Home | Partners | Sophos partner | Sophos Firewall
Sophos Firewall
Sophos Firewall is a next-generation firewall that protects your network at the edge, with intrusion prevention, web filtering, SD-WAN, and a built-in zero trust gateway in one appliance. 4iT specifies, deploys, and manages it for Sydney SMEs, tuned to your network rather than dropped in with default settings. It is managed from the same Sophos Central console as the rest of your security.
Sydney MSP
Greater Sydney, NSW
- Microsoft Partner
- Sophos Partner
- Ubiquiti Partner
SD-WAN
built in — automatic failover across internet links
ZTNA built in
replace legacy VPN for remote staff
Key facts
- Sophos Firewall combines intrusion prevention, web and app filtering, VPN, and SD-WAN in a single device.
- A zero trust (ZTNA) gateway is built in, so remote staff can reach internal apps without a traditional VPN.
- Security Heartbeat links the firewall to Sophos endpoints, so a compromised device is isolated automatically.
- It is managed in the cloud from Sophos Central, with zero-touch deployment to new sites.
- Sophos Firewall has been ranked the number one overall firewall solution by G2 users across multiple 2026 reports.
What makes a next-gen firewall different from a basic one?
A next-generation firewall inspects traffic by application and user, not just by port and IP address, and adds protections like intrusion prevention, web filtering, and encrypted traffic inspection. In plain terms, it understands what is actually flowing across your network and can block threats that a basic router-grade firewall waves straight through. Sophos Firewall also reports on user and application activity, so you can see who is doing what rather than guessing.
How does Security Heartbeat work?
Security Heartbeat is the live link between Sophos Firewall and Sophos endpoints. The firewall and the devices on your network share a continuous health signal, so when an endpoint detects a threat, the firewall can automatically cut that device off from the rest of the network until it is clean. This is the firewall side of Synchronized Security, and it is the main reason we recommend running the firewall and endpoints from the same vendor. (We have seen it stop a problem on one machine from becoming a problem for the whole office.)
Does the firewall handle multiple sites and remote workers?
Yes. Built-in SD-WAN manages multiple internet links with automatic failover, which matters for businesses that cannot afford to drop offline. The built-in ZTNA gateway, part of Sophos Workspace Protection, gives remote and hybrid staff secure access to internal applications without a clunky VPN. If you are weighing connectivity options for multiple offices, our explainer on SD-WAN versus MPLS for Australian SMEs is worth a read.
Can you get a Sophos Firewall as a service?
Yes. Sophos Firewall is available as a service through Sophos Firewall Hardware as a Service (HWaaS), which delivers the XGS Series appliance on a monthly fee instead of an upfront purchase. The monthly price bundles the hardware, standard shipping, and the Xstream Protection subscription into one recurring cost, so there is no capital outlay to get a new firewall in place. 4iT delivers Sophos Firewall this way for Sydney SMEs that would rather treat their firewall as an operating cost than a capital project.
The technology is identical to buying the appliance outright. You get the same next-gen protection, the same SD-WAN and built-in ZTNA gateway, and the same management from Sophos Central. What changes is the commercial model: a fixed monthly fee, an initial twelve-month term, and then month-to-month billing, with the hardware refresh handled as part of the service rather than landing as a fresh capital quote in a few years. If the upfront cost has been the thing stalling your firewall replacement, this is the way around it. We cover the full picture on our Firewall as a Service page.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your number of users, internet speed, and which protections you turn on, since inspection has a performance cost. We size the appliance to your actual traffic with headroom to spare, rather than selling you the biggest box or one that will choke under load.
For most remote access, yes. The built-in ZTNA gateway gives least-privilege access to specific applications, which is more secure and easier to manage than a traditional VPN that exposes the whole network. We often phase out legacy VPNs this way.
Yes. Through Sophos Firewall Hardware as a Service, you get the XGS appliance on a monthly fee that includes the hardware, shipping, and the Xstream Protection subscription, with no upfront purchase. It runs on an initial twelve-month term and then continues month to month. We deliver Sophos Firewall this way for businesses that prefer a predictable operating cost over a capital purchase.
We manage it. That includes firmware updates, rule changes, monitoring, and tuning over time. A firewall is not a set-and-forget device, and an out-of-date or misconfigured one is a liability rather than a protection.
If your firewall is ageing, unmanaged, or you are not sure what it is actually doing, we can help. Call 4iT on 1800 367 448 for a straight assessment.
Ready to Talk to a Sydney IT Specialist?
4iT Support covers SMEs across Greater Sydney including the Hills District, North Shore, Parramatta, and the CBD. No lock-in contracts. Straight answers.