Fortinet enhances BYOD security solution with new mobile clients

Fortinet enhances BYOD security solution with new mobile clients To address numerous challenges surrounding network, data and device security posed by the Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) phenomenon, Fortinet has introduced new versions of its FortiClient applications for iOS and Android platforms that are downloadable from the iTunes store.

The FortiClient application for Android platforms allows for both SSL tunnel mode and IPSec VPN connections to FortiGateappliances.The end user connection is fully encrypted and all traffic is sent over a secure tunnel. The updated FortiClient application for iOSdevices provides Web-mode SSL VPN functionality and has been modified for the iPad platform.

Fortinet's BYOD security strategy, which is designed to protect organizations by authenticating devices, controlling user behavior in the network and restricting data access rights, is built around a combination of six key differentiating capabilities:

- A wide range of high-performance deployment options supporting LAN and WAN connectivity centered around the Fort iGate family of appliances

- The lack of 'per-user'or 'per-seat'licensing means that customers can add new devices to their network without incurring additional license fees. This feature becomes critical as the number of devices attached to the network can double or even triple due to users bringing their smartphones and tablets to work

 

- Centralized 'single pane of glass' management

- Integrated wireless controllers in all FortiGate appliances for improved application and user visibility and control, rogue access point detection, guest access and bandwidth management

- Built-in Wi-Fifor secure LAN deployments on certain FortiGate models reduces the need for a separate wireless access point

- Mobile VPN clients and interoperable soft-tokens for two-factor authenticationAs a network-based solution, Fortinet supports a variety of approaches to smartphone and tablet security. This includes support for Mobile Device Management (MDM), Virtual Desktop and third party VPN clients.