Fortinet’s Bob Fortna: Software-Defined Wide Area Network is Key to Strengthening Cybersecurity

Bob Fortna, president of Fortinet’s federal business, has said that software-defined wide-area network capabilities can help agencies handle high-bandwidth applications and mitigate potential cyber attacks that result from network vulnerabilities.

In a GCN piece published Tuesday, Fortna wrote that deploying SD-WAN provides flexibility and transparency in network management while promoting security in complex information technology environments that contain latency-sensitive and resource-intensive video, voice and cloud applications.

He added that agencies must deploy SD-WAN capabilities that enable multibroadband support, cut WAN operational costs and improve application performance without compromising data security.

“Traditional WAN allows agencies to ensure distributed remote locations maintain seamless network access as digital demands increase,” Fortna said. “But agencies need WAN solutions that improve efficiency and enhance security to keep pace with greater demands on the network and increased cyberthreats.”