FortiCare vs FortiGuard Renewal: The Differences

FortiCare and FortiGuard serve different purposes: FortiCare is the support and maintenance contract (technical support, firmware, RMA); FortiGuard is the security-services subscription (IPS, antivirus, filtering). FortiGuard security bundles usually include FortiCare; standalone FortiCare does not include security services.

What Is FortiCare?

FortiCare is Fortinet's support and maintenance service; technical support access, firmware updates, and replacement of faulty hardware (RMA) are within its scope. It does not include security content updates.

FortiCare safeguards your device's operational continuity. Replacement via RMA on a hardware failure, opening technical support cases, and access to firmware releases all depend on FortiCare. FortiCare may be offered at different service levels (response times).

We cover the impacts of FortiCare expiry in our what happens when a license expires article.

What Is FortiGuard?

FortiGuard is FortiGate's security-services subscription; it continuously updates threat-intelligence services such as antivirus and IPS signatures, web and DNS filtering categories, application signatures, and sandbox.

FortiGuard is the subscription that unlocks the device's 'security' value. Without current signature and category data, IPS, antivirus, and filtering services become ineffective against new threats.

We detail the security profiles that correspond to FortiGuard services in firewall policies in our UTM security profiles guide.

The Bundle Relationship: Which Includes Which?

The bundle relationship is as follows: FortiGuard security bundles (e.g., UTP and Enterprise) usually include FortiCare support; but standalone FortiCare does not cover security services.

This distinction is critical for the right renewal decision. When you renew a UTP or Enterprise bundle, both security services and support usually come under one umbrella. If you renew only FortiCare, security services are not covered.

We cover bundle contents and selection more broadly in our FortiGate licensing guide.

Differences in Renewal

In renewal terms, FortiGuard expiry stops security services; FortiCare expiry cuts support and RMA. Since they create different risks, renewal scope should be set by these impacts.

In the rare scenarios using only a basic firewall with no need for security services, FortiCare may take priority; but since most enterprise environments use UTM services, renewing the FortiGuard bundle is essential. The right bundle is chosen by the security profiles you use.

Find renewal steps in our license renewal steps article, and the cost comparison in our costs and budgeting article.

Choosing the Right Subscription

The right subscription is chosen by the security profiles you use and your operational support needs; for most organizations, a FortiGuard bundle including UTM (and FortiCare) is the best fit.

First determine which services you actually use. If you use UTM (antivirus, IPS, web filtering), choosing a bundle that covers them and also includes FortiCare support safeguards both security and operational continuity.

We cover the renew-vs-replace decision in our related article and the overall renewal strategy in our comprehensive license renewal guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are FortiCare and FortiGuard the same thing?

No. FortiCare is the support and maintenance service (technical support, firmware, RMA). FortiGuard is the security-services subscription (IPS, antivirus, filtering). They serve different purposes.

Does the FortiGuard bundle include FortiCare?

Usually yes. FortiGuard security bundles (UTP/Enterprise) mostly include FortiCare support. But standalone FortiCare does not include security services.

Is renewing only FortiCare enough?

It may be, in the rare case where you use only a basic firewall and need no security services. Since most enterprise environments use UTM services, a FortiGuard bundle is required.

What happens if FortiCare expires?

When FortiCare expires you cannot get technical support, access firmware updates, or replace faulty hardware via RMA. Security services depend separately on FortiGuard.

Which bundle should I choose?

Choose by the security profiles you use. If you use UTM, a FortiGuard bundle (UTP or Enterprise) covering them and FortiCare support is usually the best fit.

Should I track the two subscriptions separately?

Expiry dates can differ, so tracking both matters. When you renew as a bundle, the dates usually align and tracking becomes easier.

Conclusion

FortiCare and FortiGuard are different but complementary subscriptions: one protects operational continuity, the other security value. Since FortiGuard bundles usually include FortiCare, the right bundle can meet both needs under one umbrella.

To renew your subscriptions with the right scope, talk to the Sora Yazılım team.