DigiCert vs Fortinet: A Comprehensive Analysis of Security Titans in 2023

In today’s increasingly complex digital landscape, organizations face a multitude of security challenges that require robust solutions to protect their infrastructure, data, and users. Two major players in the cybersecurity field—DigiCert and Fortinet—offer diverse portfolios that address these challenges, albeit with different approaches and specializations. This comprehensive analysis delves deep into both companies’ offerings, examining their core technologies, comparing their capabilities, and providing technical insights to help security professionals make informed decisions based on their specific requirements.

Understanding the Core Businesses: DigiCert and Fortinet

Before diving into specific product comparisons, it’s essential to understand the foundational differences between these two security giants. DigiCert and Fortinet operate in the broader cybersecurity market but have developed distinct specializations that shape their product offerings and technological approaches.

DigiCert: The PKI and Certificate Authority Specialist

DigiCert has established itself as a global leader in PKI (Public Key Infrastructure) and digital certificates. Founded in 2003, the company has grown to become one of the world’s largest certificate authorities, trusted by organizations ranging from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. DigiCert’s core business revolves around providing digital certificates for various purposes:

• TLS/SSL certificates for website security and encryption
• Code signing certificates for software developers
• Document signing solutions for ensuring document authenticity
• IoT device certificates for securing connected devices
• Email encryption certificates for secure communications
• PKI platforms for enterprise certificate management

DigiCert’s primary focus is on providing the cryptographic foundation for secure digital identities and encrypted communications across various use cases. Their solutions are designed to establish trust in digital environments through robust certificate issuance, validation, and management processes.

Fortinet: The Network Security Specialist

Fortinet, founded in 2000, approaches cybersecurity from a different angle. The company has built its reputation on network security solutions, particularly its FortiGate next-generation firewalls (NGFW). Over time, Fortinet has expanded its portfolio to create what it calls the “Security Fabric”—an integrated ecosystem of security solutions designed to protect networks, endpoints, applications, and cloud environments. Fortinet’s key offerings include:

• FortiGate NGFWs for network protection
• FortiClient for endpoint security
• FortiWeb for web application firewall capabilities
• FortiAuthenticator for identity and access management
• FortiMail for email security
• FortiSandbox for advanced threat detection
• SD-WAN solutions for secure network connectivity

Fortinet’s approach centers on providing comprehensive security infrastructure that can address threats across multiple vectors, with a particular emphasis on network security, threat detection, and integrated defense mechanisms.

Head-to-Head: DigiCert PKI Platform vs. Fortinet FortiAuthenticator

One area where these two companies compete directly is in the authentication and identity management space. DigiCert’s PKI Platform and Fortinet’s FortiAuthenticator both provide solutions for managing digital identities and securing authentication processes, though they approach these challenges with different architectural philosophies.

DigiCert PKI Platform: Technical Overview

DigiCert’s PKI Platform is an enterprise-grade certificate management system designed to provide organizations with complete control over their PKI infrastructure. The platform offers a comprehensive set of features:

• Certificate lifecycle management: Automated issuance, renewal, and revocation processes
• Flexible deployment options: On-premises, cloud, or hybrid installations
• Delegated administration: Role-based access controls for certificate management
• High availability: Redundant architecture for mission-critical applications
• API integration: RESTful APIs for integration with existing systems
• Compliance support: Audit trails and reporting for regulatory requirements
• Multi-tenant architecture: Support for complex organizational structures

The DigiCert PKI Platform excels in environments where certificate management at scale is a primary concern. Its architecture allows for the creation and management of certificate hierarchies with multiple subordinate CAs (Certificate Authorities), enabling organizations to issue certificates for various use cases while maintaining centralized control and visibility.

