IBM, Fortinet launch next-gen firewall security for IBM Cloud

• IBM Cloud and Fortinet have introduced a virtual security appliance that delivers next-generation firewall capabilities across the IBM Cloud network.
• This virtual appliance, the vFSA, includes advanced threat protection features that enable it to check application traffic on the network and block threatening or suspicious traffic.
• The Fortinet FortiGate virtual machine can be deployed as part of the IBM Cloud for VMware Solutions, providing firewall and gateway services integrated with VMware environments.

Virtual device extension firewall

IBM Cloud and Fortinet have launched a virtual appliance that promises to protect enterprise traffic and data as they cross cloud networks.

The Fortinet Virtual FortiGate Security Appliance (vFSA) on IBM Cloud extends the security capabilities of FortiGate’s Next generation Firewall (NGFW) across the IBM Cloud network, the companies wrote in a blog post outlining the news.

The vFSA includes advanced threat protection capabilities that enable it to check application traffic on the network and block threatening or suspicious traffic. It also features AI-based inline malware protection and advanced sandboxed capabilities to analyse and block unknown threats and zero-day threats. It can also monitor and filter network traffic for remote access and viewing of new devices being added, such as Internet of Things devices, the companies wrote.

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The 2 companies cooperate to provide cloud security packages

The vFSA on the IBM Cloud is a virtual security appliance available through Fortiflex, Fortinet’s use-based flexible licensing program. In addition, the product is now available in all 31 IBM Cloud data centers. The virtual package supports SSL and IPSec VPN connections and site-to-site VPN between virtual private clouds (VPCS) and on-premises hybrid cloud networks, the companies said. In addition, client-managed security devices with administrative root access are provided.

This includes support for automatic deployment and migration between virtual and physical form factors, as well as on-demand and automatic upgrades built into the user interface.

IBM and Fortinet have been working together since 2008 and offer various cloud security packages as part of the Fortinet Open ecosystem to provide managed security services. for example, the Fortinet FortiGate virtual machine can be deployed as part of the IBM Cloud for VMware Solutions, providing firewall and gateway services integrated with VMware environments, the companies said.