In today's digital age, securing confidential information is of paramount importance for government institutions. This case study explores how a research department in Nepal tackled the challenge of securing their perimeter and internal servers' confidential information. By implementing a robust solution using FortiGate firewalls, the institution achieved a single-vendor environment and significantly enhanced their data security.
Securing Perimeter and Internal Servers' Confidential Information : The research department faced a critical challenge in safeguarding their perimeter and internal servers' confidential information. The existing setup included a 3rd party standalone device installed centrally, along with FortiGate firewalls at the branches. However, this setup lacked a comprehensive security framework and required a solution that could ensure the highest level of data protection.
Deploying HA FortiGate Firewalls with UTP Inspections : To address the challenge, the institution opted for a solution that involved deploying a couple of High Availability (HA) FortiGate firewalls at the Edge and Core Layers. The Edge FortiGate was responsible for managing cross-site connectivity and internet access, while the Core firewall focused on heavy Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) scanning.
Edge FortiGate: Cross-Site Connectivity and Internet Access
The Edge FortiGate firewall was strategically placed to handle cross-site connectivity and control internet access. By leveraging UTP inspections, the customer ensured that all incoming and outgoing traffic was thoroughly inspected, preventing any unauthorized access or data breaches.
Core FortiGate: Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) Scanning
The Core FortiGate firewall was dedicated to performing intensive ATP scanning. This ensured that all internal servers' confidential information was subjected to rigorous scrutiny, protecting against advanced threats and malware. By implementing this multi-layered approach, the customer significantly reduced the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
ZTNA Model: To further enhance data security, the research department enforced a Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) model for all their branches and external partners. This model ensured that no traffic could bypass any scanning or be subject to minimal scanning, thereby minimizing the risk of potential vulnerabilities.
Secure SDWAN Services : The customer implemented Secure Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SDWAN) services on the central Hub FortiGate. This allowed for secure and efficient communication between the central site and the branches, ensuring seamless connectivity while maintaining the highest level of data security.
Smart WAN Steering : To optimize network performance, the customer employed Smart WAN Steering on all branch sites. This feature intelligently routed traffic based on real-time network conditions, ensuring optimal performance and minimizing latency.
SLA Monitoring : The customer implemented alerts that notified them whenever the Service Level Agreement (SLA) dropped below the defined threshold. This proactive approach allowed them to promptly address any network issues and maintain uninterrupted service delivery.
By deploying HA FortiGate firewalls at the Edge and Core Layers, implementing a ZTNA model, and leveraging Secure SDWAN services, the government institution in Nepal successfully secured their perimeter and internal servers' confidential information. The comprehensive solution provided by FortiGate firewalls ensured robust data protection, minimized the risk of data breaches, and optimized network performance. With enhanced data security measures in place, the research department can now focus on their core objectives with confidence, knowing that their critical information is safeguarded.