Sophos Firewall Reviews

Sophos XG is of firewall security device for our data center or branch data center.

The security measures implemented in this system are robust, particularly at the network level. It includes effective web filtering capabilities to enhance security and protect against potential threats.

Everything is consolidated into a single box, offering comprehensive functionality, including Wi-Fi access and other features.

SD-WAN would benefit from further improvement, particularly in terms of incorporating optimization techniques that are not typically found in traditional firewalls. Nowadays, WAN optimization features are being integrated into many firewalls, and implementing similar capabilities in SD-WAN would enhance its performance and functionality.

The user interface of Sophos is very simple and good compared to Azure.

I have been working with Sophos XG for more than five years.

The stability of Sophos XG has been exceptional, and we have not encountered any issues. 

I would rate the stability of Sophos XG a ten out of ten.

Sophos XG is very scalable. I would rate the scalability of Sophos XG a nine out of ten.

Our network scalability is not extensive, but it does offer certain features such as the ability to create and utilize devices in an Active-Active configuration. Additionally, using devices with an active password is also supported, providing users with various facilities and features.

We have 1,500 users in our organization daily.

The technical support is good.

I would rate the technical support a nine out of ten.

The initial setup is straightforward. It was easy.

The total deployment time was ten days.

We had comprehensive documentation containing all the necessary details, including firewall configurations, host information, and corresponding IP addresses.

It was very easy to install it without any downtime.

We had a total of two people to deploy it.

Sophos XG is expenses. I would rate the pricing a ten out of ten as high.

After evaluating SonicWall and considering recommendations from colleagues, friends, and industry professionals, we found that Sophos received positive feedback. Additionally, our own hands-on experience and thorough examination confirmed that Sophos was a suitable choice. Therefore, based on these factors, we made the decision to proceed with Sophos for our requirements.

If Sophos XG meets your business requirements and fulfills your account needs, it is highly recommended to choose Sophos XG as your preferred solution.

I would rate Sophos XG an eight out of ten.

The product demonstrates excellent stability, accompanied by a user-friendly interface and reliable support services, including the availability of premium support options. However, there are certain features such as WAN optimization, load balancing, advanced techniques, and advanced web filtering that are currently not available. These features have become increasingly crucial in today's environment and are in high demand.

We use the solution as a VPN and for web filtering. It helps to connect sites to our data center. 

It's a competent solution. 

It's easy to deploy and connect.

The initial setup is not complex. 

We can scale the solution.

It is stable. 

It's reasonably, competitively priced. 

The solution could have a bit more functionality.

We'd like to have a log viewer. We'd like to have visibility to see what traffic has crossed the firewall. 

They need more local support and different language options available for when they need help.

I've used the solution for four or five years. 

The solution is stable, and the performance is pretty good. It's a good platform. There are no bugs or glitches. It doesn't crash or freeze.

We have between 2,000 and 2,500 users on the solution right now. 

The solution can scale. 

At this point, we have no plans to increase usage, although we may expand in about two years. 

Technical support has been okay. However, they need more local support. They need to, for example, speak French.

Neutral

We also use Palo Alto. We've used it for about six months. It has more functionality than Sophos. 

The solution is very straightforward and simple. It's not overly complex. 

Originally, when we deployed, we migrated from another platform to Sophos. To do the migration took us two weeks. 

I'd rate the ease of setup a three out of five. 

We do have some maintenance tasks we need to perform after setup. For example, we need to do backups and some configurations. We have an internal team that can handle these tasks in terms of network infrastructure. 

The first time we deployed the solution, we did it via a third party, a partner.

The pricing is good and very competitive. 

The costs depend on what model of Sophos we take. A central firewall on the cloud with a cluster might be 70,000 to 80,000 euros for a three-year license. The price of the license and hardware are all under that pricing. You can integrate other features on top.

I'd rate the solution a four out of five in terms of affordability.

We are using the latest version of the solution. We're customers. 

I'd recommend the solution. It has pretty good functionality and good pricing. It's a good product.

I'd rate the solution a seven out of ten.

Our main use case for Sophos XGS is to protect our network and internet connection, which consists of Aruba, HP, Avaya, and Sophos switches. It's a very new product for us at this time, having previously used a variety of other security solutions including Sophos SG (now UTM), Sophos XG, as well as those from vendors such as Fortinet, Hillstone, and WatchGuard. At the moment, I am only working with Sophos SG, XG, and XGS, with the new Sophos switches.

