Detect and prevent network exploit activity.
Applied through FortiGate security policies.
FortiGuard service entitlement is important.
Use inspected traffic, not firewall-only figures.
Direct answer for buyers
FortiGate intrusion prevention is a network security capability within the FortiGate next-generation firewall platform that inspects traffic for exploit patterns and other suspicious behaviour, using the FortiOS IPS engine together with FortiGuard threat intelligence and signature updates. It is mainly used to reduce the chance that an attacker can exploit vulnerable services, clients or applications through permitted network traffic. Businesses running internet-facing services, user networks, branches, data centres, internal segmentation or selected OT environments may consider it. Before proceeding, confirm the FortiGate model, FortiOS version, active subscription, required policy paths, expected inspected throughput, SSL/TLS inspection approach, logging destination, high-availability design and the process for tuning legitimate traffic that may trigger IPS signatures.
What the solution does
FortiGate evaluates traffic that matches firewall policies where an IPS security profile is enabled. The IPS engine can use signatures, signature attributes, protocol decoders, behavioural or heuristic techniques and threat intelligence to identify traffic associated with exploitation attempts or unwanted network activity. Administrators can select predefined IPS sensors or build profiles around the type of asset being protected, protocol, severity, operating system or application characteristics.
The practical result is not simply another perimeter rule. IPS examines permitted sessions at a deeper level. If the inspection profile finds a condition that matches a configured blocking action, FortiGate can interrupt the malicious activity and record the event for investigation. Exact actions, coverage and performance depend on the FortiOS release, platform, profile, encrypted-traffic handling and current FortiGuard services.
Who should consider it
The solution is relevant to organisations that have applications or devices reachable through controlled network paths and want more than port-and-address filtering. Typical examples include offices publishing business applications, branches using shared internet connectivity, organisations with internally segmented server zones, retail networks, schools, healthcare environments, professional services firms and enterprises consolidating multiple security functions on a FortiGate.
It may also be relevant where patching cannot happen immediately and the business wants compensating network controls while remediation is planned. IPS should not be treated as a substitute for software updates, endpoint security, identity controls, backups or secure configuration. It works best as one part of a broader control set with clear ownership and monitoring.
Business problems FortiGate IPS can help address
Exploits inside allowed traffic
A conventional firewall rule may allow HTTPS, web, email or application traffic because the service is required. IPS adds inspection for known exploit characteristics or suspicious protocol behaviour within the allowed connection. This is useful when the attack does not require an obviously blocked port.
Delayed vulnerability remediation
When a vulnerable system cannot be patched immediately because of testing, maintenance windows or application dependencies, an IPS signature may provide a temporary network-level mitigation for covered exploits. Coverage must be confirmed; virtual patching does not remove the underlying vulnerability.
Inconsistent inspection between sites
Organisations with multiple FortiGate locations can standardise IPS profile design, logging and policy conventions through suitable management processes. Central tools may help at scale, but operational ownership, change control and model capacity still need to be considered per location.
Encrypted application traffic
Many attacks travel over encrypted sessions. FortiGate can combine security inspection with SSL/TLS inspection where the design and certificate trust model permit it. Deep inspection increases visibility but also adds performance, privacy, legal and application-compatibility considerations.
Server and client exploit exposure
IPS sensors can be oriented toward different targets and traffic directions. A buyer should identify whether the priority is protecting internet-facing servers, outbound users, internal application zones, email services or another traffic path before choosing filters and actions.
Alert volume without a tuning plan
A security control can create operational friction when legitimate traffic triggers a broad or newly released signature. Fortinet documentation notes the protection-versus-usability trade-off. A disciplined approach includes monitoring, validation and carefully scoped exceptions instead of simply disabling inspection.
Core capabilities buyers should evaluate
Match traffic against FortiGuard IPS intelligence and configured signature filters.
Inspect protocol behaviour rather than relying only on destination ports and addresses.
Inspect selected encrypted traffic when SSL/TLS policy, trust and capacity allow.
Apply IPS only to the traffic flows and security policies that need inspection.
