# Palo Alto Networks vs Fortinet: Next-Generation Firewalls Compared

In the realm of network security, two names stand out prominently: Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet. Both are renowned for their next-generation firewall solutions, offering extensive protection against sophisticated cyber threats. This comparison aims to delve into the technical aspects of these two market leaders, focusing on key features, performance, and overall value.

Overview

Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet have been at the forefront of next-generation firewall (NGFW) development, providing comprehensive, secure, and scalable solutions for businesses of all sizes.

Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks, founded in 2005, is a California-based cybersecurity company offering a range of products, including NGFWs, cloud security, and endpoint protection. Their flagship product is the PAN-OS operating system, which powers their firewalls and provides a unified security management platform.

Fortinet

Fortinet, established in 2000, is another California-based company specializing in network security solutions. Their offerings include firewalls, antivirus, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and wireless access points. Fortinet’s NGFWs are powered by the FortiOS operating system.

Key Features

Palo Alto Networks

• Application Visibility and Control (AVC): Palo Alto’s AVC provides granular visibility into application traffic, enabling the firewall to control, monitor, and secure application usage across the network.
• Threat Prevention: Palo Alto’s threat prevention capabilities include IPS, antivirus, URL filtering, and wildfire analysis, which helps protect against known and zero-day threats.
• AutoFocus: A global threat intelligence service that provides Palo Alto users with real-time threat analysis, threat intelligence, and incident response capabilities.

Fortinet

• FortiGuard Security Services: Fortinet’s threat intelligence service offers protection against known and emerging threats through antivirus, IPS, web filtering, and sandboxing.
• Application Control: Fortinet’s application control allows administrators to monitor and control application usage based on business policies.
• FortiAnalyzer: A centralized log management and reporting platform that helps administrators monitor and analyze network traffic, threats, and system performance.

Performance

Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto firewalls are known for their high performance, with some models capable of handling millions of concurrent connections. They offer various models, including the 800 series for mid-sized businesses and the 8500 series for enterprise-level organizations.

Fortinet

Fortinet’s firewalls also deliver high performance, with their FortiGate 100E model capable of handling over 10 million concurrent connections. Fortinet offers a wide range of models, catering to businesses of all sizes, from small offices to large enterprises.

Scalability and Management

Palo Alto Networks

Palo Alto Networks’ firewalls can be managed centrally using the PAN-OS management console, which supports high availability (HA), load balancing, and dynamic addressing. This makes it easier for administrators to manage and scale their security infrastructure.

Fortinet

Fortinet’s firewalls can be managed centrally using the FortiManager or FortiAnalyzer consoles, offering similar features like HA, load balancing, and dynamic addressing. Fortinet’s management consoles also support role-based access control (RBAC) and single sign-on (SSO) for enhanced security and ease of use.

Pricing

Both Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet offer a range of firewall models with varying price points. Pricing depends on the specific model, features, and performance requirements. It’s essential to consult with a sales representative from each company to get accurate pricing information tailored to your organization’s needs.

Conclusion

Both Palo Alto Networks and Fortinet offer robust, high-performance next-generation firewalls, each with its unique features and strengths. The choice between the two ultimately depends on your organization’s specific requirements, budget, and operational preferences. Whether you’re a small business or a large enterprise, both companies provide solutions that can help secure your network against today’s evolving cyber threats.