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reviewer1053252 - PeerSpot reviewer
Technical Presales Consultant/ Engineer at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees
MSP
Top 5
Good security, easy to use, and has a simple installation
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is very easy to use and straightforward."
  • "The initial setup, specifically when activating the license, is a nightmare and is quite difficult."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is primarily used to secure networks, just like PSF, but much better. Sophos XG has a UTM, which is much more security inclusive than a firewall, as it takes a look at the threat management landscape from a unified point of view. They have a firewall and they have an IPS inside the same box. They have a sandbox, they have a web filter, they have a web application firewall, they have a mail gateway, and they have a DMP. These are all inside one box. It's excellent at protecting networks from security threats as well.

What is most valuable?

The solution offers everything in one product.

It's excellent at protecting networks from malicious threats.

The solution is very easy to use and straightforward. 

Once you get past the license activation, the installation is easy.

What needs improvement?

I would like to see the technical support improve. They have the worst technical support I have ever seen in my whole life.

The initial setup, specifically when activating the license, is a nightmare and is quite difficult. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using the solution for five years now. It's been a while. 

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Sophos XG
December 2024
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We're a distributor, however, the company is still quite new. At my last company, I had 150 clients on Sophos. 

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is just awful. They are not helpful or responsive. We are not satisfied with the level of support on offer. They need to improve this aspect. They simply do not reply.

They have very bad response times. It's very strange. Before, when I was dealing with Cyberoam, before Cyberoam was acquired by Sophos, it was good. Now, it's Sophos XG, and, while Cyberoam support was amazing, Sophos support has just gone down the drain. I don't know why.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is a nightmare. The installation, getting the box to get up and running, is a hectic process, due to the fact that the box basically would not activate any feature unless the license is activated. And the license is only activated with the cloud. When you are doing that, it's just a sort of a nightmare. Now they have a new feature in which you can just create a license and you can activate the license on the appliance. However, generally speaking, it's one of those appliances that, if it's not registered on the portal online, won't even start. It can be a nightmare sometimes. That said, after the license is activated, it's just plain simple and easy.

What about the implementation team?

I previously was an implementor and would set up the solution for clients.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

You need to pay for the license. You need to pay for the hardware as well. The cost depends on the model of the hardware and on which license. They have different editions, and licenses you're going to go with. They have different modules, and the cost depends on which modules you'd like to activate for security features. Not everyone will buy Sophos to utilize all the features. Usually, it's just the firewall, and IPS, sandbox, and the web filter that people are looking for. Not many people have Sophos or VM servers on-prem to protect them.

What other advice do I have?

We use both cloud and on-premises deployment models. 

Now, I am using the solution personally at home, however, before, where I was working, I used the solution for three years, specifically implementing Sophos XG for customers.

I'd rate the solution at an eight out of ten. 

I'd recommend the solution to other users and companies. For small and medium businesses, Sophos is a good security vendor.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
PeerSpot user
Networking Engineer at a comms service provider with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Easy to set up, good support, and the display of bandwidth usage statistics is interesting. There is a drill down menu showing bandwidth usage for each application. Easy to configure e-mail rules.
Pros and Cons
  • "What we found valuable is the way they deal with emails, as well as the way the bandwidth usage is shown."
  • "We are having challenges when using Zoom with Sophos XG deployed."

What is our primary use case?

Right now, we are using this product as a perimeter firewall just to deal with emails and to protect servers, as well as other equipment that is on the network.

What is most valuable?

What we found valuable is the way they deal with emails, as well as the way the bandwidth usage is shown. I find this information to be very interesting.

What needs improvement?

We are having challenges with social media because ever since this issue of COVID-19 came into existence, the idea of using online discussions has become relevant. Before this, they were not made the priority because they were not considered to be important. Now, we've discovered that we need to use a lot of these online applications.

We are having challenges when using Zoom with Sophos XG deployed. Our wireless network is not stable through the connection. More work needs to be done there, since the FW is doubling up as a wireless controller.

I would like to see improvements made to the display and visibility. I'm also using Sophos XG firewall as our wireless controller, but as it is now, I can't see my access points on the firewall. My wish is to see the Wireless network and reports also on this firewall cum- controller. 

