SonicWall Previews New APT at SonicWall World 2015

Suffice it to say, SonicWall ‘s been in the news recently. Certainly the news around EMC has garnered many headlines. But it’s great to know that while all of this goes on, our number one priority remains interacting with our customers from around the world. This week, many of us are at the annual SonicWall  World and the SonicWall Software User Forum 2015 in Austin. SonicWall World is one of our greatest opportunities to interact with our customers one-on-one. It provides us with an opportunity to give and receive information. My role here is certainly to do both. At the start of SonicWall World my focus was to communicate the SonicWall Security Solutions strategy and our roadmap. Yesterday at the SonicWall World Software User Forum main stage, I had the chance to disclose some of our key innovations, including Simplified Infrastructure Management of Security + Networking, SaaS Global Management, and Security Sandboxing just to name a few. But in addition to these innovations, I want to be sure to highlight the exciting technology preview for Network Security.

To protect customers against the increasing dangers of advanced persistent threats (APTs), SonicWall is offering a technology preview of the SonicWall APT Protection Service at SonicWall  World. This new service – available on both firewalls and email security solutions – scans files of any size and holds potentially malicious unknown files until a verdict can be reached. This solution is built on multi-layered sandbox technologies that use both system emulation and virtualization techniques to detect more threats than competitors’ single engine solutions and leverages the SonicWall GRID, our cloud forensics platform which leverages real-time analytics from over 500K connected next-gen firewalls (NGFWs). Customers immediately benefit from fast response times, high security effectiveness and reduced total cost of ownership.

Additional offerings from Network Security include:

  • New integrated management of SonicWall Networking X-Series switches through the SonicWall firewall interface allows customers to manage and enforce security policies across their network security, switching, wireless and WAN acceleration from a single pane of glass. This reduces complexity, increases operational efficiency and ultimately leads to better network security for multi-unit deployments.
  • SonicWall Email Security increases effectiveness with the addition of Cyren anti-virus signatures. SonicWall Hosted Email Security and Email Security appliances running software release 8.2 now features best in class multi-layer AV protection including \SonicWall GRID AV, McAfee AV, Kaspersy AV and Cyren AV.

What I love most about SonicWall World is my time spent talking to our customers and hearing how we can do better. I’m also extremely pleased that we’ve brought in our highly technical experts and resources to conduct in-depth detailed training. If you’re joining us here at SonicWall World 2015 and Software User Forum, THANK you, be sure to attend the track sessions highlighted in an earlier SonicWall World blog. The more training a company gets in security, the more secure they will be. I am thoroughly enjoying our time together. Please let me know if there are additional ways we can support you and be sure to visit our security evangelists in the Solutions Expo over the next few days!

 Picture of the DellWorld stage viewed from the audience

SonicWall Security is coming to SonicWall World 2015

SonicWall World 2015 takes place in Austin in a couple of weeks, Oct. 20-22, and I am eager to talk security with our customers, partners, press and analysts. We will kick off the conference with a Network Security Track at the SonicWall World Software User Forum, which leads to three information-packed days of technical training for SonicWall Next-Generation Firewall customers. The deep dive technical sessions delivered by our engineers and product managers will help them defend their networks against continuously evolving threats by leveraging their existing security infrastructure. The Network Security Track is designed to provide practical answers to questions and challenges associated with security in general and as it relates to  SonicWall Next-Generation Firewalls. We’ll have experts on hand to work directly with participants, step-by-step, to address their most pressing issues. Additionally, we are hosting lab sessions where they can see first-hand the best practices recommended by security engineers to address a variety of scenarios.

In addition to the focused Network Security track, SonicWall Security thought leaders will be presenting in a variety of breakout sessions at both the SonicWall World Software User Forum and at the SonicWall World Main Track. Here are all of the sessions available to attendees:

Main Track (MT) – Wed. 1 pm/ Thurs 9:30 am Panel – Mobilizing People and Data for a Future-ready Workforce:

Today’s workforce is evolving work is an activity, not a location, and people want choice in the tools they use. While many technology providers claim to have “the” answer to mobility, in reality they’re only equipped to address a narrow set of challenges, leaving the customer to patch together a solution. In this session, learn how SonicWall uses recent research to buck this one-size-fits-all approach with strategies centered on mobilizing two things: people and data. We’ll share how SonicWall integrates solutions across our end-to-end portfolio to give people the best tools for the job, while mobilizing data in a secure, managed and reliable way.