A key technical strength of DigiCert’s solution is its support for modern cryptographic standards and protocols. The platform supports:

• ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) certificates for improved performance
• RSA key lengths up to 8192 bits for maximum security
• Advanced certificate profiles with custom extensions
• OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol) for real-time certificate validation
• Support for HSMs (Hardware Security Modules) for secure key storage

For organizations implementing certificate-based authentication, DigiCert provides strong technical capabilities that can be customized to specific requirements. Here’s an example of how a certificate enrollment might be configured using DigiCert’s APIs:

// Example API call for certificate enrollment using DigiCert's API
POST /services/v2/certificate/request
{
  "certificate": {
    "common_name": "auth.example.com",
    "dns_names": ["auth.example.com", "auth2.example.com"],
    "csr": "-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----\nMIIByjCCA...[CSR data]...hnCdCv\n-----END CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----",
    "organization_units": ["IT Security"],
    "server_platform": {
      "id": 2
    },
    "signature_hash": "sha256"
  },
  "organization": {
    "id": 123456
  },
  "validity_years": 2,
  "custom_expiration_date": "2023-06-01"
}

Fortinet FortiAuthenticator: Technical Overview

FortiAuthenticator serves as Fortinet’s centralized authentication and identity management solution. While it includes certificate management capabilities, it’s designed with a broader focus on authentication methodologies within Fortinet’s Security Fabric. Key features include:

• Multi-factor authentication: Support for various authentication factors including certificates, tokens, and biometrics
• RADIUS and LDAP server functions: Integration with existing directory services
• Guest management: Specialized workflows for temporary access
• Certificate authority: Built-in CA for certificate issuance
• User self-service portal: Allows users to manage their own credentials
• SAML and OAuth support: Integration with federated identity systems

FortiAuthenticator’s strength lies in its tight integration with other Fortinet products. It can serve as a central authentication point for FortiGate firewalls, FortiClient endpoints, and other components of the Security Fabric, creating a consistent authentication framework across the security infrastructure.

For certificate management specifically, FortiAuthenticator includes built-in CA functionality that allows administrators to create and manage a local certificate authority. This can be configured with a configuration similar to the following (using FortiAuthenticator CLI):

config system certificate ca
    edit "Local_CA"
        set certificate "-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----\nMIIDyTCCArGgAwIBAgIBADANBgkq...[certificate data]...QDemw==\n-----END CERTIFICATE-----"
        set private-key "-----BEGIN RSA PRIVATE KEY-----\nMIIEowIBAAKCAQEAy...[key data]...6NiWw==\n-----END RSA PRIVATE KEY-----"
        set intermediate "-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----\nMIIDyTCCArGgAwIB...[certificate data]...EmQ==\n-----END CERTIFICATE-----"
    next
end

Comparative Analysis: PKI Platform vs. FortiAuthenticator

When comparing these solutions directly, several key differences emerge that can impact their suitability for specific use cases:

According to user ratings and industry reviews, DigiCert’s PKI Platform scores higher in specialized PKI deployments, with an average rating of 10.0 compared to FortiAuthenticator’s 8.1 in the authentication systems category. However, FortiAuthenticator has a significantly larger market mindshare at 7.6% versus DigiCert’s 1.3%, reflecting Fortinet’s broader market presence in the security space.

A security architect from a financial services firm commented in a verified review: “DigiCert’s PKI Platform provides unmatched depth for certificate management, especially for organizations that need to issue large volumes of certificates with complex validation requirements. The automation capabilities have saved us countless hours in certificate management tasks.”

Conversely, a network administrator from a healthcare organization noted: “FortiAuthenticator gives us the flexibility to implement multiple authentication methods across our organization while integrating seamlessly with our existing Fortinet infrastructure. The built-in CA functionality is sufficient for our internal certificate needs.”

SSL/TLS Certificates: DigiCert Secure Site vs. Fortinet SSL VPN Certificates

Another area of comparison involves SSL/TLS certificates for securing websites and VPN connections. DigiCert’s Secure Site certificates are a flagship product, while Fortinet primarily uses certificates within its SSL VPN implementations.