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Sophos XG for almost three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Sophos XG is stable and we have no problems with it.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I think there is a limitation on the issue of scalability, and it is related to the interfaces that we bought. Right now, all of the employees are using it. The traffic that passes through it covers close to 2,000 users.

For us, our bandwidth is growing so we may have to scale further, in terms of the hardware networking components.

How are customer service and technical support?

We are constantly in touch with the distributor in Zimbabwe and they are excellent.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Prior to Sophos XG, we were using Cyberoam for our firewall. We switched because Cyberoam was acquired by Sophos.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very simple. It takes perhaps an hour to complete, which included importing rules from Cyberoam.

What about the implementation team?

We completed some certifications for using this product, but for the implementation, we were assisted by IDSS. In some instances, we are doing the maintenance on our own. When we have a challenge, on a case-by-case basis, we might contact the vendor and may require them to come in and assist.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The issue of a recurring license is a hassle because every year, we have to subscribe. It causes us problems in our organization.

What other advice do I have?

We are expanding and setting up a new data center, and I want to put a new firewall in. We have an interest in diversifying, in terms of vendors, so that we do not create a single point of failure in case one product fails. Ideally, we want to have different products.

This is a product that I can recommend for anybody who is looking for a firewall.

I would rate this solution a eight point six out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Sophos XG
December 2024
Learn what your peers think about Sophos XG. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: December 2024.
831,265 professionals have used our research since 2012.
reviewer1231140 - PeerSpot reviewer
IT support officer at a wholesaler/distributor with 51-200 employees
Real User
Performs well, the firewall and threat management are good
Pros and Cons
  • "So far, I'm happy that they have recently added a firewall role, so I feel a little more comfortable with the security. The threat management is good."
  • "For the moment, managing the Sophos interface is a little bit challenging."

What is our primary use case?

There are about 100 people using Sophos at our office. We have two ISPs, so we have to have access to our internet providers. We also need security to deploy our network. Also, our home and external users need to be able to log in. So we use Sophos XG to build our deployment. Sophos is more than just a firewall. It analyzes security effects, so it's a firewall for the future. It's more than just a hardware firewall. There are also some paid options, so we do not have to have the main server inside our office here. We use Office 365. And although we use five servers at our location, not everything is in the cloud yet. 

What is most valuable?

We haven't used it for very long, so I have not analyzed the main features deeply. So far, I'm happy that they have recently added a firewall role, so I feel a little more comfortable with the security. The threat management is good. Also, the graphics and the throughput of our internet access are better than before, so it's the Sophos anti-threat device that we have. 

What needs improvement?

For the moment, managing the Sophos interface is a little bit challenging. We have an external partner that helps me to comprehend. But it's new. It has to keep up with the market, and I understand that. But that's my personal problem at the moment. High-availability clusters have not been implemented, so we have only one firewall and one device. So should this device go down, there's no more internet access. But so far, we haven't had any problems. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've only been using Sophos XG for three months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Sophos is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Sophos XG is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

I used Sophos tech support for the previous solution because Sophos sold that as well. Now, we only work with the external partners. So for the moment, I haven't had to send questions directly to Sophos. But my past experience with Sophos support was good. It was very professional and easy. We stay with Sophos software because of the technical support.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We had Cyberoam. That brand that doesn't exist anymore, so we had to change.

How was the initial setup?

I contacted the external partner, and the setup was easy. It took about two or three days. Some little pictures were difficult for us to find, but that's normal. We could not make a one-to-one copy of the older one, so we had to search for some little personal configurations here. Now that everything is configured right, we are happy to have it. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

Because Sophos is sold by the brand that we had before that and Cyberoam does not exist anymore, it costs less because we stayed within the older firewalls. The price was also very good. It was not expensive before because of their value at the time. I think it's not cheap but not very expensive, either. It's in the middle. 

What other advice do I have?

Based on what I know from using it so far, I would recommend Sophos. I rate it eight out of 10.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Co-Founder at Multitechservers
Real User
A reliable product that provides remote VPN capability and multifactor authentication
Pros and Cons
  • "The multifactor authentication is helpful because whenever the user wants to connect to the firewall, they have to use the authenticator before they can access it."
  • "Technical support can be slow to respond, which is something that should be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We are using Sophos XG for remote two-factor authentication. We manage the web and application access, as well as the traffic. We also used it for remote, site-to-site VPNs.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature is the remote VPN.

