Content, Cloud Security, Channel partners, Security Program Controls/Technologies, Enterprise, Channel partner programs, Vertical markets

Microsoft Azure Security Center, Marketplace Gain Fortinet Firewalls

Microsoft has joined the Fortinet Fabric-Ready Partner Program, a technology alliance that enables Fortinet and its partners to cooperatively integrate and provide end-to-end security solutions.

Now, FortiGate Enterprise Firewalls and FortiWeb Web Application Firewalls are available on Microsoft Azure Security Center (ASC) for multi-layered application threat protection, and FortiGate Enterprise Firewalls are available on-demand in the Azure Marketplace, Fortinet said.

Fortinet also will integrate its Fortinet Security Fabric threat information, intrusion prevention and management capabilities into ASC to help enterprises protect their cloud workloads, the company said in a prepared statement.

Microsoft-Fortinet Partnership: Benefits for Azure Partners, Customers

Together, Microsoft and Fortinet are empowering enterprises to move data into the cloud and reap the benefits of the elasticity, scale and performance of cloud-based services, Fortinet Senior Vice President of Products & Solutions John Maddison (pictured) said in a company statement.

With the Microsoft-Fortinet partnership, Azure customers can leverage the automated capabilities of the Fortinet Security Fabric with pre-integrated, end-to-end cloud security offerings, according to Fortinet.

In addition, Fortinet's virtualized solutions now provide Azure customers with real-time threat intelligence feeds and automated security controls to deliver a faster, more intelligent response to threats, Fortinet stated.

What Is the Fabric-Ready Partner Program?

The Fabric-Ready Partner Program is Fortinet's premium technology partnership program, the company said.

It enables partners to integrate with the Fortinet Security Fabric via Fabric application programming interfaces (APIs), Fortinet stated.

That way, partners can collect and share threat and mitigation information and work together to "improve threat intelligence, enhance overall threat awareness and broaden threat response from end to end," Fortinet indicated.

Introducing Fortinet Federal

Fortinet has been busy on the vertical market front as well. The company last month launched Fortinet Federal, a specialized entity that focuses on cybersecurity solutions exclusive to the federal market.

Fortinet Federal will provide cybersecurity solutions to protect federal agencies within the intelligence community, civilian agencies and the U.S. Department of Defense, according to Fortinet.

Also, the subsidiary will maintain "the dedicated focus required to ensure that Fortinet’s cybersecurity innovation keeps pace with the complex and critical security requirements of the government," Fortinet said in a prepared statement.

Founded in 2000, Fortinet is a California-based provider of network and content security products.

Fortinet ranks first in the most security appliances shipped worldwide and supports more than 300,000 customers, the company stated.

Dan Kobialka

Dan Kobialka is senior contributing editor, MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E. He covers IT security, IT service provider business strategies and partner programs. Dan holds a M.A. in Print and Multimedia Journalism from Emerson College and a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State University. In his free time, Dan enjoys jogging, traveling, playing sports, touring breweries and watching football.