Fortinet's Ultimate Fabric Challenge (UFC) is a unique, gamified competition designed to test participants' expertise with our solutions. As part of the broader Fortinet XPERTS series, the challenge fosters skill development and creates a community of cybersecurity professionals eager to showcase their technical skills. The event has grown in popularity, providing a fun yet challenging way for engineers to deepen their knowledge and engage with Fortinet products.

Cyber Advisors, a leading managed services provider, is a long-standing partner in Fortinet's ecosystem. One of its standout engineers, Jesse Homa, has frequently participated in the UFC, even clinching top positions at global competitions. Jesse also earned the prestigious Fortinet Certified Expert (FCX) certificate-the highest level of recognition offered through the Fortinet Network Security Expert (NSE) certification program. He also inspired several other partners at the UFC competition to become FCX certified.

We recently spoke with Jesse about his career, experience with the UFC, and how Cyber Advisors benefits from its strong partnership with Fortinet.

Tell us about yourself. What is your role at Cyber Advisors, and how did you get started in the cybersecurity space?

Jesse Homa:I've been with Cyber Advisors for 12 years, and my current role is senior project services engineer. I wear a lot of hats here, ranging from presales solution architecting to hands-on project implementation. On one side, I design and architect networking and security solutions for our clients, ensuring we're meeting their unique requirements. On the other, I oversee implementation, which gives me a hands-on perspective on how these solutions perform in the real world. It's rewarding to experience both sides of the process-understanding our customers' challenges and delivering the outcomes they need.

As for how I got into cybersecurity, I've always been passionate about networking. I studied it in college and gravitated toward firewalls, which served as the intersection of networking and security back when the field was still in its infancy. Over the years, as security evolved, my focus expanded to include related areas like network access control and endpoint security. Today, I enjoy helping clients deploy everything from firewalls to full network refreshes, always with an eye on integrating cutting-edge cybersecurity practices.

How did you become involved in the UFC? How did you prepare for the competition?

Jesse Homa:My journey with the UFC began when Cyber Advisors strengthened its partnership with Fortinet. About a year into the partnership, our Fortinet channel team introduced us to the competition, describing it as a gamified training opportunity. At first, it was a smaller, low-pressure event with a few local partners. It allowed us to work hands-on with Fortinet solutions in a fun and competitive environment.

From the start, I was hooked. The gamification aspect is incredibly engaging, and unlike anything I've experienced with other vendors. I've now participated in about five UFC events, including regional qualifiers and the Fortinet XPERTS global competitions. To prepare, I rely heavily on my day-to-day experience with Fortinet products. The work I do-designing and implementing solutions-aligns closely with the skills tested in the competition. For larger events, like XPERTS or Accelerate, I focus on understanding Fortinet's latest technologies and what the competition might emphasize, such as emerging trends or newly released features.

What advice would you give anyone looking to participate in future iterations of the UFC?

Jesse Homa:My advice is simple: Get involved with your Fortinet reps and look for local opportunities to participate. Many smaller-scale UFC events offer a low-pressure way to get started and familiarize yourself with the format. These entry points are perfect for building confidence and skills without the intensity of larger competitions like XPERTS.

In terms of preparation, immerse yourself in Fortinet products as much as possible. If you're working with their solutions daily, you're already gaining the foundational knowledge you'll need. For more competitive events, focus on understanding Fortinet's broader strategy and the unique features of its newer technologies. The UFC often highlights cutting-edge tools and techniques, so staying informed can give you an edge.

Cyber Advisors is very involved in the Fortinet Engage Partner Program. Can you share some of the reasons why Cyber Advisors has chosen to work with Fortinet?

Jesse Homa:At Cyber Advisors, we work with clients across various industries, each with unique IT and security needs. Early on, we realized the importance of consolidating vendor relationships to deliver more cohesive, scalable solutions. About five years ago, we identified Fortinet as a key partner because its portfolio aligned closely with our customers' needs, particularly its focus on SD-WAN and the security fabric concept.

Fortinet's comprehensive approach to networking and security made it an ideal fit for our clients. Its solutions don't just address one aspect of cybersecurity; they integrate seamlessly across firewalls, access points, switches, and remote access technologies. This unified approach allows us to offer end-to-end solutions that are effective and easy to manage. Over the years, Fortinet has consistently proven to be a reliable partner, enabling us to meet the growing demands of our customers.

Can you talk about the impact of the program on your business and your customers?

Jesse Homa:The Engage Partner Program has been instrumental in our growth. From a business perspective, it has allowed us to deepen our expertise with Fortinet's product portfolio and align our offerings with its vision. We're currently at the Expert level within the program, providing us unparalleled access to training, support, and insight into Fortinet's roadmap. This close relationship enables us to deliver better outcomes for our customers.

For our clients, the impact is significant. We're not just solving immediate problems; we're helping them build long-term IT and security strategies. Fortinet's unified platform approach allows us to provide solutions that are scalable, efficient, and future-proof. Our customers appreciate the consistency and simplicity of working with a single vendor for multiple needs, from network edge protection to campuswide wireless deployments. This approach reduces complexity and ensures they're getting the most out of their investments.

What are you hearing in the market, and how is Fortinet helping Cyber Advisors and your customers solve those issues with its platform approach?

Jesse Homa:One of the biggest challenges we see is vendor sprawl. Many of our clients are managing a mix of point solutions from different vendors, which increases complexity and makes it harder to get actionable insights. IT budgets are tight, and resources are stretched thin, so streamlining operations is a top priority.

Fortinet's platform approach has been a game-changer in this regard. The Fortinet Security Fabric simplifies management by consolidating critical functions like firewalls, access points, and remote access into a single platform. It reduces the need for extensive training across multiple vendors. This means faster deployments, easier troubleshooting, and a more cohesive security posture for our customers. It also allows them to focus their resources on strategic initiatives rather than day-to-day firefighting.

Driving Innovation and Simplifying Security

Whether through gamified competitions like the UFC or through robust programs like the Engage Partner Program, Fortinet provides the tools and support that enable partners like Cyber Advisors to thrive. Jesse Homa's experience highlights the value of the partnerships, skill development, and integrated approach to cybersecurity that Fortinet provides. Through this partnership, Cyber Advisors continues to deliver innovative solutions that address the evolving needs of its customers. For organizations seeking to simplify and strengthen their security strategies, Fortinet's combination of expertise and a unified platform paves the way for success, fostering growth and innovation for both partners and customers.

Learn about the Fortinet Engage Partner program and how your organization can benefit by joining. Current partners can visit our Partner Portal to find important updates from Fortinet and our partner program.