How does FortiGate implement SSL inspection?

FortiGate implements SSL inspection by decrypting SSL/TLS traffic and then re-encrypting it. This process allows the firewall to inspect the contents of the encrypted traffic for potential threats, such as malware or unauthorized data exfiltration, while still maintaining a secure connection for the user.

When FortiGate receives SSL/TLS traffic, it will establish a secure session with the client and a secure session with the server, effectively acting as an intermediary. This enables the device to view and analyze the data within the encrypted stream. Following the inspection, the firewall re-encrypts the traffic before sending it to the intended destination, ensuring that security measures are upheld without compromising user privacy and data integrity. This method is essential for comprehensive security in modern network environments, where a significant amount of traffic is encrypted.