Fit matrix: where intrusion prevention makes sense
| Requirement | Suitable when | Confirm before proceeding |
|---|---|---|
| Internet-edge exploit protection | Business services or users traverse a FortiGate internet edge. | Inbound and outbound policy paths, public services, TLS inspection and capacity. |
| Server-zone protection | Servers are segmented and traffic is forced through FortiGate policy. | Server protocols, application owners, maintenance windows and expected false-positive tolerance. |
| Branch standardisation | Several locations use FortiGate and need consistent controls. | Model differences, license status, policy templates, logging and central management approach. |
| Encrypted-traffic inspection | Organisation can deploy trusted inspection certificates and define exemptions. | Legal/privacy requirements, certificate pinning, application support and SSL inspection performance. |
| OT or specialised environments | Traffic paths and device requirements are known and suitable FortiGuard services are selected. | OT-related licensing, protocol coverage, change risk and vendor maintenance requirements. |
Buyer information table
| Topic | FortiGate Intrusion Prevention Solution |
|---|---|
| Platform | Fortinet FortiGate next-generation firewall with FortiOS IPS capabilities. |
| Main purpose | Inspect network traffic for exploit activity and enforce configured prevention actions. |
| Threat intelligence | FortiGuard Labs IPS intelligence and signatures; update eligibility depends on the active service entitlement. |
| Inspection methods | Signatures, filters, protocol-aware analysis and other IPS engine techniques; exact behaviour depends on FortiOS version and profile. |
| Encrypted traffic | Deep SSL/TLS inspection can increase visibility where permitted and correctly deployed; capacity and compatibility impact must be assessed. |
| Licensing | FortiGuard IPS is available in supported FortiGuard security bundles and may also be ordered as an individual service option. Exact commercial structure is model and term dependent. |
| Management | Local FortiGate administration; broader management and reporting options depend on architecture, tools and licenses. |
| High availability | FortiGate HA design is appliance and architecture dependent; confirm both units, support, licensing and failover policy requirements. |
| Performance | Model dependent. Size against IPS/threat-protection and SSL inspection figures relevant to the actual FortiGate, plus real traffic mix. |
| UAE availability | Contact FourTeck to confirm current FortiGate, subscription and service options. |
| Important note | IPS is one security layer. Patching, endpoint protection, secure identity, backups and secure application configuration remain important. |
Licensing and dependency notice
The FortiGate IPS engine is part of FortiOS, but continued access to current IPS engine and signature updates requires the appropriate FortiGuard service entitlement. Fortinet currently presents IPS within Advanced Threat Protection, Unified Threat Protection and Enterprise Protection bundles, while also listing IPS as an available individual service option. Bundle contents and eligibility can change by platform or program, so the exact FortiGate model, serial entitlement status, term length and renewal requirement should be checked before quoting.
Do not assume a hardware appliance automatically includes every security subscription for the required duration. A bundle SKU, standalone appliance, renewal SKU and individual FortiGuard service can represent different commercial outcomes even when the hardware model is the same.
Compatibility checks
- FortiGate model and FortiOS release
- Current IPS/FortiGuard entitlement
- Policy inspection mode and security profile support
- SSL/TLS certificate and application compatibility
- FortiManager/FortiAnalyzer design where used
- OT-specific service requirements where applicable
A practical deployment and purchase journey
Map the traffic that actually needs protection
Identify internet-facing servers, outbound user traffic, branch-to-head-office flows, internal server segments and any east-west paths that cross the FortiGate. IPS only helps on traffic that is actually inspected by a policy containing an appropriate profile. This stage also identifies application owners and maintenance contacts who can validate legitimate traffic later.
Size the FortiGate for inspection
Count users and devices, assess real peak bandwidth, identify interfaces, estimate VPN load and determine whether deep SSL inspection will be used. Review the data sheet for the exact model and compare IPS, threat-protection and SSL inspection metrics where relevant. Leave operational headroom rather than designing at a theoretical maximum.
Confirm licensing and update services
Determine whether the business needs a complete FortiGuard security bundle or an individual IPS service option. Verify renewal dates, support expectations, term length and whether other security capabilities such as web filtering, malware protection or DNS security are required as part of the same procurement.
