Sophos XGS firewall: sized, deployed, and managed by an authorised UAE partner.

XGS is the current-generation hardware (released 2021+) with a new Xstream architecture that adds a dedicated Flow Processor for TLS decryption and deep packet inspection. The result is 3 to 5 times better SSL inspection performance vs the XG generation. Software is Sophos Firewall OS, which runs on both, so configuration knowledge transfers. The XG line is end-of-sale for new hardware; replacement is XGS.

Both are credible. Sophos wins for businesses adopting the Sophos ecosystem (Intercept X endpoint, MTR, Sophos Central management) because Synchronized Security delivers real operational value. Fortinet wins for businesses already on FortiClient or where FortiManager-scale management is required. For most UAE mid-market the difference comes down to which ecosystem your team will commit to operating; we deliver both and will quote both honestly.

Standard Protection covers IPS, anti-malware, web filtering, web application firewall. Xstream Protection adds TLS 1.3 inspection at scale, Sandstorm sandboxing, network detection and response. For compliance-driven industries (financial services, healthcare, regulated trading) Xstream is the right tier. For general SMB, Standard is often sufficient. We assess during the sizing phase.

Sophos MTR (Managed Threat Response) is a 24/7 threat-hunting service delivered by a Sophos analyst team. They monitor Sophos firewall, endpoint, server, email, cloud telemetry and respond to confirmed threats inside agreed parameters. Worth it for businesses without an internal SOC and especially for those operating across UAE time zones. We integrate MTR with our own local SOC for hybrid coverage where Sophos handles 24/7 detection and we handle UAE-business-hours remediation.

Yes, via the ZTNA module included in Xstream Protection. ZTNA is identity-aware and per-application, so remote workers get access only to the specific apps they need, not the whole network. Integrates with Entra ID for SSO and conditional access. We have migrated UAE clients from legacy SSL-VPN to Sophos ZTNA over a 4 to 6 week project; the security posture improvement is real.

Sophos XGS supports active-passive HA from XGS 107 upward and active-active from XGS 2100 upward. For business-critical deployments we recommend HA with a second unit. Failover is sub-second, sessions preserved. We also stock spare hardware at our Business Bay office for emergency swaps.

Sophos firewall covers a meaningful portion of NESA, DFSA, ADGM, NESA controls around network security, segmentation, intrusion detection, and audit logging. SophosLabs threat intelligence covers known UAE-relevant attack patterns. For PDPL-aligned data flow controls, Sophos firewall combined with Microsoft Purview DLP gives full network plus data-classification coverage. We document the control mapping during deployment.

Sophos XGS hardware is designed for 5 to 7 years of service. Sophos publishes end-of-sale and end-of-support dates; we track these and proactively flag refresh timing 12 months ahead. Software upgrades (Sophos Firewall OS major versions) are delivered free under active subscription. Hardware refresh typically aligns to firewall capacity needing to grow beyond the current model.

Yes. Common migrations we handle: Cisco ASA, Fortinet FortiGate, Palo Alto, Check Point, older Sophos XG. Policy translation, VPN rebuild, SSL certificate handling, log retention. Typical migration is 3 to 5 days of engineering work plus one overnight cutover. We have done 40+ migrations to Sophos in the UAE.

Annual subscription per appliance: Standard Protection or Xstream Protection bundle, optional Premium support (24/7 vs business hours), optional MTR. Hardware is one-time. AED invoicing with TRN, VAT, FTA compliant. Renewal handled by us under Cloud Solution Provider, not direct from Sophos. No FX exposure on renewal.