The new FortiCarrier features are driven by three key trends: the convergence of content types including data, voice, video and mobile content onto a single network; the proliferation of mobile threats; and the growing popularity of the security-as-a-service business model. The security implications of these trends are addressed through new enhancements to the FortiOS Carrier 4.0 operating system and supported by the FortiCarrier-3810A and -5001A-DW hardware platforms.

"A carrier-specific offering for consolidated security would be timely to take advantage of the market's current propensity toward managed security services, especially under the budgetary pressures of the current economic climate," said Lee Doyle, group vice president and general manager of IDC's Network Infrastructure and Security Products and Services groups. "There are strong indicators to suggest that this is a business model that is attractive to more than just carriers; large enterprises and small- to mid-MSSPs are also seeing the services opportunity in security and would also benefit from a carrier-grade consolidated security platform."

Carrier-Grade Capable

FortiCarrier is a powerful solution in its ability to offer dual benefits -- helping customers with CAPEX and OPEX savings for securing their own networks and enabling a business model for a recurring revenue stream with managed security services. This is enabled by the numerous carrier-specific capabilities Fortinet has added to the FortiCarrier product line, including the following key features:

• Dynamic Security Profiles -- Service providers now have the ability to apply automated security policies on a per-user basis and reduce manual configurations, which lowers operational expense. This becomes increasingly valuable for service providers as the growing popularity of managed security services could mean a significant increase in management complexities to support thousands of customers, all with differing security policies.