Fortinet Overview

• Fortinet is a prominent cybersecurity company known for offering broad, integrated, and automated security solutions.

 

• The company's products protect critical elements of a network, from data centers to cloud technologies and devices.

Key Features

• FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW): Provides robust threat protection, secure connectivity, and optimized performance.

 

• FortiAnalyzer: Delivers powerful analysis, reporting, and log management capabilities.

 

• FortiManager: Centralized management for seamless network operations and policy compliance.

 

• FortiSandbox: Offers advanced threat protection and zero-day vulnerability defenses.

 

• Secure SD-WAN: Combines networking and security to enhance application performance and productivity.

 

• FortiClient: Integrates endpoint security with network access and remote users' protections.

Fortinet API Availability

• Fortinet provides APIs that allow integration with their security and networking solutions.

 

• These APIs enable automation, configuration, and management of Fortinet devices and services via RESTful API calls.

 

• Developers can use FortiOS REST API and other specialized APIs for customized network management tasks.

Using Fortinet APIs

• APIs are typically accessed over HTTPS, ensuring secure communication with Fortinet devices.

 

• Authentication usually involves API keys or certificates, depending on the specific API used.

 

• Fortinet provides documentation and developer guides to facilitate the implementation and use of their APIs.

Firewall Automation Using Fortinet APIs

• Identify Integration Needs: Determine the specific tasks you wish to automate using the Fortinet API, such as rule updates or log retrieval.

 

• Access Fortinet API Documentation: Review Fortinet's API documentation to understand available methods for firewall management.

 

• Configure API Access: Set up API access by obtaining the necessary credentials and configuring API access settings on your Fortinet device.

 

• Create Automation Scripts: Develop scripts using the Fortinet API to automate tasks, like adding rules, through programming languages such as Python or JavaScript.

 

• Test and Deploy: Conduct testing to verify the automation processes work as intended and deploy the script in the live environment.

 

import requests

url = "https://<fortinet_device>/api/v2/cmdb/firewall/policy"
headers = {"Authorization": "Bearer <token>"}
data = {
    "srcintf": [{"name": "port1"}],
    "dstintf": [{"name": "port2"}],
    "srcaddr": [{"name": "all"}],
    "dstaddr": [{"name": "all"}],
    "action": "allow",
    "schedule": "always",
    "service": [{"name": "ALL"}],
    "logtraffic": "all"
}

response = requests.post(url, headers=headers, json=data)
print(response.json())

Integrating Fortinet

• Integrating Fortinet can pose challenges, especially when dealing with various configurations and security protocols. Understanding the intricacies of the Fortinet ecosystem is crucial.

 

• Fortinet offers a comprehensive API, which can streamline the integration process by allowing for seamless interaction with its security features and services. However, the intricacies of its API can be overwhelming without the right expertise.

Get Our Help with RapidDev

• While working with Fortinet's API, leveraging the expertise of a specialized development agency like us can be immensely beneficial. Our team at RapidDev specializes in developing web and mobile applications that efficiently utilize third-party APIs.

 

• By getting our help, you can ensure that your Fortinet integration is both rapid and cost-effective, while receiving comprehensive support throughout the development lifecycle, from design to post-launch.

# Example of Fortinet API request
curl -X GET "https://<fortinet-api-url>/api/v2/resource" -H "Authorization: Bearer <token>"