Sophos Cloud Firewall (PAYG)
SophosExternal reviews
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Security features improve protection while integration and resource management require enhancements
What is our primary use case?
We use Sophos XG in our organization for security purposes, managing around three hundred fifty computers and eighty servers.
What is most valuable?
The threat detection engine is good, with features like heartbeating between the endpoint and firewall, which provides synchronized security. The anti-ransomware functionality is effective, and the recent addition of Deep Learning, EDR, and XDR works fine. Having an appliance that combines the analyzer and firewall saves costs. Sophos Central is a good idea, although it could be easier to use.
What needs improvement?
Sophos XG is not easy to navigate and to use, and the integration capabilities are lacking. It cannot integrate properly with solutions like Darktrace. The VPN client on mobiles, especially Android phones, has issues. It is resource-greedy, causing performance problems even on new computers. Improvements are needed in resource management and integration with other security solutions.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been a Sophos customer since 2016.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Sophos XG is resource-greedy, affecting performance even on newer computers. It requires more resources due to recent updates, leading to performance issues on computers like Core i5, 13th Gen.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I have not encountered any scalability issues.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support from Sophos is good. They usually respond on time, and the support technicians are experienced. I've had around four or five big cases over seven years, and they provided effective assistance.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Before Sophos, we used Bitdefender and Kaspersky. Sophos offered a cloud-based solution which connected frequently to Sophos Labs for analysis. It provided better features in some aspects compared to Bitdefender.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Sophos XG was smooth. The support was good at that time, and the installation process was straightforward because I installed everything in a clean environment while setting up the network from scratch.
What about the implementation team?
Sophos supported us during the initial setup.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing-wise, Sophos offers high value compared to other solutions. However, I discovered that SentinelOne is thirty percent cheaper, likely due to aggressive discounts.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I evaluated SentinelOne, which offers competitive pricing.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend Sophos XG due to its good value for money, despite its integration issues. I rate the overall solution between 7.5 and 8 out of 10.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Offers secure cost-effective network protection but could restore proxy options for legacy apps
What is our primary use case?
We sell Sophos XG devices.
What is most valuable?
Sophos XG includes all basic features and has a secured proxy mechanism. Network security proxy authentication is available through a web-based proxy. The older proxy mechanism is not there. Pricing is very competitive, much cheaper compared to other brands like Palo Alto, Check Point, and Fortinet. Additionally, the performance of the hardware has been increased, although it is not negligible compared to other brands.
What needs improvement?
The direct proxy or proxy mechanism is missing. Legacy applications should have this option, but Sophos XG has removed it. This feature was available in UTM nine but not in XG.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Sophos XG for one or two years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
Deploying Sophos XG was not difficult. It took a couple of weeks to fully deploy the solution, and the process was quite fast and not complicated.
How are customer service and support?
I have premium support from Sophos, and the support is good. They respond well and have a good support team.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing of Sophos XG is very good compared to other brands. The pricing is very cheap. For example, if Palo Alto is priced at 200, then Sophos is priced at 75, which is a significant difference.
What other advice do I have?
On a scale of one to ten, I would rate the overall solution between seven and eight.
This solution enables effective internet control and efficient web filtering for small to medium businesses
What is our primary use case?
We mostly deploy Sophos XG to our customers because we are an IT system integrator. Our primary use case involves working with small to medium businesses to control internet usage, perform web filtering, application control, and manage bandwidth.
What is most valuable?
Sophos XG is popular among small to medium businesses, allowing them to control internet usage, perform web filtering, application control, and manage bandwidth. Additionally, AI assists in configuration, offering clues when users are stuck, which enhances user convenience and efficiency.
What needs improvement?
There is interest in seeing more features related to AI and customization in future releases.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Sophos XG for at least five to six years.
What was my experience with deployment of the solution?
The installation process is straightforward and easy due to the training we receive. In new site setups, it's quick, but migrating from one vendor to another requires more planning and can take a couple of days.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability of Sophos XG as nine out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would rate the scalability of Sophos XG as nine out of ten.
How are customer service and support?
Customer service and support for Sophos XG is excellent, and I would rate it as a ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I worked with other vendors like Cisco, Palo Alto, and Microsoft long ago.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup varies by scenario: it's quick for new sites, but it takes longer for vendor migrations due to the need for seamless planning.
What about the implementation team?
I have a dedicated team of five engineers who handle installations.
What was our ROI?
There are cost savings compared to competitors, providing more financial benefits.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Sophos XG offers good pricing compared to competitors. While there are extra expenses for additional features, overall licensing costs are well-regarded.
