What aspect of FortiGate helps in reducing the attack surface area of a network?

The correct choice emphasizes that all of the mentioned aspects contribute to reducing the attack surface area of a network, which is critical for maintaining security.

The Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) plays a significant role by actively monitoring network traffic to identify and block potentially harmful activities. By doing so, it prevents exploits from taking place, thereby minimizing the vulnerabilities that an attacker could exploit.

Regular updates are essential because they ensure that the FortiGate firewall and its components are equipped with the latest security patches and threat definitions. Updated systems are better prepared to defend against newly discovered vulnerabilities, making them less susceptible to attacks.

Properly configured firewall policies are also crucial, as they define which types of traffic are allowed or denied access to and from the network. By deploying finely-tuned policies, the organization can control and restrict access to sensitive parts of the network, thus patching potential entry points that could be exploited by attackers.

Together, these elements create a comprehensive security posture that effectively constrains an attacker’s ability to breach the network, illustrating that a multifaceted approach is the most effective in reducing the attack surface area.