One Platform, Total Protection: How Fortinet Simplifies Business Security and Networking

Running a business is already complicated. Between looking after customers, managing staff, and keeping up with compliance, the last thing you want is an IT setup that feels like a juggling act. Yet for many small businesses, that’s the reality: a patchwork of apps and tools that don’t always talk to each other.

It’s no wonder IT often feels like more of a headache than a help. Disconnected technology ultimately slows you down and it also creates increased risk for getting hacked. The more pieces you have to manage, the more chance there is for gaps – and gaps are exactly where cyber criminals strike.

That’s why we’ve partnered with Fortinet, their market-leading cybersecurity products and centralised management platform give our clients powerful protection with less complexity. Here are some high-level insights to show the real value a centralised system can deliver.

The SMB challenge? Too many moving parts

For years, small businesses were told to “buy the best tool for the job” – which meant shopping around for point solutions. A firewall from one vendor. Wireless access points from another. A network switch from somewhere else again.

The result? A patchwork system that may look fine on paper but is difficult to manage in practice. Different logins, different interfaces, different support channels. If something goes wrong, it can be hard to know who to call, or which part of the system is at fault.

Even worse, when systems aren’t fully integrated, you’re left with blind spots. A firewall might catch some threats, but if the switch or Wi-Fi isn’t included in that same view, malicious traffic can slip through unnoticed.

For busy business owners, that complexity often means one of two things: either paying extra for IT staff to keep the plates spinning or simply hoping nothing goes wrong. Neither is a great strategy.

One interface, one management view, one set of updates.

Fortinet takes a different approach, bringing together what they call your ‘Fortinet Security Fabric’, into one platform.

FortiOS is the branded software that powers Fortinet’s security platform. It brings all of Fortinet’s tools – firewalls, Wi-Fi, switches, and more – onto one system, so everything works together instead of in silos. If something unusual happens on your Wi-Fi, your firewall already knows about it. If a device connected through a switch looks suspicious, it can be blocked instantly.

With FortiOS, you get a consistent experience, clear security policies, and easy visibility across your whole setup, whether that’s in the office, in the cloud, or across connected devices.

Why simplicity matters

When your networking and security work together, the benefits show up everywhere in your business:

• Improved productivity – Staff stay connected and secure whether they’re on Wi-Fi, plugged into a switch, or working remotely. Fewer disruptions mean more time spent on core business.
• Less downtime – Integrated systems reduce blind spots and catch problems early. That means fewer outages, fewer surprises, and faster recovery if something does go wrong.
• Simple management – One platform means less training, fewer logins, and a single dashboard to monitor your entire network. Even without an in-house IT team, you can see what’s happening and stay in control.
• Secure growth – As your business adds more staff, devices, or sites, Fortinet grows with you. You don’t need to start again, you just add what you need, confident it will integrate seamlessly.

For SMBs, efficiency and peace of mind are invaluable. Instead of spending time worrying about IT, you can focus on what really matters: growing your business.

Proven market leadership

Fortinet isn’t just another name in the market. It’s the global leader in network security, recognised by Gartner as a Leader in its Magic Quadrant for 13 consecutive years. Fortinet also holds more than 50% global market share in network security appliances.

This leadership isn’t just about scale, it’s about continuous innovation. They invest heavily in AI-driven threat detection, ensuring its products don’t just block yesterday’s attacks but are learning to stop tomorrow’s.

For small businesses, that means access to enterprise-grade protection without enterprise-level complexity. And their options for small businesses are priced accordingly too.

Enterprise protection, priced for small business

With so many options out there, from legacy brands like Cisco to networking providers like Aruba – why do we choose Fortinet?

It comes down to one simple reason: better value for Kiwi businesses.

• Stronger integration – Unlike Cisco or Aruba, Fortinet builds security and networking into a single, cohesive platform.
• Ease of use – Fortinet’s interface is designed for simplicity, cutting through the complexity that often comes with big-name competitors.
• Enterprise power – You get the kind of security Fortune 500 companies trust, but at a cost that makes sense for small and medium businesses.
• Local support – Delivered and configured by Focus, you don’t just get great technology; you get a partner who knows your business and makes sure it all works as it should.

The bottom line

Technology should protect and empower your business, not complicate it. For too long, small businesses have been stuck managing multiple disconnected tools, with all the complexity and risk that brings.

If you already have a firewall, now’s the perfect time to talk with our team. Together we can review your setup and explore how Fortinet can deliver total protection for your small business – all through one streamlined platform.