Sophos vs Cyberoam Firewall: Difference and Comparison

Key Takeaways

1. Ownership and Integration: Cyberoam Technologies, initially a separate company that developed UTM (Unified Threat Management) appliances including firewalls, was acquired by Sophos in 2014. Post-acquisition, Sophos has incorporated Cyberoam’s features into its own product lineup. Therefore, Cyberoam’s technologies continue to exist but are now part of the broader Sophos product suite.
2. Feature Set and Capabilities: Both Sophos and Cyberoam firewalls provide a robust set of security features, including VPN support, deep packet inspection, intrusion prevention systems, and web filtering. However, since the integration, Sophos firewalls benefit from additional functionalities such as synchronized security with other Sophos products, cloud management capabilities, and enhanced machine learning capabilities for threat detection.
3. Support and Updates: Given the integration, the support and updates for standalone Cyberoam products have been gradually transitioned to Sophos. This means that for users with existing Cyberoam appliances, Sophos would be the go-to for continued support and updates. For new installations, Sophos’s range of firewalls, influenced by Cyberoam’s feature set, would be the primary offering.

What is Sophos?

Sophos is a cybersecurity company that specializes in providing a wide range of security solutions to protect computers, networks, and data from various online threats. The company was founded in 1985 and has since grown to become a well-known player in the cybersecurity industry.

Sophos offers a comprehensive suite of security products and services, including endpoint protection, network security, encryption, email security, mobile security, and web security. These solutions are designed to defend against malware, ransomware, phishing attacks, data breaches, and other cyber threats.

What is Cyberoam Firewall?

Cyberoam Firewall is a network security appliance developed by Cyberoam Technologies, which is now part of Sophos. It is designed to provide comprehensive network security and threat protection for organizations of all sizes. Cyberoam Firewall offers a wide range of security features and capabilities to secure networks and prevent unauthorized access, malware attacks, and data breaches.

Cyberoam Firewall acts as a network firewall, enforcing security policies and controlling traffic between different network segments. It monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic to prevent unauthorized access and protect against threats. The firewall includes an IPS module that detects and blocks network-based attacks, such as intrusion attempts, malicious code, and vulnerability exploits. It uses signature-based and behavior-based detection techniques to identify and prevent known and unknown threats.

Difference Between Sophos and Cyberoam Firewall

1. Sophos and Cyberoam were separate companies until Cyberoam was acquired by Sophos in 2014. Since then, Cyberoam’s technology has been integrated into Sophos’ product portfolio. Cyberoam Firewall is now part of the Sophos XG Firewall offering, combining the strengths of both solutions.
2. While both Sophos and Cyberoam firewalls provide user-friendly interfaces, the management consoles and interfaces may differ in terms of design and layout. However, with the integration of Cyberoam into Sophos, the management interface of the Sophos XG Firewall has incorporated some features and elements from the Cyberoam interface.
3. Cyberoam was known for its focus on providing network security appliances, including firewalls, while Sophos is a larger cybersecurity company offering a broader range of security solutions beyond firewalls. Sophos has a strong presence in the global cybersecurity market, serving both individuals and organizations.
4. While there may be some overlap in features and capabilities, the specific functionalities and advanced capabilities of Sophos and Cyberoam firewalls may differ. The integration of Cyberoam technology into Sophos XG Firewall has resulted in an expanded feature set that incorporates the strengths of both solutions.
5. Both Sophos and Cyberoam provide technical support and regular updates for their firewall products. However, as Cyberoam has been integrated into Sophos, ongoing support and updates for the Cyberoam Firewall are now offered as part of the broader Sophos product ecosystem.

Comparison Between Sophos and Cyberoam Firewall

Parameters of Comparison	Sophos	Cyberoam Firewall
Threat Intelligence	Includes SophosLabs threat intelligence, which provides real-time updates and protection against the latest threats.	Utilizes a comprehensive global threat intelligence network to provide up-to-date protection against emerging threats.
Cloud Integration	Offers cloud-based management and deployment options, such as Sophos Central, for centralized control and visibility across multiple firewall instances.	Provides cloud integration options for management and reporting, allowing administrators to manage firewalls from a centralized cloud console.
Advanced Security Features	Includes advanced features like Sandboxing, Deep Learning AI, and Machine Learning to detect and prevent sophisticated threats.	Offers advanced security features such as Intrusion Prevention System (IPS), Gateway Anti-Virus/Anti-Malware, and Web Application Firewall (WAF) to protect against network and application-layer attacks.
Scalability	Supports scalability with a range of models suitable for small businesses to large enterprises, providing options to meet diverse network requirements.	Offers scalable solutions that cater to the needs of small businesses as well as large organizations, ensuring flexibility as networks expand.
Reporting and Analytics	Provides comprehensive reporting and analytics capabilities, enabling administrators to gain insights into network activity, security events, and compliance.	Offers robust reporting and analytics features that allow administrators to monitor and analyze network traffic, user behavior, and security events for effective threat detection and management.

References

1. https://search.proquest.com/openview/5e0eac9cffcefbdd041f03cc9caf4adc/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=18750&casa_token=karTzbF7i-EAAAAA:sfg3b5a9nWB2JRsgS_2EQN0G2wkGv6wMevpL97oACQvfxfctYWJ3Cth_bVUKcRipkO85rj6lRbQ
2. https://dl.acm.org/doi/abs/10.1145/3133956.3134007

Last Updated : 19 August, 2023