Sophos Secure Access Portfolio

Description

The Sophos Secure Access Portfolio is an integrated suite of networking hardware and cloud-managed security solutions that connects hybrid workforces, remote branch offices, and corporate campus networks.

Key Features of the Sophos Secure Access Portfolio

Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)

ZTNA features replace outdated client VPNs by granting remote workers strict, least-privilege access to specific private applications rather than the entire network. It constantly checks users’ identities with multi-factor authentication and checks the security health of the endpoint before allowing connections.

Cloud-Managed Switches

Cloud-managed switches provide 1 GbE, 2.5 GbE, and 10 GbE access layer switching options with Power over Ethernet (PoE) support to power security cameras, IP phones, and wireless access points. The administrators configure VLANs, disable unused ports, and monitor switch health remotely from Sophos Central.

AP6 Series Wi-Fi 6/6E Access Points

Provides high-speed (up to 1,000 Mbps) indoor and outdoor wireless connectivity, multi-band support, and automatic RF management. Wireless networks can be segmented using multiple SSIDs, dedicated guest networks, and can be directly connected to Synchronized Security to isolate infected wireless clients automatically.

SD-RED Remote Ethernet Devices

Provides corporate-wide network extension to small offices, retail kiosks, or remote industrial locations without local IT personnel. The SD-RED hardware establishes automatic encrypted Layer 2 VPN tunnels back to an SD-RED central Sophos Firewall (zero-touch provisioning).

Synchronized Security Integration

Enables real-time health telemetry to be shared between all switches, access points, endpoints, and firewalls. If the endpoint detects malware, the access point or switch port can quarantine the infected endpoint as soon as it is detected, thus blocking lateral spread within the internal LAN.

Unified Single-Pane Administration

Avoids the need to use several vendor management portals. Switch VLANs, Wi-Fi SSIDs, ZTNA access rules, and remote SD-RED tunnels are all managed via a single Sophos Central dashboard.

Sophos Secure Access Component Breakdown

Common Use Cases

The multi-location logistics company with three distribution centres and multiple offices on site in the GCC, based in Dubai, UAE, was experiencing slow VPN connections to its headquarters and had no visibility into the remote warehouses’ switches. Netmate IT Services overhauled their network with the Sophos Secure Access Portfolio. Netmate deployed the Sophos 200 Series switches to support the IP surveillance cameras, the AP6 access points throughout the warehouse floors, and connected remote sites with SD-RED appliances.

Their IT team had complete control over their network and was able to use Sophos Central for remote support, saving a lot of time. A financial advisory company in Kathmandu, Nepal, had to remove security threats associated with their typical SSL VPN accounts from 120 hybrid staff. Internal file servers were vulnerable to threats as employees used their own laptops, which were not subject to health checks.

Netmate moved the agency to Sophos ZTNA. Netmate deployed app gateways and user-verified apps and also introduced device health checks. Internal Web apps and financial databases can now be accessed by remote workers using their standard browsers, but without opening full tunnel access to the central office network.

Real-World Deployment Scenarios Executed by Netmate

• Zero Trust Remote Access Migration: Moving away from the legacy VPN concentrator to Sophos ZTNA gateways for identity-based access control.
• SD-Branch Campus Rollout: Roll out Sophos switches, AP6 wireless points, and firewalls across regional branches from a single portal.
• Zero-Touch Remote Office Connectivity: Easily and securely connect site offices to headquarters without local IT setup.
• Automated Network Quarantine Setup: Configure Sophos Switch and AP6 integration to drop compromised devices off internal VLANs automatically. 

Why Partner with Netmate IT Services for Secure Access Deployment?

Proper network design, VLAN segmentation, firewall rule alignment and wireless site surveys are all required for deployment of secure access solutions. Netmate Information Technology Services offers end-to-end IT infrastructure consultancy, hardware procurement, configuration & support services for the full range of Sophos products. Netmate is based at Al-Riffa Plaza, Office No. 703/704, Bur Dubai, UAE, and serves clients all over Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, Kenya, and Nepal.

Our team is made up of a group of 20+ certified cybersecurity engineers and 20+ presales cybersecurity consultants and there are more than 100 experts with proven and hands-on experience in LAN, WAN, and Zero Trust implementations. Netmate allows you to manage any network hardware, including upgrading old campus switches, securing remote employees, connecting regional branch offices, and more, and ensuring you have the right configuration from the outset.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What products make up the Sophos Secure Access Portfolio?

The portfolio includes Sophos ZTNA, Sophos Switch Series, Sophos AP6 Wireless Access Points, Sophos SD-RED devices, and Xstream SD-WAN tools, all managed via Sophos Central.

2. Why is Sophos ZTNA better than a traditional remote access VPN?

ZTNA operates on zero trust principles, granting access only to specific applications rather than the whole network. It also checks user identity and device health before allowing connections, minimizing the attack surface.

3. How does zero-touch provisioning work on Sophos SD-RED devices?

You plug the SD-RED device into power and an internet connection at the remote site. It automatically connects to the cloud, pulls its setup profile from your Sophos Central account, and creates a secure tunnel back to your firewall.

4. Can Sophos switches be managed without a physical controller on-site?

Yes. Sophos switches are cloud-managed directly through Sophos Central, eliminating the cost and complexity of hardware wireless/switch controllers.

5. How does Netmate assist with deployment across multiple countries?

Netmate handles regional hardware supply, staging, configuration, site surveys, and ongoing support contracts across the UAE, GCC, Kenya, and Nepal.