Build and test IPS profiles
Select predefined sensors or create carefully scoped filters based on targets, severity, protocols, operating systems and applications. Start with known traffic objectives, confirm logging and test in a controlled change window. For sensitive services, consider observation before aggressive blocking so business owners can validate false-positive risk.
Monitor, tune and document
Review IPS logs, investigate repeated signatures, document justified exceptions and keep profile changes under change control. Treat tuning as part of the operating model rather than a one-time installation task. If a signature blocks legitimate traffic, first validate the event and scope any exception narrowly instead of turning off inspection broadly.
Capability focus: inspection depth without blind policy expansion
FortiGate IPS is most useful when inspection is aligned to known asset roles and traffic direction. A server protection profile can be materially different from one designed for outbound users. FortiOS supports signature filters using attributes such as target, severity, protocol, operating system and application. This means a security team can avoid a simplistic approach of forcing every possible signature against every flow.
For example, traffic to an internet-facing web application can be evaluated with server-side protections relevant to HTTP services, while user traffic may require client-oriented exploit coverage. The exact profile depends on the application architecture and FortiOS version. Custom signatures may also exist as an option, but they should be used only when the organisation has a clear test and maintenance process because a poorly designed custom signature can create unnecessary disruption.
The goal is controlled visibility and prevention, not maximum rule count. A smaller, well-understood policy can be easier to monitor and defend operationally than an undifferentiated profile applied everywhere.
Capability focus: updated intelligence and virtual patching
FortiGuard Labs develops and distributes IPS protections for vulnerabilities and exploit activity. This matters because a static signature set loses value as new vulnerabilities are discovered and attackers change techniques. An active entitlement allows supported FortiGate deployments to receive the current IPS engine and signature updates associated with the service.
Virtual patching is especially relevant when an organisation knows that an application or device is vulnerable but cannot immediately apply the vendor patch. A matching network signature can reduce exposure to covered exploit traffic while the permanent remediation process continues. This is compensating control, not remediation: the underlying software remains vulnerable until it is updated, reconfigured, isolated or retired.
In OT environments, Fortinet also offers specialised OT security services and virtual patching capabilities with additional requirements. Buyers should not assume that standard IPS automatically includes every OT feature. Licensing, device detection, protocol support, traffic direction and maintenance constraints need separate review.
Capability focus: encrypted traffic, performance and operating trade-offs
A modern IPS design must account for encryption. If the FortiGate cannot inspect the application payload because traffic remains encrypted end to end, its visibility into exploit content is naturally limited. Deep SSL/TLS inspection can expose selected traffic to security profiles, but it changes both technical and governance requirements. User devices may need to trust an enterprise inspection certificate. Some applications use certificate pinning or mutual TLS and may fail when intercepted. Privacy, financial, healthcare or other sensitive traffic may need explicit exclusions according to organisational policy and applicable law.
Deep inspection also consumes resources. Fortinet sizing guidance recommends evaluating the actual FortiGate model against the security functions being used rather than relying on basic firewall throughput. For an IPS-heavy deployment, buyers should look at inspected traffic volumes, user and device counts, link speeds, interfaces, session behaviour and the performance effect of SSL inspection. A branch with 500 Mbps of internet bandwidth but heavy TLS inspection and multiple security profiles can have a different requirement from a site with the same link speed and mostly uninspected trusted traffic.
This is one reason FourTeck asks for traffic and application details before recommending a model. The commercial objective is not to select the biggest appliance; it is to avoid under-sizing, unnecessary over-sizing and a design that behaves differently after security profiles are switched on.
Ideal business environments and use cases
Head office and branch networks
A FortiGate at the branch edge can apply IPS to outbound users and selected inbound services while also performing routing, VPN and other security functions. Multi-site organisations should keep profile standards consistent but account for different appliance sizes and local traffic patterns.
Data-centre and server segments
Traffic entering or crossing protected server zones can be inspected for server-side exploitation attempts. Application owners should be part of the change process because business-critical services may need careful tuning, maintenance windows and SSL inspection exceptions.