DigiCert Secure Site: Technical Analysis

DigiCert Secure Site certificates represent DigiCert’s premium offering for website security. These certificates include several technical features that differentiate them in the market:

• CT (Certificate Transparency) logging: Automatic logging to multiple CT logs to enhance visibility and security
• Post-quantum cryptography readiness: Research and development toward quantum-resistant algorithms
• CAA (Certificate Authority Authorization) support: Advanced domain validation checking
• OCSP stapling compatibility: Improved certificate validation performance
• Unlimited server licenses: Deploy on multiple servers without additional costs
• Maximum browser compatibility: Trusted by 99.9% of browsers and devices

DigiCert’s certificates are backed by one of the most trusted root certificate programs in the industry, with their root certificates pre-installed in major operating systems and browsers. This provides maximum compatibility without certificate warning messages that can impact user trust.

From a technical implementation standpoint, a typical DigiCert Secure Site certificate configuration in an Apache web server might look like this:

# Example Apache configuration with DigiCert Secure Site certificate
<VirtualHost *:443>
    ServerName secure.example.com
    DocumentRoot /var/www/html
    
    SSLEngine on
    SSLCertificateFile /etc/ssl/certs/digicert.crt
    SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/ssl/private/private.key
    SSLCertificateChainFile /etc/ssl/certs/digicert-intermediate.crt
    
    # Modern compatibility (TLS 1.2+)
    SSLProtocol all -SSLv3 -TLSv1 -TLSv1.1
    SSLCipherSuite ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305:ECDHE-RSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305:DHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:DHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384
    SSLHonorCipherOrder on
    SSLCompression off
    SSLSessionTickets off
    
    # OCSP Stapling
    SSLUseStapling on
    SSLStaplingCache "shmcb:logs/stapling-cache(150000)"
    
    # HTTP Strict Transport Security (HSTS)
    Header always set Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=63072000; includeSubdomains; preload"
</VirtualHost>

Fortinet SSL VPN Certificates

Fortinet’s approach to SSL certificates is more focused on their implementation within Fortinet products, particularly for SSL VPN functionality in FortiGate firewalls. Fortinet does not function as a certificate authority itself but instead provides guidance on certificate implementation within its ecosystem.

For SSL VPN deployments, Fortinet customers have several options:

• Default self-signed certificates: Included with FortiGate but not recommended for production
• Third-party certificates: Integration with commercial CAs like DigiCert
• Let’s Encrypt certificates: Free certificates with automatic renewal
• Wildcard certificates: For securing multiple subdomains

A Fortinet security engineer noted in a community forum: “The case of some vendors’ certificates being more trusted by browsers than others has long gone. Even a free Let’s Encrypt certificate will have the same feature set as a commercial one. For SSL VPN, the main consideration is whether to use a certificate for a specific subdomain or a wildcard certificate.”

The technical implementation of certificates in a FortiGate SSL VPN configuration typically looks like this:

# FortiGate CLI configuration for SSL VPN with custom certificate
config vpn ssl settings
    set servercert "ssl_vpn_cert"              # Use the imported certificate
    set tunnel-ip-pools "SSL_VPN_POOL"
    set tunnel-ipv6-pools "SSL_VPN_IPv6_POOL"
    set source-interface "port1"
    set source-address "all"
    set source-address6 "all"
    set default-portal "full-access"
    set port 10443
end

# Certificate import process
config system certificate local
    edit "ssl_vpn_cert"
        set password ENC ThpgPFRV6sx...
        set private-key "-----BEGIN ENCRYPTED PRIVATE KEY-----
MIIFHDBOBgkqhkiG9w0BBQ0wQ...
[private key data]
-----END ENCRYPTED PRIVATE KEY-----"
        set certificate "-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----
MIID8TCCAtmgAwIBAgIQC...
[certificate data]
-----END CERTIFICATE-----"
    next
end

Certificate Comparison: Secure Site vs. Fortinet SSL VPN Implementation

The key difference in this comparison is that DigiCert is a certificate issuer, while Fortinet is primarily a certificate consumer. Organizations implementing Fortinet solutions will often need to obtain certificates from authorities like DigiCert or Let’s Encrypt to secure their Fortinet-based services.

