Fortinet Unified SASE

Fortinet Unified SASE brings secure SD-WAN, zero trust and security service edge functions together under one operating system, policy engine and management plane. Its security capabilities include firewall as a service, secure web gateway, CASB, ZTNA and data loss prevention. Fortinet positions the platform for hybrid workforces, branch connectivity, cloud access protection and policy enforcement across dispersed users and locations. Integrated ZTNA verifies user and device identity and applies application-aware controls before access sessions. AI and machine learning analyze traffic patterns and anomalies to support threat detection, automated response and network performance. FortiSASE provides connectivity through more than 200 global points of presence and integrates coverage with AWS, Google Cloud and Oracle Cloud. It also connects with Fortinet devices and supports SAML single sign-on with Okta. Subscriptions include cloud management and a REST API. FortiSASE Sovereign can be deployed in an organization’s own data center for regional data residency and sovereignty requirements. Supported FortiClient operating systems include Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS; ChromeOS is also listed as an endpoint platform. Pricing is on request, and user-based licensing has a minimum order of 50 users.

Fortinet Unified SASE combines network access and security capabilities with cloud integrations and management. Buyers should factor in the 50-user minimum and request pricing for the available plan options.

It suits organizations securing hybrid workforces, branches and cloud access under shared policies. FortiSASE Sovereign may suit organizations with regional data residency requirements.

Fortinet Unified SASE combines secure networking and cloud-delivered security in a single management plane. It is aimed at organizations securing hybrid users and branch locations, particularly those already using Fortinet products. Its broad controls and cloud reach are appealing, but the 50-user minimum rules out smaller deployments.

Overview

Fortinet brings secure SD-WAN, zero trust and security service edge functions together under one operating system, policy engine and management plane. That consolidation can make sense for IT teams applying consistent access and security policies across dispersed users and sites. The trade-off is a substantial starting threshold: licensing is per user with a minimum order of 50.

Key features

The security toolkit includes FWaaS, secure web gateway, CASB, ZTNA and DLP. Having these controls in one platform gives security teams a broad basis for enforcing policies across network access and data use, rather than selecting a service around just one function.

Integrated ZTNA continuously checks user and device identity and applies application-aware controls before access sessions. This is a useful fit for organizations that want access decisions to reflect identity and device, not just a user’s network location. AI and machine learning analyze traffic patterns and anomalies to support threat detection, automate response and improve network performance.

FortiSASE connects through more than 200 global points of presence and integrates with AWS, Google Cloud and Oracle Cloud. Fortinet customers can also integrate FortiGate Secure SD-WAN, FortiAP, FortiExtender and FortiBranch SASE thin-edge devices. SAML single sign-on with Okta is supported. Subscriptions include SASE cloud management and a REST API, giving administrators both a management interface and a programmatic integration option.

FortiSASE Sovereign can be deployed by end users in their own data centers for regional data residency and sovereignty needs. An available SOC 2 report covers security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy controls. These are relevant considerations for organizations with compliance or deployment-location requirements.

Pricing

Fortinet uses paid, custom pricing, and its user-based licensing starts at 50 users. That threshold is better suited to organizations buying for a sizable workforce than small teams looking for a low-commitment deployment. All three plans allow up to three devices per user and include 24x7 premium support, so the differences in location options and capabilities matter more than device allowance or support.

• Standard: Custom pricing. Includes Fortinet cloud locations and a REST API. It is the entry option for buyers who need those locations and API access without the added public-cloud locations and agentless ZTNA included in Advanced.
• Advanced: Custom pricing. Adds public-cloud locations, agentless ZTNA and assisted onboarding to the Fortinet locations and device allowance. It is the stronger fit for teams that need those access and onboarding capabilities without the Comprehensive plan’s global security PoP add-on and comprehensive SASE features.
• Comprehensive: Custom pricing. Includes Fortinet and public-cloud locations, a global security PoP add-on and comprehensive SASE features. It is aimed at buyers seeking the broadest listed plan; the additional capabilities should be weighed against a price that requires a sales discussion.

Platforms

FortiClient supports Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. The platform also lists API, web and self-hosted support, while endpoint platforms include ChromeOS as well. This range accommodates mixed-device environments, though the endpoint operating-system support and platform listings cover different scopes.

Who it's for

Unified SASE is best suited to organizations with at least 50 users that need security and network access controls for hybrid workforces, branches and cloud access. It is especially relevant to Fortinet environments that can use its integrations, and to organizations prioritizing regional data sovereignty through FortiSASE Sovereign. Small teams or buyers who need a free entry tier should look elsewhere.

Pros and cons

• Pro: A single policy and management plane spans SD-WAN, zero trust and multiple security functions, which suits teams seeking centralized controls across users and locations.
• Pro: More than 200 points of presence and integrations with AWS, Google Cloud and Oracle Cloud support geographically distributed and cloud-connected environments.
• Pro: FortiSASE Sovereign supports deployment in an organization’s own data centers for regional residency and sovereignty requirements.
• Con: The 50-user minimum makes it a poor fit for small deployments.
• Con: Custom pricing makes it harder to compare plan costs upfront, and all plans are paid.
• Con: Standard lacks the public-cloud locations and agentless ZTNA included in Advanced, while Comprehensive is the only plan with a global security PoP add-on and comprehensive SASE features.

Alternatives

Compare secure access service edge software if you want to review more options in the category.

• Cloudflare One is worth considering if a freemium option and a free plan capped at 50 users better suit your starting scale.
• Pangolin is an alternative if you want a freemium product with a free Basic plan for up to five users, five sites and five domains.
• Samsung Cloud Platform Container Registry is a paid alternative with usage-based billing for registry storage and image scanning.
• Sangfor EasyConnect is another paid option with pricing on request.
• Skyhigh Private Access is another paid option.
• Broadcom Symantec SASE is a paid alternative with an annual per-user Symantec SSE plan.
• Cato SASE Platform is a paid alternative with pricing by request and a tailored sales discussion.
• Zscaler Private Access is a paid alternative with a Standard plan described as limited private access for 5% of users.

Verdict

Choose Fortinet Unified SASE if your organization has at least 50 users and wants a shared platform for network access, security policy and cloud connectivity, especially within a Fortinet environment. Its breadth, global presence and sovereign deployment option are the strongest reasons to consider it. Look elsewhere if you need a smaller starting commitment, a free plan or upfront pricing.