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12 New Products Usher in SonicWall’s Expansion into Mid-Tier Enterprise Market

It’s been just 20 months.

And in that short time as an independent company, SonicWall employees, customers and partners have accomplished so much together. Our short-term mission was to rebuild the SonicWall brand, launch new and advanced cyber security solutions and services in the SMB space, and bring our global partner community back home.

SonicWall, it’s good to have you back.

Now that our heart, soul and technology are deeply rooted in protecting organizations in the SMB space, we feel it’s time to focus on another segment we serve: the mid-tier enterprise market, where we are the No. 5 player, according to Gartner.

That’s why today we announced a focused technology, security and partner mission to deliver network security solutions that align with the performance, security efficacy and high availability required by the modern mid-tier enterprise.

But we’re also focusing on disrupting the market with our Capture Cloud Platform, which brings together network, endpoint and application security with management, reporting, analytics and visual cyber threat intelligence.

“SonicWall is ensuring network security is available via bundles designed with the requirements of mid-tier enterprises in mind.”

This will usher in a new cost structure with an assertive total cost of ownership (TCO) offering via our Capture Security Center, Capture Client endpoint protection and our new NSa series high availability (HA) offerings.

In fact, most of our competitors still require a full-price purchase of the failover firewall unit, as well as full subscription services after the first year. We don’t think that’s right. And it certainly doesn’t make much business sense.

So, SonicWall wants to ensure two things:

  • Network security is available via bundles designed with the requirements of mid-tier enterprises in mind.
  • It’s easy for mid-tier enterprises to do business with our SecureFirst partners.

What’s New from SonicWall

All told, this platform announcement includes 12 new products, updates or enhancements. And we couldn’t be more excited to share this innovation with you. Please explore each in detail. We will have detailed blogs on many of the new and updated products in the coming days.

  • Capture Cloud Platform — Expanded for mid-tier enterprises and now delivers integrated cloud-scale management and true end-to-end security that protects networks, email, endpoints, mobile and remote users. This all-in-one approach enables our complete portfolio of high-performance hardware, virtual appliances and clients to harness the power, agility and scalability of the cloud.
  • Capture Security Center — Fully enhanced to deliver a unified security governance, compliance and risk management strategy. Improve security outcomes from the firewall to the endpoint with integrated threat intelligence between the SonicWall Capture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) sandbox service, Capture Client endpoint protection and SentinelOne threat databases.
  • Capture Client 1.5 — Now integrated with the SonicWall Capture ATP sandbox service. Suspicious files that Capture Client gives a moderate threat score (but not high enough to merit an alert), may be automatically uploaded for analysis.
  • New NSa Next-Generation Firewalls — Replacing the SuperMassive 9200, 9400 and 9600 models, our new NSa 6650, 9250, 9450 and 9650 series deliver elite levels of performance, security efficacy and high availability for mid-tier enterprises — all with industry-low TCO.
  • New NSsp 12000 Next-Generation Firewalls — A brand new product line, the new NSsp 12400 and 12800 series next-generation firewalls align with advanced requirements of service providers and data centers and are capable of scanning millions of connections for the latest cyber threats.
  • Cloud App Security — Cloud-based security service that enables organizations to secure SaaS application usage and reduce risk of shadow IT. The solution provides functionality similar to Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) offerings to deliver real-time visibility and control of applications being used by employees.
  • Analytics — Available in cloud-hosted or on-premise options, SonicWall Analytics provides network analysts, security operations engineers and incident responders deeper visibility into network traffic, threat information and cross-product insights to perform network forensics, security analysis and threat hunting for businesses, organizations and managed service providers (MSP) of all sizes.
  • SonicOS 6.5.2 — Adds 40 new security features to better secure wired, wireless and mobile network environments. It offers more dynamic defenses against modern zero-day threats, including attacks hidden within encrypted traffic, absolute control of application traffic without compromising performance and availability, and optimal wireless user experiences regardless of location.
  • Secure Mobile Access (SMA) 1000 Series 12.2 — Delivers consolidated access management and eliminates bad password habits with federated SSO to cloud and on-premise applications. Adds Always-On VPN for Windows devices for seamless and secure access from any location.
  • SMA 100 Series 9.0 — Integrates with Capture ATP to block malicious file uploads from remote users. Adds Always-On VPN for Windows devices for seamless and secure access from any location.
  • Email Security 9.2 — Blocks and quarantines messages with malicious URLs before they reach the inbox. Integrates with Google’s G Suite to provide advanced threat protection, strong data loss prevention and compliance engine, and email continuity.
  • Global Management System (GMS) 8.6 — Upgrades authentication measures with strict enforcement of password complexity and account lockout policies before granting access to its management platform. This protects against automated brute-force attacks (e.g., password spray campaigns). Update also adds management and provisioning support for the new NSa series firewalls running the latest SonicOS 6.5.2 and the “Firewall Sandwich” solution.

Enhancing our Go-to-Market Strategy

Fundamental to the release of these new enterprise-focused products and services is the strengthening of SonicWall go-to-market focus and resources. SonicWall will engage with organizations in key verticals, including retail, K12 and higher education, and state, local and federal government. SonicWall will also continue to focus on its partnership with Dell while building and expanding relationships with MSSPs.

To our existing customers, vendors and partners, thank you for making SonicWall what it is today. We can’t wait to see what we do next together.

To our future customers, trust us to protect what’s most important to you: your business, data and livelihood. Contact one of our cybersecurity experts to learn how our automated, real-time breach detection and prevention platform can protect your organization from both known and unknown cyberattacks in the fast-moving cyber arms race.

