and data leak prevention helps organisations ensure that information flowing to and from mobile devices is protected on both the LAN and WAN.

Fortinet’s Approach To The BYOD Security Challenge

As a network-based solution, Fortinet supports a variety of approaches to smartphone and tablet security. This includes support for Mobile Device Management (MDM), Virtual Desktop and third party VPN clients.

“While mobile devices have tremendous potential for enhancing productivity, the challenge for organisations today is to provide the same level of security regardless of the device or location of the user,” said Kevin Flynn, senior product manager at Fortinet. “We’re helping organisations of all sizes – from SMEs to large enterprises – deploy a robust BYOD security infrastructure that uniquely combines integrated wireless functions, embedded security technologies and simple, cost-effective licensing.”