Intel strengthens Foundry business with Fortinet partnership
Fortinet to manufacture security processors at Intel Foundry
1Intel and Fortinet collaboration
Fortinet has chosen Intel Foundry to produce its sixth-generation Security Processor (SP6), marking a significant win for Intel's semiconductor manufacturing business. These custom chips feature dedicated accelerators for cryptographic operations required by modern hardware firewalls.
2Custom ASIC advantage
Unlike many cybersecurity companies that use standard x86 and Arm processors, Fortinet prefers custom ASICs. While SP6 specifications remain undisclosed, it's expected to outperform the previous SP5 generation launched in 2023, which offered speeds exceeding 30 Gbps.
3Manufacturing technology
The SP6 will be manufactured using Intel's older Intel 4 process node rather than cutting-edge 18A technology. Intel suggests Fortinet will leverage its expertise in disaggregated semiconductor design and advanced packaging, potentially enabling a more scalable chiplet architecture.
4US manufacturing benefits
Being produced in the US by an American company provides crucial supply chain security advantages. With only Intel, Samsung, and TSMC capable of producing advanced chips, domestic manufacturing becomes increasingly valuable in the current geopolitical climate.
5Government-backed initiatives
Intel received $3 billion from the US government to establish secure chip manufacturing for federal agencies, with the government taking a 9.9% stake. Intel's experience with DARPA's HIVE program demonstrates its capability in developing specialized processors for defense and security applications.
6Semiconductor industry competition
Intel is transforming from an integrated device manufacturer into a full-service foundry capable of competing with Samsung and TSMC. The Fortinet partnership represents a strategic step in this direction, as supply chain security becomes a top priority for the global tech industry.