Fortinet, the California-based cybersecurity solutions provider, has formed a business to expand its federal market footprint. The new business, Fortinet Federal, will operate as a specialized entity that focuses on cybersecurity solutions exclusive to the federal market, according to Fortinet.
Fortinet Federal is designed to provide cybersecurity solutions to protect federal agencies within the intelligence community, civilian agencies and the U.S. Department of Defense, Fortinet indicated.
The subsidiary will maintain "the dedicated focus required to ensure that Fortinet's cybersecurity innovation keeps pace with the complex and critical security requirements of the government," Fortinet said in a prepared statement.
In addition, Fortinet has created a Federal Board of Directors comprised of former senior government, national intelligence and cybersecurity leaders to support Fortinet Federal.
Fortinet Federal: Cybersecurity Experts On Board
Fortinet's initial Federal Board members include:
- Mike McConnell, former Director of National Intelligence, Director of the National Security Agency (NSA) and Vice Admiral to the U.S. Navy.
- Gary Locke, former two-term Governor of the State of Washington and former U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary.
- Phil Quade, Chief Information Security Officer of Fortinet and former NSA Cyber Task Force executive.
- John Whittle, Vice President of Corporate Development, Strategic Alliances, and General Counsel at Fortinet.
- Mike Bossert, Vice President of Sales at Fortinet.
The Federal Board of Directors will advise and assist Fortinet Federal, Fortinet stated. It will provide oversight of compliance requirements applicable to doing business with U.S. federal customers, Fortinet said, and ensure proper internal controls.
Together, Fortinet and federal agencies are working together "to define and deliver leading security solutions to address the sophisticated threat landscape targeted at departments and organizations," the business noted in a prepared statement.
Demand for Federal Cybersecurity Solutions Is Growing
The federal market could prove to be a profitable segment for Fortinet and many other cybersecurity solutions providers over the next few years.
Market Research Media has projected the federal cybersecurity solutions sector will expand at a 12 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) between 2017 and 2022.
The market research firm also has predicted the federal cybersecurity solutions segment will be worth $22 billion by 2022.
