Cybercriminals have recently taken a more targeted approach to their attacks and with the growing use of automation and AI by cybercriminals, SMBs are often more exposed to cyberattacks than enterprises with larger security budgets and teams of networking and security professionals.

Critical challenges facing today's SMBs include system complexity and a shortage of skilled professionals. Smaller organizations, in contrast to larger enterprises, also often lack the means or expertise to build out the core protections employed by larger enterprises-and yet they are just as susceptible to cyberattack as any other organization. As SMBs strive to stay ahead of threat actors, it is crucial for them to adopt cybersecurity solutions that are not only robust but also affordable, simple to manage, and most importantly, scalable for future growth.

In addition to our industry-leading enterprise offerings, Fortinet also offers a comprehensive suite of enterprise-grade security solutions designed to meet the needs of SMBs, providing enterprise-class protection in form factors that can scale and grow as an organization expands.

Understanding SMB Cybersecurity Challenges

SMBs face escalating cybersecurity challenges as they adapt to an increasingly digital and distributed landscape. Further, as smaller organizations expand their digital footprint and begin to incorporate more applications and devices, they face newly introduced cyber risk as their network complexity grows.

 The rise of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, operational technology, and the bring your own device (BYOD) trend compounds SMB cybersecurity challenges, often leaving branch offices vulnerable due to inadequate security measures and lack of visibility.

Hybrid Workforce Complications

The shift to a hybrid workforce further complicates cybersecurity efforts, as remote workers require robust endpoint protection against evolving threats like malware, phishing, and malicious websites. Securing user internet access and safeguarding critical applications whether on premise or not becomes even more vital.

SMBs must ensure secure access to business-critical applications, regardless of user location. However, managing this increasingly complex security environment often leads to challenges like misconfigurations and increased operational costs-particularly when dealing with multiple management consoles. But for smaller organizations with limited resources and tight budgets, these difficulties are magnified, making effective cybersecurity a daunting task.

Fortinet Cybersecurity Solutions for SMBs

Fortinet cybersecurity solutions for SMBs offer enterprise-grade protection and performance tailored to meet the unique needs of smaller organizations. Fortinet's unified platform approach enables you to protect your distributed users, offices, and application access while being easy to manage and providing seamless scalability for future growth. Our converged and integrated security solutions simplify your cybersecurity infrastructure by reducing complexity and lowering costs and overhead.

Protecting Networks

Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW):At the heart of any cybersecurity solution is its ability to protect organizations from incoming network attacks. FortiGate NGFWs are the recognized industry leader, delivering top-tier protection and performance to safeguard your growing network. Security capabilities include intrusion prevention system, deep-packet inspection, advanced malware protection, and application control.

To help you adopt a more effective Secure Networking strategy, FortiGate NGFWs include a Wi-Fi controller, SD-WAN for high-speed inter-office and cloud communications, and a zero-trust network access (ZTNA) proxy at no additional cost. Available as hardware, virtual machine, or as-a-service, FortiGates provide on-premises and cloud networks with the same robust AI-driven protection, centralized management, and SD-WAN interoperability.

FortiGate 30G is Tailor-Made for Small Businesses
Fortinet offers a broad range of NGFW models tailored to meet small business needs. The FortiGate 30G NGFW delivers high-performance, streamlined security for small businesses and offices without complexity and expense. Built on the patented Fortinet secure processor-with the industry's first converged security and networking capabilities-as our enterprise-class solutions, FortiGate 30G gives organizations a cost-effective and energy-efficient solution to safeguard your organization's mission-critical network and data.

Backed by FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services, FortiGate 30G gives SMBs consistent, real-time protection against known and unknown threats across devices, applications, and users. It also provides out-of-the-box integrations with firewalling, security, SD-WAN, and switch and wireless controllers combined in a single appliance.

FortiGuard AI-powered Security Services:All of our NGFWs are powered by FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services to provide real-time protection against a wide range of threats-keeping your networks, applications, files, emails, employees, and web usage secure.

Ethernet Switches and Wi-Fi Access Points:When combined with Fortinet's FortiSwitch secure Ethernet switches and FortiAP Wi-Fi access points, you get a unique, comprehensive solution designed to secure your entire network while offering fully integrated secure connectivity across office locations.

Combining NGFW with integrated SD-WAN, switch, and wireless APs ensures the seamless integration of security across both wired and wireless networks while covering all critical branch exposures, from the WAN edge to the branch access layer to a full spectrum of endpoint devices. By integrating security across your wired and wireless networks, businesses can achieve centralized control, greater visibility, and simplified management across their branch infrastructure. This unified approach enhances performance and reliability while effectively securing distributed environments.

Protecting Users

FortiClient:Securing all users, regardless of location and devices, is essential. Our FortiClient solution offers comprehensive security by delivering a full range of endpoint protection services, including antivirus, anti-malware, and ransomware defense in a single-client agent. It also proactively reports vulnerabilities, guides patching, and secures access to corporate and SaaS applications. Whether used as a standalone agent or integrated with our secure access service edge solution (FortiSASE), FortiClient ensures your users are protected wherever they work.

Protecting Application Access

SASE:FortiSASE and its FortiClient agent extend secure access and high-performance connectivity to users anywhere. FortiSASE offers a simple, scalable, cloud-delivered security solution that provides always-on, AI-powered protection and secure access to the web, cloud, and applications. It ensures enterprise-grade security and a consistent user experience for your hybrid workforce. FortiClient is essential for customers adopting a ZTNA architecture for more granular control over corporate and SaaS applications. 

Centralized Management

Fortinet also provides a powerful unified management and analytics platform to ease the burden on IT staff and streamline deployment and management. The FortiGate Cloud SaaS portal provides simplified, single-pane-of-glass network management and security analytics for your entire FortiGate, FortiSwitch, and FortiAP infrastructure.

This unique platform approach enhances visibility across your infrastructure, reduces operational complexity, and ensures consistent security policy management, reporting, and regulatory compliance. As a result, SMBs can lower cyber risk, improve their security posture, and achieve a lower total cost of ownership-crucial for any cost-conscious business.                

FortiGuard SOC-as-a-Service

Whether for staff augmentation services, selective outsourcing, or full turnkey operations, many SMB organizations turn to security operations experts to help ensure their protection. FortiGuard SOCaaS offers 24x7 expert security management for SMBs, handling monitoring, detection, and investigation for their FortiGate devices. Whether offered directly by a partner or as a partner-branded service, Fortinet experts will manage your network security so you can focus on your core business.

Fortinet's Platform Approach Helps Harden SMB Security

SMBs will continue to face unique cybersecurity challenges that require robust, scalable, and integrated solutions. Fortinet's enterprise-grade offerings, combined with the advanced protection SMBs require, will help you stay safe from evolving threats and thrive in today's risky digital environment.

Fortinet's unique platform approach helps SMBs integrate disparate cybersecurity solutions, improving security efficiency and effectiveness, reducing management burdens, and enabling automation with full visibility. Our proven products seamlessly work together to deliver advanced threat protection and fast, coordinated responses across networks, endpoints, and clouds, enabling a unified and robust security framework from a single vendor.