What is the function of Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) in FortiGate?

Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) plays a crucial role in FortiGate's security measures by enabling the analysis of packet contents, which goes beyond merely examining header information. This capability allows FortiGate devices to inspect and understand the actual data being transmitted across the network, looking for potential threats such as malware, intrusions, and unauthorized data exfiltration.

DPI works by scrutinizing the payload of data packets, applying various inspection techniques and behavioral analysis to identify anomalies and detect threats that could be concealed within legitimate traffic. This comprehensive analysis is essential for identifying vulnerabilities that could otherwise evade detection if relying solely on header information, which typically includes source and destination addresses, ports, and protocol types.

By using DPI, organizations can implement more effective security policies, as they are able to block or sanction traffic based on a deeper understanding of its context and nature, leading to more reliable threat mitigation.