Sophos XGS is deployed on-premises as we tend not to work in the cloud for our kind of environment. We have many different departments where it is currently in use, including accounting, IT and development, administration, and so on, and there are probably around 200 users throughout these departments.

All the features are valuable, in my opinion, but for us the most important features are the network security, application control, and web server protection. Sophos Sandstorm is another good feature off the top of my head.

Having previously worked with the Astaro Security Gateway platform (now called Sophos UTM), I can attest that the configuration and dashboard for this older platform was easier to manage than that of both Sophos XG and XGS. If it were up to me, I would prefer to go back to the older SG dashboard. I am hoping that in future, the dashboard for Sophos XGS will be simpler and easier.

I have been using Sophos XGS for about three or four months. 

So far, the stability of Sophos XGS is better than Sophos XG. With XG, we have faced so many problems with not only the interface, but also with the system itself including the hardware and software. Thus, in comparison with XG, XGS appears more stable at this point.

Currently, our maintenance of Sophos XGS only needs to managed by one person, because alongside the Sophos switches, all the management can be done through the central management system.

I would say it's scalable, as we already have around 200 people using it across not just one single department, but several, including accounting, IT and development, and administration.

When it comes to expanding our usage further, in general, I am not sure. We are currently watching the situation in Lebanon, and whether we have plans to extend it depends on what's happening in the country.

The technical support is helpful.

Positive

Although I am using Sophos XGS in a personal capacity at our company, we are also partners and resellers of not only Sophos XGS, but also many other products from different vendors. For example, I have worked with Hillstone, Fortinet, WatchGuard, and Genesis products, and whichever product we end up using depends on the client's requirements.

It was very easy to set up and it only took a couple of minutes. However, even so, it is still not as easy compared to Sophos SG version 9 (UTM).

We did the whole deployment of Sophos XGS in-house. And further, for maintenance and management, we only require one person, since everything can be managed centrally when you have the Sophos switches.

The licensing is reasonable. Comparing the cost of Sophos XGS with that of Fortinet or Palto Alto firewalls, for instance, it's not that expensive. However, the overall cost depends on the hardware you're using in addition to the licensing cost.

Because it's such a new product for us, I would need some more time to determine whether there are any issues with bugs or hardware failure, so for now I would rate Sophos XGS an eight out of ten because it otherwise ticks all the boxes for us in terms of features.

We typically use Sophos XGS for things like (UTM, acting as a proxy, managing routing, and for point-to-point connections.

The most valuable features of Sophos XGS for me are XGS IPS, SD-WAN, VPN setup, email protection, and integration with endpoint security.

Areas for improvement in Sophos XGS include better balance when handling high availability configurations, smoother firmware upgrades without the need for turning off devices, and simplified configuration after firmware updates.

In the next release of Sophos XGS, I would like to see improvements in log searching within the interface and more functionality available without needing to go to the command line, especially for troubleshooting purposes.

I have been working with Sophos XGS for five years.

Sophos XGS is stable and resilient, even in environments with power fluctuations and instability.

Scalability with Sophos XGS is generally good, but there can be frustrations with switches when setting up VPNs. I would rate the scalability as a four out of ten.

I believe the scalability of Sophos XGS can be improved, especially when compared to competitors like Palo Alto and Check Point. While it is a good product, there is room for enhancement to compete better in scalability challenges.

I would rate the technical support as a seven out of ten.

Neutral

Before Sophos XGS, I used Check Point, Palo Alto, and Cisco data solutions. I switched to Sophos because it is more affordable.

The initial setup of Sophos XGS is generally simple, especially for basic internet access with default features, but more complex configurations may have some difficulties. Overall, it is quick and stable.

It took less than an hour and a half to deploy Sophos XGS initially, including setting up internet access and basic firewall rules. However, migrating from older versions to the new setup took longer due to compatibility issues with the old settings.

Sophos XGS is quite affordable.

Overall, I would rate Sophos XGS as a seven out of ten. I would recommend it to others.

My clients use Sophos XG for deploying firewalls at corporate office and branch offices. The branches connect via site-to-site VPN, allowing outbound traffic from the central location.

The firewall provides network visibility and reporting capabilities, constantly improving over time. It can be integrated with the cloud console, allowing centralized management of multiple firewalls. integration with endpoint security products ensures seamless traffic flow and rule enforcement, even when endpoints are not directly connected to the firewall.   

I've had experience with Sophos XG's threat intelligence features, and they provide good coverage, although I wouldn't say they're the best in the industry. The sandbox feature is available with top-tier subscriptions, allowing you to test content in a cloud sandbox.

