Fortinet Enhances OT Security Platform to Strengthen Cyber Defense

Fortinet has enhanced its OT Security Platform to help customers better safeguard industrial control systems and operational technology (OT) networks against cyber threats.

Figure 1. Fortinet Enhances OT Network Security Platform.

The upgraded platform integrates firewalls, switches, network access control, security information and event management (SIEM), analytics, and AI-powered management tools. Key additions include ruggedized switches, next-generation firewalls (NGFWs), advanced threat detection services, and improved AI capabilities for deeper cyber threat analysis. Figure 1 shows Fortinet Enhances OT Network Security Platform.

“Asset and network visibility is a fundamental challenge for any organization operating an OT environment,” wrote Nirav Shah, senior vice president and head of products and solutions at Fortinet, in a blog post.

“As OT infrastructure evolves and connects to external networks—including enterprise IT, the internet, and the cloud—visibility into OT environments remains limited or nonexistent,” Shah explained. “The unique assets within OT networks operate on specialized protocols, which traditional IT visibility solutions fail to detect. As a result, understanding asset vulnerabilities and monitoring OT network traffic is a major security challenge.”

Fortinet Expands OT Security Platform with Ruggedized Hardware and Enhanced Software

Fortinet has strengthened its OT Security Platform with new hardware and software upgrades to better protect industrial control systems and operational technology (OT) networks from cyber threats.

New Ruggedized Hardware for Secure OT Environments

On the hardware front, Fortinet introduced the FortiSwitch Rugged 108F and FortiSwitch Rugged 112F-POE, expanding its entry-level secure switch lineup. These Layer 2 switches enforce port-level security, preventing unauthorized lateral movement within OT networks.

“These FortiSwitch Rugged models come in a small form factor and are DIN-rail mountable to fit most deployment scenarios. These products are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, vibration, and humidity,” said Nirav Shah, senior vice president and head of products and solutions at Fortinet.

For industrial sites leveraging 5G, the company launched the FortiExtender Rugged 511G, featuring embedded Wi-Fi 6 and eSIM capabilities—eliminating the need for physical SIM cards.

“When connected to a FortiGate NGFW, a FortiSwitch essentially becomes a secure switch, with firewall protections and security policies implemented at each port and deep visibility provided for each asset, traffic, user, and activity enabled through the switch,” Shah explained.

Additionally, Fortinet expanded its next-generation firewall (NGFW) lineup with the FortiGate Rugged 70G and FortiGate Rugged 50G-5G, designed for high-performance security and networking powered by proprietary ASICs. These devices also feature an advanced digital I/O port, enabling automation and security for digital and physical processes on-site.

Software Enhancements for Greater Visibility

On the software side, Fortinet has upgraded the FortiGuard OT Security Service, improving visibility and asset discovery to strengthen OT network protection.

With these advancements, Fortinet continues to reinforce its commitment to securing OT environments against evolving cyber threats.

Fortinet has strengthened its OT Security Platform with new hardware and software upgrades to improve protection for industrial control systems and operational technology (OT) networks against evolving cyber threats.

Enhanced OT Security Service for Greater Asset Visibility

Fortinet has expanded the FortiGuard OT Security Service, allowing OT asset owners to incorporate known exploited vulnerabilities (KEVs) into their Internet-of-Things (IoT) and OT vulnerability management. Users can now view KEV counts and warnings within the GUI Asset Identity Center, along with OT protocol bandwidth traffic and inbound connections.

“These enhancements help OT security teams gain deeper insights into their assets, traffic, and users, enabling more proactive network defense,” said Nirav Shah, senior vice president and head of products and solutions at Fortinet.

Additional updates also improve threat intelligence access and compliance reporting, simplifying security operations for OT teams.

AI-Driven Security Analytics and Threat Detection

Fortinet has enhanced AI capabilities in FortiAnalyzer, its security analytics and log management platform. The improved AI support enables better detection of network anomalies while streamlining event management and configuration oversight. FortiAnalyzer already leverages AI for advanced threat visualization, ensuring security teams can quickly identify and respond to potential risks.

The company also upgraded FortiDeceptor, its deception-based security solution, with improved AI to detect and neutralize active in-network threats more effectively.

New Ruggedized Hardware for Industrial Sites

On the hardware front, Fortinet introduced:

• FortiSwitch Rugged 108F & 112F-POE – Layer 2 secure switches that prevent unauthorized lateral movement within OT networks. These compact, DIN-rail mountable devices are designed to withstand extreme conditions.
• FortiExtender Rugged 511G – A ruggedized 5G extender featuring embedded Wi-Fi 6 and eSIM capabilities, eliminating the need for physical SIM cards.
• FortiGate Rugged 70G & 50G-5G – High-performance next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) powered by proprietary ASICs. These devices also feature a digital I/O port for securing and automating on-site processes.

Source: NETWORK WORLD

Cite this article:

Priyadharshini S (2025),”Fortinet Strengthens OT Network Security Platform", AnaTechmaz, pp. 153