The multifactor authentication is helpful because whenever the user wants to connect to the firewall, they have to use the authenticator before they can access it.

The LAN traffic management features such as implicit denial are very good.

What needs improvement?

Technical support can be slow to respond, which is something that should be improved.

In the future, I would like to see the addition of artificial intelligence for identifying and controlling traffic.

For how long have I used the solution?

We have been using Sophos XG for the past year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This is a reliable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This product is scalable. We have approximately 400 users, spread across different departments. As our production increases and we onboard more users, we will extend the use of Sophos XG.

How are customer service and technical support?

The technical support team is good but sometimes, there is a large delay in answering the phones.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

We had assistance from the vendor during the onboarding process when the system was being set up. They spotted a lot of things during the implementation, which helped.

What was our ROI?

We get a return on this investment because the inbuilt two-factor authentication means that we don't need to purchase a third-party tool for this security feature.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price is good and licensing fees are billed on a yearly basis.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated Cisco Firepower but we found that Sophos XG was more efficient in terms of cost. As such, we implemented XG.

What other advice do I have?

This is a product that I can recommend for organizations with a medium-level or large-level infrastructure.

I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Implementer
PeerSpot user
Vipin Garg - PeerSpot reviewer
Vipin GargCo-Founder at Multitechservers
Real User

Sophos XG Firewall is one of the best firewalls we have used till date. 2FA, Remote VPN also a number of features it has.

reviewer1496412 - PeerSpot reviewer
ICT Manager at a hospitality company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Easy to use, scalable, and fairly stable, but needs simplified interface and better security
Pros and Cons
  • "We find it easy to use. Its internal configuration is very easy. It is not complicated in terms of use and configuration. It has been fairly stable, and it is also scalable."
  • "They can simplify its interface so that it is mostly drag-and-drop. There was an SQL injection attack on some Sophos devices. They just need to harden their devices a little bit so that they can't be hacked very easily."

What is our primary use case?

We are using it at a gateway level. We are using Sophos XG Series 135. 

What is most valuable?

We find it easy to use. Its internal configuration is very easy. It is not complicated in terms of use and configuration.

It has been fairly stable, and it is also scalable.

What needs improvement?

They can simplify its interface so that it is mostly drag-and-drop. There was an SQL injection attack on some Sophos devices. They just need to harden their devices a little bit so that they can't be hacked very easily.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using this solution for three years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It has been fairly stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is scalable. We had scaled it for the number of users that we have, and it has worked fine for us. We have around 40 users.

How are customer service and technical support?

We rarely contact their technical support. There was a time when our head office contacted their technical support. It was an issue in 2008, and they provided a patch.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We used Cisco ASA five or six years ago.

How was the initial setup?

We found it easy to install. Its installation took around one to one and a half hours.

What about the implementation team?

I did it myself. I have had some training on the product. In terms of support, we have just two guys who handle the support. Two people are enough for its deployment and maintenance.

What other advice do I have?

I would recommend this solution. It is a fairly stable and good solution. We will keep on using it.

I would rate Sophos XG a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1096419 - PeerSpot reviewer
Data Professional at a construction company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Is versatile and easy to install, and integrates well with other solutions
Pros and Cons
  • "We can configure rules with the user, traffic, etc., making it a very versatile solution for our network."
  • "Better instructions should be provided as part of the technical support so that we can understand the functionalities. This will help us to troubleshoot faster."

What is our primary use case?

We manage all the network services, like DHCP, of each branch office.

How has it helped my organization?

It has helped us because we have identified some of the loopholes in our assets that we did not know existed.

What is most valuable?

I like using the combination of XG firewalls and the XDR product with the end user. I also like the integration of all the solutions and the visual of all our clients and the traffic routing in to the network from inside the console. The synchronization and the integration with all the products in the central office, such as Office 365 or AWS, make it a valuable solution.

We can configure rules with the user, traffic, etc., making it a very versatile solution for our network.

What needs improvement?

Better instructions should be provided as part of the technical support so that we can understand the functionalities. This will help us to troubleshoot faster.

For how long have I used the solution?

