FortiGate SSL VPN is Fortinet’s remote-access service on a FortiGate firewall. It lets authorized users connect to internal networks over encrypted tunnels, usually through a web portal or VPN client. In normal use, it gives employees and administrators secure access to email, file shares, and management systems from outside the office.
In cyber attacks, that convenience can become an entry point. If attackers steal VPN credentials, abuse weak passwords, or bypass poorly configured multi-factor authentication, they may log in as a trusted user and reach internal resources without deploying obvious malware. That makes the VPN a high-value target for intrusion and lateral movement. Defenders should patch FortiGate devices promptly, require strong MFA, restrict access by account and location, review login logs, and alert on unusual sessions or new source IPs. A VPN is only as safe as the identity controls protecting it.