The U.S. Federal Government has been focused on protecting the security and privacy of sensitive information in its IT systems since adoption of the Computer Security Act of 1987. This legislation directed the Secretary of Commerce to coordinate with the National Security Agency to establish standards and guidance for federal computer systems, which have been created and continue to be managed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Although initiatives were ongoing, the collective reaction to the 9/11 attacks spawned a renewed emphasis on cybersecurity, through the 2002 creation of the Department of Homeland Security and the accompanying Federal Information Management Security Act (FISMA). Since then, agency IT professionals have been tasked with an increasing number of requirements and guidance designed to thwart ever evolving cyberthreats. The compliance mandates are numerous, including the:
• Comprehensive National Cybersecurity Initiative (CNCI)
• NIST Framework for Improving Critical Infrastructure Cybersecurity
• Executive Order 14028 “Improving the Nation’s Cybersecurity,” and
• Trusted Internet Connection (TIC) guidance
In addition to meeting these requirements, Federal IT managers are faced with rapid technological developments and operational strategies, including increasing reliance on hosted applications and work from anywhere environments, as well as continuing pressure to improve efficiency and reduce costs—all while seamlessly supporting core agency missions and maintaining security.
An apt metaphor for Federal IT and security managers’ jobs today might be juggling while performing on a balance beam. How to modernize systems that conform to standards, sustain data and network integrity, and ensure trusted mission operations? The answer is to simplify.
Fortinet Federal focuses on helping U.S. Government professionals meet these challenging requirements. As a leading provider of integrated, secure networking solutions, Fortinet Federal delivers converged networking and security capabilities that function in a single platform, enabling efficient management and resilient security.
This convergence simplifies operations, performs at scale, improves visibility, removes complexity, and enhances security across diverse network environments —all through a single pane of glass. Further, Fortinet Federal’s Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFW) and Secure SD-WAN solutions help agencies achieve the TIC 3.0 program’s goals by providing robust security, advanced routing, SD-WAN optimization, and AI-enhanced defense.
As a long-standing partner, Fortinet Federal continues to provide the advanced security solutions and expertise needed by U.S. Government organizations to ensure they can rely on modern, trusted, and cost-effective IT environments.
