Intel's Foundry unit has partnered with Fortinet to co-develop the Fortinet Security Processor 6 (SP6), the cybersecurity firm’s purpose-built custom chip.

The SP6 will be built on Intel 4, the chipmaker’s 7nm process node technology, which utilizes Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. Introduced in 2023, Intel has thus far only used Intel 4 for the production of its own silicon offerings.

In a statement, Intel said the partnership will combine Fortinet’s proprietary, purpose-built security processor expertise with its own advanced design, packaging, and manufacturing capabilities. No details regarding timelines for production or deployment were provided.

“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.”

Ken Xie, founder and CEO of Fortinet, added: “Fortinet’s purpose-built ASICs have been a key differentiator for more than two decades, enabling us to deliver the security effectiveness, performance, and efficiency our customers demand. This expanded relationship with Intel will leverage its unique combination of advanced semiconductor technology, manufacturing expertise, and global supply chain capabilities, helping Fortinet accelerate and strengthen our ASIC strategy, while also better supporting organizations all over the world.”

The deal with Fortinet is the latest in a slew of collaborations Intel had announced this year in an effort to turn around its beleaguered foundry unit. In April, Intel announced a multiyear collaboration with Google which will see the partners co-develop custom ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit)-based IPUs (infrastructure processing units) for “scaling… heterogeneous AI systems.”

That same month, the chipmaker also revealed it had joined Elon Musk's 'TeraFab' project, with the SpaceXAI set to use Intel’s 14A chip manufacturing process at the fab. Last month, President Donald Trump said Apple would also work with Intel to manufacture chips in the US, although that deal has yet to be confirmed by either company.