Main Track (MT41) – Wed 2:30 pm/Thurs 8 a.m. – Key Security Insights: Examining 2014 to predict emerging threats:

Cyber-crimes are alive and well on the global stage and will only continue to be pervasive as long as organizations prolong taking the necessary defense measures to stop threats from slipping through the cracks. In this session, we’ll present the most common attacks SonicWall observed since 2014 and the ways we expect emergent threats to affect small and medium businesses, as well as large enterprises moving forward. This session is perfect for anybody who is interested in learning more about the state of the union in security.

Software User Forum (SUF 60) – Endpoint to Perimeter: Network Protection That’s Inside Out and Outside In:

As an IT professional, it is an alarming time you live in.Each and every day you may be feeling unease about the risk of your network being breached.The cybercriminal community is relentless in its pursuit to exploit the weaknesses of your network wherever they could find them.So how well are you prepared for the next attack?In this session, we will discuss how you can take advantage of modern-day network security tools and services to achieve ongoing protection against emerging threats. Additionally, we will explore why it truly counts to have a nimble threat research and response team working for you.This session will provide a complete overview of the entire SonicWall Security solution portfolio to help you get a handle on what is important for your organization to think about.

Software User Forum (SUF 61) SonicWall Email and Encryption Solutions:

In this session, you will learn about leading edge-strategies and technologies to protect your email from viruses, spam, and confidential data leaks and how SonicWall can help you easily and affordably meet industry and regulatory requirements for secure email exchange.

  • Speaker: Jane Wasson

Software User Forum (SUF 62) Mobile Access and Security update:

In this session, you will learn about the leading-edge strategies and technologies to securely enable mobile worker productivity while protecting your data from loss or theft and how SonicWall Secure Mobile Access Solutions can help.

  • Speaker: James Whewell

Software User Forum (SUF 63)Key Security Insights:

Examining 2014 to Predict Emerging Threats: Cyber-crimes are alive and well on the global stage and will only continue to be pervasive as long as organizations prolong taking the necessary defense measures to stop threats from slipping through the cracks. In this session, we’ll present the most common attacks SonicWall observed since 2014 and the ways we expect emergent threats to affect small and medium businesses, as well as large enterprises moving forward. This session is perfect for anybody who is interested in learning more about the state of the union in security.

I hope to see you in a few weeks in Austin. Let me know, if you have questions. We can connect via Twitter @Johngord.

Evolving and Innovating to Deliver World-Class Security Solutions

This week, I was excited to attend the SonicWall Peak Performance Conference and get an opportunity to speak with our partners about what they’re seeing in the field and how we can help them build their business.

SonicWall’s leadership in security is due to our VARs, who are critical to helping customers keep their organizations safe. We’re continuing our investment in the channel by reaffirming our commitment to arming our partners with the tools and support they need to effectively sell our end-to-end, integrated solutions and grow their customer base. We’re expanding our channel growth programs and hiring worldwide, stepping up marketing efforts, and offering advanced training courses in security so our partners can continue to hone their expertise.

“The key takeaway of SonicWall Peak Performance would be that  SonicWall is totally committed to make things happen, we learned that already in some of the breakout sessions and really whatever you want to do, you have the ability to do. Whether it’s a specific program that they have that you can deploy, or there’s something outside of the box that you want to tell them, they’re going to be interested in helping to make it happen,” said Larry Cecchini, President and CEO of Secure Designs Inc.

One thing we consistently hear both from partners and customers is that they want integrated solutions. Customers no longer are looking for point products, but deserve ““ and are demanding ““ products that will provide top level security without requiring them to purchase a lot of components.

“The tagline is ‘come for knowledge, leave with power’ and definitely we’ve been empowered understanding new products, new services, and then internally being able to connect dots and see where there’s almost unlimited opportunities,” said Ross Dahman, President of Huntleigh Technology Group

We’ve seen the success of these integrated solutions, particularly with our SuperMassive next generation firewalls. The SuperMassive 9800, introduced at last year’s SonicWall Security Peak Performance conference, is the most powerful model in our SuperMassive 9000 Series, delivering comprehensive threat protection to both mid-market and enterprise organizations. We’ve seen 90 percent growth in this line, along with industry recognition the 2015 Info Security Global Excellence Awards named the 9800 the best new product in the firewall category.

