CrowdStrike & Fortinet Unite to Close Endpoint Security Gap

The cybersecurity sector continues to adapt as threats to corporate networks evolve, with providers moving away from standalone security tools towards integrated defence systems.

Organisations face challenges from advanced persistent threats (APTs) – attacks where unauthorised users gain long-term access to networks – and zero-day exploits, which target previously unknown software vulnerabilities. These threats have exposed limitations in traditional security architectures that separate network and device protection.

The need for integrated security approaches has grown as organisations seek solutions that protect both network infrastructure and individual devices, while using artificial intelligence to identify and counter threats as they emerge.

Integration of security platforms

CrowdStrike, which provides artificial intelligence-driven endpoint security through its Falcon platform, has formed a partnership with Fortinet, a developer of network firewall systems.

The collaboration integrates CrowdStrike's device-level protection capabilities with Fortinet's network security infrastructure. This allows security teams to monitor both individual devices and network traffic through a single interface.

The partnership addresses a fundamental challenge in enterprise security: the division between network protection and device-level security. Endpoint security systems protect individual devices such as computers and phones, while network firewalls monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic.

Daniel Bernard, Chief Business Officer at CrowdStrike, says: “Decisive strategy and execution from industry leaders to drive innovation is what benefits customers and delivers better security outcomes.

“CrowdStrike pioneered an AI-native platform to revolutionise endpoint security – Fortinet defines next-generation firewall protection and network security focused on performance and efficacy,” Bernard adds.

Technical architecture

Fortinet's firewall systems use proprietary processing chips that the company reports operate at speeds 17 times faster than market alternatives while reducing power consumption by 90 percent. The firewalls are available in hardware, software and cloud configurations to support various deployment models.

The combined system provides visibility of threats at both network and device level, enabling faster identification and response to security incidents. This addresses a common limitation of separate systems which can delay threat detection.

By consolidating threat intelligence and security events from both endpoints and network devices, security teams can develop a comprehensive view of their organisation's security position. This integration reflects a wider trend in the cybersecurity industry towards consolidation of security tools, which reduces complexity for IT teams.

John Maddison, Chief Marketing Officer and Executive Vice President of products at Fortinet, says: “For nearly 25 years Fortinet has set the standard for the convergence of networking and security.

“By bolstering our partnership with CrowdStrike, we look forward to continued collaboration and innovation as we offer customers a joint solution that resonates at scale with all market segments globally – securing the Fortune 500 to SMBs, across networks, applications and endpoints,” he adds.

Daniel says: “Customers benefit from using us together, partners benefit from bringing us to market together and this strategic partnership symbiotically advances both companies' expansion strategies. We look forward to our collaboration with Fortinet."

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