Retail, education and distributed environments
Where many locations share standard internet and application patterns, FortiGate can provide a repeatable IPS control as part of the branch security baseline. Logging and management strategy should scale with the number of locations so events can be reviewed without relying on each site individually.
OT and industrial networks
Industrial environments may use specialised FortiGuard OT security and virtual patching services. These deployments require additional caution because uptime, safety and vendor support constraints can make aggressive blocking unsuitable without prior testing. Exact licensing and protocol coverage must be confirmed.
Integration and operational considerations
Logging and investigation
Decide where IPS events will be stored, how long they need to remain available and who reviews them. A high-severity block against an internet-facing server should not simply become another log line. Repeated events, source patterns, affected assets and policy context can help determine whether the activity is scanning, exploitation or a false positive.
Central management
Larger environments may use FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer as part of configuration and reporting workflows. The exact architecture is not automatically included with an IPS subscription. Licensing, storage, ADOM design, administration roles and operational processes should be planned separately.
High availability and maintenance
If the FortiGate is in a high-availability pair, confirm hardware symmetry, interface design, heartbeat links, firmware compatibility, subscription status and failover testing. IPS profile updates and configuration changes should be managed within the same change process as firewall policy changes because a security profile can affect live application traffic even when routing and addresses stay unchanged.
Patch management remains necessary
IPS is strongest when it buys time for remediation or adds a second barrier against exploitation. It does not eliminate the need to patch operating systems, applications, network devices or industrial equipment. A mature workflow can use IPS events to help prioritise vulnerable assets, but ownership of the actual vulnerability remains with the relevant system or application team.
Questions to resolve before requesting a quotation
Share the exact model, serial entitlement status and FortiOS version if you already own the appliance.
Describe internet, branch, server, internal and VPN paths, including expected peak bandwidth.
Confirm certificate deployment capability, privacy exclusions and applications that use pinning or mutual TLS.
State whether the requirement is new hardware, renewal, standalone IPS service or a broader FortiGuard bundle.
Identify the administrator or security team responsible for validation, exceptions and follow-up.
Clarify whether you need only licensing or also assessment, policy configuration, testing and documentation.
Procurement checklist for FortiGate IPS
How FourTeck can assist
FourTeck can help convert a broad requirement such as “enable IPS” into a practical bill of materials and implementation scope. The discussion can cover whether the existing FortiGate is suitable, which traffic requires inspection, whether a new appliance or renewal is needed, what subscription term is appropriate, how SSL/TLS inspection will be handled and whether central logging or management forms part of the project.
For a new deployment, sizing should be based on the actual traffic and enabled security services. For an existing FortiGate, the first step is usually to confirm model, support status, FortiOS version and current FortiGuard entitlements before recommending a renewal or configuration change. FourTeck can also discuss migration from older firewall policies, staged IPS activation, testing, documentation and operational handover.
Visit the FourTeck firewall services page for related planning and implementation assistance, or browse security products and firewall options.
UAE availability and support guidance
Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE availability for the required FortiGate hardware, FortiGuard IPS service, bundle or renewal term. Availability may depend on the appliance model, entitlement type, quantity, subscription duration, regional licensing rules and vendor lead time. Where activation depends on an existing serial number, share the exact appliance details so the correct renewal or service can be checked.
Delivery and project coordination can be discussed after the requirement is confirmed. Installation and configuration should be included in the quotation when required rather than assumed as part of a license purchase. If the business needs a change window, policy review, TLS inspection rollout or log-integration work, these should be identified early so the technical scope and commercial quote describe the same project.
For a current commercial check, use the FourTeck UAE contact page.
Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman coverage
Businesses in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ajman can contact FourTeck for requirement review, FortiGate sizing, FortiGuard subscription guidance, quotation coordination and deployment planning. The same technical information is useful regardless of emirate: exact appliance model, quantity, site bandwidth, protected applications, security-service requirements, existing support status and the preferred project schedule. For multi-site projects, share whether the locations will use a common policy standard, central management, common logging or different FortiGate sizes. Delivery and onsite or remote service arrangements depend on confirmed scope, location, resource scheduling and product availability, so they should be agreed in the quotation rather than assumed.