We want to build on this success and as you’ve seen through the announcements we’ve made this week, we’re committed to continuing to provide breakthrough security solutions that are tightly integrated. As we build to SonicWall World, held October 20-23 in Austin, TX, you’ll hear more from us as to how we’re leveraging the strength of our SonicWall firewalls and integrating our other, industry-leading solutions, including our privileged access management and Cloud Access Manager solutions. I urge you to come see us at SonicWall World, where you’ll learn more about these exciting integrations and new ways to address advanced persistent threats, including user security, grey files and more.

SoincWall Security Helps Partners Fight Malware Economy with Innovation at SoincWall Peak Performance

Today, at SoincWall Peak Performance 2015 in Las Vegas, I am zeroing in on the most important information for our SoincWall Security channel partners.

A lot has happened in the last year across SoincWall Security Solutions. In fact, as of this month, we have quite literally completed a complete refresh of our SonicWall TZ Wireless firewall product line from top to bottom while expanding the portfolio with the introduction of new platform form factors and performance capabilities. We’ve innovated with the software, with features, with performance, and with value for every size company from small businesses to distributed enterprises. We continue to fight the malware economy by improving our threat research, our Deep Packet Inspection Engine, and we’ve dramatically increased security for our customers by enhancing our DPI SSL capabilities and overall support from top to bottom.

Just today, we announced a phenomenal customer and partner success with Time Warner Cable Wireless and our premier partner Secure Designs, Inc. It is inspiring to learn how our partner integrated the latest  SonicWall solutions to support Time Warner Cable to protect schools and provide a better, more secure learning environment in order to facilitate the education of children nationwide.

And, there is always the new new threat! At Peak Performance, I’m discussing the new threats. What’s new in the overall security industry? What are some of the shocking evolutions in hacking? What is new in our SonicWall threat research? And of course, what are we doing about it and what does that mean for our product roadmap?

So, at this year’s Peak Performance, I am charting our future with you, our partners. Hearing what you like, and what you still need is what I value most about this week and is the reason why our entire team is here to support you. And to this point, remember, you help us build our roadmaps. We refine what we build and what we don’t by listening to you.

That is not bull. That is a fact.

We can’t and don’t want to build every product in the world. We do want to build the right products and features that will protect your customers. You have that knowledge. So attending SoincWall Peak Performance is not just an opportunity to receive info on what is happening. It is an opportunity to change our roadmap. To change the industry. To change security for your partners. We are here to give and to receive. I look forward to both! Just today we have received great support from our partners and customers on-site.

Joe Gleinser, president of GCS Technologies, a premier partner, was interviewed onsite:

“I have used SonicWall for nearly a decade and have 500 clients deployed across Texas and my clients learn to depend on the SonicWall brand.”

SYNNEX Partners with SonicWall at Upcoming SonicWall Security Peak Performance 2015

The following is a guest post from Reyna Thompson, vice president of Product Marketing at SYNNEX Corporation.

SYNNEX is proud to be the newest distributor to carry the  SonicWall solutions portfolio, and we’re excited to be a Platinum Sponsor at this year’s Security Peak Performance Conference in Las Vegas, NV, Aug. 30-Sept. 2. Our SonicWall Team is ready to help you find, manage and close your next network security deal.

As part of our launch, we’re providing resellers with five free vulnerability assessments. These assessments, performed on the end customers’ network, can be used to show where existing security vulnerabilities lie or to demonstrate proof of performance post-installation. We not only cover the cost of these assessments but provide you with experienced network security personnel who read the data, interpret the findings and make any necessary recommendations.

We’re also here to help you scale and, ultimately, grow your business. Key to that is ensuring you have both bandwidth and geographical reach when it comes to professional services. Just a few of the SYNNEX value-adds for your company are:

  • Deal registration services
  • Skilled engineering resources­
  • Ability to manage rollouts
  • Flexible financing options SYNNEX provides a multitude of options to ensure you have a financial vehicle to support even the largest opportunities.
  • SYNNEX-exclusive promotionsEmail sonicwall@synnex.com to ask us how you can win a December trip for two to Key West
  • Nationwide professional services SYNNEX offers nationwide site assessment and deployment services, helping you expand your geographical reach

Whether you need two SonicWall TZ firewall appliances installed and configured or a network security overhaul for a Fortune 500 company, SYNNEX has the skills and service personnel to get the job done on time and under budget.

