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Easier Wi-Fi Planning, Security & Management from the Cloud

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Wi-Fi access is ubiquitous, but it’s not always easy to plan, deploy, secure and manage, especially for distributed businesses and enterprises.

SonicWall believes there’s an easier approach. Our product teams have revamped our Wi-Fi management solutions with innovation at its foundation. Top-of-mind during the entire process, our focus was on evolving our Wi-Fi technology in four key areas: security, performance, simplicity and intuitiveness.

On paper, those sound obvious. But we wanted to be sure the execution matched the vision — to remove all the complexity without impacting the end-user experience. The outcome of this effort is four new SonicWall wireless solutions:

Intuitive wireless management for the next era

One of the constant nightmares for network admins is an unmanageable network. As your network expands, policies change and threats increase, it is often difficult to keep pace.

Discovering an outage only after it has happened — or malware after it has creeped into your network — is disastrous. SonicWall arms you with the right tool to gain insights into your network to keep pace with changing network requirements.

SonicWall WiFi Cloud Manager is an intuitive, scalable and centralized Wi-Fi network management system suitable for networks of any size. With simplified management, wireless analytics is richer and easily accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. The cloud-based management solution is designed to be user-friendly and resilient while simplifying access, control and troubleshooting capabilities.

With a fresh UI, WiFi Cloud Manager can be accessed via SonicWall Capture Security Center to deliver powerful features and simplified onboarding via the cloud from a single pane of glass. Centralized visibility and control over SonicWall’s wired and wireless networking hardware reduces complexity and the need for costly overlay management systems. It also can be deployed across multiple regions for greater network visibility into disturbed enterprises.

For network admins on the go, SonicWall introduces SonicWiFi mobile app to set up and monitor your network. Easily onboard your APs and setup mesh with this app. It is available on iOS and Android.

Advanced wireless security — with or without a firewall

Organizations, big and small, need secure wireless solutions for extending connectivity to employees, customers and guests. The new SonicWave 200 series wireless access points deliver enterprise-level performance and security with the range and reliability of 802.11ac Wave 2 technology at an affordable price.

Built on industry-leading next-gen security, these APs features a dedicated third radio for security scanning. In fact, advanced security features like Content Filtering Service (CFS) and the Capture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) sandbox service can be performed on the AP itself, enabling organizations to mitigate cyberattacks even where firewalls aren’t deployed.

SonicWave 200 access points are available in three options, including 231c for indoor, 231o for outdoor and 224w for wall-mount requirements.

Manage dozens or even thousands of SonicWave wireless access points from anywhere you have an internet connection via the cloud or through the firewalls, providing you ultimate flexibility.

The SonicWall WiFi Cloud Manager provides you a single-pane-of-glass view of your entire wireless network. SonicWave access points also support SonicWall Zero-Touch Deployment, which allows the access points to be automatically identified and registered. SonicWiFi mobile app also lets you set up, manage and keep track of your network.

SonicWave access points leverage mesh technology to negate complexity from wireless expansion, especially at remote or distributed locations. Mesh networks are easy to set up, effortless to expand, and require fewer cables and less manpower to deploy, reducing installation costs. The new push-and-snap mounting bracket further adds to the ease of installation.

Easily plan, deploy your wireless networks

IT administrators often hear complaints about unreliable Wi-Fi connectivity leading to poor user experiences. This is mostly because Wi-Fi networks are not designed correctly to begin with. AP placements could be wrong, there may be radio frequency barriers or there simply isn’t enough capacity and coverage.

SonicWall WiFi Planner is a simple, easy-to-use, advanced wireless site survey tool that enables you to optimally design and deploy a wireless network for enhanced wireless user experience.

This tool lets you customize your settings per your surroundings and requirements to obtain maximum coverage with the fewest number of access points. You can prevent interference in your deployment on a best-effort basis through auto-channel assignment.

With a cloud-based UI, you also have the flexibility to collaborate with global teams. It is ideal for new access point deployments or to ensure excellent coverage in your wireless network. Available at no added cost, SonicWall WiFi Planner is accessible through WiFi Cloud Manager.

Together, these products deliver a powerful wireless solution, paving way for the next era of wireless security. Welcome to the future of wireless security.

Securely Connect Remote Locations, Networks with Cost-Effective Firewalls

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Firewalls, travel and sandwiches don’t always go hand in hand, but a recent trip to Arizona paired them perfectly. Whenever I visit the southwest part of the U.S., I see more construction and a little less desert.

On this particular trip, I started to think about the new businesses sprouting up around the valley. Some were the smaller independent variety, but others were clearly part of a larger chain.