GCC Availability
FourTeck can assist organisations planning FortiGate intrusion prevention projects across GCC markets by reviewing the intended firewall platform, service entitlement, number of sites, subscription term, traffic requirements and deployment scope before quotation. A business in the United Arab Emirates may have a different license, delivery or support requirement from a regional branch in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain or Oman, so the destination country should be identified at the beginning of the request. Product availability, FortiGuard licensing, delivery schedules, service visits, project scope and vendor lead times can vary by country, model, quantity and requirement. For regional rollouts, it is useful to share the required FortiGate models, appliance quantities, license duration, deployment locations, expected security policy standard and target timeline. FourTeck can then help coordinate requirement clarification, quote preparation, configuration scope, renewal planning and regional project discussions without assuming that one commercial arrangement applies identically to every GCC location.
Africa Availability
Organisations evaluating FortiGate IPS for African operations can contact FourTeck for model and subscription review, accessory planning, configuration scope, renewal guidance and regional procurement coordination. Requirements can differ substantially between a headquarters, a branch with limited bandwidth, a data-centre location and an industrial site, so the solution should be sized from the actual environment rather than copied from another region. Availability and fulfilment may depend on the destination country, FortiGate model, quantity, license region, vendor lead time, power and regulatory considerations, shipping arrangements, installation scope and local project conditions. Buyers in East Africa, including Kenya and Uganda, as well as organisations planning projects in other African regions, should share the destination, exact requirement, quantity, preferred deployment schedule and support expectations. FourTeck can then provide appropriate guidance on commercial options and project coordination. Regional resources are also available through FourTeck Africa and FourTeck Kenya.
Related FourTeck options and services
Review wider FortiGate hardware and firewall requirements when IPS is part of a new appliance project.
Firewall Configuration Services
Plan policy review, security profiles, testing, logging, migration and handover as a defined technical scope.
Fortinet UAE Information
Explore additional Fortinet-focused information for UAE network and security projects.
Why businesses contact FourTeck for IPS planning
The difficult part of buying intrusion prevention is often not understanding that IPS blocks exploits; it is matching the control to the right appliance, traffic path, license and operational process. FourTeck can help buyers clarify whether an existing FortiGate has sufficient capacity, whether the current subscription is active, whether the business needs an individual IPS entitlement or a broader FortiGuard bundle, and what services should be included in the quote.
The same requirement review can cover bill-of-material guidance, appliance interfaces, HA design, SSL inspection, application exceptions, logging, policy migration, staged rollout and renewal timing. This is particularly useful when procurement, IT operations and security teams have different questions about the same project. For more information about FourTeck, visit the company overview.
What buyers are trying to solve before choosing FortiGate IPS
When buyers research a FortiGate intrusion prevention project, the questions quickly move beyond “does FortiGate have IPS?” The practical concerns are usually about how IPS differs from a basic firewall rule, whether a subscription is required, how the profile should be tuned, what happens to encrypted traffic, which FortiGate model has enough capacity and whether IPS can help when a vulnerable system cannot be patched immediately. These are connected decisions rather than separate features.
Firewall rules versus intrusion prevention
A firewall policy answers whether a connection is permitted based on addresses, services, identities, applications and other policy criteria. IPS goes further into the allowed traffic and looks for exploit activity or protocol behaviour that matches its detection logic. A business may therefore need both: the firewall rule allows the web service to function, while IPS helps stop a malicious request that abuses a vulnerability inside that service. This distinction is important for procurement because enabling IPS changes the inspection workload placed on the appliance.
IDS mode, IPS mode and blocking decisions
Buyers often compare intrusion detection with intrusion prevention. Detection focuses on observing and alerting, while prevention is intended to interrupt traffic according to configured actions. FortiGate IPS profiles can use actions that monitor, pass, block, reset or otherwise handle matched events depending on signature and configuration. A sensible rollout may begin with visibility on sensitive applications before stricter blocking is introduced. The correct balance is operational: an aggressive profile may increase protection but also raises the need for rapid validation when legitimate traffic triggers a signature.
