CyberArk vs Fortinet: 
Comparing IAM Solutions 
for Modern Identity 
Security 

When it comes to securing user access and enforcing identity controls, CyberArk and Fortinet are two names that often come up — and for good reason. Both sit in the Authentication Systems category, but they serve different purposes and solve different kinds of problems. Some reports also show, CyberArk holds a rank of #9 with an average rating of 7.8, while Fortinet comes in higher at #3 with a rating of 8.0. Interestingly, 95% of CyberArk users say they’d recommend the platform, compared to 87% for Fortinet.

It shows that both tools are well-liked — but also that they’re used and judged through different lenses. CyberArk tends to be deployed where privileged access, compliance, and identity governance are top of mind. Fortinet, on the other hand, is often used in environments that already rely on its firewalls and network stack and want to add identity awareness into that mix.

This blog doesn’t aim to pick sides — instead, we’ll break down how each solution approaches identity security, where each of them shines, where they differ, and how to decide what fits best based on the existing environment and more. Let’s dive in. 

Background Check and IAM Orientation

Despite their different starting points, both platforms offer overlapping functionality in certain areas — especially when it comes to basic authentication and access control.

CyberArk

CyberArk is an identity-first cybersecurity company. It’s best known for Privileged Access Management (PAM) and has evolved into a broader Identity Security Platform offering password-less authentication, identity lifecycle management, and cloud access governance. The architecture is purpose-built for securing both human and non-human identities, with a strong emphasis on privileged sessions and compliance.

CyberArk Identity Security Platform Overview:

• Privileged Access Management (PAM): Protects admin and service accounts, monitors sessions, and automates credential rotation.
• Workforce IAM: Offers single sign-on (SSO), adaptive multi-factor authentication (MFA), password-less options, and user behavior analytics.
• Machine Identity Security: Manages secrets and certificates for APIs, bots, and workloads.
• AI Features: Uses the CORA AI^TM platform for threat detection and policy automation.
• Consulting and Implementation: Provides advisory, deployment, and support services. 

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Fortinet

Fortinet is a network-first security company. Its identity capabilities — delivered primarily through FortiAuthenticator and FortiToken — are tightly coupled with its Security Fabric, which includes FortiGate firewalls, VPNs, NAC, and endpoint agents. IAM in Fortinet’s world is an enabler of network segmentation and access control, rather than a standalone security domain.

Fortinet IAM Solutions Overview:

• FortiAuthenticator: Centralizes authentication, supports SAML, RADIUS, LDAP, and provides SSO for web and network apps. Integrates with FortiGate firewalls.
• FortiToken: Delivers MFA via hardware or mobile tokens, supporting TOTP, push notifications, and FIDO2.
• Security Fabric Integration: IAM is part of a unified platform with network, endpoint, and cloud security.
• Management: Uses FortiManager and FortiAnalyzer for centralized monitoring and reporting.

To determine Identity Security Approaches: CyberArk vs. Fortinet - let's understand these in more depth.

Design Intent and Architecture

Aspect	CyberArk	Fortinet
Primary Design Goal	Privileged access security, identity governance, cloud entitlement control	Network-based access control, user authentication, integrated security
Identity Model	Identity-first (focused on users, roles, sessions, risk)	Network-first (focused on endpoints, IPs, device posture, groups)
Best Fit For	Regulated, complex IAM environments	Fortinet-centric infrastructures needing access enforcement

CyberArk is a dedicated IAM platform. Fortinet is a network security platform with embedded IAM services. Their overlap is narrow — usually around authentication and user verification — but they solve different problems.

Authentication and Access Control 

Feature	CyberArk	Fortinet
MFA	Context-aware, identity-integrated MFA via CyberArk Identity	FortiToken MFA (TOTP, push, SMS) for VPN/firewall access
SSO	Federated SSO (SAML, OIDC, SCIM integration)	SAML SSO for FortiGate UI and some web apps
Role/Group Policies	Managed via RBAC, Just-in-Time, approval workflows	Group-based policies through FortiAuthenticator

Fortinet handles network-initiated MFA and SSO well for organizations using FortiGate and FortiClient. CyberArk, meanwhile, focuses on identity-based access workflows, especially in application-level access scenarios. If the access enforcement point is the network, Fortinet is efficient. If it’s cloud apps, IAM roles, or critical systems, CyberArk is more appropriate.

These solutions intersect: where environments need secure VPN access, SSO for a few internal web apps, or basic user authentication against Active Directory. For this scope, either tool works. But beyond that, they begin to diverge.

Privileged Access Management (PAM) 

Feature	CyberArk	Fortinet
PAM Vault	Yes, dedicated vault with automated rotation, secure retrieval	No PAM vault
Session Monitoring	Full session capture, playback, and alerting	Limited to admin access logs via FortiGate
Just-in-Time Access	Yes, based on policies and approvals	Not supported

If the organization needs to manage privileged users — internal admins, third-party vendors, DevOps pipelines — CyberArk is the correct tool. Fortinet is not designed for session isolation or access brokering. So, if the organization’s risk profile includes internal threats, sensitive workloads, or compliance-driven access controls, CyberArk will offer tools Fortinet doesn’t aim to provide. 
Explore Cloud4C’s Identity and Access Management (IAM) Solutions. 

User Identity Lifecycle and Governance

Feature	CyberArk	Fortinet
Provisioning/De-provisioning	Yes, via SCIM, HRIS, AD integrations	Directory sync only; no native provisioning
Access Certification & Governance	Yes	Not supported
Delegated Admin and Workflows	Yes	Basic UI-based role assignments

Managing the lifecycle of users — from onboarding to access removal — is a key function of enterprise IAM platforms. Done right, it ensures least-privilege access, reduces operational friction, and strengthens security hygiene.

