Which FortiGate feature is primarily used to manage applications on the network?

The feature that is primarily used to manage applications on the network is Application Control. This functionality allows organizations to identify and control applications traversing their networks. With Application Control, FortiGate devices can inspect the traffic at a granular level, recognizing specific applications and enforcing policies based on the organization's security requirements. It enables administrators to allow, deny, or limit bandwidth for applications, providing a way to prioritize critical applications over less important traffic.

This feature is particularly significant in today's environment, where application usage can be dynamic and a range of SaaS or cloud applications are in constant use. By utilizing Application Control, network admins can ensure that unauthorized applications do not pose a security risk and that the network resources are optimally used.

While IPSec VPN facilitates secure communications over the internet, Firewall Policy mainly deals with allowing or denying traffic based on defined rules. Web Filtering focuses on controlling access to websites based on categories or reputation, rather than managing applications directly. Thus, these features serve different aspects of network security and management, highlighting the specific role of Application Control in managing applications.