When considering certificate requirements for Fortinet SSL VPN deployments, several factors should guide the decision:

Endpoint Security: FortiClient vs. DigiCert Device Certificates

Endpoint security represents another area where the approaches of these companies differ significantly. Fortinet offers FortiClient, a comprehensive endpoint protection platform, while DigiCert provides device certificates for authenticating and securing endpoints within PKI frameworks.

FortiClient: Technical Deep Dive

FortiClient is Fortinet’s endpoint security solution, designed to protect devices while integrating them into the broader Security Fabric. Its technical capabilities include:

• Next-generation antivirus: Real-time protection against malware with machine learning capabilities
• Web filtering: Category-based URL filtering to prevent access to malicious sites
• Application firewall: Control over which applications can access network resources
• Vulnerability scanning: Identification of unpatched software and security weaknesses
• VPN connectivity: IPsec and SSL VPN support for secure remote access
• Security fabric integration: Coordination with FortiGate and other Fortinet products

FortiClient can be centrally managed through the EMS (Enterprise Management Server), allowing administrators to deploy and enforce security policies across thousands of endpoints. The solution can be customized through profiles that define specific security behaviors for different user groups or device types.

A typical FortiClient profile configuration might include settings like:

# Example FortiClient EMS profile configuration (JSON representation)
{
  "profile": {
    "name": "Corporate Standard",
    "description": "Standard security policy for corporate devices",
    "system": {
      "ui": {
        "disableUninstall": true,
        "hideFileExclusions": true
      },
      "logSettings": {
        "level": "warning",
        "uploadLogs": true
      }
    },
    "antivirus": {
      "enabled": true,
      "realTimeProtection": true,
      "scheduledScan": {
        "enabled": true,
        "frequency": "weekly",
        "day": "sunday",
        "time": "01:00"
      },
      "exclusions": [
        "C:\\Program Files\\Custom Software\\",
        "D:\\Backup\\"
      ],
      "quarantine": {
        "enabled": true,
        "retentionDays": 30
      }
    },
    "webFiltering": {
      "enabled": true,
      "blockCategories": [
        "gambling",
        "pornography",
        "malicious"
      ],
      "warnCategories": [
        "streaming",
        "social-media"
      ],
      "exemptUrls": [
        "internal.company.com",
        "helpdesk.company.com"
      ]
    },
    "vpn": {
      "sslvpn": {f
        "enabled": true,
        "connections": [
          {
            "name": "Corporate VPN",
            "server": "vpn.company.com",
            "port": 10443,
            "autoConnect": true
          }
        ]
      }
    }
  }
}

DigiCert Device Certificates for Endpoint Security

DigiCert’s approach to endpoint security centers around identity and authentication rather than comprehensive endpoint protection. DigiCert provides device certificates that can be deployed to endpoints to enable several security capabilities:

• Machine authentication: Cryptographic identification of devices connecting to networks
• Certificate-based VPN: Strong authentication for VPN connections without passwords
• 802.1X network access: Certificate-based authentication for wired and wireless networks
• S/MIME email security: Encryption and digital signatures for email communications
• Document signing: Enabling endpoints to digitally sign documents with validated identities

DigiCert’s solutions focus on the provisioning, management, and validation of these device certificates, often through integration with MDM (Mobile Device Management) or UEM (Unified Endpoint Management) platforms. The certificates form a foundation for zero-trust security models by providing strong cryptographic identities for devices.

