Intel And Fortinet Partner To Develop Next-Generation Security Processor

Intel and Fortinet have entered a strategic collaboration to develop Fortinet’s Security Processor 6 (SP6), combining Fortinet’s custom security chip design expertise with Intel’s semiconductor manufacturing capabilities.

The partnership expands a long-standing relationship between the two companies and is aimed at accelerating the development of Fortinet’s next-generation security processor while diversifying the cybersecurity vendor’s global supply chain.

Custom Silicon For Cybersecurity

Fortinet has built its own application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs) for more than two decades, using custom silicon to deliver security processing performance that general-purpose processors cannot match. The SP6 will be the latest in that line.

Under the collaboration, Fortinet will bring its proprietary security processor design expertise while Intel contributes its semiconductor design, packaging and manufacturing capabilities. The goal is to produce a security processor capable of supporting increasingly complex security services and the performance requirements of modern enterprise networks.

Ken Xie, Founder, Chairman and CEO of Fortinet, pointed to the company’s long history with custom chips.

“Fortinet’s purpose-built ASICs have been a key differentiator for more than two decades, enabling us to deliver the security effectiveness, performance and efficiency our customers demand,” Xie commented. “This expanded relationship with Intel will leverage its unique combination of advanced semiconductor technology, manufacturing expertise and global supply chain capabilities, helping Fortinet accelerate and strengthen our ASIC strategy, while also better supporting organisations all over the world.”

Intel’s Role

Intel will contribute its portfolio of ecosystem IP, its experience in disaggregated semiconductor design and its packaging solutions for both AI-enabled and cost-sensitive applications.

The collaboration also has a supply chain dimension. By working with Intel on manufacturing, Fortinet aims to improve the resilience and diversity of its global supply chain for security hardware.

Lip-Bu Tan, CEO of Intel, framed the partnership in terms of both performance and supply chain resilience.

“As organisations face a rapidly evolving threat landscape, security infrastructure must deliver both performance and innovation at scale,” Tan noted. “This collaboration demonstrates how Intel’s semiconductor and advanced design, packaging and manufacturing capabilities can help cybersecurity leaders like Fortinet accelerate the development of critical security technologies while building a more resilient and diversified global supply chain.”

Broader Ambitions

Beyond the SP6, the two companies plan to explore further collaboration across semiconductor technology, manufacturing and the infrastructure underpinning future cybersecurity products.

The work is expected to advance Fortinet’s long-term ASIC roadmap, support greater performance and service capabilities, and strengthen supply chain assurance for customers.

Why Custom Processors Matter

Fortinet’s use of custom ASICs rather than off-the-shelf processors has been central to its approach to network security. Purpose-built silicon allows firewall and security appliances to inspect network traffic at higher speeds and with lower latency than software running on general-purpose hardware.

The SP6 will be designed to handle the growing complexity of security services that organisations deploy, including encrypted traffic inspection, intrusion prevention and AI-driven threat detection.

Fortinet currently offers a portfolio of more than 50 enterprise-grade security products and claims more than 500,000 customers globally.

Last Updated on July 22, 2026 by Nick Ross