Does FortiGate IPS need a FortiGuard subscription?
The FortiOS IPS capability exists on the FortiGate platform, but current Fortinet documentation ties IPS engine and signature updates to the appropriate FortiGuard service license. Fortinet currently includes IPS across its main FortiGuard bundles and also lists IPS as an available individual service. This means a buyer should not assume that an unlicensed appliance receives the same current protection as an appliance with an active IPS entitlement. If the requirement is a renewal, the serial number and existing contract dates matter. If the requirement is new hardware, ask whether the proposed SKU includes the intended FortiGuard bundle and for how long.
How should a FortiGate IPS profile be chosen?
FortiOS provides predefined IPS sensors, including profiles designed around default actions, high-security enforcement, clients, web servers and email servers in supported releases. These presets are starting points rather than proof that one profile is correct for every network. A production design should consider the target assets, applications, operating systems, protocols and severity levels relevant to the traffic. For an internet-facing web application, the priority is different from a user VLAN browsing the internet. For an internal legacy application, the risk of breaking a proprietary protocol may be more important than maximum generic coverage. A good profile therefore has an owner, a reason for each scope decision and a method for handling exceptions.
Why do IPS false positives happen, and what should the business do?
New signatures may be intentionally broad at first so protection can be distributed quickly and refined later. Legitimate application traffic can occasionally resemble malicious patterns, especially where applications use unusual protocol behaviour. The wrong response is to create a permanent, network-wide bypass without analysis. Instead, collect the event details, confirm the affected application, validate the signature reference and test whether a narrow exception is appropriate. The change should be documented and reviewed after signature updates or application changes. Organisations that cannot provide this operational follow-up should include managed support or an internal security owner in the project plan.
A FortiGate that comfortably routes traffic with basic policies can behave differently once IPS, malware inspection and deep TLS inspection are enabled. Sizing should use the exact model data sheet and the intended security feature set, then add headroom for traffic growth, bursts and future services.
Can IPS protect traffic inside HTTPS?
It can inspect encrypted application content where the FortiGate is configured to perform suitable SSL/TLS deep inspection, but the answer is not simply “turn it on.” The business must handle certificate trust, user devices, privacy exclusions, application pinning, inbound server certificates where relevant and the performance cost of decryption and re-encryption. Some traffic should not be decrypted because of legal, privacy or technical reasons. The design should define which categories are inspected, which are exempt and how exceptions are approved.
Is virtual patching the same as installing a software patch?
No. Virtual patching is a compensating control that attempts to block exploit traffic for a known vulnerability at the network layer. It can be valuable when software cannot be updated immediately, but it does not remove the vulnerable code from the system. If the device moves to a network path that bypasses the FortiGate, or an exploit is not covered by the active signature set, the underlying vulnerability remains. Patch management and remediation should continue while the IPS control reduces exposure.
What information makes a FortiGate IPS quotation accurate?
For new hardware, provide internet and internal link speeds, users, devices, published servers, VPN load, required interfaces, HA requirements, SSL inspection plans, security services and expected growth. For a renewal, provide the exact FortiGate model, serial number where appropriate, existing entitlement, desired term and whether the business wants only IPS or a wider FortiGuard bundle. For implementation, add the number of security policies, main applications, change window, logging platform, testing expectations and whether documentation or handover is required. This information lets FourTeck separate hardware, licensing and professional-service scope rather than quoting an ambiguous single line item.
Important buyer questions before deployment
Do we need a new FortiGate or only an IPS renewal?
Start by checking the existing appliance model, current FortiOS, support lifecycle, peak utilisation and subscription status. If the hardware has sufficient inspection capacity and appropriate support, a service renewal may be enough. If the appliance is already near capacity, lacks required interfaces or is approaching a lifecycle milestone, renewing security services alone may not address the wider risk. The decision should be based on both technical condition and commercial timing.
Should every firewall policy use the same IPS sensor?
Usually not. Different policies protect different assets and protocols. A profile for outbound staff web traffic has different targets from a profile protecting a public web server, and an internal database application may need a more controlled change process than generic internet access. Standardisation is useful, but it should be based on traffic roles rather than a single universal sensor applied without context.