When I stop for lunch at a restaurant, I’m conditioned to look around for the wireless access point; I know this is nerdy, but it’s there somewhere. I start thinking about how the particular location secures its network for its employees and customers who want to hop on the Wi-Fi to save their data or enjoy faster speeds.

Companies, like the franchise I visited, that expand their footprint incur costs for the time and expense of getting each new site up and running. In addition to the site and equipment needed to sell their core products (or, in this case, sandwiches), there’s also the networking aspect.

Each site has to be able to securely connect to their internet service provider (ISP) as well as to the corporate headquarters. Having the right firewall is crucial. But so is a solution that enables the parent company to bring up new sites quickly and easily — wherever they’re located.

Firewalls for SMBs, Remote Locations: Introducing SOHO 250 & TZ350

The SonicWall TZ series of Unified Threat Management (UTM) firewalls is a perfect fit for both small and home offices, as well as distributed networks with remote sites. We’ve just expanded our lineup to include two new models: SOHO 250 and TZ350.

Similar to other TZ series firewalls, the new models consolidate all the security and networking capabilities a new site requires. They’re also really fast when it comes to processing packets moving across the network.

With multiple high-speed processors optimized for performance, these firewalls are built to deliver exceptionally fast deep packet inspection (DPI) throughput of both unencrypted and encrypted traffic.

For example, the SOHO 250 delivers a 50 percent increase in threat prevention throughput over the current SOHO, while the TZ350 provides a 25 percent increase over the TZ300, which is a workhouse in its own right.

Both include a wireless controller and optional integrated wireless connectivity. For extended wireless coverage, you can attach one of our SonicWave 4×4 or 2×2 802.11ac Wave 2 access points.

Zero-Touch Deployment for Firewalls

Of course, speed and security don’t get a new franchise up and running, especially if your new site is thousands of miles away from corporate.

You could send someone to each location to install and configure the firewalls locally, but that’s costly and time-consuming. Ideally, you would ship a new firewall to each site, have someone in the store or office plug it in, connect it to the internet and have a pre-defined configuration pushed to the device and it’s up and running.

Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that’s what happens with SonicWall Zero-Touch Deployment.

With SonicWall Secure SD-WAN and Zero-Touch Deployment, cloud-based deployment of remote firewalls is as simple as register, connect, power up and manage.

Available in the Capture Security Center, SonicWall’s cloud-based central management console, Zero-Touch Deployment simplifies the deployment and configuration of firewalls at remote sites.

Just register the new SOHO 250 or TZ350 firewalls, ship them to the new site, have someone power it up and connect the device to the internet. It’s now operational and manageable.

The configuration and policies you created can then be pushed to the firewall through Capture Security Center, which also enables cloud-based central management of the firewalls and wireless access points.

SonicOS 6.5.4: New Features & Enhancements

SOHO 250 and TZ350 series firewalls run SonicOS 6.5.4, the latest release of SonicWall’s operating system for our next-generation firewalls. SonicOS 6.5.4 includes over 25 new features and enhancements covering networking, security, wireless, authentication, logging and auditing, and more.

A key feature in SonicOS for organizations with remote and branch sites is Secure SD-WAN. Connecting sites to share business-critical cloud applications can be costly. Instead of relying on more expensive legacy WAN technologies like MPLS, organizations use Secure SD-WAN to connect sites through publicly available lower-cost internet services, such as broadband, cable and 3G/4G. They can then deliver SaaS-based applications to each location securely and reliably at a much lower price.

Whether your site is a small or home office, or it’s a franchise that’s part of a larger organization, SonicWall has a TZ series firewall that fits your needs and your budget.

SonicWall Wins Gold and Silver in Best in Biz Awards 2018

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SonicWall has been named a multiple winner in the 8th annual Best in Biz Awards, the only independent business awards program judged each year by prominent editors and reporters from top-tier publications in North America.

Best in Biz Awards 2018 honors were conferred in 70 award categories across five focus areas: company; department or team; executive; product; and CSR, media, PR and other categories. SonicWall received Best in Biz honors in in two categories, as a gold winner for the Most Innovative Product of the Year and a silver winner for the Support Department of the Year.

With the addition of the Best in Biz Awards, SonicWall has won 44 industry honors so far in 2018.

SonicWall’s Capture Cloud Platform took the gold award in the Most Innovative Product of the Year – SMB category. The Capture Cloud Platform combines the global security intelligence of the Capture Threat Network with the cloud-based management, reporting and analytics of the Capture Security Center and the advanced threat prevention of the multi-engine Capture ATP sandbox. This approach enables our complete portfolio of high-performance hardware, virtual appliances and clients to harness the power of the cloud.

