What is the role of FortiGate's Application Control?

FortiGate's Application Control plays a critical role in network security by enabling the monitoring and control of applications based on predefined security policies. This functionality allows organizations to identify and classify applications traversing the network, regardless of the port or protocol used. By effectively doing so, FortiGate can enforce security policies that permit, deny, or restrict specific applications based on factors such as user identity, device type, and traffic patterns. This level of control is essential for ensuring that only approved applications are used, thereby reducing the risk of data breaches and ensuring compliance with organizational security standards.

This capability provides a comprehensive approach to managing application traffic, as it transcends traditional port-based controls. Instead of merely blocking or allowing traffic based on network ports, Application Control can make contextual decisions based on the actual application being used. This enhances visibility into application usage and fosters more granular control over network resources, ultimately leading to improved security postures for organizations.