With cyberattacks on the rise, IT teams must use the latest tools available to protect network security and the sensitive business data it holds. Endpoints are often the entry vector through which hackers gain access, making endpoint protection (EPP) a critical area of concern.
Fortinet’s FortiClient integration suite provides a robust and consistent EPP solution. Each component- FortiGate, FortiAnalyzer, FortiCloud, and FortiSandbox have a centralised, real-time unified view of every endpoint.
Whether using traditional Virtual Private Network (VPN) or automatic Zero Trust Agent (ZTNA) tunnels, FortiClient provides secure connectivity for all endpoints either within the network, at the edge or fully remote.
What Is Endpoint Protection (EPP)?
EPP is an integrated security solution that detects and then blocks threats at the endpoint device level. Endpoint protection is an essential security element for all endpoint types, including laptops, smartphones, and IoT devices.
By combining anti-malware, antivirus, personal firewalls, VPN data encryption, Data Loss Prevention, EPP is more effective than using various siloed security products that cannot communicate with one another.
Fortinet FortiClient Overview
Fortinet’s FortiClient EPP solution is preventative. Its signature-based approach identifies threats based on known file signatures (plus zero-day exploits) using extended detection techniques.
FortiClient is a lightweight, modular security agent that resides on each endpoint, such as a mobile device or laptop. It communicates with the Fortinet Security Fabric, providing visibility, security information, and administrative control to that device.
At Securus Communications, we recommend FortiClient due to its plethora of security features. In addition to malware protection, antivirus, and firewall protection, it also includes a security sandbox, enforces USB control, enhanced application control, URL filtering, and allows for effortless onboarding.
8 Fortinet EPP Features
We delve into 8 Fortinet EPP features that every IT manager taking the plunge into Endpoint protection (EPP) should consider.
1. Malware Protection
FortiClient contains the latest malware and ransomware protection, which also has the ability to roll back changes made by malicious software, placing the endpoint back to its pre-infection state.
Another advanced threat protection feature used against ever-evolving day-zero malware involves FortiClient Cloud Sandbox integration. The sandbox analyses suspicious files downloaded from FortiClient endpoints to gather emerging malicious signatures in real-time.
FortiClient gathers intelligence from its users worldwide, which builds an immense library of threat intelligence and then shares it with all endpoints to protect against threats.
USB protection is another feature we wanted to mention. To prevent ransomware and malware from entering the network, FortiClient employs USB device control, preventing unauthorised USB devices from accessing the endpoint or network it’s connected to.
2. FortiGuard Web Filtering
FortiClient provides enhanced detection and enforcement of web filter rules on HTTPS sites with encrypted traffic. It monitors all browser activities and enforces your defined web security and acceptable usage policy to include over 75 categories. Web filtering applies to all supported operating systems, and it works with Google SafeSearch.
IT administrators can synchronise the endpoint web filtering profile from FortiGate to maintain consistent policy enforcement. Administrators can set on-/off-net policies, blocklists/allowlists, and import FortiGate web filtering policies to enhance that consistency.
FortiClient allows administrators to accomplish all these tasks remotely, delivering web security and content filtering from a centralised location. Its web application firewall provides botnet protection and granular application traffic control, including web-based applications and software as a Service (SaaS).
3. ZTNA with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
The Zero Trust Agent (ZTNA) supports ZTNA tunnels, Single Sign-On (SSO), and device posture checks to FortiOS access proxy. FortiClient’s ZTNA works with FortiOS to provide secure, granular access to applications, whether the user is remote or local.
Each session initiates with an automatic, encrypted tunnel that traverses FortiClient to the FortiOS proxy point for both user and device verification. Once verified, the system grants access to that specific session only.
Multifactor authentication provides an additional layer of security. Combined with ZTNA, clients receive a powerful remote access solution as well as a consistent policy for controlled access to applications regardless of the endpoint location.
4. Central Management through EMS or FortiClient Cloud
Centralised deployment and provisioning enable administrators to deploy endpoint software and perform controlled upgrades remotely. This feature makes it possible to deploy FortiClient configuration to thousands of clients with a single click.
The addition of a vulnerability dashboard aids in managing an organisation’s attack surface. This dashboard quickly and easily identifies any vulnerable endpoints for administrative action.
Furthermore, Windows Active Directory (AD) integration helps sync an organisation’s AD structure into EMS, so the same Organisation Units (OUs) are available for endpoint management. Real-time Endpoint Status produces current information on endpoint activity and other security events.
Securus Communications can help you with endpoint onboarding and creating tailored security profiles. Once set up, sending invitation emails to users and onboarding them for FortiClient Cloud management and provisioning is simple and effective.
5. Central Logging and Reporting
Central logging and reporting simplify compliance reporting and security analysis, either by ForiSIEM or another Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) product.
The system logs and reports when endpoints with critical and high vulnerabilities become easy targets for cyberattacks. Securus Communications can guide your IT Team as they remediate those vulnerable endpoints.
6. Dynamic Security Fabric Connector
Securus Communications can help you integrate FortiClient with the Fortinet Security Fabric. Doing so supports ZTNA, incidence response, and automation. What’s more, EMS creates virtual groups based on endpoint security posture.
FortiGate then retrieves these virtual groups and uses them in the firewall policy for dynamic access control. These dynamic groups aid in automating and simplifying compliance for security policies.
7. Vulnerability Agent and Remediation
FortiClient’s vulnerability agent and remediation features ensure endpoint hygiene, monitors customer endpoints and identify risks. It also strengthens endpoints to reduce the attack surface.
It accomplishes this by identifying vulnerable endpoints and prioritising unpatched OS and software vulnerabilities. The patching options are flexible and also include auto-patching. Securus Communications is always available to assist in remediating vulnerable endpoints should you need.
8. SSL & IPsec VPNs with MFA
FortiClient provides several flexible options for VPN connectivity, such as SSL and IPsec VPN. What’s more, the split tunnelling feature allows remote users on SSL VPNs to access the Internet without having their traffic pass through the corporate VPN.
The split tunnel feature lowers latency and thus improves user experience as FortiClient ensures that internet-based transactions do not traverse the VPN connection.
Beyond remote connectivity, FortiClient simplifies the remote user experience further with features like auto-connect, always-on VPN, and dynamic VPN gate selection.
You can also use MFA as an additional layer of security. MFA provides an easy-to-use encrypted tunnel that traverses just about all infrastructures and provides the most robust level of VPN throughput. Additionally, the SSO identification method is available and allows users to streamline the authentication process. They need only one set of sign-on credentials to log in to multiple websites and apps.
Conclusion
The ever-evolving threat landscape demands that cybersecurity teams in any industry be vigilant in protecting all endpoints, especially with the significant growth in remote access endpoints and mobile devices. Mobile security threats are not going away.
Securus Communications can help you take advantage of the rich security features of FortClient by integrating EPP into the Security Fabric. Users will receive a robust, powerful, and consistent endpoint visibility and protection.
Your IT team can manage FortiClient remotely from a centralised location, whether your network estate is comprised of VPN tunnels, ZTNA tunnels, or a combination of both.
From anti-malware, anti-phishing, SEO poisoning, and 2FA to SASE and cloud-based air-gap immutable backup storage, Securus has a security solution to suit your requirement and budget.
If you would like to discuss your network security requirements in more detail with one of our cyber security professionals, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
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