Fortinet has introduced FortiDLP, its first standalone endpoint Data Loss Prevention (DLP) product, marking a significant enhancement in its data security offerings. This launch expands Fortinet’s existing data protection portfolio, which already includes network DLP capabilities integrated within the FortiGate NGFW and solutions such as FortiSASE, FortiProxy, and FortiMail. FortiDLP stands out as Fortinet’s inaugural focus on endpoint security, leveraging AI technology and origin-based data protection for enhanced security measures within enterprises. This new product follows Fortinet’s recent acquisition of Next DLP, whose technology has been instrumental in the development of this latest solution.
Advanced AI and Origin-Based Data Protection
AI-Powered Data Security
One of the most distinguishing aspects of FortiDLP is its innovative use of artificial intelligence to enhance data security. By incorporating machine learning at the endpoint level, the solution can offer continuous data monitoring without requiring the device to be constantly connected to the network. This uninterrupted surveillance capability is crucial in today’s digital landscape, where data breaches and leaks can occur anytime, regardless of network connectivity. The integration of machine learning allows FortiDLP to build a baseline of normal activity, enabling the system to detect anomalous data interactions and flag potential risks effectively. AI’s role goes beyond mere monitoring—it automates data classification and real-time policy enforcement across multiple channels, including local applications and cloud deployments, safeguarding organization data even in complex, diverse IT environments.
Alongside its AI-driven features, FortiDLP leverages origin-based data protection, a method that meticulously tracks data movement from endpoints and unmanaged mobile devices to various external destinations, such as USB drives, printers, and cloud applications. This function ensures that data moving across and out of the enterprise is consistently monitored and protected, preventing unauthorized access or data loss. This expansive coverage across both managed and unmanaged devices sets a new standard in endpoint data protection, ensuring that sensitive information has a robust safety net, whether at rest or in transit.
Comprehensive Data Identification and Policies
FortiDLP doesn’t just stop at identifying and tracking data; it also excels in classifying them and enforcing security policies. With a customizable database of over 500 predefined data patterns and policies, the deployment and integration process of DLP becomes significantly more straightforward. This well-defined database simplifies the task for IT administrators, allowing them to quickly establish comprehensive data protection measures without extensive setup or ongoing management effort. Automated classification systems within FortiDLP help identify sensitive data and apply appropriate security policies in real-time, regardless of the channel or platform—be it local applications, cloud environments, or mobile devices.
This automated classification feature addresses one of the persistent challenges in the deployment of DLP technologies, which is determining what data requires protection. FortiDLP’s ability to automatically classify and control sensitive data at the point of access is particularly beneficial, as it reduces the administrative burden typically associated with data protection strategies. Furthermore, this system enhances the accuracy and efficiency of data protection, ensuring that sensitive information is identified and secured promptly without manual intervention. This capability clearly demonstrates Fortinet’s commitment to integrating advanced technologies for the practical benefit of its users.
Seamless Integration and Incident Management
Fortinet Security Fabric Integration
FortiDLP is designed to integrate seamlessly with the broader Fortinet Security Fabric, ensuring consistent data protection measures across various environments. This integration further extends the reach of the existing FortiGuard DLP Service, offering uniform data identification policies across endpoints, networks, and cloud platforms. By facilitating this consistent policy enforcement, FortiDLP ensures that sensitive data is protected regardless of its location within the enterprise architecture. This unified approach is critical in large organizations where data flows across multiple systems and environments, often beyond the traditional network perimeter.
Moreover, FortiDLP’s seamless integration with other Fortinet solutions enhances its value proposition, allowing organizations to optimize their data protection strategies across different touchpoints. This interoperability not only provides a comprehensive security blanket but also ensures operational efficiency within the IT infrastructure. The unified data protection framework offered by FortiDLP addresses the growing need for consistent and reliable security measures in today’s complex and interconnected digital ecosystems.
Incident and Case Management with FortiAI
Another noteworthy feature of FortiDLP is its sophisticated incident and case management modules that utilize FortiAI to streamline the process. These modules are designed to automate the creation of incident reports based on identified high-risk activities, providing a contextual analysis of the causes and consequences of such incidents. This context helps security analysts to accurately determine whether an employee’s behavior was malicious or benign, aiding in quicker and more effective responses to potential threats. FortiAI’s involvement in this process signifies an advanced analytical approach to incident management, reducing the time and effort typically required for investigating data security incidents.
The integration of FortiAI also underscores FortiDLP’s commitment to leveraging advanced technologies for enhancing security operations. By automating incident reporting and providing contextual insights, FortiDLP not only improves the efficiency of security teams but also enhances the overall incident response strategy of organizations. This feature is particularly beneficial in large enterprises where the volume of security alerts can be overwhelming, allowing for a smarter and more prioritized approach to managing potential data security breaches.
Shadow AI and Future-Proof Security
Safeguarding Against Shadow AI
In today’s rapidly evolving technological landscape, the threat of “shadow AI”—unsanctioned artificial intelligence applications used by employees—has become a growing concern. FortiDLP addresses this emerging threat by incorporating protective measures against shadow AI, monitoring, and controlling data flows to public AI platforms like ChatGPT and Google Gemini. These safeguards are crucial in preventing the leakage of proprietary or sensitive information, ensuring that only authorized AI tools interact with the organization’s data. This proactive monitoring enhances the security framework, protecting against the inadvertent or malicious exposure of critical business information.
The importance of these features cannot be overstated, as shadow AI poses significant risks to data security and compliance. By implementing controls to monitor and manage data interactions with public AI platforms, FortiDLP mitigates the risks associated with unsanctioned AI use. This preventative approach signifies Fortinet’s forward-thinking strategy in developing security solutions that address not only current threats but also anticipate future challenges in the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape.
Future-Proof Data Security
Fortinet has unveiled FortiDLP, its first standalone Data Loss Prevention (DLP) product for endpoints, marking a major step forward in its data security offerings. This introduction broadens Fortinet’s existing data protection suite, which already features network DLP capabilities within the FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) and solutions like FortiSASE, FortiProxy, and FortiMail. FortiDLP represents Fortinet’s initial foray into dedicated endpoint security, harnessing AI technology and origin-based data protection to provide robust security measures for enterprises. FortiDLP aims to tackle the growing concerns of data breaches and leaks by focusing on endpoint data protection, ensuring data is secure from the point of origin to its destination. This innovative product comes on the heels of Fortinet’s acquisition of Next DLP; its technology has been integral to the development and advanced capabilities of FortiDLP. This move not only strengthens Fortinet’s portfolio but also positions it as a stronger competitor in the evolving landscape of data security.