Fortinet enters Intel foundry race after ASIC deal

A New Era of Silicon: How Fortinet is Redefining Intel’s Foundry Future

In the fiercely competitive world of semiconductor manufacturing, partnerships are the lifeblood of innovation, and recently, a landmark deal has cemented a new chapter for Intel’s foundry services. Intel is now stepping into an exciting new role, not just as a silicon designer, but as the external manufacturing partner for a major cybersecurity giant: Fortinet.

Intel announced it will design, package, and fabricate Fortinet’s sixth-generation Security Processor (SP6) using the advanced Intel 4 node. This collaboration is significant because it marks the first time a named external foundry customer has utilized this process, roughly three years after its introduction to production. For Fortinet, this agreement places them as the first cybersecurity vendor on any Intel node, signaling a profound shift in how essential technology is integrated into cutting-edge semiconductor infrastructure.

This partnership isn’t just about chips; it’s about strategy. The arrangement reflects Intel’s long-term vision for its foundry strategy, which focuses on supporting custom networking ASIC workloads—a focus that predates the commercial release of the Intel 4 node. While previous announcements focused on internal products like Meteor Lake and Granite Rapids, this deal demonstrates a commitment to leveraging the manufacturing capabilities of Intel 4 for specialized, high-demand applications.

The implications for Fortinet’s supply chain are particularly compelling. The SP6 project moves the development of their next flagship security processor out of reliance on traditional flows, such as those linked to TSMC, and directly into Intel’s ecosystem. This move points toward a chiplet-based design language for the SP line, offering greater flexibility and resilience in sourcing critical components.

Fortinet has already demonstrated remarkable supply chain agility. When facing component shortages, they successfully re-engineered several FortiGate models to accept alternative components, showcasing their ability to build resilient systems. This experience ensures that the rollout of the SP6 benefits from a robust and diversified supply chain management approach.

The stability of manufacturing capacity is a key consideration in this high-stakes environment. Intel’s foundry operations, including the Fab 34 facility, have navigated complex economic shifts and successfully managed wafer economics. The move toward specialized, multi-generation ASIC programs, like the one driving the SP6 development, addresses the need for supply stability over simply chasing bleeding-edge density.

Ultimately, this collaboration is a masterclass in turning advanced semiconductor technology into tangible security solutions. It underscores how strategic foundry relationships can unlock new manufacturing possibilities, ensuring that critical infrastructure—from next-generation firewalls to future computing platforms—is built on a foundation of innovation and supply chain foresight.