Fortinet Achieves the Highest Possible “AAA” Rating on the Industry’s Only Independent, Third-Party Security Service Edge Test

Rhea-AI Summary

Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) announced that its Security Service Edge (SSE) offering, FortiSASE, received the highest possible 'AAA' rating from CyberRatings.org, the industry's only independent third-party cybersecurity testing nonprofit. The solution achieved exceptional scores across all test categories:

- Perfect score in Evasions (100%)
- Near-perfect in Exploits (99.02%)
- Near-perfect in Malware (99.5%)
- Full compatibility in TLS/SSL Functionality

FortiSASE demonstrated minimal impact on network performance while maintaining robust security features. The solution provides comprehensive cloud-delivered security services, including Firewall-as-a-Service, secure web gateway, and cloud access security broker. Fortinet was also named a Challenger in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SSE.

Positive

• Achieved highest possible 'AAA' rating from independent testing
• Perfect score (100%) in Evasions category
• 99.02% score in Exploit detection
• 99.5% score in Malware detection
• Minimal impact on network performance under high load conditions

Negative

• None.

Insights

Tech Security Expert

The "AAA" rating from CyberRatings.org for FortiSASE represents a significant technical achievement in the Security Service Edge (SSE) space. The perfect score in evasions (100%) and near-perfect scores in exploits (99.02%) and malware detection (99.5%) demonstrate exceptional security capabilities. These metrics are particularly impressive given the increasing sophistication of cyber threats.

The solution's ability to maintain high performance while handling TLS/SSL traffic is technically noteworthy, as many security solutions struggle with the performance overhead of encrypted traffic inspection. This efficiency is important for enterprises managing large-scale remote workforces where latency and throughput directly impact productivity.

FortiSASE's integration with FortiOS and the broader Security Fabric architecture provides a compelling technical advantage, enabling unified security management and consistent policy enforcement across hybrid environments. This comprehensive approach addresses the growing complexity of modern network security requirements.

Market Research Analyst

This third-party validation strengthens Fortinet's competitive position in the rapidly growing SSE market. Being named a Challenger in Gartner's Magic Quadrant for SSE, combined with this top rating from CyberRatings.org, enhances Fortinet's credibility in the cloud security segment.

The timing is strategic as organizations increasingly adopt hybrid work models and require robust cloud-delivered security solutions. The comprehensive feature set, including FWaaS, secure web gateway and zero-trust network access, positions FortiSASE well against competitors like Zscaler and Palo Alto Networks.

The performance metrics and security effectiveness scores provide strong differentiation points for Fortinet's sales teams and could help accelerate market share gains in the SSE space, particularly among enterprises prioritizing both security and performance in their digital transformation initiatives.

FortiSASE earned high scores in all four test categories, highlighting its ability to deliver robust, cloud-delivered security while ensuring efficient network performance

SUNNYVALE, Calif., Dec. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

News Summary   
Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, today announced its Security Service Edge (SSE) offering, FortiSASE, received a “AAA” rating from CyberRatings.org, the industry’s only independent third-party cybersecurity testing nonprofit.

“SSE is growing in importance as more organizations embrace Unified SASE to protect all devices, edges, and users within their hybrid networks,” said Nirav Shah, SVP Products and Solutions, Fortinet. “CyberRatings’s third-party testing provides customers with the transparency they need to make informed product decisions, including selecting the best SSE solution for their needs. Fortinet’s high-performing score for SSE showcases our continued commitment to delivering advanced and effective security for the hybrid workforce and support for independent, unbiased third-party testing.”

Superior Performance Across All Test Categories  
FortiSASE delivers comprehensive, cloud-based security with the industry’s most flexible connectivity options. During CyberRatings testing, it received the highest “AAA” rating across all four categories: Exploits, Malware, Evasions, and TLS/SSL Functionality. These results illustrate the solution’s strong threat protection, seamless TLS/SSL decryption, and minimal performance impact.

• Evasions, Exploits, and Malware: FortiSASE achieved a perfect score in the Evasion category (100%) and a near-perfect score in both the Exploit (99.02%) and Malware (99.5%) categories against a sophisticated threat repository. FortiSASE leverages AI-powered threat intelligence, sandboxing, and behavioral analysis to identify and block known and unknown advanced attacks.
• TLS/SSL Functionality: FortiSASE demonstrated full compatibility and decryption capabilities with prevalent TLS/SSL configurations, including TLS 1.2 and 1.3 cipher suites. This enables secure communication and allows for deep inspection of encrypted traffic to prevent data leakage and identify threats hidden within encrypted channels without complex configurations.
• Performance: Throughout testing, FortiSASE had minimal impact on network throughput, even under high load conditions, for both clear text (HTTP) and encrypted (HTTPS) traffic. FortiSASE leverages high-performance hardware and optimized software architecture to minimize latency and maximize throughput, ensuring it has little impact on network performance and delivers a smooth user experience even with robust security features enabled.
  