A typical implementation of DigiCert device certificates in an enterprise environment might involve:

# Example PowerShell script for deploying DigiCert device certificates via Microsoft Intune
$config = @{
    CertificateProfileName = "DigiCert Device Authentication"
    CertificateType = "PKCS"
    SubjectNameFormat = "CN={{DeviceName}},O=Contoso Inc,C=US"
    CertificateValidityPeriodValue = 2
    CertificateValidityPeriodUnit = "Years"
    ExtendedKeyUsages = @("1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.2", "1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.1")  # Client Authentication, Server Authentication
    KeyStorageProvider = "Microsoft Software Key Storage Provider"
    KeyLength = 2048
    HashAlgorithm = "SHA-256"
    RenewalThresholdPercentage = 80
    CertificateTemplateInformation = @{
        Name = "DigiCertDeviceAuth"
        OID = "1.3.6.1.4.1.311.21.8.16543444.15386654.12603490.6906317.3444132.207.1.1"
    }
}

# Register the certificate profile with Intune
Register-DeviceCertificateProfile -Configuration $config

Comparing Approaches: FortiClient vs. DigiCert Device Certificates

The fundamental difference between these solutions reflects the core philosophies of the two companies:

These solutions are not mutually exclusive and can be complementary. Many organizations implement both endpoint protection platforms like FortiClient and certificate-based authentication using solutions like DigiCert’s. In fact, FortiClient can leverage certificate-based authentication for its SSL VPN connectivity, demonstrating how these technologies can work together.

Web Application Security: FortiWeb vs. DigiCert Secure Site Pro

Web application security represents another domain where both companies offer solutions, though with very different approaches. Fortinet’s FortiWeb is a dedicated Web Application Firewall (WAF), while DigiCert’s Secure Site Pro provides enhanced TLS/SSL protection for web applications.

FortiWeb: Web Application Firewall Technical Analysis

FortiWeb is Fortinet’s specialized WAF solution designed to protect web applications from a wide range of attacks. Its technical capabilities include:

• Protocol validation: Enforcement of HTTP/HTTPS protocol compliance
• Application attack signatures: Detection of known attack patterns (SQL injection, XSS, etc.)
• Machine learning-based anomaly detection: Identification of unusual behavior patterns
• API protection: Specialized security for REST/SOAP APIs
• Bot mitigation: Detection and blocking of malicious automated traffic
• Virtual patching: Protection against vulnerabilities before application patches are available
• Web anti-defacement: Detection and recovery from website tampering

FortiWeb can be deployed in various modes, including reverse proxy, transparent, and offline, allowing it to adapt to different network architectures and performance requirements. It offers both signature-based protection and AI-driven anomaly detection to identify both known and zero-day threats.

A typical deployment might include configuration like this:

# Example FortiWeb WAF configuration for protecting a web application
config server-policy
    edit "e-commerce-protection"
        set vserver "ecommerce-vserver"
        set service http https
        set http-to-https enable
        set urlcert "DigiCert-Ecommerce"
        set ssl-mirror enable
        set ssl-mirror-intf "port3"
        set access-control enable
        set signature-set "default"
        set custom-signature-group "ecommerce-custom"
        set waf-profile "ecommerce-waf-profile"
        set ssl enable
        set ssl-protocols TLSv1-1 TLSv1-2 TLSv1-3
        set server-pool "ecommerce-server-pool"
    next
end

# WAF profile configuration
config waf-profile
    edit "ecommerce-waf-profile"
        config signature
            set status enable
            set main-class-filter enable
            set credit-card-detection-threshold 10
        end
        config advanced
            set csrf-protection enable
            set csrf-protection-secret "FXl5ZKs9MN3PQcvdU2TyRZ..."
            set session-management enable
            set session-timeout 3600
        end
    next
end

DigiCert Secure Site Pro: Enhanced SSL/TLS Protection

DigiCert Secure Site Pro certificates provide enhanced protection for web applications at the TLS/SSL layer. While not a WAF solution, these certificates offer several security features that complement application-level protections:

• EV (Extended Validation) option: Highest level of identity verification
• CT (Certificate Transparency) logging: Protection against mis-issued certificates
• Priority validation and issuance: Rapid certificate provision for critical applications
• Vulnerability scanning: Basic scanning of web servers for known vulnerabilities
• Malware scanning: Monitoring for malicious code on websites
• PCI scanning: Compliance scanning for payment card environments
• Norton Seal display: Trust indicator for website visitors

DigiCert Secure Site Pro certificates focus on establishing a secure communication channel between clients and web servers, and providing basic monitoring of website security. They address a different layer of the security stack than WAF solutions like FortiWeb.

