Intel’s foundry ambitions are gaining traction with a significant win from the cybersecurity sector. Fortinet, a leading network security provider, has announced it will leverage Intel’s manufacturing capabilities for its next-generation security chip, the SP6. This deal, a notable development for Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan since taking the helm in March 2025, signifies a crucial step in Intel’s ongoing efforts to establish itself as a formidable player in the competitive foundry market.
The SP6 chip will be manufactured using Intel 4 process technology. While Intel 4 is not Intel’s most cutting-edge node—the company is actively pushing its advanced 14A and 18A processes—it represents a mature and capable manufacturing platform suitable for specialized chips like ASICs (Application-Specific Integrated Circuits) used in networking and security applications. This choice underscores a pragmatic approach by Fortinet, prioritizing established reliability and performance for its security solutions.
Intel’s foundry business has been a focal point for the company as it aims to diversify its revenue streams beyond its traditional chip design operations. CEO Lip-Bu Tan has been vocal about the growing momentum and customer interest in Intel’s foundry services. However, securing a “significant” customer for its most advanced manufacturing technologies remains a key objective, crucial for justifying the substantial capital investments in its global fab expansion. Such a high-profile customer announcement would bolster confidence among investors and the broader chip design community in Intel’s ability to deliver state-of-the-art chip manufacturing at scale.
To date, Intel’s most prominent foundry client has been its own internal divisions. The U.S. government also utilizes the foundry for defense-related chip production. Under former CEO Pat Gelsinger, Intel saw some strategic partnerships emerge, including a 2024 agreement with Microsoft for unspecified processor manufacturing and an Amazon collaboration later that year for a custom AI chip. However, these engagements involved relatively lower-volume or specialized chips, and the SP6 deal with Fortinet represents a step towards broader adoption of Intel’s foundry services for commercial products.
Further collaborations have been announced, such as Intel’s partnership with Google to design an infrastructure processing unit (IPU) and its involvement in building chip factories for Elon Musk’s ventures, Tesla and SpaceX. Additionally, there have been reports of a potential deal with Apple for U.S.-based chip manufacturing, though these remain unconfirmed by the companies involved. The U.S. government’s strategic investment, taking a 10% stake in Intel in August, has injected considerable optimism, propelling the chipmaker’s stock performance significantly over the past year.
Fortinet, while not possessing the household name recognition of tech giants like Apple or the hyperscale cloud providers, operates in a market segment experiencing robust growth. The escalating demand for sophisticated cybersecurity solutions, particularly in an AI-driven world, provides a fertile ground for Fortinet’s specialized chips. The company’s stock performance has reflected this dynamism, more than doubling this year, and its continued investment in ASIC technology highlights its commitment to innovation in this critical area.
The partnership with Intel is strategically significant for Fortinet as it seeks to ensure a reliable and high-quality supply chain for its advanced security processors. By choosing Intel’s foundry, Fortinet gains access to Intel’s manufacturing expertise and infrastructure, potentially leading to enhanced chip performance and faster product development cycles. This collaboration also validates Intel’s foundry capabilities, demonstrating its ability to cater to specialized silicon needs beyond general-purpose processors.
Intel is scheduled to release its second-quarter financial results, which will be closely watched for any further updates on the foundry business and its progress in securing more high-profile clients for its advanced process nodes. The Fortinet deal, however, serves as a tangible indicator of Intel’s expanding footprint in the foundry ecosystem and its potential to carve out a significant share in this vital segment of the semiconductor industry.
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