Sophos Firewall Reviews

The primary use case is for cybersecurity strategies. Sophos XGS is used for its strong features like IPS (Intrusion Prevention System) and application control.

Threat intelligence of Sophos benefits by providing site intelligence and integration of AI helps with security.

Sophos offers strong features such as IPS and application control that are particularly valuable.

Some features need remuneration and there are performance improvements required.

I have used the solution for more than a year.

On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the stability as an eight out of ten.

I consider the scalability to be sufficient.

Support could be improved as they sometimes respond slowly and are not very knowledgeable. On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the customer service at an eight.

Positive

The previous product used was FortiGate.

The deployment had some complexities.

I managed the deployment alone with some help.

On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the pricing of Sophos XGS at an eight out of ten. Cost and pricing of the product were aspects I considered.

Only Fortinet was evaluated.

I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.

Sophos XGS changes every two years, so we must update our knowledge. We can only test it with real requirements or problems to find scalability and reliability. We can't find these in normal testing. We can see reviews based on Gartner reports, but sometimes, we really feel problems. It can create many issues, even compatibility problems with fiber modules. Only system integrators or installers find these problems.

I think Sophos technical support's immediate response is good compared to Fortinet's. If the technical engineer is good, they get the solution immediately. If not, it might take two days. For improvement, immediate response is required, whether by email, phone call, or WhatsApp. Sometimes, we can't wait three or four days for a solution. In urgent situations, we might use a spare Sophos device while waiting for support.

I recommend what my customer needs and what fulfills their requirements. I suggest products based on price, quality, scalability, and reliability. Customers now ask for specific features at a certain price, not product names. I'm a system integrator and face technical support problems before implementation. I need pre-sales tech reports. If the distributor and support are good, I'll support that product even if the price is high. Urgent deliveries can be a problem if distributors don't cooperate.

I don't blame any product; all are good nowadays. Cisco products have high prices and compatibility issues. Fortinet has easy power replacement, while the tool needs specific adapters. I rate Sophos XGS seven to eight out of ten. Some models are very good, others not so much. It depends on the project, market, price, and features needed.

Nowadays, we have to integrate everything. Most products support this at some level.

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.

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.

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.

I use Sophos XG for network security and VPN policies. It is crucial for safeguarding data, enforcing user access controls, and ensuring secure communication. The firewall features, like application control and intrusion prevention, provide a strong defense against cyber threats. With centralized management, setting up and monitoring policies becomes easy, and the VPN capabilities ensure secure remote access for our team.

What I like about Sophos XG is its versatility in tailoring security features to our specific needs. In our environment where certain services are only needed part-time, the flexibility to deploy services selectively is valuable. The comprehensive protection, from firewall to market inspection and routing, ensures a robust defense. I particularly like the visibility it provides into network traffic, allowing us to identify and address issues efficiently.

While Sophos XG has been reliable for remote troubleshooting sessions, it would be beneficial if the platform provided more flexible support for a variety of devices. The user interface is intuitive for those familiar with it, but improving accessibility and user guidance could be beneficial for newcomers. Additionally, although the features are comprehensive, fair pricing and more flexibility with device compatibility could make it even more appealing in the market.

I have been working with Sophos XG for two years.

It is quite stable.

I would give it a ten out of ten for scalability. We have approximately 100 users.

Tech support for Sophos XG is great. They are professional, respond quickly, and help resolve issues effectively.

Previously, I have used Fortinet and SonicWall.

The initial setup of Sophos XG is not complex, especially with familiarity and experience. As you work with it over time, it becomes more straightforward, and mastery comes with continuous use. Deployment depends on specific organizational needs, but in general, it involves configuring the connection between the internet and the local network, setting up VLANs, and defining firewall rules. For me, as a consultant, the process varies based on different client scenarios. Sophos XG simplifies the deployment process, and once configured, it efficiently manages network access for different user categories.