As a distributor of the full SonicWall line, we’re excited to round out our portfolio with SonicWall’s award-winning SonicWall security. Visit our booth at the SonicWall Security Peak Performance conference, and find out more about our service offerings and how our team can support you. Follow the conference hashtag #SonicWallPeak and enter the conference #SonicWallPeakSelfie Social Meida Sweepstakes on Twitter @SonicWall and Facebook.


Reyna Thompson, vice president of Product Marketing at SYNNEX CorporationReyna Thompson, Vice President, Product Marketing

Reyna Thompson is vice president of Product Marketing at SYNNEX Corporation. She is responsible for the ConvergeSOLV Secure Networking Business at SYNNEX. Mrs. Thompson joined the SYNNEX team in 2002, as Associate Vice President of Solutions Marketing for the Technology Solutions Division.

Prior to working for SYNNEX, Thompson worked for Gates/Arrow Distributing, where she held various roles dating back to 1993.

Tech Data and SonicWall Partner to Build Roads to Success

The following is a guest post from Chuck Bartlett, Senior Vice President, Advanced Infrastructure Solutions, Tech Data Corp.

The SonicWall Security Peak Performance 2015 conference is fast approaching. Taking place from Aug. 30 through Sept. 2 in Las Vegas, this conference offers an opportunity to gain important insights about security trends, learn about changing customer needs, and grow your business with SonicWall. As a platinum sponsor, Tech Data is proud to partner with SonicWall to provide education and consulting for resellers focused on industry-leading network security solutions and data protection.

As new security threats happen every second, Tech Data is committed to arming you with the tools and services your business’s security network needs to meet evolving market demands, reduce distractions, and ultimately increase profitability.

According to Gartner, the enterprise network security equipment total in North America is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4% until 2019. Tech Data offers comprehensive security solutions that meet the evolving needs of this dynamic market, helping you protect your business and your customers’ data. Additionally, Tech Data provides best-in-class customer service and customized partner enablement programs””including sales and technical training, lead generation, and marketing services””to help grow your SonicWall business.

SonicWall offers industry-leading security solutions. Together with Tech Data’s dedicated team of industry experts””including software licensing specialists, system engineers, and product sales champions””we will work with you and your sales team to establish a customized, value-added channel enablement strategy that works for your business.

Please plan to visit us at booth #9 during the event for a one-on-one consultation. See you in Las Vegas!

Engage in event activities and follow the conversation on Twitter at @SonicWall and @Tech_Data using the conference hashtag #SonicWallPeak.

SonicWall Peak Performance Conference - Tech Data

Deep Dive Into SonicWall Security at the SonicWall World 2015 Software User Forum

During my 14 years with SonicWall Security (formerly SonicWall), I’ve never seen a greater need for powerful network security, and the SonicWall World Software User Forum provides a great opportunity for you to mingle with some of the most powerful minds in security today.

We’re excited to finally be able to host a dedicated security customer forum at this event. We’ve had a fantastic year and we can’t wait to show you our new lineup of SonicWall TZ Series firewalls, new SonicWall Secure Mobile Access (SMA) appliances and a few yet-to-be-released products. Some of the break-out sessions that I’m especially looking forward to are: Strategic Direction & Vision, SonicWall Next-Generation Firewall Technology overview, and How to make your network security future ready and, of course, the top secret band that will be performing.

Register for the SonicWall Security Track at the SonicWall World Software User Forum 2015 and learn how to address these security challenges head-on with direct access to engineers and experts for the security products you depend on every day. Some of the highlights include:

  • Learn practical methods for getting the most out of your SonicWall device
  • Get a sneak peak at the newest tech
  • Participate in hands-on tech labs

Experience the visionary keynotes from our leaders and industry experts in the SonicWall World 2015 general sessions Explore the SonicWall World Solution Showcase with partner and product demos highlighting the innovation and cutting-edge technology in mobility, cloud, big data, networking and more. Plus, enjoy the music of our secret special band at the Opening Night concert.

