Intel has secured Fortinet as a notable client for its foundry services, marking a win for CEO Lip-Bu Tan. Fortinet will utilize Intel’s manufacturing capabilities to produce its next-generation SP6 security chip, as both companies aim to strengthen supply chain resilience amidst growing global demand for advanced cybersecurity hardware.
A Strategic Win for Intel Foundry
Intel’s effort to transform into a competitive contract chip manufacturer received a boost on Tuesday as the company confirmed Fortinet as a client. The partnership centers on the production of Fortinet’s sixth-generation Security Processor, known as the SP6.
For Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan, who assumed his role in March 2025, the deal provides a concrete example of the company’s pivot toward external manufacturing. Intel has faced pressure to secure a “significant” customer for its most advanced manufacturing technology to justify the large capital expenditures required to expand its factory footprint in the United States and abroad. While the company has previously announced collaborations with entities like the U.S. government, Google, and Tesla, those projects often involved specialized or lower-volume initiatives. This agreement with Fortinet signals a move toward broader commercial integration.
The SP6 Chip and Manufacturing Specifications
The SP6 processor is designed to handle the intensive cryptographic and security operations required by modern hardware firewalls. While Intel 4 is not the company’s most advanced offering—that designation belongs to its 18A and 14A processes—it is a specialized, mature technology well-suited for the production of application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs).
Fortinet has long distinguished itself by favoring custom silicon over commodity hardware. By moving production to Intel’s domestic fabs, the cybersecurity firm gains a measure of supply chain security that is increasingly rare in the global semiconductor market. Neither company has provided a specific production timeline or technical specifications for the SP6, with an Intel representative stating that details regarding the Fortinet Security Processor 6 availability will be announced at a later date.
Cybersecurity Demand Meets Manufacturing Ambition
The collaboration highlights the growing convergence of semiconductor design and cybersecurity. As hardware firewalls require greater throughput to manage advanced threat protection, Fortinet remains committed to its proprietary ASIC strategy.
Fortinet stated on its last earnings call in May that it would keep investing in its ASIC technology.
Intel’s manufacturing approach for this project leverages its experience in disaggregated design and advanced packaging. This could allow for a chiplet-based architecture, offering Fortinet improved scalability for its SD-WAN gateways and other security appliances.
Supply Chain Security and Future Outlook
The deal arrives at a time of significant transition for Intel. In mid-2024, the U.S. government awarded the company $3 billion to establish a secure enclave for manufacturing chips for government agencies. Since that time, the government has acquired a 9.9 percent stake in the firm. This alignment between national security interests and domestic chip production remains a central pillar of Intel’s foundry strategy.
For investors, the Fortinet deal serves as a test case for Intel’s ability to attract commercial partners outside of its own internal product lines. While Intel’s stock has seen a rally of more than 300% over the past year, the company continues to work toward proving its foundry business can compete with industry leaders like TSMC and Samsung at scale. The company is scheduled to report its second-quarter earnings this week, which will likely provide further insight into the fiscal impact of its foundry expansion and the status of its broader customer acquisition efforts.
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