Comparison of the GITRIX platform and Fortinet product
| Category | GITRIX | Fortinet | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deployment Methods To own infrastructure or cloud | check_circle HW appliance, VM appliance, native deployment into Kubernetes | warning HW appliance, VM appliance, limited deployment into Kubernetes | GITRIX offers full cloud-native support, while the competitor has limitations in K8s. |
| NIS2 & eIDAS Legislative compliance | check_circle Fully compliant | check_circle Fully compliant | Both solutions meet current legislative requirements. |
| MFA Windows MFA method support for operating system | check_circle Smart card / token login, passwordless mobile login (certificate), 2FA PUSH, 2FA QR (OTP) | warning Push OTP, OTP HW/SW tokens | GITRIX enables truly passwordless login, Fortinet relies on OTP. |
| Offline Support MFA method support for operating system in offline mode | check_circle Smart card / token login, 2FA QR (OTP) | warning OTP HW/SW tokens | GITRIX uses certificates on HW tokens that work reliably even without a network. |
| MFA SSO MFA method support for corporate applications | check_circle Smart card / token login, passwordless mobile login (certificate), 2FA PUSH, 2FA QR (OTP), FIDO2, Kerberos | warning Push OTP, OTP HW/SW tokens, SMS, Email, FIDO2, Kerberos (complex configuration) | A wider range of modern methods with GITRIX increases user comfort. |
| MFA Security Security of MFA methods | check_circle Usage of encryption or signing operations using ECC and RSA keys | warning OATH time-based (TOTP) and event-based (HOTP) oriented OTP | Cryptographic keys are orders of magnitude safer than shared secrets in OTP. |
| Server Certificate Management Ensuring certificate lifecycle management – issuance, renewal, and monitoring | check_circle Full support using server agent | cancel No integration | GITRIX automates certificate management, which is completely missing in Fortinet. |
| User Certificate and Token Management Ensuring certificate and token lifecycle management – issuance, renewal, and monitoring | check_circle Full support for internal and qualified certification authorities | cancel No support | Comprehensive management of tokens and smart cards is a strong point of GITRIX. |
| PIM/PAM Support Securing access using PIM/PAM | warning Support for any PIM/PAM manufacturer without vendor lock-in. | check_circle Preferred integration with own solution | Fortinet pushes its own ecosystem, GITRIX bets on openness. |
| VPN Support Securing access using VPN | warning Support for any VPN manufacturer without vendor lock-in. | check_circle Preferred integration with own VPN solution | Just like with PAM, GITRIX offers greater flexibility in choosing a VPN partner. |
Why does the right architecture matter?
See how it is technically possible to improve your security using GITRIX.
Securing Fortinet VPN using GITRIX: Worry-free Modern MFA
Nowadays, when attacks on network infrastructure and misuse of leaked passwords represent a daily threat, standard authentication with name and password is no longer enough.
Detailed Explanation of Key Points
Offline Authentication Security
The main security risk with traditional solutions is the existence of the so-called OTP cache. In order to enable login without a network, Fortinet must upload a set of passwords that will be valid in the future into the agent on the computer. Even if this database is encrypted, it represents a static target for advanced malware. GITRIX abandons this concept. The mobile device or hardware token works as a cryptographic module that signs a unique challenge generated at that moment. No passwords that could be stolen exist.
Kubernetes and Modern IT
Most enterprises are moving to containerization. Fortinet still requires hypervisor management for its IAM module (FortiAuthenticator). GITRIX can be deployed using Helm charts directly into the cluster, making it part of infrastructure as code (IaC). This allows for lightning-fast deployment and automatic fixes.
VPN Integration (Point for Fortinet vs. GITRIX)
It is true that Fortinet has an advantage in native VPN (FortiGate), which is a global standard. However, GITRIX neutralizes this advantage with its openness. Thanks to support for standards (SAML, OIDC), GITRIX provides a stronger and more modern MFA layer for Fortinet VPN (for example, by signing a certificate) than native FortiToken, without the need to change the firewall.
Conclusion: Why choose GITRIX?
GITRIX is not just another MFA “cable” in the network. It is a platform designed for the era after the end of SSL VPN, when identity is the only true perimeter.
- Elimination of weak points: By switching from OTP to asymmetric cryptography, you solve risks associated with password caching in end devices with a clear cryptographic proof of origin.
- Effective certificate management: GITRIX replaces the need for additional tools for monitoring SSL certificates on servers, which reduces operational risks (such as outages due to expiration).
- Future in containers: GITRIX is ready for modern data centers running on Kubernetes, while Fortinet in the field of IAM remains faithful to virtual machines.
GITRIX is the preferred solution for organizations looking for top-tier security without compromise in user friendliness and do not want to be locked in the ecosystem of a single manufacturer of network elements.