Implementation of a Secure Site Pro certificate in a Nginx web server might look like this:

# Nginx configuration with DigiCert Secure Site Pro certificate and enhanced security settings
server {
    listen 443 ssl http2;
    server_name secure.example.com;
    
    # Certificate configuration
    ssl_certificate /etc/nginx/ssl/digicert_secure_site_pro.crt;
    ssl_certificate_key /etc/nginx/ssl/private.key;
    ssl_trusted_certificate /etc/nginx/ssl/digicert_ca_bundle.crt;
    
    # Enhanced TLS settings
    ssl_protocols TLSv1.2 TLSv1.3;
    ssl_prefer_server_ciphers on;
    ssl_ciphers 'ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-GCM-SHA384:ECDHE-ECDSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305:ECDHE-RSA-CHACHA20-POLY1305:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-GCM-SHA256:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES256-SHA384:ECDHE-RSA-AES256-SHA384:ECDHE-ECDSA-AES128-SHA256:ECDHE-RSA-AES128-SHA256';
    ssl_session_cache shared:SSL:50m;
    ssl_session_timeout 1d;
    ssl_session_tickets off;
    
    # OCSP Stapling
    ssl_stapling on;
    ssl_stapling_verify on;
    resolver 8.8.8.8 8.8.4.4 valid=300s;
    resolver_timeout 5s;
    
    # Security headers
    add_header Strict-Transport-Security "max-age=63072000; includeSubDomains; preload" always;
    add_header X-Content-Type-Options "nosniff" always;
    add_header X-Frame-Options "SAMEORIGIN" always;
    add_header X-XSS-Protection "1; mode=block" always;
    add_header Referrer-Policy "strict-origin-when-cross-origin" always;
    add_header Content-Security-Policy "default-src 'self'" always;
    
    # Application configuration
    root /var/www/secure.example.com;
    index index.html;
    
    location / {
        try_files $uri $uri/ =404;
    }
}

Comparative Analysis: FortiWeb vs. DigiCert Secure Site Pro

These solutions operate at different layers of the security stack and serve different primary purposes:

As with other comparisons, these solutions are complementary rather than competitive. A comprehensive web application security strategy would typically include both TLS/SSL protection using certificates like DigiCert Secure Site Pro and application-level protection using a WAF like FortiWeb. This multi-layered approach provides defense in depth, addressing different types of threats at different points in the application stack.

Network Security: FortiGate NGFW vs. DigiCert’s Role in Secure Infrastructure

Network security represents a core area of Fortinet’s expertise, particularly through their flagship FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) products. While DigiCert doesn’t offer dedicated network security appliances, their certificate solutions play an important role in securing various aspects of network infrastructure.

FortiGate NGFW: Technical Examination

FortiGate NGFWs represent Fortinet’s core network security offering, providing multiple security functions in a single platform. Key technical capabilities include:

• Firewall protection: Stateful packet inspection and filtering
• Intrusion prevention system (IPS): Detection and blocking of network attacks
• Application control: Visibility and control over application traffic
• Web filtering: URL categorization and content filtering
• Antivirus/Anti-malware: Scanning of traffic for malicious content
• SSL/TLS inspection: Decryption and inspection of encrypted traffic
• SD-WAN capabilities: Intelligent path selection for WAN connections
• VPN termination: Secure remote access and site-to-site connectivity

FortiGate devices run on Fortinet’s proprietary FortiOS operating system and utilize custom ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) processors for accelerated security processing. This architecture allows for high-performance security inspection even with complex rule sets and enabled features.

