The purpose of this article is to discuss Fortinet Managed Services and how they help the IT department with offloading management activities. Several tips are provided on how to select an MSP for this offering. After reading this article, you should have a strong indication of what to look for in a new managed services provider for Fortinet firewalls.
In the ever-evolving landscape of cybersecurity, managing network security efficiently is paramount. Managed Service Providers (MSPs) specializing in Fortinet cater to businesses seeking top-notch security solutions without the hassle of in-house management. Let’s delve into the key elements and benefits of opting for FWaaS from specialized providers.
1. Specialized MSPs for Fortinet:
Several MSPs excel in providing managed services specifically tailored to Fortinet’s suite of security solutions. One notable managed firewall service offering is from Comcast Masergy. The press release for the partnership between Comcast Business, Fortinet and Exclusive Networks was released last year.
Comcast Business, Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), and Exclusive Networks have joined forces to introduce an innovative distribution sales approach and managed SD-WAN services designed for value-added resellers (VARs) and managed service providers (MSPs). This collaboration marks an expansion of the Masergy Guardian Portfolio™, broadening sales routes and empowering resellers to provide fully managed SD-WAN and security management services across multiple markets.
The Masergy Guardian Portfolio™ serves as a robust support system for the reseller community, offering a comprehensive solution that integrates networking, security, and services. This integrated approach is particularly beneficial for those lacking service operations, technical expertise, or SD-WAN certifications. Through Exclusive Networks, a globally trusted cybersecurity specialist for digital infrastructure, resellers can now access the joint Comcast Business and Fortinet Secure SD-WAN solution.
This combined solution leverages Comcast Business’ extensive network and managed security services, Fortinet’s Secure SD-WAN solution, and Exclusive Networks’ global proficiency. It equips partners with dependable, high-quality solutions and multiple avenues to cater to the escalating need for secure remote work connectivity.
Bill Madison, Vice President of Global Channel Alliances, expressed Comcast Business’ commitment to adaptability and addressing the distinct requirements of their partners. Madison stated, “Comcast Business is forward-thinking, striving to accommodate the unique needs of our partners. By merging tailored solutions for resellers and distributors with our expanded sales channels, we seize new opportunities, enrich our portfolio, and reaffirm our standing as a global leader in the managed services industry.”
2. Fortinet Managed Services – Inclusion of Hardware:
FWaaS by Fortinet-focused MSPs often includes the necessary hardware. This alleviates the burden of purchasing, maintaining, and upgrading physical devices, ensuring seamless security infrastructure. This allows customers to buy an outcome vs going through a sales process, demonstrations, and price negotiations for a bunch of hardware. It is simply included as part of the monthly cost.
3. Partnership Levels for Fortinet Managed Services Providers
Established MSPs specializing in Fortinet often hold distinguished partnership levels with the company. These partnerships signify deep expertise, access to resources, and priority support, ensuring optimal service delivery to clients. Fortinet partnership levels go from Advocate, Select, Advanced, and finally to Expert in that order of sophistication. Fortinet Expert partners are at the highest level of partnership and likely have a strong practice around managing their customer’s firewalls.
4. Certifications and Expertise:
Engineers at these MSPs boast diverse Fortinet certifications, such as NSE (Network Security Expert) certifications. This expertise ensures that the management and configuration of Fortinet firewalls are in capable hands. Managed Service Providers should have a fully loaded NOC with Engineers who have technical certifications ranging from NSE-4 to NSE-7. This tells you they have a focus on Fortinet and know the product well.
5. Response Times and SLAs:
FWaaS providers committed to Fortinet offer stringent Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and rapid response times. They prioritize quick resolution of issues and downtime, ensuring minimal disruptions to your network. You should ask your managed service provider their metrics around Mean-Time-to-Resolution (MTTR), Live Call Answer Rate, and Service Level Goals. Having an understanding of these will help you compare the various MSPs in your area.
6. Management and Configuration Tasks:
Managed service providers specializing in Fortinet handle the complete gamut of management and configuration tasks. This includes initial setup, rule configuration, policy management, and ongoing maintenance. What may be outside of the scope of managed services is adding new services to the firewall, such as SOCaaS, FortiAIOps, and obviously new firewalls which require change orders.
7. Updates and Patches:
Timely updates and patches are crucial for firewall security. Fortinet-focused MSPs proactively manage firmware updates and security patches, fortifying your network against emerging threats. These updates and patches must follow a standard operating procedure, which you should ask for before you sign on with a new managed services provider. It’s critical to know the communication plan for any planned downtime when it comes to patching and firmware updates.
8. 24×7 Monitoring for Downtime:
Continuous monitoring is integral to preemptive threat detection. MSPs specializing in Fortinet ensure round-the-clock surveillance to promptly detect and mitigate potential threats or downtime. If an internet outage occurs that disrupts business, the MSP should be sharing an incident report of what happened. Some Managed Services Providers will go above and beyond and work directly with the carrier to resolve any issues and keep you updated on communication.
9. FortiSOCaaS – Security Operations Center as a Service:
For businesses requiring advanced security measures, some MSPs offer FortiSOCaaS, providing access to Fortinet’s Security Operations Center. This service enhances threat intelligence, incident response, and proactive security measures. Since this is Fortinet’s own SOC as a service, managed services providers work directly with Fortinet on receiving alerts and responding to indications of compromise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, leveraging managed services for Fortinet firewalls through specialized MSPs offers a comprehensive, proactive approach to cybersecurity. It empowers businesses to focus on core operations while ensuring robust network security against evolving threats.
Selecting the right MSP specializing in Fortinet is pivotal for maximizing the benefits of FWaaS. Conduct thorough research, evaluate partnerships, and consider the specific needs of your business before choosing an MSP. Ultimately, partnering with a reliable provider ensures a fortified defense against cybersecurity threats.