Take advantage of the Buy One Get One offer today. If you purchase one pass to the SonicWall World Software User Forum, we will include one additional pass at no extra cost for a colleague.

And here are more good reasons to not to miss out on SonicWall’s annual conference:

  • Attend 13 in-depth, security-specific sessions including:
    • Technology and roadmap deep dive for SonicWall next-gen firewalls
    • Advanced SonicOS management best practices
    • Advanced SuperMassive deployment best practices
    • Global Management System (GMS) as an enterprise firewall management console
    • Creating an enterprise “Clean VPN” solution using SonicWall products

There will be interactive discussions and access for you to speak to SonicWall product engineers, experts and executives. They will shed light on product direction and roadmaps for SonicWall products.

During my tenure, I’ve met many of you in-person, and I look forward to seeing you again. For those of you I haven’t met, I hope you will register for the event and join me for a handful of truly informational days at the Software User Forum.

It’s all yours from Oct. 20 through Oct. 22
at the Hilton Hotel in Austin, Texas.
Come help us paint the town blue!
(SonicWall blue, please)

SonicWall Security Helping Partners Close Gaps to Reduce Risk

Recently, I was privileged to spend three days at the SonicWall Security Peak Performance EMEA conference in Berlin, meeting and talking with more than 300 SonicWall  partners and customers from across Europe. Security is very much top of mind for our partners, and we know from the results of a SonicWall survey conducted ahead of the conference that advanced persistent threats are a chief concern for a majority of their customers.

Our partners have told us that security and innovation are number one and number two on every customer’s list, but they believe that only a tiny percentage of those customers are protected against today’s threats, which can result in the devastating loss of IP, productivity and customer data.

As cybercrime becomes ever more sophisticated, organizations must take the appropriate steps to protect the company, their customers and employees. At the same time, they need a dynamic IT environment that can support current trends such as mobility, cloud and SaaS. At SonicWall , we’re committed to ensuring our partners’ success by equipping them to help customers close security gaps, reduce complexity and mitigate risk by extending end-to-end security that both enables the business and protects from ever-evolving, sophisticated threats.

Events like SonicWall Peak Performance EMEA reflect SonicWall’s commitment to our partners and to building channel momentum around security solutions. Keynotes and general sessions, plus deep dive breakout sessions led by our security experts, armed partners at the conference with the most up-to-date knowledge of our security products, and a view of innovative security development planned for the future. We have almost 1,000 security specialists at SonicWall , and philosophically, they wake up every morning to team with a partner. And that scale is a major difference between us and some of our competitors.

In talking with partners at Peak Performance EMEA, it was clear they were fired up about our security strategy, and understood what it meant when we showed them specific integrations and how we can make those work for them. For example, when SonicWall’s Secure Mobile Access solution is combined with SonicWall’s Enterprise Mobility Container, we can enforce the company’s data loss prevention policy at the edge, ensuring the intellectual property contained within sensitive data does not leak.

The channel is showing tremendous enthusiasm and continuing to grow. Last year, SonicWall Software achieved 60 percent growth through the channel in EMEA, and that momentum is set to continue. With SonicWall’s end-to-end connected security strategy, we expand our security footprint and equip our partners to provide greater value to customers beyond what they may initially request. Partners are able to leverage our complementary security solutions, and, what’s more, can take advantage of new opportunities for sales, adding value through their advanced security expertise. SonicWall’s channel program continues to grow and develop, enabling our partners to benefit from access to our impressive customer network, and helping them build potentially lucrative relationships. The survey of partners attending Peak Performance showed, alarmingly, that respondents believe only three percent of organizations are adequately prepared for an attack. Although this statistic is frightening, it also demonstrates the business opportunities still available.

Via our advanced competency training courses in security, partners can build their expertise and specialize in security, helping them to corner this growing market. Last year saw a 41 percent rise in the number of EMEA partners achieving security certification ““ and, as our partners are reporting an average year-over-year revenue growth of 37 percent, it’s great to see the channel is benefiting from working with SonicWall .

We’re protecting over a million customers every day. In their capacity as advisors helping customers manage security, our partners play a critical role. Our goal is to ensure their success by giving them opportunities to leverage the knowledge and tools in the SonicWall Security arsenal, so their customers benefit from security solutions that both protect their organizations from threats, and enable them to succeed.