I have done both in-house deployments and collaborated with integrators based on the client's preference. As a consultant, I assess the needs, design the setup, and can either guide the in-house team through the deployment or handle it myself. The process involves configuring the live site for optimal security, and in some cases, I work remotely on existing setups. Sophos XG's flexibility makes it feasible for both in-house and external experts to manage the deployment effectively.

The payment structure can depend on the reseller or partner. Typically, it involves getting the device first, and then the licensing is managed, often in US dollars, through the partner or reseller. The process ensures proper handling and support through authorized channels.

I would recommend Sophos XG for anyone looking to build robust IT systems. It is ideal if you have a clear vision of your IT infrastructure and want a solution that can seamlessly integrate and enhance security. The flexibility to tailor it to specific needs makes Sophos XG a valuable choice for building a reliable and secure network. Overall, I would rate it as a ten out of ten.

Sophos XG primarily serves as a means to regulate user traffic, enabling control over internet usage and website accessibility. It also facilitates the connection of branches and conducts malware scans on network traffic. These are the main purposes typically associated with servers. In terms of features, Sophos XG excels in catering to customers seeking a comprehensive network security solution. It incorporates various functionalities that would otherwise require the purchase of multiple solutions from other cybersecurity vendors. This unified threat management platform encompasses a firewall, IPS, web proxy, mail gateway, web application firewall, sandbox, and DLP module. From the customer's perspective, Sophos XG offers an all-in-one solution for network security needs. However, it is primarily designed for small and medium businesses rather than enterprises.

One of the standout features of Sophos XG is its proprietary VPN technology known as RID (Remote Internet Device). This unique technology provides efficient branch connectivity without the need to invest in additional firewalls for each branch. By utilizing an affordable device called RED, users can effectively control and establish connections in a cost-effective manner. Additionally, the solution is feature-rich.

Sophos XG boasts an extensive and finely-tuned proxy that offers impressive capabilities. Its comprehensive database of malicious websites is remarkably vast.

The support from the vendor needs to be improved.

I have been using Sophos XG for approximately six years.

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

The scalability of the solution is limited to three nodes and may not be sufficient for extensive scaling. It is well-suited for small to medium-sized organizations. However, when it comes to large enterprises, particularly those with a distributed structure, Sophos can effectively cater to their needs. Distributed enterprises, characterized by numerous branches and a small employee count per branch, can benefit from Sophos XG capabilities. However, for larger enterprise customers with high network loads, Sophos XG may not meet the necessary requirements in terms of handling the network's capacity.

Most of our customers are small to medium-sized.

I rate the scalability of Sophos XG a five out of ten.

The support could improve. This is due to recent acquisitions. The time it takes to resolve an issue takes too long.

The response time from Sophos is deemed unacceptable by users. When opening a support case with any vendor, an automated email is typically received. However, in the case of Sophos, this automated email, lacking a personal touch, can take up to a week to arrive. Such delays are considered highly unsatisfactory. Consequently, the quality of their support has significantly deteriorated. As a result, users are reluctant to open support cases and would rather reinstall an appliance themselves than go through the support process.

I rate the support from Sophos XG a one out of ten.

Negative

The initial setup process of Sophos XG may pose some challenges. However, once configured, Sophos XG proves to be remarkably user-friendly. The activation of the appliance may require a reliable internet connection and can be a bit cumbersome. Nevertheless, once activated, the overall experience becomes significantly smoother.

The process of installation can take one to seven days. However, the time depends on many factors, such as customer size, and overall environment.

I rate the initial setup of Sophos XG a seven out of ten.

The price of the solution is reasonable when compared to the market.

You have to buy the appliance and pay for the license that matches your needs.

I rate the price of Sophos XG a seven out of ten. 

The solution had stability issues in the past but they have been resolved.

Before making a purchase, it is advisable to emphasize the importance of account managers and support from the vendor. In the past, the common practice was to involve the vendor's on-site personnel, such as the country manager in Saudi Arabia, when opening a support case. By opening the support case and sharing the support ID with the country manager, they could facilitate faster escalation and assistance behind the scenes. Essentially, contacting the sales representatives can help expedite the support process.

I rate Sophos XG a nine out of ten.