Recognized in Cloud-Delivered Security
FortiSASE provides secure access to websites and applications for all users and devices no matter their location through comprehensive cloud-delivered security services, including Firewall-as-a-Service, secure web gateway, cloud access security broker, universal zero-trust network access, and FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services. Because it’s built on the unified Fortinet operating system, FortiOS, and is a part of the Fortinet Security Fabric, FortiSASE integrates seamlessly with Fortinet Secure SD-WAN to provide Unified SASE.

Fortinet was named a Challenger in the 2024 Gartner® Magic Quadrant™ for SSE and was recognized for the second time in the 2024 Gartner Peer Insights™ Customer Choice for SSE. We believe these third-party recognitions further highlight the strength and efficacy of the FortiSASE solution.

Supporting Quote 
“We pride ourselves for putting solutions through the wringer and conducting the most thorough testing available today. FortiSASE detected and blocked thousands of exploits, malware, and evasion tactics while securing traffic and maintaining efficient performance. We have no doubt that FortiSASE is an effective solution with robust security features and recommend it to any organization in need of a comprehensive SSE solution.” 
- Vikram Phatak, Chief Executive Officer of CyberRatings.org 

Download the full 2024 CyberRatings.org Security Service Edge Report on FortiSASE here.

Additional Resources 

• Learn more about FortiSASE, an SSE solution from Fortinet.
• Learn more about FortiGuard Labs threat intelligence and research and Outbreak Alerts, which provide timely steps to mitigate breaking cybersecurity attacks.  
• Learn more about Fortinet’s FortiGuard Security Services portfolio.   
• Read about how Fortinet customers are securing their organizations.  
• Follow Fortinet on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe to Fortinet on our blog or YouTube.
  

GARTNER is a registered trademark and service mark of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and internationally, MAGIC QUADRANT and PEER INSIGHTS are registered trademarks of Gartner, Inc. and/or its affiliates and are used herein with permission. All rights reserved.

Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in its research publications and does not advise technology users to select only those vendors with the highest ratings or other designation. Gartner research publications consist of the opinions of Gartner’s Research & Advisory organization and should not be construed as statements of fact. Gartner disclaims all warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this research, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Gartner Peer Insights content consists of the opinions of individual end users based on their own experiences, and should not be construed as statements of fact, nor do they represent the views of Gartner or its affiliates. Gartner does not endorse any vendor, product or service depicted in this content nor makes any warranties, expressed or implied, with respect to this content, about its accuracy or completeness, including any warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.

Gartner, Magic Quadrant for Security Service Edge, Charlie Winckless, Thomas Lintemuth, Dale Koeppen, 15 April 2024

Gartner, Voice of the Customer for Security Service Edge, Peer Contributors, 27 September 2024

About Fortinet
Fortinet (Nasdaq: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere our customers need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet's solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organizations from both the public and private sectors, including Computer Emergency Response Teams (“CERTS”), government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.

Copyright © 2024 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet’s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, the Fortinet logo, FortiGate, FortiOS, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiASIC, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiMail, FortiSandbox, FortiADC, FortiAI, FortiAIOps, FortiAgent, FortiAntenna, FortiAP, FortiAPCam, FortiAuthenticator, FortiCache, FortiCall, FortiCam, FortiCamera, FortiCarrier, FortiCASB, FortiCentral, FortiCNP, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiCSPM, FortiCWP, FortiDAST, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiDeceptor, FortiDeploy, FortiDevSec, FortiDLP, FortiEdge, FortiEDR, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFirewall, FortiFlex FortiFone, FortiGSLB, FortiGuest, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiLAN, FortiLink, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiNDR, FortiPAM, FortiPenTest, FortiPhish, FortiPoint, FortiPolicy, FortiPortal, FortiPresence, FortiProxy, FortiRecon, FortiRecorder, FortiSASE, FortiScanner, FortiSDNConnector, FortiSIEM, FortiSMS, FortiSOAR, FortiSRA, FortiStack, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiTrust, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLM, FortiXDR and Lacework FortiCNAPP. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments.

Media Contact:	Investor Contact:	Analyst Contact:
Margaret Reeb  Fortinet, Inc.   408-235-7700   pr@fortinet.com	Aaron Ovadia    Fortinet, Inc.    408-325-7700  investors@fortinet.com	Brian Greenberg    Fortinet, Inc.   408-235-7700   analystrelations@fortinet.com

FAQ

What rating did Fortinet (FTNT) FortiSASE receive from CyberRatings.org?

Fortinet's FortiSASE received the highest possible 'AAA' rating from CyberRatings.org in their independent third-party Security Service Edge test.

What test scores did Fortinet (FTNT) FortiSASE achieve in security testing?

FortiSASE achieved a perfect score (100%) in Evasions, 99.02% in Exploits, and 99.5% in Malware detection categories.

How does Fortinet (FTNT) FortiSASE perform with encrypted traffic?

FortiSASE demonstrated full compatibility with TLS/SSL configurations, including TLS 1.2 and 1.3 cipher suites, enabling secure communication and deep inspection of encrypted traffic.

What recognition did Fortinet (FTNT) receive in Gartner's 2024 SSE evaluation?

Fortinet was named a Challenger in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SSE and was recognized in the 2024 Gartner Peer Insights Customer Choice for SSE.