One improvement I'd suggest for Sophos XG is to make certain functionalities, like CR functionality, part of the default firewalling rather than exclusive to premium subscriptions. Enhancing DLP capabilities at the gateway level could significantly boost security for organizations.

I have been using Sophos XG for the past 10 years. 

As for stability, I'd give it a high score, maybe a nine, because it keeps running without much downtime.

I'd rate them an eight for stablity It's not to say they're perfect, but generally, it's pretty good I'd recommend it for companies of all sizes.

Integrating Sophos XG into existing infrastructure was quite easy and straightforward. There were hardly any complexities involved in the process.you can use both options - cloud-based or hardware-based firewalls. When I mention hybrid, it means having both options available. While cloud-based firewalls offer convenience, they can be more expensive compared to hardware ones. Although I haven't personally worked with the cloud version, it seems similar in appearance but may have different features. Cloud-based firewalls may seem like an overkill in terms of price, especially when considering the cost of operation over time. They become more beneficial when additional security layers like zero trust, DLP, or secure web gateway functionalities are added. This expands security beyond physical location constraints, making it accessible from anywhere.

I'd rate Sophos XG an 8. It's my first preference and confidently recommend it to other users.

I use the solution in my company for VPN connectivity and security purposes.

The most valuable feature of the solution stems from its ability to block websites.

The product's user interface has certain shortcomings where improvements are required.

I have been using Sophos XG for a year and a half.

There are no stability issues in the product.

The solution's technical support was good. I rate the technical support a ten out of ten.

Positive

I don't have experience with any other product apart from Sophos XG.

The product's initial setup phase was straightforward.

The solution can be deployed in two months.

The product doesn't help save time or money in our company.

Sophos XG can be considered as an averagely-priced tool in the market.

My company chose Sophos XG over other products in the market, considering that the solution provides its users with good support and a strong firewall.

Sophos XG has improved our company's network security.

The product's threat intelligence capabilities are very nice.

I am satisfied with the user interface of the product.

It is easy to manage the product.

The product has not been integrated with other tools.

I rate the tool a ten out of ten.

Sophos XG has greatly strengthened our network security and threat management. Its integrated EDR capabilities and seamless integration with firewalls, along with additional services like their NOC services, provide a comprehensive solution. With all these features working together, it is a complete package that ensures robust security for our clients.

One feature of Sophos XG that I found incredibly beneficial for threat prevention is its endpoint protection. It monitors all activities on our devices and effectively blocks any harmful files from infecting our machines. It has been a game-changer in preventing troubles for our customers.

While Sophos XG is a great product overall, there could be some room for improvement in its pricing since my clients usually feel like the product is on the expensive side.

I have been working with Sophos XG for five years.

Overall, the solution is stable, and we rarely encounter glitches. Any issues that arise are usually related to Microsoft updates rather than the Sophos software itself.

I would rate the scalability of the solution as an eight out of ten. The clients I work with who use Sophos are typically small enterprises.

I have worked with other firewalls like Cisco and Fortinet over my 20 years of experience. Comparing Sophos to other solutions, I have seen significant improvements over the years. While it may not have been the easiest or best software three years ago, it is continually getting better with updates. Overall, Sophos is moving in the right direction, becoming more competitive with its counterparts.

Installing Sophos XG is straightforward and typically takes around one hour for configuration, excluding the physical setup. Usually, only one person is needed to complete the installation and configuration process. It is quite easy to maintain it.

There was a time when our network faced a sophisticated malware attack that bypassed traditional security measures. However, with Sophos XG in place, it quickly detected and mitigated the threat before it could cause any damage. The seamless integration of software and hardware ensured there were no vulnerabilities or gaps in our defense.

The interface of Sophos XG is user-friendly and suitable for new users. It is continually improving, with updates addressing any issues promptly. 

Deploying Sophos XG has led to noticeable improvements in network performance. 

Overall, I would rate Sophos XG as an eight out of ten.

We are developing a software. We use the solution to protect our environment. Our main concern is to block users’ uploading.

Sophos XG is a fantastic solution. We achieved our security target after installing the solution. Our main concern was to block uploading. We were able to achieve that using the custom rules.

The product has all the latest features. It has malware protection, ransomware protection, and zero-day protection. It helps block everything.

The vendor doesn’t publish the price on the website. We must contact the agents to know the price. It is a lengthy process. It would be easier if the price details were provided on the website.

I have been using the solution for the last three years.

The tool’s stability is good. I rate the tool’s stability a ten out of ten.

We have 10 to 15 users in our organization. The tool’s scalability is high. I rate the scalability a ten out of ten.