A New Cyber Security Certification: SonicWall Network Security Administrator Course

SonicWall has spent the last 12 months deeply focused on training and enablement for our partners, customers and employees. Based on student feedback and market requirements, the company’s Education Services Organization is introducing the SonicWall Network Security Administrator (SNSA) course; a completely new training course and certification exam that will replace the Network Security Basic Administration (NSBA) class.

The SNSA training curriculum is designed to teach students specific SonicWall network security technology. The course will provide students with the skills to successfully implement and configure SonicWall firewall appliances and security services.

Improvements included with SNSA:

  • Two days of instructor-led classroom training, with 80 percent hands-on labs and 20 percent lecture
  • Six hours of online learning modules, which may be completed before or after the classroom portion
  • Based on the recently released SonicOS 6.5 firmware
  • Generic network security theory is removed and provided in supplemental training material

Consistent SonicWall training across the globe

To support the launch of the SNSA course, SonicWall Education Services is also launching a new Authorized Training Partner (ATP) strategy to enhance consistency in the delivery of training content and guidance. This new strategy encompasses:

  • Coverage provided by three global strategic training partners, augmented by key regional partners
  • Global fulfillment of materials and virtual labs via a single strategic training partner
  • Price adaptation to fit local-market currencies and demand
  • SonicWall global ATP managers to ensure content, delivery and lab experience are consistent worldwide
  • Proctoring service to ensure certification authenticity for both students and sponsoring partners

What happened to Network Security Basic Administration (NSBA)?

For the last 10 years, SonicWall offered a series of technical certification courses to its partners, customers and employees. The core certification training was focused on foundational understanding of network security, particularly basic administration found in the SonicWall Network Security Basic Administration (NSBA) course.

With a focus on training network security administrators, NSBA provided students with a broad overview of network security technology and the skills needed to configure and administer a basic SonicWall firewall appliance.

While this course satisfied initial learning objectives, student feedback indicated the content was not sufficient to meet the needs of deeper skillsets (e.g., installation, management and troubleshooting). Students left the course feeling they needed additional in-depth technical training and expertise.

In addition, due to a widespread number of ATPs around the world, student experience varied by geography and instructor. The changes to the course and the improvement of the ATP strategy ensure SonicWall will deliver best-in-class technical training to its partners and customers.

For individuals who completed the NSBA exam and hold a current CSSA certification, SonicWall will continue to acknowledge these important certifications through March 2020. Students wishing to re-certify an expiring CSSA certification will, however, be required to complete the new SNSA course and certification.

To enroll in the new SNSA program, students may access the newly launched external SonicWall University site.

SonicWall Security Certification Courses

SonicWall offers other training and certification courses to support the needs of our partners, customers and employees. These include:

Network Security Advanced Administration (NSAA) Course

Designed to further enhance an individual’s network security technical skills, the NSAA course is available to students who have achieved either the CSSA or the SNSA certification.

This two-day, instructor-led course provides students with the latest information on application control, bandwidth management, troubleshooting and advanced networking. Completion of this course prepares students to complete the Certified SonicWall Security Professional (CSSP) certification exam.

Secure Mobile Access Basic Administration (SMABA) Course

The SMABA course provides students with the technical skills necessary to administer and manage SonicWall Secure Mobile Access (SMA) appliances.

The SMABA course covers the use of Appliance Management Control to provide secure access — to any application from any network — based on secure authentication and authorization policies. Completion of this course prepares students for the Certified SonicWall Security Administration (CSSA-SMABA) certification exam.

Secure Mobile Access Advanced Administration (SMAAA) Course

Recommended for engineers or administrators of SonicWall SMA devices installed in larger networks, the SMAAA course provides students with in-depth technical training covering deployment options, authentication and authorization policies and troubleshooting.

Completion of this course prepares students for the Certified SonicWall Security Professional (CSSP-SMAAA) certification exam.

SonicWall SMA OS 8.6 Delivers Seamless Remote Access Using Web-based Access Methods

Smartphones, laptops and internet connectivity have become necessities of life. We move around with powerful computing devices in our pockets or backpacks. This “on-the-go” lifestyle has transformed the way we work. Employees today want on demand access to resources and the ability to be productive from anywhere.  Organizations too are embracing cloud and mobile, and allowing employees to use their personal devices for work. This is a win-win situation for employees and organizations but also a big challenge for IT departments. IT has the daunting task of providing secure access to corporate resources without exposing risks such as:

  • Unauthorized users gaining access to company networks and systems from lost or stolen devices
  • Malware and ransomware infected devices acting as a conduit to infect company systems
  • Interception of company data in-flight on unsecured public WiFi networks
  • Loss of business data stored on devices if rogue personal apps or unauthorized users gain access to that data
  • The ability to react as quickly as possible to minimize the window of exposure before an attacker can potentially cripple the organization

To address these risks and empower IT, SonicWall Access Security (SMA) solutions with policy-enforced SSL VPN deliver seamless remote access with the highest standards of security. SMA OS 8.6 expands the feature set on the Secure Mobile Access (SMA) 100 Series appliances with enhanced security and intuitive features that deliver the best experience for remote access.

  • Microsoft RD Web Access integration – Admins can now select to offload applications on the RD Web Access portal, onto any web browser. This new feature provides users with seamless access to remote desktops and applications through web browsers.
  • Enhanced security – SMA uses an in-house connect agent to establish a secure connection for RD Web Access without needing to set up a VPN tunnel. The agent has no dependency on Java or Active X.
  • Driverless printer redirection –Print files from remote desktops seamlessly, just like printing a local file. Files on remote desktops can be published as a PDF on your local machine and can be printed locally.
  • Modernized UI – A refreshed UI that is even more intuitive for users and admins. The firmware conforms to the new SonicWall branding guidelines.

Customers with an active support contract can download SonicWall SMA OS 8.6  from mysonicwall.com.