Fortinet opens AUD $75m Australian HQ & Innovation Hub

Fortinet has inaugurated its new Australian headquarters in North Sydney, marking the company's debut Innovation Hub in the Asia-Pacific region and demonstrating its commitment to local customers and partners.

The new headquarters, established with an investment of over AUD $75 million, underscores Fortinet's strategic dedication to the Australian market amidst its rapid growth, where the company has seen its business triple over the past five years.

The building is designed to fortify cybersecurity resilience and aligns with Fortinet's mission to protect people and critical infrastructure globally. It joins Fortinet's other global investments, including those made in the United States, Canada, and Spain.

Dale Nachman, Country Manager of Australia at Fortinet, commented on this development, saying, "The opening of Fortinet's new Australian headquarters is a landmark moment and reflects the organisation's deep commitment to Australia, combining state-of-the-art capabilities, a focus on sustainability, and an unparalleled emphasis on training and innovation. Together with local partners, customers, and governments, Fortinet is building a stronger, more secure digital future for enterprises and critical infrastructure operators across the nation."

The facility accommodates over 200 employees with the potential for more as Fortinet expands its local presence. Significant features of the Innovation Hub include a sophisticated data centre, which provides in-region sovereign hosting services, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) capabilities, and Level 3 security data classification. There is also a Technical Assistance Centre (TAC) staffed by local experts, which offers testing, simulations, and troubleshooting for customers, hence, providing advanced cybersecurity support and solutions.

The building's sustainable design has earned it a 4-Star Green Star rating. Features contributing to this include rooftop solar panels and 100% sourcing of green energy to meet the remaining energy requirements, which aligns with Fortinet's goal to achieve complete renewable energy usage and zero emissions for Scopes 1 and 2 by 2030. The use of recycled furnishings from non-Fortinet fit-outs and First Nations suppliers further highlights Fortinet's efforts to promote environmentally friendly practices.

To tackle the global cybersecurity skills gap, Fortinet has made enhancements in local training and workforce development. The headquarters includes expanded training facilities offering the Fortinet Training Institute's certification programs, supporting the company's initiative to train one million individuals in cybersecurity by the end of 2026. Furthermore, partnerships with local academic institutions aim to integrate cybersecurity education within curricula, thus preparing the next generation against cyber threats.

Vishak Raman, Vice President of Sales for Australia and New Zealand, Hong Kong, India, the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, and South East Asia at Fortinet, stated, "Fortinet's investment in Australia underscores its commitment to advancing cybersecurity resilience across the region. With the launch of Fortinet's first Innovation Hub in the Asia-Pacific region, the company is not only strengthening local capabilities but also enabling enterprises, governments, and Australia's critical infrastructure operators to drive digital resilience, accelerate innovation, and build a cyber-ready workforce. As organisations embrace artificial intelligence and cloud, Fortinet's cutting-edge security solutions and services, strengthened by the company's commitment to industry-wide collaboration, ensures its customers are well-equipped to secure their digital transformation with confidence and agility."

The comprehensive training programs, developed in collaboration with governments and private organisations, aim to reskill and upskill professionals across sectors.

With the new headquarters' capacity, more individuals can now participate in these training initiatives each month, including programs like the collaboration with South Australia's Department for Education, which offers comprehensive security awareness training for government school staff.