SonicWall’s Global Support team, under the leadership of SVP and Chief Customer Success Officer Keith Trottier, was recognized with a silver award in the Support Department of the Year category. SonicWall is proud to provide dedicated, follow-the-sun service and support with global contact centers that are staffed 24/7 with technical support and customer service teams.

“All of the entries in the Service categories in this year’s Best in Biz Awards take the meaning of ‘service’ seriously – whether it is targeting individuals, companies or employees,” said Mari Edlin, Healthcare Innovation News, judging her third Best in Biz Awards competition. “Submissions represented an entirely new service, while others added an innovative touch to their other offerings, enhancing already existing, similar products. Hats off to everyone for keeping good service alive!”

Since 2011, winners in Best in Biz Awards have been determined based on scoring from independent judging panels deliberately composed each year of prominent editors and reporters from some of the most respected newspapers, TV outlets, and business, consumer, technology and trade publications in North America. Structured in this unique way, Best in Biz Awards is able to best leverage its distinguished judges’ unparalleled expertise, experience and objectivity to determine award winners from among the hundreds of entries. This year’s judging panel included writers and contributors to such publications as Associated Press, Barron’s, Consumer Affairs, eWeek, Forbes, Healthcare Innovation News, Inc., Investment Advisor Magazine, MediaPost, New York Post, New York Times, Ottawa Citizen and Wired.

For a full list of winners in Best in Biz Awards 2018, visit: http://www.bestinbizawards.com/2018-winners

About Best in Biz Awards

Since 2011, Best in Biz Awards has made its mark as the only independent business awards program judged each year by a who’s who of prominent reporters and editors selected from top-tier publications from North America and around the world. Over the years, Best in Biz Awards judges have ranged from Associated Press to the Wall Street Journal and winners have spanned the spectrum, from blue-chip companies that form the bedrock of the world economy to local companies and some of the most innovative start-ups. Best in Biz Awards honors are conferred in two separate programs: North America and International, and in 70 categories, including company, team, executive, product, and CSR, media, PR and other categories. For more information, visit: http://www.bestinbizawards.com.

September 2018 Cyber Threat Data: Ransomware Threats Double Monthly, Encrypted Threats Still Growing

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We’re into October and based on this year’s reports so far, the threat landscape is continuing to evolve and change as the global cyber arms race grows.

Phishing attacks continue to trend downwards, with September data showing the volume of attacks down 92 percent compared to the same time last year. The reasons for this decline are not 100 percent clear, but may be partly attributed to increased awareness as people are becoming more adept at identifying phony websites and sharing information about common scams.

While phishing is still a threat, particularly as the holiday season approaches, it appears that cyber criminals are continuing to favor attacks involving malware, ransomware, TLS/SSL encrypted attacks and intrusion attempts. SonicWall Capture Advanced Threat Protection sandbox, with Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMITM), has discovered 27,680 new attack variants this year, further evidence that cyber criminals are pursuing more sophisticated and coordinated methods of attack.

Globally, the SonicWall Capture Threat Network, which includes more than 1 million sensors across the world, recorded the following 2018 year-to-date attack data through September 2018:

  • 8.5 billion malware attacks (54 percent increase from 2017)
  • 2.9 trillion intrusion attempts (49 percent increase)
  • 262.4 million ransomware attacks (108 percent increase)
  • 1.9 million encrypted threats (56 percent increase)

In September 2018 alone, the average SonicWall customer faced:

  • 1,662 malware attacks (24 percent decrease from July 2017)
  • 791,015 intrusion attempts (19 percent increase)
  • 56 ransomware attacks (99 percent increase)
  • 70.9 encrypted threats (61 percent decrease)
  • 10 phishing attacks each day (92 percent decrease)

 SonicWall Capture Security Center

SonicWall cyber threat intelligence is available in the SonicWall Security Center, which provides a graphical view of the worldwide attacks over the last 24 hours, countries being attacked and geographic attack origins. This view illustrates the pace and speed of the cyber arms race.

The resource provides actionable cyber threat intelligence to help organizations identify the types of attacks they need to be concerned about so they can design and test their security posture ensure their networks, data, applications and customers are properly protected.

Get the Mid-Year Update

Dive into the latest cybersecurity trends and threat intelligence from SonicWall Capture Labs. The mid-year update to the 2018 SonicWall Cyber Threat Report explores how quickly the cyber threat landscape has evolved in just a few months.

GET THE UPDATE