Fortinet Expands Workspace Security to Safeguard SAP and Hybrid Enterprises

Fortinet has announced a major expansion of its cybersecurity platform with an expanded AI-powered FortiMail Workspace Security Suite, designed to protect enterprise email, productivity, and collaboration tools. While the release targets a broad enterprise market, it has direct relevance for SAP customers, given Fortinet’s long-standing alliance with SAP and its role in securing hybrid SAP landscapes. The company’s new offering complements its existing firewall, SD-WAN, and segmentation solutions already validated for SAP environments.

The suite includes updated versions of FortiDLP and FortiMail—integrated with Perception Point for Email security. Powered by real-time analytics from billions of daily events, these tools aim to automate user risk detection, adapt access controls dynamically, and provide end-to-end threat visibility.

Extending Zero Trust Principles to SAP Workflows and Access

According to SAP’s advisories and multiple third-party threat intelligence reports, SAP systems have become a primary target for phishing, privilege escalation, and identity compromise. Fortinet’s security offerings address these concerns by extending Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), behavioral analytics, and device posture to check the systems and users that access SAP environments. For example, Fortinet’s AI-powered User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA) engine evaluates session behavior in real time—flagging anomalies that could signal a breach before it spreads to core SAP data or applications.

This user-level protection may be especially critical for enterprises using SAP Graphical User Interface (SAP GUI), SAP Fiori, and mobile interfaces to access SAP S/4HANA or SAP ECC. The suite also integrates with passwordless authentication systems and enforces dynamic access policies, helping companies reduce attack surfaces. These features align with SAP’s own security framework and aim to help organizations reduce their reliance on disconnected point solutions.

Fortinet Aims to Simplify Compliance and Operational Resilience

The expansion of FortiMail Workspace Security Suite marks a step toward convergence in enterprise cybersecurity, positioning Fortinet as a holistic partner in operational continuity. With integrations across network, endpoint, and user layers, the company aims to simplify security operations and accelerate compliance across SAP and non-SAP systems alike. Fortinet’s unified management console gives security teams a central point of control to manage threats, automate policy enforcement, and streamline incident response.

This is increasingly important as companies adopt cloud-hosted SAP systems, such as SAP BTP or RISE with SAP, alongside legacy on-premise modules. Protecting these hybrid environments

demands real-time visibility across identities, applications, and devices. Fortinet’s native integrations with major cloud providers and support for SAP-validated infrastructure make it a viable choice for enterprises aiming to unify security across multiple hyperscalers.

What This Means for SAPinsiders

Extend SAP Zero Trust policies to users and endpoints. SAP landscapes are no longer confined to data centers—they now span public clouds, mobile apps, and third-party access. Fortinet’s AI-driven controls allow SAP leaders to enforce identity-based access and behavioral monitoring at every edge. This helps secure both standard SAP interfaces and custom extensions that rely on email, APIs, or remote admin tools. SAP shops that already use Fortinet firewalls or SD-WAN solutions will benefit from tighter integration and policy consistency.

Select solutions based on SAP compatibility and extensibility. For many companies, the best solutions to workspace security extend to SAP environments without adding friction. Fortinet’s support for Zero Trust, VPN alternatives, and passwordless login makes it a credible alternative for SAP deployments across multiple clouds. Look for case studies in manufacturing and logistics sectors where endpoint controls have been tied directly to SAP admin privileges and user roles. Integration with identity services and cloud-native controls will be key differentiators.

Pilot and expand with a security-by-design approach. SAP teams can begin by securing high-risk user groups or specific systems like transport management or finance. According to Fortinet, their customers have reported success using phased rollouts to build maturity without disrupting core ERP functions. Aligning security projects with SAP change windows and involving IT audit teams early can ease adoption. Combining SAP BASIS and cybersecurity teams in governance planning could boost long-term resilience.