We've been using Sophos XG for three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Sophos XG is a scalable solution. We have about 1,000 users.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is good, in general.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We used Fortinet, and we changed the solution because there were additional costs for reporting, licensing, and centralization. If we compare Fortinet to Sophos XG, the XG firewall costs less and performs better. That's one of the reasons that we moved to XG.

The other and the most important reason is the integration with our security solution, Sophos XDR.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was very easy. It's much easier than that for other products. 

Deployment and maintenance can be done by one or two people. I am a specialist, and an engineer and I worked on the deployment and maintenance. 

What about the implementation team?

The provider of the solution implemented it, and it took about a day.

What was our ROI?

We have seen an improvement in security not only in terms of technology but also in terms of internal practices in our company.

We predicted that it would take three years to obtain an ROI.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We bought the three-year license, and there are no additional costs.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We evaluated Check Point, Barracuda, and Palo Alto.

What other advice do I have?

It's a good product, and you should go ahead with it.

I would rate Sophos XG at nine on a scale from one to ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
IT Support Engineer at odak bilisim
Real User
Easy port configuration, scalable, but policies could improve
Pros and Cons
  • "I have found configuring the ports to be easier in Sophos XG compared to the other devices."
  • "Sophos XG could improve the policies, they are a bit confusing when creating them. There are many options that make it confusing and it could be simplified."

What is our primary use case?

We use Sophos XG for network security as a firewall for our company.

What is most valuable?

I have found configuring the ports to be easier in Sophos XG compared to the other devices.

What needs improvement?

Sophos XG could improve the policies, they are a bit confusing when creating them. There are many options that make it confusing and it could be simplified.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Sophos XG for approximately two years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The Stability and performance are quite good. We haven't seen any problems.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable.

I would rate the scalability of Sophos XG an eight out of ten.

We have approximately 10 people using this solution in my organization.

My customers are using this solution on a daily basis.

How are customer service and support?

I have contacted support once or twice to receive some clarification. I had a good experience.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I have used other solutions preciously and FortiGate's user interface is much easier to use when compared to Palo Alto and Sophos. Additionally, in Palo Alto, assigning the ports are more user-friendly.

How was the initial setup?

The installation is straightforward.

What about the implementation team?

I did the implementation of Sophos XG myself and it took approximately 20 minutes.

There is no maintenance is required for this solution.

Our networking team is approximately 10 people that use the solution.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The Palo Alto solution is expensive and the FortiGate is less expensive than Palo Alto. The Sophos XG would be priced in the middle of the two.

There are some fees but you can purchase a bundle package.

What other advice do I have?

My advice to those wanting to use this solution is if you don't have experience, don't use it.

I would recommend this solution to others.

I rate Sophos XG a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Information Technology Support Manager at a financial services firm with 51-200 employees
Real User
An inexpensive and stable solution with good functionality and user interface, but should offer an antivirus feature
Pros and Cons
  • "I like the functionality and the user interface."
  • "I wish to see an antivirus feature added to the solution."

What is our primary use case?

We are using the solution internally for policy purposes in our data center. We use the firewall for certain routes for client connectivity. 

What is most valuable?

I like the functionality and the user interface. The solution has a better graphic interface than that of Cisco. 

What needs improvement?

I wish to see an antivirus feature added to the solution. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I believe we have been using Sophos XG for more than three years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution has better stability than Cisco, which is why I prefer it over other firewalls. 

How are customer service and technical support?

I have not had need for technical support. Mostly, I find what I am looking for on the internet. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is easy.

What about the implementation team?

I handled the implementation by myself.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The solution is not expensive since one pays as he goes. He pays just for the functionality he requires, meaning there is no need to pay for all that Sophos offers. If a person needs email protection, he will pay just for this. The same holds true if he needs web filtering. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

The solution is more stable than Cisco, which is why I like it better than the other firewalls.

What other advice do I have?

The firewall does not connect to the internet. It is not firewall edge. We use the solution as a data center firewall. 

I would recommend the solution because it provides the greatest firewall protection. 

I rate Sophos XG as a seven out of ten. 

Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: partner
PeerSpot user
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Download our free Sophos XG Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: December 2024
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Buyer's Guide
Download our free Sophos XG Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.