Fortinet Extends Security Technology To Remote Endpoints With New FortiClient Host Security Solution

SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 31, 2004 – Fortinet – the only provider of ASIC-powered, network-based antivirus firewall systems for real-time network protection – today announced plans to extend the benefits of its integrated security technology to remote PC endpoints with the introduction of FortiClient™ Host Security Software. The new FortiClient software will provide users with a complete suite of endpoint security capabilities, starting with an IPSec VPN client, and eventually integrating personal firewall, antivirus protection, intrusion detection and prevention, and a range of integrated security capabilities, all managed centrally. The technology will be rolled out in three phases over the next 12 months, with the first release -- FortiClient version 1.0 -- available immediately.

The new FortiClient Host Security software is designed to address the growing demands for secure remote access required by companies of all sizes. Available for PCs and laptops running the Windows operating system, the VPN capabilities of the FortiClient software work seamlessly with FortiGate Antivirus Firewall systems to support a wide range of applications, including remote access to corporate networks, remote systems administration, file transfer, access to corporate email and Web-based intranets and extranets - all with a single, easy-to-use interface. Through successive releases, the FortiClient Host Security software will extend the benefits of a complete suite of integrated security capabilities from the gateway to remote and mobile workers. This will include protection for remote users against the content based threats, such as viruses, worms, and Trojans, that are not detected by conventional IPSec clients or by so-called “clientless” SSL-based remote access technologies.

“The perimeter of the enterprise has expanded, requiring a comprehensive layered approach to security that starts at the endpoint, is strengthened at the network gateway, and protects users whether they are working on fixed line or wireless networks,” said Richard Kagan, vice president of marketing at Fortinet. “Mobile workers operate in the most unprotected environments – at home, at hotels, in the airport, at partner sites – and as such are the most vulnerable to attack by a wide range of threats. The best way to protect the remote user – and the organizations to which they connect – is to ensure that
remote end points have protection that is comprehensive, easy to install, and easy to manage for both large and small organizations. Our new FortiClient Host Security software builds on the first-rate, integrated security that has become synonymous with our gateway antivirus firewall offerings to deliver increased protection at the endpoint.”

FortiClient 1.0 will immediately replace the company’s previous Remote VPN Client product. Built to secure the network communications of a single-user Windows workstation, FortiClient Host Security 1.0 protects IP-based communications using
powerful, industry standard IP Security (IPSec) encryption and authentication and automatic Internet Key Exchange (IKE) key management technologies. FortiClient Host Security is compatible with any kind of network connection, including dial-up, xDSL,
cable modem and wired and wireless LANs. The multiple remote networks feature also allows users to connect to multiple networks behind a FortiGate Antivirus Firewall. The software provides industry standard encryption algorithms - DES, 3DES, AES - to ensure data privacy, and also includes Network Address Translation-Traversal technology to enable easy integration with existing firewall and network address translation systems.

The introduction of FortiClient 1.0 is the first phase of Fortinet’s endpoint security strategy. In the coming months, Fortinet will expand the FortiClient Host Security solution through the addition of important new feature enhancements. The scheduled
enhancements include:

• FortiClient Host Security Version 1.2 - Available in Summer 2004, FortiClient Host Security 1.2 will include an antivirus client based on Fortinet’s proprietary antivirus engine, with automatic updates from the global FortiProtect™ Network to ensure round-the-clock, round-the world protection against new threats. Release 1.2 will also include a Windows registry monitor, personal firewall and tools for centralized VPN policy definition and deployment. These new features will enable users to scan and quarantine the most dangerous viruses and worms, provide automatic updates to antivirus signature databases, monitor e-mail and Web traffic in real-time and block applications from accessing unauthorized network resources. It will also enable centralized definition and deployment of VPN policies for dozens, hundreds or thousands of clients/users.



• FortiClient Host Security Version 2.0 - Available in Q4 2004, FortiClient 2.0 will provide centralized host policy management, host intrusion detection and prevention, and personal firewall enhancements. These new features will enable network administrators to manage remote access based on the configuration of remote end points (such as the presence or absence of designated applications), to configure clients to detect and prevent a wide range of intrusions, and to define granular policies that vary depending on the PC’s user, location, and time of day.

FortiClient 1.0 Distribution and Availability
FortiClient Host Security 1.0 is available immediately for ordering via Fortinet’s global network of authorized distributors and resellers. Existing Fortinet Remote VPN Client customers with valid support contracts on their FortiGate Antivirus Firewall systems can contact customer support to obtain a registration number to download the software. A trial version of the software will be available for download on April 5, 2004 from www.fortinet.com/products/forticlient.html.

About Fortinet (www.fortinet.com)
Fortinet's award-winning FortiGate™ series of ASIC-accelerated antivirus firewalls, winner of the 2003 Networking Industry Awards Firewall Product of the Year, are the new generation of real-time network protection systems. They detect and eliminate the most damaging, content-based threats from email and Web traffic such as viruses, worms, intrusions, inappropriate Web content and more in real time – without degrading network performance. FortiGate systems, the only security products that are quadruple-certified by the ICSA (antivirus, firewall, IPSec, NIDS), deliver a full range of network-level and application-level services in integrated, easily managed platforms. Named to the Chunghwa Customer Win Release - 4 “Visionaries” category in the 2003 Gartner Enterprise Firewall Magic Quadrant, Fortinet is privately held and based in Sunnyvale, California.