FortiSASE: Strengthening Security and Simplifying Access for a Remote-First Workforce

With remote and hybrid work now standard, securing enterprise networks has never been more critical. Traditional models like VPNs struggle to scale, exposing organizations to cyber threats. Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) integrates networking and security into a cloud-delivered solution, providing seamless, secure access to corporate resources while simplifying IT operations. Selecting the right SASE solution requires careful evaluation to ensure consistent security and performance across a distributed workforce.

Fortinet’s SASE solution addresses these challenges by combining software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) with FortiSASE security service edge (SSE). This integration extends security from the network edge to remote users, offering zero-trust enforcement, AI-driven analytics, and cloud-delivered protection. With a single management console and digital experience monitoring (DEM), organizations gain real-time visibility into network performance and security posture, ensuring unified policy enforcement across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.

Fortinet SASE also enhances secure private access (SPA) by integrating FortiSASE with Fortinet Secure SD-WAN. Each point of presence (POP) includes native SD-WAN functionality, automatically optimizing paths to business-critical applications while reducing latency and simplifying IT operations. With bi-directional integration enabled in minutes, organizations benefit from rapid deployment, improved security, and seamless remote access.

Designed for comprehensive security enforcement, Fortinet SASE consolidates Secure Web Gateway (SWG), Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS), and Remote Browser Isolation (RBI) within a single platform. Additionally, thin edge security is supported through Fortinet WLAN/LAN and FortiExtender, allowing traffic to be offloaded to a SASE location for enterprise-grade security at scale. With deep threat visibility, end-to-end control, and simplified security management, Fortinet SASE delivers an efficient, future-ready solution for protecting hybrid workforces.

Case in Point: Liquid Networx Enhanced Security and Efficiency with FortiSASE

As an IT consulting firm and managed service provider, Liquid Networx operates with a highly dispersed workforce, with 97% of employees working remotely. While this flexibility benefits productivity, it also introduces security vulnerabilities, especially with employees accessing corporate resources from various locations, including home offices, hotels, and airports. The company needed a robust security solution that could provide always-on protection, seamless access, and integration with their existing Fortinet infrastructure. Without a unified security framework, administrators lacked visibility into user activity, struggled with access management, and faced growing cyber threats.

To address these challenges, Liquid Networx deployed FortiSASE, leveraging its secure access service edge (SASE) framework to provide web content filtering, data loss prevention (DLP), intrusion prevention (IPS), and sandboxing for remote users. The solution integrates seamlessly with Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, enabling automatic optimization of access to business-critical applications while eliminating the need for complex VPN configurations. Additionally, FortiSASE enforces strict access control to cloud applications, ensuring that only users connected through FortiSASE IP addresses can gain administrative access to platforms like Microsoft 365.

The results have been transformational. With FortiSASE’s centralized security controls, Liquid Networx now has full visibility into endpoint applications, allowing IT teams to proactively address vulnerabilities and enforce security policies. Administrators can respond to security threats faster, while employees benefit from simplified authentication through FortiSASE’s integration with Active Directory and SAML. The introduction of Secure Private Access (SPA) for remote workers has further enhanced security by eliminating the need to expose legacy on-premises applications to the internet.

Beyond security, FortiSASE has significantly improved operational efficiency. The always-on connectivity ensures employees no longer need to manually connect or disconnect from VPNs, reducing disruptions to workflows. IT teams have also seen a reduction in complexity and lower total cost of ownership by consolidating multiple security functions within a single, easy-to-manage platform. For Liquid Networx, FortiSASE has not only strengthened cybersecurity but also streamlined access management and boosted workforce productivity—making it the ideal solution for securing modern remote-first organizations.

What this means for SAPinsiders

Enhance SAP Security with Zero Trust and SASE Integration: As SAP applications become more accessible across hybrid cloud environments, organizations must prioritize security without compromising user experience. FortiSASE’s Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) and Secure Private Access (SPA) enforce strict authentication and role-based controls, ensuring only verified users can access SAP S/4HANA, SAP SuccessFactors, and SAP Ariba. This eliminates the risks associated with traditional VPNs and prevents unauthorized access or data breaches. By routing SAP traffic through FortiSASE’s cloud-delivered security fabric, enterprises gain continuous monitoring, real-time threat detection, and policy enforcement, strengthening the overall security posture of mission-critical SAP workloads.

Optimize SAP Performance with SD-WAN and Cloud-Delivered Security: Reliable connectivity is essential for SAP systems, as performance degradation can lead to delayed transactions, disrupted supply chains, and reduced productivity. FortiSASE’s integration with Secure SD-WAN intelligently steers traffic through the most efficient network paths, reducing latency and ensuring fast, uninterrupted access to SAP Fiori, SAP Analytics Cloud, and other cloud-based applications. The built-in AI-driven traffic prioritization dynamically adapts to network conditions, ensuring that business-critical SAP workloads receive the highest quality of service (QoS). This approach eliminates bottlenecks, accelerates cloud adoption, and enhances remote user experiences, even in geographically dispersed environments.

Simplify IT Management, Strengthen Compliance, and Reduce Costs: Managing security across SAP’s hybrid and multi-cloud landscapes can be complex and resource-intensive. FortiSASE centralizes security enforcement within a single management console, offering end-to-end visibility into SAP data flows, user access, and potential threats. Built-in Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and AI-powered analytics help IT teams detect policy violations, enforce compliance, and automate threat responses, reducing manual intervention. Additionally, FortiSASE’s flexible, cloud-based deployment eliminates the need for costly hardware, lowering the total cost of ownership (TCO) while ensuring continuous compliance with regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, and industry-specific security mandates.