Fortinet launches Auckland SASE PoP to boost NZ cybersecurity
Fortinet has opened its first local Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) point of presence (PoP) in Auckland, responding to increasing demand from New Zealand-based organisations for enhanced cybersecurity and connectivity.
The launch of the FortiSASE Auckland PoP marks the company's extension of its global SASE infrastructure, focusing on supporting digital resilience within New Zealand.
Through the new PoP, local businesses will be able to securely connect to the internet, use software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, and establish private access to business-critical applications hosted both on-premises and in the cloud, while ensuring all traffic remains within New Zealand.
This development aims to address several key requirements for New Zealand customers, including reducing network latency, improving connectivity performance, and meeting national regulatory and governance standards. The infrastructure also brings enterprise-grade cybersecurity capabilities within reach of more organisations, notably benefiting small and medium-sized businesses.
Meeting local demand
Fortinet's decision to deploy local SASE infrastructure comes after receiving feedback from New Zealand customers in both the enterprise and SMB segments.
"Cybersecurity remains a top concern for New Zealand businesses, yet many organisations - from hospitals and schools through to financial institutions and exporters - are held back by complexity, cost, and limited local options," said Matt Harrison, Sales Manager at Fortinet.
Harrison highlighted the benefits of the Auckland site, adding, "The Auckland PoP changes that. It gives customers enterprise-grade protection within New Zealand's borders, meaning a healthcare provider can more confidently safeguard patient records, and an SME can innovate and grow without the added risks of data leaving New Zealand. For boards and business leaders, it's about having the freedom to innovate knowing security is built in."
Regulatory and compliance focus
The Auckland PoP, hosted in the AWS Auckland region, is a component of Fortinet's global SASE platform, built to address local market requirements. Its presence in-country is designed to give organisations more confidence regarding service continuity and availability by minimising reliance on offshore data centres. The infrastructure also helps customers achieve compliance with governance and regulatory standards related to data handling and sovereignty.
Jonathan Woolley, Systems Engineering Manager at Fortinet, emphasised the dual importance of performance and compliance in the local market.
"For many New Zealand organisations, governance and regulatory compliance are as important as performance. Boards need to know where data is processed and that credible safeguards are in place to protect their data. By keeping traffic within New Zealand, our SASE PoP delivers that assurance.
"Whether it's a government department, a bank, or a fast-moving start-up, customers can address sovereignty and compliance obligations while also building greater confidence in their cyber defences."
Wider regional impact
The establishment of the Auckland PoP is expected to provide benefits beyond New Zealand. In case of a broader regional outage, the site could serve Pacific Islands and some Australian customers, bolstering resilience across the Tasman region.
Over the past two years, Fortinet has increased the size of its New Zealand team by more than 30 per cent. The company believes that in addition to technological investment, local expertise and support are critical for customer success, and it has sought to enhance its enablement and training initiatives to address the ongoing cybersecurity skills gap in the country.
"Technology is only one part of the solution. Having skilled people locally who can support, advise and enable customers is just as important," added Harrison. "Our growth in New Zealand means we can not only deliver enterprise-grade solutions but also contribute to developing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals."
The Auckland PoP joins Fortinet's network of more than 160 global sites, reinforcing the company's infrastructure footprint while focusing on the specific needs and requirements of New Zealand organisations.
