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Migrating from Sophos Firewall XG to XGS Series

In the world of cybersecurity, solutions are continuously adapting to counter increasingly sophisticated threats. If you are currently using a Sophos XG firewall, it might be time to consider upgrading to the Sophos XGS series, which offers enhanced performance, improved security, and simplified management. In this blog, we’ll explore the reasons for and steps to migrate from XG to XGS to strengthen your security strategy.

Why Upgrade from XG to XGS?

1. Superior Performance

The XGS firewalls incorporate the Xstream processing engine, designed to handle modern workloads with dedicated hardware acceleration. This ensures faster processing of both encrypted and unencrypted traffic without compromising security.

2. Enhanced Security

With advanced TLS (Transport Layer Security) inspection capabilities, this new serie efficiently manages encrypted connections, providing increased visibility and protection against hidden threats.

3. Future-Proof Flexibility

This new serie is designed to expand to meet your demands. Whether managing higher traffic volumes, integrating advanced cybersecurity tools, or adopting approaches like Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), these firewalls are designed to keep up with future demands.

4. Simplified Migration

Sophos offers migration tools and detailed guides to ease the transition, allowing you to quickly transfer your existing XG configurations to XGS devices.

Steps for a Successful Migration to XGS

1. Using Sophos Migration Tools

Key Steps with Sophos Tools:

  • Backup Your Current XG Configuration: First, export a complete backup through the administration interface.
  • Import to XGS: Use the Sophos migration assistant to import the configuration to your new XGS firewall.
  • Validation: Review the migrated settings and make adjustments if needed, especially to leverage the new features of the new serie (such as advanced TLS inspection).

2. Manual Migration for Custom Configuration

If your network infrastructure is complex or you wish to completely rethink your security strategy, manual migration might be a better fit.

Recommended Process:

  1. Complete Audit of Rules and Policies: Identify outdated or inefficient elements.
  2. Recreate Network Objects: Configure new objects directly on the XGS firewall using the intuitive interface.
  3. Step-by-Step Testing: After configuring critical parameters, test with a subset of traffic before a full switchover.

3. Assistance from a Certified Partner

To ensure a seamless migration, seeking help from a certified Sophos partner can be an excellent option. As we are a recognized partner, we offer the expertise and tools needed to:

  • Evaluate your needs, both present and future.
  • Design a tailored migration strategy.
  • Manage the entire process, from configuration transfer to post-migration validation.

4. Training and Post-Migration Support

Evaluate your needs, both present and future:

  • Train your IT team on the new features of the XGS series.
  • Set up monitoring tools via Sophos Central for simplified security management.
  • Document the new configurations to ensure effective follow-up.

Key Features of the XGS Series

  • Accelerated TLS Inspection: Efficiently handle encrypted traffic with the Xstream engine.
  • Protection Against Advanced Threats: Leverage advanced behavior analysis, malware detection, and ransomware protection.
  • Simplified Integration with Sophos Central: Manage your firewall and other Sophos solutions seamlessly from a single console.

Get in Touch Today!

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Author

NAAMI Oumaima