What other advice do I have?
I would rate Sophos XG as a nine out of ten. The cost savings make it suitable for small to medium businesses with 50 to 300 users. Overall, I am very satisfied with the product.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Easy management
What do you like best about the product?
I like that Sophos Firewall is easy to use and seamlessly integrates with other Sophos solutions. Its screen is intuitive, which makes it easy to configure and manage policies. I am also deeply impressed by its ability to deliver advanced threat protection such as malware and ransomware.
What do you dislike about the product?
What I like least about Sophos Firewall is that, in some cases, it can be complex for advanced configurations. They have a user-friendly interface, but the documentation is sometimes not as clear as I would like, which leads to doubts in configuring more detailed aspects.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Sophos Firewall handles various security issues on the network, such as blocking malware and ransomware, as well as unauthorized access. Threats are detected and appropriate measures are taken, even before the problem reaches the network, thanks to advanced threat detection combined with deep packet inspection.
Efficient network management achieved with ease, but documentation and pricing need enhancement
What is our primary use case?
We have an ERP that's in-house, and we use Sophos XG to generate a VPN client file, import it, and utilize the connectivity with low latency. This allows us to access our office systems remotely using the Sophos XG connection.
What is most valuable?
Sophos XG has allowed us to implement all kinds of firewall rules and manage bandwidth efficiently. By prioritizing bandwidth for our ERP hosted in Amazon Cloud and de-prioritizing non-essential sites, it has greatly improved our network management. The user interface is easy to navigate, making administration tasks straightforward. In terms of backup, reinstallation, and DHCP configuration, Sophos XG is very straightforward compared to other solutions.
What needs improvement?
The knowledge base needs improvement, particularly in terms of community support and training videos on platforms like YouTube. Compared to other firewalls, Sophos XG documentation is somewhat confusing and can be difficult to use. The licensing model could also be improved to cater to smaller offices, as the current minimum purchase is for 50 users, which can be expensive. Incorporating AI technology for enhanced learning and easier configurations would make the solution more robust.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Sophos XG since they took over Cyberoam, and I switched from Cyberoam to Sophos XG.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Sophos XG is very stable, even when serving as a DHCP server. Unlike some other firewalls, it does not overheat when certain features are enabled.
How are customer service and support?
Our experience with customer service is excellent. We are supported by the guys who resell Sophos XG, and their technical team is well-trained and knowledgeable.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have worked with FortiGate and Palo Alto. However, we switched to Sophos XG because FortiGate was expensive.
How was the initial setup?
The setup process for Sophos XG is very straightforward, especially when compared to other firewalls.
What about the implementation team?
We were supported by our reseller's technical team, who were well-trained and knowledgeable.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The Sophos XG costs about $1,300 annually for a license for up to 50 people. Comparatively, FortiGate offers similar features and IPsec for $1,600 annually.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
I evaluated FortiGate and Palo Alto before choosing Sophos XG.
What other advice do I have?
I rate Sophos XG a seven out of ten. Incorporating AI technology for enhanced configurations would improve its overall value.
Offering exceptional security features and responsive customer support
What is our primary use case?
I use Sophos XG as a channel partner, providing it to our customers for next-generation firewall solutions, Wi-Fi access points, and other security features. My customers include industries such as banking, manufacturing, IT, hospitals, and healthcare.
What is most valuable?
I regard Sophos XG as a superior choice among firewalls due to its advanced security, user manual, and control panel features, among others. The firewall offers effective policy management, bandwidth management, and group policy features from a sales perspective.
Additionally, customer support is highly regarded, with a technical representative swiftly addressing customer queries through the Sophos partner portal.
What needs improvement?
Sophos XG is reaching its end-of-life and end-of-support; therefore, the user count limitation of particular models should be improved.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been working with Sophos XG for around five to six years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability of Sophos XG as ten out of ten.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I rate scalability as ten out of ten, indicating that it is easy to scale up for a larger number of users.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support from Sophos XG is excellent. When my customers raise a ticket, a customer representative calls them immediately to address their queries. I rate customer service nine out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
The setup process is easy and I would rate it ten out of ten.
What was our ROI?
My customers see a return on investment and value for money with Sophos XG.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I consider the pricing reasonable; it depends on the model and license type, like one-year, two-year, or five-year licenses. Compared to other firewalls like Fortigate, SonicWall, and Palo Alto, I find Sophos XG cost-effective.
What other advice do I have?
