🔐 FortiGate Secure Enterprise Network (Business-Driven Security Lab)
📌 Overview
This project demonstrates the design and implementation of a secure, highly available enterprise network using FortiGate firewalls, built with a business-first security approach.
The lab focuses on mitigating real-world business risks such as cyber threats, unauthorized access, remote workforce security, productivity loss, and network downtime—while ensuring business continuity, compliance, and operational efficiency.
🎯 Objectives
- Secure enterprise internet access using FortiGate security profiles
- Centralize user authentication with Active Directory (LDAP)
- Enable secure remote access via FortiClient VPN
- Implement firewall high availability (HA) for business continuity
- Demonstrate business risk → security control → business impact mapping
🧠 Business Context & Problem Statement
Modern organizations face increasing security and availability challenges that directly impact revenue, productivity, and trust.
Key Business Risks
- Malware and intrusion threats
- Unauthorized access to corporate resources
- Productivity loss due to non-business applications
- Insecure remote access
- Network downtime from single points of failure
- Administrative misconfiguration risks
🔍 Business Risk → Security Control → Business Impact
| Business Risk | Security Control Implemented | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Malware & intrusion attacks | Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) | Reduced breach risk and improved uptime |
| Productivity loss | Application Control Profile | Increased employee focus and efficiency |
| Unauthorized access | AD LDAP Authentication | Strong identity governance |
| Insecure remote access | FortiClient VPN | Secure remote workforce enablement |
| Firewall failure | High Availability (Active/Passive) | Business continuity and reduced downtime |
| Admin misconfiguration | Multiple FortiGate Administrators | Improved governance and accountability |
🏗️ Solution Architecture
Topology Type
Secure Enterprise Perimeter with High Availability
Architecture Components
- FortiGate Firewall (Primary & Secondary – HA)
- Active Directory (LDAP Authentication)
- Internal LAN (Ubuntu Client VM)
- Remote Users via FortiClient VPN
- Security Profiles applied at firewall policy level
Security Topology Here
🔐 Security Controls Implemented
1. Firewall Security Profiles
- Intrusion Prevention System (IPS)
- Application Control
- Logging and monitoring
Business Value: Prevents malicious traffic before impacting operations
2. Identity & Access Management
- Active Directory LDAP authentication
- Real-time user authentication and de-authentication
- Firewall user visibility
Business Value: Centralized identity control and compliance readiness
3. Secure Remote Access
- FortiClient VPN
- Encrypted VPN tunnels
- LDAP-based user authentication
Business Value: Secure hybrid and remote workforce support
4. High Availability (HA)
- Active/Passive FortiGate configuration
- Automatic failover
Business Value: Ensures continuous internet access and uptime
5. Administrative Security
- Two FortiGate administrators
- Role-based access separation
Business Value: Reduced operational risk and improved accountability
🧪 Simulation & Validation
Test Scenarios
- IPS blocking malicious files and logging events
- Firewall policy enable/disable to control internet access securely
- Application Control restricting non-business applications
- FortiClient VPN access from Remote Clients
- HA failover with continuous ping and internet connectivity
- AD user authentication and de-authentication validation
Result:
All security controls successfully mitigated identified business risks without disrupting legitimate business operations.
📊 Business Impact Summary
- ✔ Reduced cyber risk exposure
- ✔ Improved employee productivity
- ✔ Secure remote operations
- ✔ High availability and uptime
- ✔ Strong access control and governance
- ✔ Scalable enterprise-ready design
📈 Lessons Learned & Future Enhancements
Lessons Learned
- Security architecture must align with business goals
- High availability is critical for perimeter devices
- Identity-based security simplifies access control and management
Future Enhancements
- Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA)
- SIEM integration (FortiAnalyzer)
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
- Web filtering and Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
✅ Conclusion
This lab showcases a realistic, enterprise-grade security architecture that mirrors production environments. It demonstrates not only technical proficiency with FortiGate, but also the ability to design and communicate security solutions in business terms.
👤 Author
Benedict Ryan
Security & Network Engineering Lab
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