I work with Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF and have been using it for the last eight months. I am using it for Web Application Firewall and API protection.
External reviews
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Advanced threat protection has secured payment transactions and improved API defenses
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
What stands out for me about Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF is that it implements protection against OWASP Top 10 application security threats.
In the financial segment, I am able to protect the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards, and this PCI DSS compliance helps me configure payment gateway integrations while also protecting against bot mitigations and utilizing the machine learning capabilities of FortiWeb.
I am using customizable rule sets. Normally, what I do is first put the application in learning mode to observe the application traffic, identify vulnerabilities, and understand what zero-day protections are missing in the current application. FortiAI assist provides contextual decision-making for integrating policy fine-tuning. After observing traffic for 15 days, I then switch to blocking mode on the application front. Built-in analytics for real-time attacks include machine learning capabilities, which is why I opted for Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF to protect against bot attacks, skimming, and DDoS attacks, along with API protection.
Continuous threat intelligence updates provide real-time protection, which has a significant impact on my web application security. FortiCare Elite solution options enable me to get immediate support, typically within 15 minutes, for any challenges I face with web application integration on the platform. I am utilizing real-time threat intelligence updates as a default configuration.
Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF provides positive feedback by protecting web applications and API protection while blocking advanced threats. The purpose of implementing this application protection is working fine.
What needs improvement?
The basic functionality of protecting against OWASP Top 10 vulnerabilities is standard for any WAF solution; however, I am concerned about Fortinet's effectiveness with modern web applications since it protects not only monolithic applications but also Kubernetes applications.
My core concern regarding the product lies in the reporting functions, where I face limitations, particularly tenant-wise. I cannot generate individual reports for multiple tenants.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have only been using Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF for the past eight months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability for Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF is good; there were issues during implementation, but the product has stabilized after that.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF is a scalable product, especially since it is currently running in the cloud.
How are customer service and support?
I have dealt with Fortinet support, and I would say their technical support is good.
I have taken FortiCare Elite, which allows me to receive support within 15 minutes.
I would rate the support an eight out of ten.
As of now, I am not facing many issues that they need to improve upon to reach a ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Earlier, I previously used F5 and Check Point due to multiple requirements, including multiple tenants, so I decided to avoid a single point of failure for every company and thus chose multiple products.
How was the initial setup?
The installation process for Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF is usually straightforward and easy.
What about the implementation team?
I used a partner to deploy it, not in-house.
What was our ROI?
I have only been using Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF for the past eight months, so I believe I would need a year to comment on return on investment.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I would say the price for Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF is somewhat reasonable compared to Check Point web application firewall and F5, making it an acceptable option.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
In terms of the technical side, the primary difference I notice is that FortiWeb has fewer false positives compared to Check Point and F5. This efficiency is due to their threat intelligence sharing across platforms, including Fortinet firewall and all EDR solutions, which leverage threat intelligence from FortiGuard to easily identify bad actors.
What other advice do I have?
The AWS Marketplace is very new to me; I did not buy Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF from there.
Some issues during implementation included signature blocking and other typical challenges that arise with application protection on any web application tool, which requires time to understand the operating system and backend environment.
I would rate this product closer to nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
AWS WAF - API Gateway
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Protection Against Web Application Attacks: Fortinet Managed Rules help mitigate threats such as SQL injection, cross-site scripting (XSS), and other OWASP Top Ten vulnerabilities. This protection ensures the integrity and availability of web applications and APIs.
Automated Threat Intelligence: Fortinet incorporates real-time threat intelligence into their rules, allowing organizations to stay updated on emerging threats without manual intervention. This proactive approach helps defend against new attack vectors and vulnerabilities.
Ease of Implementation: By providing pre-configured security rules, Fortinet simplifies the process of setting up and managing security for AWS API Gateway. This can save time and resources compared to manual rule creation.
Centralized Management: Organizations can manage security policies across multiple API Gateway instances using Fortinet's centralized management console. This streamlines the administration of security rules and ensures consistency.
Customization: While offering pre-configured rules, Fortinet Managed Rules also allow customization. Organizations can tailor security policies to their specific application requirements, ensuring a balance between security and functionality.
Scalability: Fortinet's solution can scale with the organization's infrastructure, accommodating increased API traffic and maintaining effective security measures as the business grows.
Compliance Support: For organizations subject to regulatory requirements, Fortinet Managed Rules can help establish and maintain the necessary security controls to meet compliance standards, thus avoiding potential legal and financial penalties.
Definitely recommend
One of the standout features is the ease of implementation. Even for those with limited prior experience in WAF management, setting up Fortinet's Managed Rules is a breeze. Well-documented guides and responsive support make the process straightforward.
The core strength of Fortinet Managed Rules lies in its comprehensive protection. It offers a broad set of rules that cover numerous threats, from SQL injection to cross-site scripting. This breadth enhances security by safeguarding against both known and emerging threats.
Cost Considerations: The cost of implementing Fortinet Managed Rules can be a concern for smaller organizations or startups. Depending on the level of protection and customization needed, the pricing might not fit every budget.
I have 2 project experiences using Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF with API Gateway
Compliance: If your application needs to meet specific compliance requirements, such as PCI DSS or HIPAA, Fortinet Managed Rules can help you meet those requirements by providing a set of security rules and configurations that align with industry standards.
Simplified Implementation: Fortinet Managed Rules offer an easy-to-use solution for adding security to your applications. The rules are designed to integrate seamlessly with AWS API Gateway, making it convenient for .NET developers to implement and manage security measures without extensive manual configuration.
Time and Cost Savings: By leveraging Fortinet Managed Rules, you can save time and effort in implementing and maintaining custom security rules. The pre-configured rules provided by the service eliminate the need for you to create and manage complex rule sets from scratch, potentially reducing development and maintenance costs.
Overall, Fortinet Managed Rules for AWS WAF - API Gateway is solving security-related problems that can benefit .NET developers by providing an easy-to-use, pre-configured solution that enhances the security of their web applications running on AWS API Gateway, while also potentially saving time and cost.