I highly recommend using Sophos XG for enhanced security purposes and organizational structure implementation. Furthermore, I rate Sophos XG as ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Advanced threat protection with simple management
What do you like best about the product?
What I like most about Sophos Firewall is its comprehensive approach to security, combining advanced threat protection with simple management. The integration with other Sophos solutions and its intuitive interface allows me to have more effective control over the network, without complications. Additionally, the ability to adapt to different network needs gives me the flexibility I seek.
What do you dislike about the product?
I don't like that Sophos Firewall can be complicated to configure at first, especially when it comes to adjusting advanced rules or managing complex policies. Although it has many useful features, the interface sometimes turns out to be a bit unintuitive and can cause confusion for less experienced users.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
Sophos Firewall can have issues related to complexity in configuration and alert management, which could result in a steeper learning curve for me. However, this can also benefit me, as by facing these challenges, I can develop a deeper understanding of its operation, allowing me to configure more customized and effective solutions to enhance network security.
The UTM features are useful for malware prevention and intrusion detection
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use Sophos XG as edge routers and edge firewalls, also known as border firewalls. We configure rules where specific users are allowed internet access and use rules for policy routing. We also control traffic for specific services, such as directing emails to one service provider while normal internet usage goes to another.
How has it helped my organization?
Sophos XG has helped us reduce virus and malware attacks. This allows our IT team to spend less time on troubleshooting and more on productive work. The ability to control what comes into and goes out of the network improves overall efficiency.
What is most valuable?
Sophos XG's most effective features for threat detection and management are its UTM components, which are useful for malware prevention and intrusion detection.
What needs improvement?
The firewall could be made more robust, particularly by simplifying two-factor authentication. It should also improve SD WAN capabilities. Additionally, there are issues with site-to-site VPNs dropping connections, which can be frustrating.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using the solution since 2018.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Stability is generally okay. Customers have used the equipment all the way to end of life without major issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Scalability is not very flexible. You can't upgrade memory or storage on a specific model, which limits scalability.
How are customer service and support?
The quality of support varies. The team handling application control is very good, but we have had bad experiences with the VPN support team. It all depends on the specific team you are dealing with.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
How was the initial setup?
The setup is user-friendly and quite straightforward, especially for basic configurations.
What was our ROI?
Sophos XG reduces virus and malware attacks, addressing network efficiency and cost savings indirectly by minimizing the time spent on troubleshooting.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing is reasonable. You get a perpetual license. That said, you must pay for support and updates. The cost depends on the package you are in, such as full threat management or basic.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
We have also worked with Fortinet Firewalls and Palo Alto. Price-wise, Sophos XG is reasonable when comparing similar models.
What other advice do I have?
When recommending Sophos, we consider the customer's specific requirements and infrastructure compatibility. Sophos is user-friendly and suitable for environments without highly technical staff because it is easy to manage.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
Has efficient rules and policies with decent time savings
What is our primary use case?
The primary use case for Sophos XG is basic firewalling and configuration. We use it primarily for installation purposes.
How has it helped my organization?
Time-saving and cost-saving benefits are realized, with stability contributing to these advantages. It provides approximately 10% to 15% savings in time and costs.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of Sophos XG include having rules and policies as a firewall. It is easy to configure.
What needs improvement?
The areas needing improvement are support and configuration. The delays in technical support can be handled better. Sometimes, configuration gives some issues.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Sophos XG for almost one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
No hardware or software solution is 100% stable. I would rate it at about 99% accuracy.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Sophos XG has excellent scalability features. It is already available on cloud as well as on-premises, and you can scale up to multiple firewalls with centralized management. No limitations have been faced regarding scalability.
How are customer service and support?
Customer service and support can be improved as there are delays. I would rate the support at eight out of ten.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
Sophos XG is easy to install, generally requiring one person and takes about two to three hours depending on the rules and policies.
What about the implementation team?
One person is usually sufficient for installation unless multiple dynamics are involved.
What was our ROI?
The return on investment is judged to be around three point five out of five in terms of stability, time saving, and cost saving.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution is considered cheap in terms of pricing.
What other advice do I have?
For small and midsize enterprises, Sophos XG is a good choice without any major issues.
I'd rate the solution eight out of ten.
Sophos Firewall Review
What do you like best about the product?
It has easy to use interface when comapred to fortinet
What do you dislike about the product?
Sometimes the troubleshooting gets a bit difficult.
What problems is the product solving and how is that benefiting you?
It is helping in maintaining the security posture of the company
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