A simplified configuration example for a FortiGate firewall might look like this:

# FortiGate NGFW configuration example
# Interface configuration
config system interface
    edit "port1"
        set alias "WAN"
        set mode dhcp
        set allowaccess ping https ssh
    next
    edit "port2"
        set alias "LAN"
        set ip 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
        set allowaccess ping https ssh
    next
end

# Firewall policy
config firewall policy
    edit 1
        set name "LAN to WAN"
        set srcintf "port2"
        set dstintf "port1"
        set srcaddr "all"
        set dstaddr "all"
        set action accept
        set schedule "always"
        set service "ALL"
        set utm-status enable
        set av-profile "default"
        set ips-sensor "default"
        set application-list "default"
        set ssl-ssh-profile "certificate-inspection"
        set logtraffic all
    next
end

# SSL VPN configuration with certificate
config vpn ssl settings
    set servercert "Fortinet_SSL_VPN"
    set tunnel-ip-pools "SSL_POOL"
    set tunnel-ipv6-pools "SSL_IPv6_POOL"
    set source-interface "port1"
    set source-address "all"
    set source-address6 "all"
    set default-portal "full-access"
    set port 10443
    set authentication-rule-mode strict
end

DigiCert’s Role in Network Infrastructure Security

While DigiCert doesn’t offer dedicated network security appliances, their certificate solutions play several important roles in securing network infrastructure:

• Device authentication: Certificates for authenticating network devices (switches, routers, etc.)
• Secure management interfaces: TLS certificates for administrative access to network devices
• IPsec VPN authentication: Certificate-based authentication for site-to-site VPNs
• 802.1X network access: Certificate-based authentication for wired and wireless networks
• IoT device security: Certificates for authenticating IoT devices on the network
• Zero Trust Network Access: Certificate support for ZTNA implementations

DigiCert’s contribution to network security focuses on establishing trusted identities for devices and services within the network, enabling strong authentication and encrypted communications between network components.

An example implementation of DigiCert certificates for 802.1X network authentication might involve configuration like this:

# Example RADIUS server configuration for 802.1X with certificate authentication
# FreeRADIUS EAP-TLS configuration snippet

eap {
    default_eap_type = tls
    
    tls-config tls-common {
        private_key_file = /etc/raddb/certs/radius.key
        certificate_file = /etc/raddb/certs/radius.crt
        ca_file = /etc/raddb/certs/digicert-ca.crt
        
        cipher_list = "HIGH:!MEDIUM:!aNULL:!eNULL:!LOW:!3DES:!MD5:!EXP:!PSK:!DSS:!RC4:!SEED:!ADH:!IDEA"
        tls_min_version = "1.2"
        
        verify_client_cert = yes
        require_client_cert = yes
    }
    
    tls {
        tls = tls-common
    }
}

# Switch configuration for 802.1X (Cisco IOS example)
interface GigabitEthernet1/0/1
 description Secure Access Port
 switchport access vlan 10
 switchport mode access
 authentication port-control auto
 dot1x pae authenticator
 dot1x timeout tx-period 10
 spanning-tree portfast

Comparing Approaches: FortiGate NGFW vs. DigiCert’s Network Security Role

The roles of these solutions in network security are fundamentally different but potentially complementary:

In practice, DigiCert certificates are often used within Fortinet environments. For example, FortiGate devices typically use TLS certificates for administrative interfaces and SSL VPN portals, which may be issued by DigiCert or another CA. Similarly, FortiGate devices can authenticate to each other using certificates for secure site-to-site VPN connections.

Making the Right Choice: When to Use DigiCert, Fortinet, or Both

After examining the various offerings from DigiCert and Fortinet across multiple security domains, it becomes clear that these companies provide complementary rather than competing solutions in many cases. The right choice depends on specific security requirements, existing infrastructure, and organizational priorities.

