How FortiGate Uses AI and Threat Intelligence to Stop Attacks

Artificial intelligence (AI) is leveraged to enhance threat detection and prevention by applying machine learning techniques and using intelligent algorithms. AI is empowering cybersecurity and helping in analysis of vast amounts of data, identification of threat patterns at a scale which is beyond the imagination of human capabilities.

Routine tasks are getting automated such as vulnerability scans and log analysis. AI is playing a crucial role in threat detection. FortiGate is one of the leaders in network security solutions and dominates 50% of physical firewall space.

FortiGate AI integration into its security platform stops advanced threats, supports secure AI adoption. The threat intelligence from FortiGuard labs provide up to date information on latest, emerging threats and attack methods.

In this article we will learn more in detail about how FortiGate makes use of artificial intelligence (AI) and threat intelligence to stop cyber-attacks, understand its functioning and use. 

AI in Cybersecurity

The average cost of data breaches as per IBM 2024 report already reached $4.88 million which indicates complexity and sophistication of cyber attacks in today’s world. This imposes a need for continuous, predictive and orchestrated security. 

AI in cybersecurity enables security professionals in many ways. Let’s understand it more in detail.

Cyberattack Characteristics

AI can analyze massive volumes of data and can identify patterns of compromise. This helps in identifying suspicious behaviors, unusual login attempts, abnormal traffic from devices in real-time.

Strengthen Defenses

AI help in isolation of compromised devices and block malicious traffic predicts high risk areas where breach potential is high and protective management of vulnerabilities.

Data Analysis for User Authentication

Analyze user authentication data such as typing style, voice patterns etc. monitoring user behavior, detection of anomalies and additional verification triggers if required.

Enhancement in Phishing and Spam Detections

Scanning suspicions emails, links and attachments, messages and blocking phishing mails and spam.

Support Collaborative Threat Intelligence

Contribute and gain access to shared knowledge repositories of security communities on emerging threats, attacks to improve resiliency collectively for AI Assisted attacks.

FortiGate: AI and Threat Intelligence to Stop Attacks

The attack surface of today’s digital I landscape is not constant and it is continuously evolving – spanning across cloud, on premises, and hybrid landscape and covering IT and IoT both. The rapid adoption of AI is now more capable in handling cyber threats. FortiGate provides a multi-layered, proactive defense to safeguard networks, applications, services, web traffic, emails, devices, SaaS almost everything.

FortiGuard lab is an AI powered security service which is integrated into Fortinet security fabric to provide protective detection against cyber-attacks. This includes malware, ransomware, phishing, known and unknown exploits, zero-day vulnerabilities, AI threats such as prompting, data poisoning, exfiltration, polymorphic malware. 

FortiGuard labs have dedicated research and intelligence operations to support FortiGuard AI enabled security services and threat intelligence. Telemetry data is leveraged from globally deployed millions of Fortinet sensors and trillions of events are processed using AI and ML. The data is enriched by research teams and along with threat intelligence partners.

This is integrated into the security fabric; to enable real-time threat protection and this intelligence is continuously updated to ensure emerging threats are taken care of proactively. 

FortiGuard Key AI Powered Security Services

• URL and Video Filtering – AI powered behavioral analysis is conducted and threat correlation is done for instant blocking of unknown malicious URLs. Granular control over web and video categories with detailed filtering, logging and blocking
• DNS Filtering – provides visibility into DNS traffic, high risk domain blocking and network security enhancement at DNS layer
• Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) – network level threats are blocked with comprehensive IPS library trained on Cobalt Strike data to ensure accurate detection and blocking 
• Antivirus – real time updates-based threat protection solution provides protection against evolving threats
• AI based Inline Malware Prevention – it enables NGFWs and SASE integration to enable zero trust network access
• OT security service – controlling over hundred ICS/SCADA protocols for OT protection
• Attack surface security service – ongoing assessment of security infrastructure 
• IOC and outbreak detection – automated breach defense system can detect indicators of compromise and outbreak
• Antibot and C2 – blocks unauthorized attempts to establish communication with compromised systems.
• MITRE ATT&CK–based reporting and investigation tools – AI powered static/dynamic malware analysis.