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ToggleBusinesses in the UAE, from small shops in Sharjah to big companies in Dubai’s free zones, are more connected than ever in this digital economy. Unfortunately, this also means an increase in cybersecurity threats such as phishing, ransomware, data breaches, and insider threats.
Fortinet FortiGate firewalls are not able to keep up with the pace at which cyber criminals are evolving their techniques. Many companies in the UAE still use outdated firewalls that only filter traffic with basic rules. These systems are not intelligent enough to defend against sophisticated threats as ransomware, data breaches, and insider threats.
Companies in the UAE require a combination of advanced strong technology, proactive proactive maintenance, and skilled human expertise to defend against sophisticated cyber threats. Many companies are now using Fortinet FortiGate firewalls in combination with IT Annual Maintenance Contracts (IT AMC) and onsite IT support.
We’ll show you in this guide how FortiGate enhances security, streamlines AMC processes, and empowers onsite IT resources to help UAE businesses create a more resilient IT environment.
A FortiGate firewall isn’t just a shield for your network from the internet; it’s a fully managed next generation firewall developed by the worldwide cyber security leader Fortinet.
What sets FortiGate apart?
Unlike older firewalls, FortiGate firewalls don’t just filter traffic from the internet, and from your network through ports and protocols. FortiGate firewalls include a whole new level of automation, intelligence, and integrated threat defense.
1. Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
FortiGate’s IPS scrutinizes network traffic for known threats, vulnerabilities, suspicious behaviors, and malicious patterns. It can also preemptively block attacks, making the system in as a useful network safeguard against hackers.
2. Web & Application Filtering
Websites that are deemed unproductive and dangerous can be addressed, thus preventing their use altogether. This maintenance helps in productivity while at the same time, reduces the risk of download threats such as malware.
3. VPN Support for Remote Teams
FortiGate VPNs provides safe transmittance of sensitive data, ensuring public networks do not serve as a risk the same way branch offices in Fujairah and employees working from home in Abu Dhabi do.
4. Centralized Management & Reporting
With the addition of the above services, the integrated firewalls receive a boost and become different from traditional firewalls in the following ways:
IT Security is the main focus for FortiGate UAE, which employs a layered defense method for multi-stage threat mitigation.
1. Real-time Threat Detection & Prevention
Suspicious traffic is blocked instantly with FortiGate. It actively analyzes network behavior which eliminates waiting for a signature update.
2. Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
With the Zero Trust model, no device or user is trusted by default, even if they are on the company network. FortiGate applies strong identity proofing along with network segmentation to ensure that if one part is breached, the remaining segments are still secure.
3. Advanced Threat Intelligence
FortiGuard Labs gathers data from millions of devices from Fortinet, enabling real-time reporting on new phishing, malware, and even zero-day exploits. This helps businesses in the UAE to outsmart ever-changing tactics employed by cybercriminals.
Along with protecting networks, FortiGate firewall enables onsite engineers to resolve problems quicker with the tools that are provided to them.
1. The FortiGate Interface
The FortiGate interface gives engineers real-time alert, bandwidth usage, and traffic data overview, thus mitigating and resolving issues the moment they arise.
2. Order Dictated Change Procedures
Onsite personnel are able to respond to business needs in real time due to the ability to revise security policies and rules with just a few clicks.
3. Enhanced Knowledge
With comprehensive training and certification programs provided by Fortinet, onsite engineers can now confidently manage advanced configurations.
4. Real-time Diagnostics
Combined with the necessary security reports, event logs, and network diagnostics tools, onsite personnel can address identified security and network loopholes instantly.
Illustration: An electronic manual policy change for the incorporation of additional IoT devices into the production network which bypassed the need for external consultants was facilitated by training provided to the onsite IT team of a manufacturing plant in Sharjah.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What makes Fortinet FortiGate different from traditional firewalls?
A: FortiGate is a next-generation firewall with AI-powered threat detection, deep packet inspection, VPN support, and centralized management — offering far more advanced protection than basic traffic filtering.
Q2: Can FortiGate help my business comply with UAE’s PDPL?
A: Yes. FortiGate supports data segmentation, access control, and detailed logging to help meet PDPL and other regulatory requirements.
Q3: How does AMC support improve FortiGate firewall performance?
A: AMC ensures your firewall is regularly updated, monitored, and patched, reducing vulnerabilities and improving uptime.
Q4: Do onsite IT teams need special training to manage FortiGate?
A: While FortiGate is user-friendly, Fortinet offers training and certifications that help onsite IT teams use advanced features effectively.
Q5: Is FortiGate suitable for small businesses in the UAE?
A: Absolutely. FortiGate offers scalable solutions, from cost-effective models for SMEs to high-capacity appliances for large enterprises.