How much headroom should we leave?
There is no universal percentage that fits every environment. The relevant headroom depends on traffic peaks, session behaviour, enabled security services, SSL inspection, growth expectations and failover design. In an HA environment, each unit may need to carry the full production load during maintenance or failure. Share real utilisation data and projected growth so sizing can be conservative without becoming arbitrary.
Can we use IPS without decrypting all HTTPS traffic?
Yes, but the depth of visibility differs. Traffic that remains encrypted cannot be inspected at the same application-payload level as traffic that is decrypted. Many organisations use selective deep inspection with categories or applications excluded for privacy or compatibility reasons. The policy should be documented so security teams understand where IPS has deeper visibility and where it has only the information available without decryption.
What should happen when a business application is blocked?
Treat the event as an investigation, not an automatic reason to disable IPS. Record the policy, source, destination, signature, severity and application behaviour. Confirm whether the traffic is expected and whether the application is vulnerable or simply resembles the signature. If an exception is justified, scope it as narrowly as the platform allows and document why it exists. Review the exception after application updates or signature changes.
What should we send FourTeck for the next step?
Send the FortiGate model or desired deployment size, quantity, site location, current license status, required term, internet and internal bandwidth, expected users and devices, published applications, SSL inspection requirement, HA need, management/reporting requirements and whether configuration or migration services are required. This turns a general security request into a quote that procurement and the technical team can evaluate together.
Frequently asked questions
What is FortiGate intrusion prevention used for?
It is used to inspect network traffic for exploit activity and suspicious patterns, then apply configured actions such as blocking or monitoring. It complements firewall policy by looking deeper into permitted traffic.
Does FortiGate IPS require a subscription?
Current IPS engine and signature updates require the appropriate FortiGuard service entitlement. Fortinet offers IPS within supported FortiGuard bundles and also as an available individual service option. Confirm the exact model and term before ordering.
Can IPS inspect encrypted HTTPS traffic?
FortiGate can inspect encrypted payloads when appropriate SSL/TLS deep inspection is configured. Certificate trust, privacy policy, application compatibility and appliance performance must be assessed before broad deployment.
What is the difference between IDS and IPS?
Intrusion detection is primarily concerned with identifying and alerting on suspicious activity. Intrusion prevention is designed to take enforcement action on matched traffic according to policy. FortiGate IPS profiles can be tuned for monitoring or blocking behaviour.
Can FortiGate IPS replace software patching?
No. IPS and virtual patching can reduce exposure to covered exploit traffic, but they do not remove the vulnerable code. Vendor patches, upgrades, secure configuration and lifecycle remediation remain necessary.
How do we size a FortiGate for IPS?
Use the exact FortiGate data sheet and consider IPS or threat-protection performance, SSL inspection where relevant, users, devices, session behaviour, interfaces, VPN load and expected growth. Do not size only from basic firewall throughput.
Which FortiGuard bundle includes IPS?
Fortinet currently lists IPS in its Advanced Threat Protection, Unified Threat Protection and Enterprise Protection bundles. Individual IPS service availability is also shown. Bundle contents and platform eligibility should be checked for the required FortiGate and term.
What should we do about IPS false positives?
Validate the event, confirm the application behaviour and investigate the signature before creating an exception. If a bypass is justified, scope it narrowly, document it and review it after application or signature changes.
Can FourTeck configure IPS on an existing FortiGate?
FourTeck can discuss assessment, policy review, profile design, staged activation, testing, logging and documentation. Scope depends on the existing FortiGate, FortiOS version, entitlements, applications and change requirements.
Is FortiGate IPS available in Dubai and the UAE?
Contact FourTeck to confirm current UAE hardware, FortiGuard subscription and renewal options. Availability, activation timing and delivery depend on the exact model, quantity, term and vendor lead time.
Plan FortiGate IPS around your real traffic and risk
Share your FortiGate model, bandwidth, users, applications, license status and deployment objective. FourTeck can help you review sizing, FortiGuard options, inspection scope and implementation requirements before a quotation is prepared.