Compare Cato SASE vs. Check Point Harmony Connect vs. FortiGate NGFW

Cato empowers its clients to progressively modernize their wide-area networks (WAN) for a more digital-centric business environment. The Cato SASE Cloud serves as a global, integrated, cloud-native solution that ensures secure and efficient connections across all branches, data centers, personnel, and cloud services. This innovative system can be implemented gradually to either replace or enhance existing legacy network infrastructures and disparate security solutions. The concept of Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), which was introduced by Gartner, represents a novel category in enterprise networking. It merges SD-WAN with various network security solutions such as Firewall as a Service (FWaaS), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) into a cohesive, cloud-based service offering. Historically, network access was handled through isolated point solutions, leading to a fragmented approach that increased complexity and expenses, ultimately hindering IT responsiveness. By adopting SASE, businesses can significantly accelerate the development of new offerings, expedite their market entry, and swiftly adapt to evolving market dynamics and competitive pressures. This transformative approach not only enhances operational efficiency but also positions enterprises to thrive in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Directly linking branches to the cloud can heighten security vulnerabilities significantly. To safeguard against advanced Generation V cyber threats, it's crucial for branches to implement robust cloud security solutions. Check Point Harmony Connect revolutionizes branch cloud security by providing enterprise-level protection as a cloud service, featuring superior threat prevention, rapid deployment, and a unified management system that can lead to operational expense reductions of up to 40%. This solution not only enhances branch cloud security with top-tier threat mitigation but also streamlines deployment processes and integrates threat management, ultimately driving down costs. As a reliable security ally within Azure Firewall Manager, Harmony Connect defends globally dispersed branch offices and virtual networks against sophisticated threats. With straightforward configurations in Azure Firewall Manager, organizations can efficiently direct branch hubs and virtual network connections to the Internet via Harmony Connect, ensuring an added layer of protection for critical data.

FortiGate NGFWs provide exceptional threat protection performance with automated visibility to thwart potential attacks. These next-generation firewalls facilitate security-driven networking while integrating top-tier security functionalities such as intrusion prevention systems (IPS), web filtering, secure sockets layer (SSL) inspection, and automated threat defense mechanisms. Designed to meet the performance demands of expansive hybrid IT environments, Fortinet NGFWs help organizations simplify their operations and effectively manage security vulnerabilities. Powered by AI-enhanced FortiGuard Labs, these firewalls offer proactive threat mitigation through high-speed inspection of both unencrypted and encrypted traffic, including the most recent encryption protocol, TLS 1.3, ensuring they remain ahead in the fast-evolving threat landscape. FortiGate NGFWs meticulously examine data traffic entering and exiting the network, executing these inspections at unmatched speed and scale. This capability not only safeguards against a wide array of threats, including ransomware and DDoS attacks, but also enhances overall network reliability and security. With their robust architecture and advanced features, FortiGate NGFWs are essential for any organization aiming to maintain a secure digital environment.