Fortinet releases advanced FortiOS 7.6 with GenAI & data protection

Fortinet has unveiled its latest FortiOS operating system and upgrades to its Fortinet Security Fabric. This new version of FortiOS seamlessly combines networking and security, featuring new generative artificial intelligence(GenAI), data protection, managed services, and unified agent capabilities.

Fortinet's Founder, Chairman, and CEO, Ken Xie, stated, "We founded Fortinet on the principle of fortifying our customers' networks by converging networking into secure networking. We've spent the past two decades focused on organically developing our solutions around one operating system and investing in FortiASIC, our specialised compute processors." He discussed the strength of their dedicated, organic innovation in developing "the world's most powerful, real-time network security operating system" capable of simplifying management across multiple areas including content, applications, users, devices, data and locations.

FortiOS 7.6 is set to offer customers better risk mitigation, reductions in complexity and an improved user experience across their entire network. Key features include hundreds of enhancements, Secure SD-WAN, secure access service edge (SASE), zero-trust network access (ZTNA), automation, provisioning, remote browser isolation, digital experience monitoring (DEM), and flexible consumption options such as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) or Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS).

GenAI for threat analysis and product deployment has been enhanced, with Fortinet's central data lake, FortiAnalyzer, and its unified management console, FortiManager, integrating natively with FortiOS 7.6. This integration aims to improve threat analysis and response and streamline network and security operations. Additionally, comprehensive data protection capabilities across the network will assist more enterprises in implementing and managing a comprehensive data loss prevention (DLP) strategy.

New endpoint detection and response features added to Fortinet's unified agent, FortiClient, provide ransomware protection, behaviour-based detections, and automated response along with deeper visibility, control, and ZTNA remote access capabilities. Further enhancements to combat the cyber skills shortage include out-of-the-box security information and event management (SIEM) and security orchestration, automation, and response (SOAR) services.

Fortinet has shown commitment to integrating its portfolio across one operating system, which has resulted in tangible benefits for a range of customers. Firewall functionality, segmentation and ZTNA, operational technology (OT)/Internet of Things (IoT)/Edge security, unified SASE, and AI-driven security operations are among the areas Fortinet excels at, powered by its FortiOS and custom ASICs.

In line with its mission to secure people, devices, and data, Fortinet promotes a platform approach to cybersecurity via the Fortinet Security Fabric. This is a convergence of networking and security through FortiOS, one unified agent (FortiClient), one management console (FortiManager), and one data lake (FortiAnalyzer). The Fortinet Security Fabric combines secure networking, unified SASE, and AI-driven security operations, providing integrated protection for a digital attack surface. This extensive product coverage ensures customers can leverage the Fortinet Security Fabric in the way that provides the most value for their unique needs.