CyberArk offers lifecycle management as part of its cloud platform. Fortinet provides authentication and access logging but does not support identity governance or lifecycle workflows. That said, if the organization is just looking to authenticate users and log events within a Fortinet perimeter, it performs reliably without requiring additional infrastructure.

For many organizations, Fortinet’s model is sufficient — especially when IT teams control user creation centrally. But for larger enterprises or those in regulated sectors, the absence of structured IAM governance may introduce risk.

Cloud and Hybrid Environment Support

Feature	CyberArk	Fortinet
Public Cloud IAM Integration	Full (AWS, Azure, GCP) via CyberArk Cloud Entitlements Mgr	Minimal; indirect via FortiGate Cloud
Policy Analytics and Risk Insights	Yes, using cloud-native analysis of IAM roles/policies	No identity-specific analytics
Federation Across Cloud IdPs	Yes	Limited (primarily AD or LDAP)

There is a clear functional gap — but it only matters if cloud IAM is in scope for the organization. For those in early cloud adoption stages or with limited use of IaaS, it may not be a deal-breaker.  

CyberArk gives direct insight into cloud identity permissions, especially in multi-cloud environments. Fortinet handles network access to cloud but does not analyze or govern cloud IAM roles or entitlements. For organizations needing to secure cloud infrastructure, CyberArk offers the right visibility. Fortinet will ensure network pathways are secure, but not the identities within the cloud.
Explore Cloud4C’s Multi and Hybrid Cloud Security Managed Services. 

Real-World Use Cases: CyberArk vs. Fortinet

Use Case	CyberArk	Fortinet
VPN access with MFA	Yes, (via integration)	Yes, Native with FortiToken
Web portal authentication	Yes, SAML/OIDC	Yes, SAML via FortiAuthenticator
Firewall policy based on user identity	No, not core	Yes, Central to FortiGate/NAC
Privileged credential storage	Yes, Core feature	Not supported
Session recording	Yes, Full visibility	No, admin logging only
Lifecycle automation	Yes, Integrated with HR systems	Not included
Network quarantine or NAC response	Not supported	Yes, FortiNAC-based policies

Fortinet wins in network-native enforcement, particularly in VPN, NAC, and firewall policy scenarios. CyberArk is suited to deeper IAM control, app integration, and privileged access workflows.

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Analyst and User Feedback on CyberArk vs. Fortinet

CyberArk is a leader in Gartner’s Magic Quadrant for PAM and is rated highly for depth and compliance features. Users note that deployment can be complex and requires expertise, but the platform is robust and scalable.

Fortinet is recognized for cost-effectiveness and ease of integration, especially for organizations already using Fortinet products. Its IAM features are not as deep as CyberArk’s, but are sufficient for most network-centric use cases. 

Criteria	CyberArk	Fortinet
Deployment	Complex, needs expertise	Straightforward in Fortinet environments
Feature Depth	Deep, especially in PAM and machine identity	Good for network access and MFA
Integration	Broad, many third-party connectors	Best with Fortinet Security Fabric
Scalability	Enterprise-grade	Scales well for mid-sized and some large orgs
Support	Comprehensive, sometimes slow	Responsive, especially with contracts
Cost	Higher upfront, strong long-term ROI	Cost-effective for existing Fortinet users

CyberArk vs. Fortinet: Choosing Based on Operational Fit and Organizational Strategy

At this point, it’s less about features and more about fit. Choosing between CyberArk and Fortinet often comes down to what the existing architecture already looks like — and how the organization wants to manage identity moving forward.

• If the infrastructure is heavily built around Fortinet — FortiGate firewalls, FortiSwitches, FortiClient — then extending identity with FortiAuthenticator is a natural, low-friction move. It provides identity-aware network enforcement without bringing in another vendor.
• If building a long-term identity strategy is the plan — especially in support of Zero Trust, audit requirements, or cloud transformation — CyberArk offers a more comprehensive identity security platform. It introduces complexity but delivers deeper control and governance.

In many environments, both tools coexist. Fortinet handles network access and enforcement; CyberArk handles identity governance and privileged control. The choice comes down to what layer you’re trying to secure. 

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Strategy to Execution: Think Cloud4C as Your IAM Integration Partner

Choosing between CyberArk and Fortinet is only the beginning — ensuring these platforms deliver measurable security outcomes for your organization requires expert planning, integration, and ongoing management. That’s where Cloud4C steps in. As a trusted global MSSP and identity security partner, Cloud4C offers end-to-end IAM services, including PAM deployments, identity-aware network enforcement, and full lifecycle IAM implementation and governance. Whether it’s integrating CyberArk with your DevOps toolchain or enabling FortiAuthenticator for secure VPN access, Cloud4C ensures identity controls are aligned with your enterprise architecture, compliance mandates, and business goals.

What really sets us apart is our ability to orchestrate both identity governance and network enforcement in both hybrid, and multi-cloud environments. Our team of experts brings deep technical expertise in privileged access design, Zero Trust adoption, and multi-cloud IAM integration, working across AWS, Azure, GCP, and private data centers. From advisory and deployment to 24/7 managed services, Cloud4C transforms CyberArk and Fortinet into unified components of a resilient, scalable identity security strategy — not just isolated tools. For enterprises looking to modernize IAM while maintaining operational continuity, we can be your execution partner.

Contact us to know more. 

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