Fortinet releases FortiOS 8.0 for secure networking

Network security platforms are evolving to address risks linked to AI adoption, hybrid cloud infrastructure and distributed enterprise networks. In this context, Fortinet introduced FortiOS 8.0, a new version of its operating system designed to strengthen secure networking across cloud, edge and data centre environments.

Platform updates targeting AI-driven enterprise environments
FortiOS 8.0 extends the Fortinet Security Fabric platform with capabilities intended to support organisations adopting generative AI, cloud-first architectures and hybrid working models. The software focuses on improving network visibility, policy enforcement and operational integration across distributed IT environments.

The update introduces developments across three main areas: AI-driven security management, Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) networking models, and quantum-safe cryptographic protection. These areas reflect broader changes in enterprise IT, where security architectures increasingly converge with network infrastructure.

Controls designed to manage enterprise AI usage
The software introduces new functions to monitor and control enterprise use of AI tools and autonomous software agents. Features such as FortiView for AI attack surface monitoring and Shadow AI detection are designed to provide visibility into authorised and unauthorised AI applications operating within enterprise networks.

Application control policies allow security teams to permit approved generative AI tools while restricting data transfers that could expose sensitive information. Additional transparency features based on Model Context Protocol (MCP) and Agent-to-Agent (A2A) interaction monitoring are intended to improve oversight of automated software interactions.

Data Loss Prevention capabilities have also been extended through Optical Character Recognition (OCR), enabling the detection of sensitive information embedded in images or screenshots rather than only text-based data streams.

AI-driven operational tools have also been added to support firewall and SD-WAN configuration through guided workflows, with the objective of reducing configuration errors and administrative workload.

Expanding SASE and SD-WAN architectures
FortiOS 8.0 also introduces enhancements to SASE deployments designed for organisations operating across multiple locations and regulatory jurisdictions. The SASE Outpost concept allows enforcement points to be deployed in customer-controlled environments, such as on-premises facilities or private data centres, while maintaining centralised management.

Additional SASE deployment models allow organisations to control log storage location, data residency and sovereign infrastructure requirements, reflecting regulatory requirements in sectors handling sensitive data.

Enhancements to SD-WAN include unified connectivity bundles combining overlay and underlay networking, centralised monitoring tools and traffic optimisation features. Multipath IPsec tunnels are intended to improve resilience and availability by enabling multiple secure communication paths between distributed locations.

Preparing network security for post-quantum risks
FortiOS 8.0 also extends the use of quantum-safe cryptographic mechanisms across Fortinet products and supported protocols. This includes the use of post-quantum cryptography certificates, such as ML-DSA for authentication and key management in administrative access channels, including VPN connections.

Enhancements to SSL inspection combine hybrid key exchange mechanisms with quantum-resistant cryptography to maintain encrypted traffic inspection while supporting long-term encryption resilience.

Quantum-safe SASE capabilities extend these protections to cloud-delivered security services, focusing on the protection of administrative access paths and encrypted enterprise traffic.

Supporting digital infrastructure evolution
The FortiOS 8.0 release reflects the increasing integration of networking and cybersecurity functions as organisations adapt to AI adoption, cloud migration and evolving threat models. Unified operating system approaches are increasingly used to reduce architectural complexity while supporting scalable protection strategies across enterprise digital infrastructure.

www.fortinet.com

Edited by industrial journalist, Aishwarya Mambet — AI-powered.