When DigiCert Solutions May Be Most Appropriate

DigiCert’s solutions are particularly well-suited for organizations that:

• Require extensive certificate management capabilities: Organizations with large-scale certificate deployments or complex certificate hierarchies will benefit from DigiCert’s specialized PKI expertise.
• Have strong compliance requirements: Industries with strict regulatory requirements around identity validation (finance, healthcare, government) can leverage DigiCert’s high-assurance certificates.
• Need cross-platform certificate solutions: Organizations with diverse environments can benefit from DigiCert’s broad compatibility across platforms and systems.
• Are implementing zero trust architectures: Certificate-based authentication provides a strong foundation for zero trust security models.
• Operate public-facing web services: DigiCert’s Secure Site certificates offer enhanced trust indicators and validation for customer-facing websites.

A security architect at a multinational financial institution commented in a review: “DigiCert’s PKI Platform has been instrumental in our zero trust journey. The ability to automate certificate issuance and integrate with our existing identity management systems has significantly reduced manual overhead while improving our security posture.”

When Fortinet Solutions May Be Most Appropriate

Fortinet’s solutions typically excel in environments that:

• Require integrated security infrastructure: Organizations seeking a unified security approach can benefit from Fortinet’s Security Fabric architecture.
• Have significant network security requirements: Environments where network-based threats are a primary concern will benefit from FortiGate’s comprehensive protection capabilities.
• Need simplified security management: FortiManager provides centralized management across multiple Fortinet products.
• Are securing remote workforces: Fortinet’s combined VPN and endpoint protection offerings provide comprehensive remote access security.
• Have performance-sensitive security needs: Fortinet’s hardware acceleration can provide security without significant performance degradation.

A network security manager at a healthcare organization noted: “Fortinet’s integrated approach has allowed us to consolidate vendors while improving our security visibility. The ability to correlate threats across endpoints, network, and applications gives us a much more comprehensive view of our security posture.”

Implementing Complementary Solutions

Many organizations find that combining solutions from both vendors provides the most comprehensive security coverage. Common integration scenarios include:

• Using DigiCert certificates with Fortinet infrastructure: Deploying DigiCert certificates for Fortinet SSL VPN portals, administrative interfaces, and site-to-site VPN authentication.
• Certificate-based authentication for FortiClient: Leveraging DigiCert device certificates for strong authentication of FortiClient VPN connections.
• Web application security layering: Using DigiCert Secure Site certificates for TLS/SSL protection alongside FortiWeb for application-level protection.
• Zero trust implementation: Combining DigiCert’s identity assurance with Fortinet’s network segmentation and access controls.

The most effective security architectures often incorporate elements from multiple vendors, selected based on their specific strengths and tailored to the organization’s unique requirements and risk profile.

Conclusion: Beyond Product Comparisons

The comparison between DigiCert and Fortinet illustrates a broader principle in cybersecurity: effective security requires a multi-layered approach that addresses different aspects of the security challenge. Rather than viewing these vendors as competitors, organizations should consider how their complementary strengths can be combined to create a more robust security posture.

DigiCert excels in establishing and managing trusted digital identities through certificates and PKI infrastructure—creating the foundation of trust that underlies secure communications and authentication. Fortinet provides comprehensive threat protection capabilities across networks, endpoints, and applications—actively defending against malicious activities and controlling access to resources.

As cybersecurity challenges continue to evolve, organizations that can effectively integrate solutions from specialized providers like DigiCert and Fortinet will be better positioned to address the full spectrum of security risks they face. The key lies in understanding the specific strengths of each solution and how they can work together to create a security architecture that is both comprehensive and tailored to the organization’s specific needs.

By focusing on security outcomes rather than product boundaries, security professionals can leverage the best capabilities from multiple vendors to build more resilient and effective security programs—ultimately the true measure of success in an increasingly complex threat landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions About DigiCert vs Fortinet