Fortinet has announced significant enhancements to its Operational Technology (OT) Security Platform, specifically designed to bolster cybersecurity measures for critical infrastructure across Asia. These updates aim to address the escalating cyber threats faced by sectors including energy, transportation, and manufacturing.
The revamped platform introduces the FortiGuard OT Security Service, providing advanced threat visibility tailored for OT environments. This service enables organisations to detect threats across over 3,300 OT protocol rules and nearly 750 intrusion prevention system rules. According to the 2024 Cybersecurity Threat Landscape report by the World Economic Forum, Asia experienced a 30% increase in cyber incidents affecting critical infrastructure in the past year, highlighting the urgent need for robust security measures.
Nirav Shah, senior vice president of Products and Solutions at Fortinet, stated, "As cyber threats against critical infrastructure continue to grow, we are committed to delivering comprehensive security solutions tailored for operational technology environments." This proactive stance is crucial for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) who are tasked with protecting an organisation's assets while ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks.
A key feature of the platform is the introduction of ruggedised FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs), which allow for automated threat detection and virtual patching of legacy OT systems. These capabilities are vital in protecting against known exploited vulnerabilities, addressing concerns raised by the Cyber Security Agency of Singapore, which reported that 60% of firms lack adequate incident response capabilities.
Fortinet has also expanded its offerings with the FortiSwitch Rugged series, enabling secure segmentation at the port level to prevent unauthorised lateral movement within OT networks. This integration is essential as security professionals increasingly seek to implement zero-trust architectures to safeguard their environments.
With the rise of remote operations, Fortinet's ruggedised 5G solutions, such as the FortiExtender Rugged 511G, provide secure, high-speed connectivity for remote OT sites. The addition of embedded Wi-Fi 6 and eSIM capabilities simplifies connectivity management, a critical concern for CISOs overseeing distributed operations.
Additionally, enhancements to Fortinet’s AI-driven security operations, including updates to FortiAnalyzer and FortiDeceptor, offer deeper insights into security threats and streamline compliance reporting. This is particularly relevant as organisations navigate the complexities of regulatory compliance in Asia, where strict data protection laws are being enforced.
As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated, Fortinet's upgraded OT Security Platform positions itself as an essential tool for security professionals in Asia, enabling them to proactively mitigate risks and protect critical infrastructure from potential disruptions.