SonicWall Security Peak Performance North America is August 30 ““ September 2 in Las Vegas. I encourage partners to register for this event, visit”¦www.SonicWall peakperformance.com

Security Wins Big at Interop in Las Vegas

Las Vegas welcomed thousands of technology professionals last week for the annual Interop IT show to discover the most current and cutting-edge technology innovations and strategies to drive their organizations’ success. SonicWall Security participated in force, launching the new SonicWall TZ firewall line and demonstrating our innovative enterprise computing, networking and security product portfolios.

A highlight of the event for the SonicWall team was participating in the coveted Interop Best of Show awards. We were honored to have the SonicWall Secure Remote Access (SRA) series receive the prestigious “Best of Interop 2015 Security Winner” award.

Part of the SonicWall Secure Mobile Access solution, the (SRA) series appliances provide mobile and remote workers using smart phones, tablets or laptops “” whether managed or unmanaged “” with policy-enforced SSL VPN access to mission-critical applications, data and resources without compromising security. iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows, and Mac OS X smartphones, tablets and laptops can securely access allowed network resources and data, including shared folders, client-server applications, intranet sites, email, and remote and virtual desktop services, all from a single gateway. Interested in learning more about how SonicWall Secure Mobile Access can held enable mobile productivity without compromising security for your business? Read our Ebook.

SonicWall Security and SonicWall Channel Partners: A Two-Way Street to Greater Security

As part of the SonicWall Network Security Group, we strive to expand the reach of SonicWall Security solutions across the globe using many tools of communication. Our mission is to get our top rated, most effective security solutions into every large, medium and small network across the planet. Part of our strategy to do that is working with excellent security VARs. VARs are absolutely key to customers deploying great security. VARs are often the trusted security advisors for companies of all sizes. We are honored to partner with as many top quality trusted security advisors, like Jason Hill of Exertis VAD Solutions pictured below, to protect as many customers as possible.

To transfer crucial knowledge, and to gain knowledge in return, we run Peak Performance events (our Partner Security Conference). SonicWall Security EMEA Peak Performance in Berlin just finished, and I had the opportunity to present and hear from our partners. To state the obvious, security changes FAST. Way, way too fast to assume everyone can keep up with it easily. And it is too complex to assume all information can be communicated in short emails, marketing blurbs, or webinars. Sometimes, information has to be transferred eyeball to eyeball. Don’t get me wrong. All those other forms of content are REQUIRED but sometimes, there is an extra effort needed.

That extra effort is face-to-face communications. And to my subtle point above (“. . . and to gain crucial knowledge”), we run SonicWall Security Peak Performance not just to give information, but to GET it. Security is far too complex to assume we know everything. Our VARs protect so many customers and are experts in their field. This gives them unique perspectives on what is working and what is not. So knowledge transfer is a two-way street at Peak Performance. We provide tremendous amounts of knowledge coming from the experts representing everything from engineering to business. We covered the technical bits and bytes and the strategy. We communicate about the things we see affecting customers and we predict what will be the new vectors of attack going forward. And our VARs communicate what success and pains their customers are experiencing. They educate us on the state of reality, not the state of a marketing messaging. They are feet on the street and ears to the ground. Our VARs have essential insights that we need and that we consume.

Patrick Sweeney on stage speaking at SonicWall Security EMEA Peak Performance 2015 in Berlin

SonicWall Security Peak Performance therefore is not something that can be done as a webinar. Webinars are one-way streets for the most part. Peak Performances are two-way streets. They are essential for both the SonicWall Network Security Group and to the VARs that protect customers. All have to come ready to learn. All have to be ready to educate. And in that spirit, I want to say,”Thank You.” Thank you to all the VARs that came, those that listened, those that spoke, those that learned, and those that educated. I cannot tell you how much it motivates me and my entire team to get those three days with you. Sometimes the difference between good and great is hard to define. But sometimes it is easy to identify one thing that does have a material impact. Getting together at Peak has a material impact on making the world just a little bit safer for our customers. Thank you!

We invite you to check out SonicWall Security Peak Performance for North America Aug. 30 to Sept.2 in Las Vegas.