Intel has signed a strategic agreement with Fortinet to develop its Fortinet Security Processor 6 (SP6), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) designed for cybersecurity. It is the first foundry customer named since Lip-Bu Tan was hired as Intel CEO.
The deal expands the long-standing relationship between the companies, and the new deal will combine Fortinet’s security processor experience with Intel’s advanced design, packaging and manufacturing capabilities.
Additionally, the deal will help improve the resilience in Fortinet’s global supply chain.
In addition to the processor deal, the companies plan to explore other opportunities across semiconductor technology, manufacturing and infrastructure for cybersecurity. The relationship will work to advance Fortinet’s ASIC roadmap.
“As organizations face a rapidly evolving threat landscape, security infrastructure must deliver both performance and innovation at scale,” said Lip-Bu Tan, CEO of Intel. “This collaboration demonstrates how Intel’s semiconductor leadership and advanced design, packaging, and manufacturing capabilities can help cybersecurity leaders like Fortinet accelerate the development of critical security technologies while building a more resilient and diversified global supply chain.”
There is no word on the timeline as to when the processors will be in volume production.
Why it matters
While many rumors have circled about deals Intel has made for its foundry business, this is the first named customer since Lip-Bu Tan took over as CEO.
Tan has commented publicly that the company is working with various vendors for the foundry business, but nothing has yet to be confirmed since he was hired as the chief executive officer.
That said, Intel Foundry has not been sitting still and in fact many reports say the company is gaining momentum in its semiconductor manufacturing prowess due to the improvements in its 14A manufacturing technology and its advanced packaging investments.
That attracted interest from Google and Amazon, which are in talks with Intel to work with the foundry business and other major vendors like Nvidia, Apple and even its rival, AMD.
Further investment
Intel is also expanding investment in its semiconductor manufacturing technology, recently breaking ground on an expansion of its Santa Clara, California, facility.
It is also still on track to eventually build two fabs in Ohio, although they are delayed, and two other fabs in Chandler, Arizona.
Additionally, in April of 2026, Intel said it was joining Tesla’s TeraFab project. This is Elon Musk’s vision for a semiconductor manufacturing gigafab that would produce chips for Tesla vehicles and robots as well as SpaceX rockets and data centers for xAI.