The technical support is great.

Positive

The initial setup was difficult. We must learn everything before implementation. In the beginning, everything seems difficult. For someone who has worked on other firewalls before, Sophos XG is not that complicated to implement.

I prefer the on-cloud versions because we have control systems on the cloud. It will be much easier to handle things. If we have it on-premises, we must maintain and look after the equipment. The cloud version is much more secure and easier to maintain.

The pricing is very high. The product could be a little cheaper. It will help Sophos to compete with other brands in the market. I rate the pricing a ten out of ten.

We also use Sophos Intercept X. It is a fantastic tool. It protects PCs from malware attacks. Overall, I rate the solution a ten out of ten.

The most valuable features of Sophos XG are the ease of management and good out-of-the-box reporting.

Sophos XG requires a bit more restarting than Cisco. The main difficulty is to keep up with the current threats. The solution should have the ability to be up to date with the most recent threats.

I have been using Sophos XG for five years.

I rate the solution an eight out of ten for stability.

Sophos XG is not a scalable solution. Depending on what you want to do, you choose the right model. You cannot buy one model and upgrade it to provide higher capacity. This is true for all firewalls, where you price it up according to current plus a percentage for future capacity. Most of our clients for Sophos XG are small to medium-sized companies.

On a scale from one to ten, where one is difficult and ten is easy, I rate the solution’s initial setup a nine out of ten.

In most small to medium-sized companies, the solution's deployment takes about a day. However, planning and setting up the architecture might take longer than that. Especially in live environments, you do everything in advance and don't leave a lot to chance.

Sophos XG is a reasonably priced solution.

The solution has the ability to customize user-defined entries for more control over what you can actually set. With Sophos XG, you can use your own definitions or point to another service that uses slightly customized definitions.

Users have a tendency to go for the cloud version of Sophos XG. Over the past year, prices have unfortunately gone up with anything related to the cloud, and it's probably increasing overhead costs. The problem with the cloud is that it can be costly if you don't properly control it. You also risk ending up with nothing if you can no longer afford to pay the monthly cost.

I would recommend Sophos XG to clients who want it or specifically request it. I don't have anything against using the solution.

Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

For network security and filtering through our infrastructure, we rely on Sophos Firewall, specifically using Connect Sophos Cloud in our branches. 

Endpoint protection is crucial, so we integrate with DuoSet, and the system allows for VPN connections with various devices like SaaS, Alibaba, Fortinet, and Cisco, supporting encryption detection and more.

It's crucial for our company, as well as other companies and customers. When our customer licenses expire, they request to renew or make changes to their Sophos XGS boxes. This process is significant and managed by our technical team or engineers.

The Sophos XGS product is highly versatile and well-suited for various companies, including small, medium, and large enterprises. Its effectiveness lies in its inspection firewall capabilities, making it a commonly chosen option in our country due to its reasonable pricing. Sophos Firewall's support for VPN encryption and thorough inspection makes it a suitable choice for many companies, and I recommend it accordingly.

At the moment, I can't propose any new features. The primary concern is traffic stability, which needs improvement. Although the traffic stability is generally good, it has been noted that it can impact RAM and CPU, affecting workflow and inspection.

In my view, Sophos operates effectively in a reactive mode, focusing on static detection and forwarding traffic. However, Fortinet takes a more proactive approach, blocking both connection and route connections. While Sophos forwards any connection in both inbound and outbound traffic, I believe this is a positive aspect, especially in a country with various sizing considerations. This is my perspective, emphasizing the significance of Sophos XGS in software work.

I have been using Sophos XGS for two years. 

It's a stable solution. I would rate it around nine. There is room for improvement, especially in terms of support. As I mentioned earlier, when the CPU and memory reach their maximum capacity, the tool forwards traffic. This is a critical aspect—no inspection, no traffic, and no log.

It is a highly scalable solution. I can't provide an exact count because I work with multiple solutions, including Sophos XGS, Fortinet, and Palo Alto. Counting all the users across these platforms is challenging.

Positive

In the last two years, I have worked with Sophos Firewall, and it is an excellent firewall. It's easy to set up with encryption and inspection features. In my view, it's well-suited for all.

The initial setup of Sophos XGS has been quite smooth and user-friendly. Unlike my experience with Fortinet and Palo Alto, which posed challenges, Sophos XGS stands out for its ease of use. End users can handle the setup themselves without requiring an engineer to configure the firewall or register the device.

It's highly effective and well-suited for medium and small companies. The pricing is attractive, and our customers find it suitable for regular license renewals.