SOC, Channel partners, Content, Security Program Controls/Technologies

Fortinet Unveils Security Operations Center (SOC) Augmentation Services

Fortinet has announced new and expanded services designed to help security operations center (SOC) teams "reduce their organizations' cyber risk while freeing up their time to focus on higher-priority projects," according to the company.

These services include:

  • SOC-as-a-Service (SOCaaS). Fortinet has added artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities to its SOCaaS offering that allow end-users to aggregate security alerts into a single dashboard.
  • Outbreak Detection Service. Fortinet's new outbreak detection service alerts users via email and within user interfaces about security events and provides threat hunting to run against logs and assess a cyberattack's potential impact.
  • Incident Response and Readiness Services. These services provide users with risk assessments, playbook development and tabletop exercises that they can use to prepare for cyberattacks and find ways to minimize cyber risk.

Fortinet's Training Investment

Along with these services, Fortinet continues to invest in cybersecurity training and skills development, the company indicated. It has unveiled the following updates across its cybersecurity training and skills development programs:

  • Increased Access to Advanced Technical Training. Fortinet provides IT and security professionals with access to the written and practical portions of the Network Security Expert (NSE) level 8 exam.
  • Support for the Advancement of Women Professionals in Cybersecurity. The first women cohort of the Fortinet and Women in Cybersecurity (WiCyS) bootcamp completed the program, and Fortinet has awarded five program participants with scholarships to attend the annual WiCyS Conference in March 2023.
  • Cyber Workforce Skills Development.  Fortinet is sponsoring various cybersecurity-based competitions for students ranging from middle school to college.

Previously, Fortinet in September 2021 pledged to train one million people in cybersecurity by 2026. The company also continues to explore ways to help SOC professionals "better protect their organizations from detection to incident recovery," Fortinet EVP of Products John Maddison said.

Fortinet Updates Its Channel Partner Program

The SOC augmentation services announcements come after Fortinet in May 2022 made several enhancements to its Engage Partner Program, including:

  • Providing qualified Engage Preferred Services Partners (EPSPs) with access to specialized training and direct assistance from Fortinet experts
  • Allowing qualified EPSPs to collaborate with Fortinet Professional Support experts during implementations
  • Creating more entry points to help technology providers join Engage and adopt an MSSP business model
  • Offering a Cloud Starter Kit and Cloud Enterprise Kit that Engage partners can use to acquire and implement technology to create online environments to show how Fortinet solutions can help customers secure data, applications and users in the cloud

Fortinet offers zero trust access, threat intelligence and other security solutions to global organizations. The company's security appliances are used by over 615,000 customers.

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.