"Of all the vendors which we investigated, Fortinet offered the greatest flexibility and went the extra mile. The product was customised to meet our specific needs." - Brett Salovy, manager Security Solutions at Internet Solutions
The situation
Internet Solutions is a leading converged communications service provider in South Africa. It focuses on enabling people and businesses to connect, interact and share information seamlessly. With 4 500 companies, including 80% of South Africa`s top listed companies, as customers, it is the country`s de facto online business community. To maintain its leadership, Internet Solutions continuously seeks ways of improving the quality of service offered to customers for whom secure use of technology is mission critical.
One of the company`s key differentiators is its commitment to delivering secure bandwidth. By eliminating risks associated with viruses and spam on behalf of customers before the bandwidth enters their environment, improving speed, efficiency and security.
When Internet Solutions` existing security environment was implemented, the bespoke solution was world-class. However, new developments in security technology resulted in the availability of more sophisticated solutions to support its leadership in delivering managed Internet and security services.
The solution
Fortinet has developed unified threat management (UTM) solutions, to protect computer networks from constant threats by blocking junk e-mail and virus attacks, eliminating spyware and new constantly evolving threats. International research house for the information technology and telecommunications industries, the IDC rated Fortinet as the 2004 Worldwide Leader of the UTM Security Appliance market. Its products are distributed exclusively by Maxtec Peripherals in South Africa.
"Since we concluded this agreement late in 2004, we have sold 900 systems in South Africa. Because of this rapidly growing installed base, Fortinet`s suite of UTM products are fast gaining credibility against longer established security product vendors in the country," explains Perry Hutton, Director, Maxtec Peripherals.
In selecting a new technology to upgrade its security environment, Internet Solutions sought out a vendor which would strengthen its key differentiators.
"Fortinet was selected as the best match. It was the `best fit` in terms of our needs as it enabled us to increase the value which we add to customers," explains Brett Salovy, manager Security Solutions, Internet Solutions.
"Of all the vendors we investigated, they also offered the greatest flexibility and went the extra mile. The product was customised to meet our specific needs, moulding it from a solution for the commercial environment to one with the functionality to meet the high security requirements of a new breed of network operator: a next generation service provider. These will be integrated into future releases which is an added advantage for us," adds Salovy.
Internet Solutions purchased FortiGate`s anti-virus firewalls to enhance the security of its managed services from its high-end carrier-level customers through to smaller users. The FortiGate 3000 product for larger enterprises was purchased.
It supports Internet Solutions` managed services offering, ensuring clean bandwidth to its high-end corporate customers, therefore reducing their own security burdens.
The solution comprises a HA cluster of FortiGate 3000`s deployed at Internet Solutions` Internet Data Centre at its Head Office and its other major Internet Data Centres located nationally and internationally. The FortiGate 3000`s offer real-time anti-virus protection and are ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) powered, enabling the fastest available protection at wire speed. Among the system`s other features are URL Web filtering to enhance governance of internal content and Internet traffic.
In addition, Internet Solutions bundles smaller Fortigate 60 units with its ADSL business offering to provide these customers with complete content protection.
Internet Solutions also chose Fortinet`s FortiManager 3000 System for central policy management, hosting the FortiGate 3000 URL database locally. Functionality meets Internet Solutions` customised reporting requirements. The system offers integrated management and monitoring, enabling enterprises and services providers to easily manage large numbers of Fortigate Firewalls.
Fortinet integrated the solution with Internet Solutions` bespoke existing reporting systems.
The Fortinet security solution is enhanced through the FortiProtect Service, which ensures all registered FortiGate systems around the world are automatically updated in real-time in response to new attacks.
The success
Internet Solutions went live with the new Fortinet systems in October 2005 and results have been positive. Several of Internet Solutions` new customers have purchased their security services based on the Fortinet platform.
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