Cybersecurity firm Fortinet Inc. today announced a new Wi-Fi 7-enabled secure access point and 10-gigabit power-over-Ethernet switch that unlock faster speeds and increases capacity for users.

The new Wi-Fi 7 access points, called FortiAP 441K and FortiSwitch T1024 — the latter purpose-built with 10-gigabit Ethernet access and 90W Power over Ethernet technology, support Wi-Fi 7 bandwidth requirements. The new devices are designed to deliver cutting-edge wireless performance enterprises need and seamlessly integrate with AIOps and FortiGuard AI-Powered Security Services as a part of the Fortinet Secure Networking solution.

The latest generation in wireless technology, Wi-Fi 7, offers a leap forward in connectivity. The technology delivers substantial improvements in speed, capacity and efficiency over its predecessor, Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 7 can handle more devices simultaneously, making it ideal for environments with a high density of wireless connections, such as offices, public venues and smart homes.

Devices using the standard have started to become available over the last few months, with the Wi-Fi Alliance announcing that it has begun certifying devices that support the standard at the Consumer Electronics Shows 2024 on Jan. 8. Fortinet argues that enterprise are eager to embrace the increased speed and bandwidth of Wi-Fi 7 to support data-heavy applications and wireless devices in their networks but are also concerned about security.

The new FortiAP 441K and FortiSwitch T1024, the latest advancements to Fortinet’s Secure Networking solution, integrate networking technologies with artificial intelligence-powered security.

The FortiAP 441K uses the Wi-Fi 7 Qualcomm Technologies Inc. Networking Pro 1220 Platform and is designed to cater to the demands of modern enterprises while also being secure. The device offers up to twice the connection speeds of previous models, with support for the 4096 QAM modulation technique and the use of 320-megahertz channels. That allows for expanded spectrum use, which improves data speeds and significantly reduces latency.

FortiAP 441K also ensures better load balancing and reduced interference in network connections by using advanced techniques such as preamble puncturing and multilink operation for resilient and reliable connections.

Catering to the need for organizations to have infrastructure that can support the increased demands in speed and capacity is where the second release, the FortiSwitch T1024, comes into play. Designed to complement Wi-Fi 7-enabled access points, this 10-gigabit access switch is a critical component in an enhanced network setup.

When used in conjunction with the FortiAP 441K, the FortiSwitch T1024 enables organizations to maximize the capabilities of Wi-Fi 7. Doing so ensures faster speeds, greater power and superior performance that is claimed to significantly enhance the user experience across various devices and applications.

“With today’s news, we’re putting the latest wireless technology breakthrough into the hands of customers, who can now take advantage of Wi-Fi 7’s increased throughput while keeping their wireless traffic secure and their business efficient,” John Maddison, chief marketing officer and executive vice president of product strategy at Fortinet, said ahead of the release.

Fortinet was last in the news in December when it released new, integrated operational technology security solutions and services. The new solutions included the FortiSwitch 424F, FortiExtender 211F and an enhanced FortiGuard OT Security service designed to connect and protect OT environments.

Image: Fortinet