As organizations transition to cloud-based applications, hybrid workforces, and globally distributed operations, the need for a robust, cloud-delivered security solution becomes increasingly essential. FortiSASE—Fortinet’s Secure Access Service Edge offering—integrates cloud-based networking and security to provide consistent protection and high-quality connectivity to users anywhere.
However, simply adopting FortiSASE is not enough. To achieve optimal performance, reliability, and strong security posture, organizations must deploy it strategically and follow best practices. This article outlines the key steps, architectural considerations, and configuration guidelines for deploying FortiSASE effectively.
Understand Your Network and Security Requirements
Before deploying FortiSASE, it’s critical to assess your current environment. This ensures that the configuration aligns with your business needs.
Key areas to evaluate:
✔ User locations and mobility
Identify remote workers, branch users, and roaming users who require secure cloud access.
✔ Application footprint
List mission-critical:
- SaaS applications (e.g., Microsoft 365, Salesforce)
- Cloud workloads (AWS, Azure, GCP)
- Internal resources (data centers, private clouds)
✔ Security policies
Review existing firewall rules, web filtering controls, CASB requirements, and compliance needs.
✔ Device posture requirements
Determine whether you need ZTNA posture checks such as OS version, antivirus status, or encryption.
This assessment sets the foundation for a smoother deployment.
Plan the FortiSASE Architecture
FortiSASE supports multiple components, and planning your architecture ensures scalability and performance.
Choose your deployment components:
✔ ZTNA (Zero Trust Network Access)
For secure access to private applications without VPN.
✔ Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
For web filtering, SSL inspection, and malware protection.
✔ CASB
For monitoring SaaS usage and preventing cloud data leaks.
✔ Firewall-as-a-Service (FWaaS)
For cloud-based firewall capabilities with IPS, DNS filtering, and more.
✔ SD-WAN integration
For branch connectivity and traffic optimization.
Geographic placement matters
FortiSASE is cloud-delivered through FortiCloud points of presence (PoPs).
To maximize performance:
- Ensure users connect to the nearest PoP
- Verify PoP coverage in regions where your users operate
- Redirect traffic smartly using DNS or SD-WAN policies
Prepare Your Devices and Users
To use FortiSASE effectively, users and devices must be ready before onboarding.
Deploy FortiClient Agent
FortiClient is required for ZTNA, device posture checks, and secure connectivity.
Install FortiClient across:
- Laptops and desktops
- Mobile devices
- Remote endpoints
- Contractors (if needed)
Configure FortiClient to:
- Enforce device risk scores
- Enable zero-trust checks
- Connect automatically to the nearest PoP
This ensures consistent user security.
Integrate Identity Providers
FortiSASE relies heavily on user identity.
Integrate your chosen IdP:
- Azure AD
- Google Workspace
- Okta
- On-prem AD via SAML or LDAP
Identity-based access is essential for Zero Trust.
Configure Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
ZTNA is central to FortiSASE and replaces legacy VPNs.
Define access policies
Use identity, device posture, and application context to create granular rules such as:
- HR employees → HR applications
- Developers → GitLab and staging servers
- Contractors → limited internal resources
The goal is least-privilege access.
Publish internal applications
Fortinet ZTNA can publish:
- Web apps
- RDP/SSH services
- Legacy applications
- Internal APIs
Each application gets its own access policy, improving security and limiting lateral movement.
Enable continuous posture checking
Posture checks ensure that only compliant devices may connect.
Enable checks like:
- OS version
- Antivirus running
- Disk encryption
- No active malware
This strengthens Zero Trust enforcement.
Implement Secure Web Gateway (SWG) Controls
SWG ensures safe internet access.
Enable URL filtering and categorization
Block or restrict categories like:
- Malicious websites
- Gambling
- Social media
- Adult content
- High-risk domains
Use FortiGuard’s AI-driven categorization for accuracy.
Enable SSL/TLS inspection
Because most modern threats hide in encrypted traffic, SSL inspection is critical.
- Use certificate inspection or deep inspection
- Deploy CA certificates to user devices
- Monitor logs for errors or breakage
Configure malware and threat scanning
Enable:
- Antivirus
- Web filtering
- Content disarm and reconstruction (CDR)
- IPS signatures
These protect users from advanced attacks.
Implement CASB for Cloud Application Security
CASB helps monitor SaaS usage and enforce data protection.
Discover shadow IT
Monitor unsanctioned cloud services such as:
- Unapproved file-sharing apps
- Unauthorized CRM tools
- Personal cloud drives
This visibility helps enforce compliance.
Apply DLP policies
To prevent data leaks:
- Block sensitive data uploads
- Prevent unauthorized file sharing
- Monitor file movement across cloud apps
DLP is essential for regulated industries.
Configure SD-WAN for Branch Connectivity
If branches use SD-WAN, integrate them with FortiSASE.
Create traffic steering policies
- SaaS traffic → nearest PoP
- Internal traffic → headquarters
- Low-latency apps → optimal path
SD-WAN provides intelligent routing for performance.
Enable secure tunneling from branches
Branches can connect directly to FortiSASE PoPs.
This reduces backhauling and improves speed.
Centralize Management and Logging
A properly deployed FortiSASE environment must be managed centrally.
Use FortiManager
FortiManager allows centralized:
- policy management
- configurations
- device onboarding
- updates
This ensures consistency across your entire environment.
Use FortiAnalyzer for visibility
FortiAnalyzer provides:
- threat analytics
- traffic logs
- application usage patterns
- automated reports
This visibility is crucial for performance monitoring and incident response.
Monitor and Optimize FortiSASE Performance
After deployment, continuous optimization ensures the best results.
Monitor PoP selection
Ensure users are always routed to the closest PoP.
Misrouting can cause latency.
Analyze bandwidth consumption
Identify bandwidth-heavy apps and enforce shaping or prioritization.
Optimize ZTNA access
If latency is high:
- Check PoP location
- Review SSL inspection
- Monitor server performance
Update security signatures regularly
FortiGuard updates ensure protection against new threats.
Conclusion
Deploying FortiSASE requires careful planning, proper configuration, and continuous optimization. By integrating ZTNA, SWG, CASB, FWaaS, SD-WAN, and centralized management, FortiSASE offers powerful security and seamless access for users everywhere.
Following these deployment best practices ensures that your organization achieves:
- Maximum performance
- Strong Zero Trust security
- Consistent cloud-delivered protection
- Better user experience
- Simplified operations
FortiSASE is a critical part of modern security architecture—when deployed correctly, it becomes a powerful foundation for secure digital transformation.