Next-Generation Firewalls for SMBs: Sophos XGS 87 and Intercept X Advanced

In today’s digital landscape, small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) face an ever-increasing number of cyber threats. Traditional firewalls are no longer sufficient to protect against sophisticated attacks. This is where next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) come into play, offering advanced features to safeguard your network and data.

What is a Next-Generation Firewall?

A next-generation firewall (NGFW) is a critical component of modern network security, offering features that traditional firewalls lack. While traditional firewalls primarily filter traffic based on IP addresses, ports, and protocols, NGFWs provide deeper inspection and control at the application level. They can identify and block threats such as malware, ransomware, and advanced persistent threats (APTs) that traditional firewalls might miss.

Key features of NGFWs include:

• Application Awareness and Control: NGFWs can identify applications and control their traffic, regardless of the port or protocol used.
• Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): Detects and prevents attacks by analyzing network traffic for known attack patterns.
• Deep Packet Inspection (DPI): Examines the content of data packets to detect and block malicious content.
• Threat Intelligence: Uses real-time threat data to identify and block known malicious IP addresses and domains.
• SSL/TLS Inspection: Decrypts and inspects encrypted traffic to ensure that threats hidden within encrypted channels are detected.

For SMBs, NGFWs are crucial because they provide comprehensive protection against modern cyber threats without requiring extensive IT resources to manage.

Sophos XGS 87 Firewall: A High-Performance Next-Generation Firewall for SMBs

Sophos, a leader in cybersecurity, offers the XGS 87 Firewall, a next-generation firewall designed specifically for SMBs with 1-10 users. This firewall combines high-performance security with ease of use, making it an ideal choice for smaller businesses.

Key Features of Sophos XGS 87 Firewall

The Sophos XGS 87 Firewall is not just a firewall; it’s a comprehensive security solution that includes web filtering, intrusion prevention, email protection, and VPN support, all in one appliance. Its datasheet provides detailed specifications for those interested in exploring its capabilities further.

Advanced Protection with Sophos Central Intercept X Advanced for Server

To complement the Sophos XGS 87 Firewall, Sophos offers Sophos Central Intercept X Advanced for Server, a cloud-native security solution that protects servers from cyber threats.

Key Features of Sophos Central Intercept X Advanced for Server

Benefits

• Complete Server Protection: Defends against a wide range of cyber threats with next-generation antivirus and exploit prevention.
• Centralized Management: Manage all server protection policies and incidents from a single console in Sophos Central.
• Proactive Threat Detection: Identifies and neutralizes threats before they can cause harm.
• 24/7 Security Monitoring: Sophos MDR team continuously monitors servers, reducing the IT burden.
• Application Whitelisting: Enhances security by ensuring only trusted applications run.
• Active Adversary Mitigations: Proactively stops active attacks, keeping your business secure.

This solution is subscription-based, with flexible plans (1, 12, 24, or 36 months) priced at $17.49 USD, supporting Windows Server, Linux distributions, and containerized environments. Learn more in its datasheet.

Why Choose Sophos for Your SMB's Security Needs?

Sophos has a long-standing reputation for providing top-tier cybersecurity solutions. Here’s why Sophos is the best choice for your SMB:

• Expertise: With years of experience, Sophos understands the evolving threat landscape and provides solutions that keep pace with it.
• Ease of Use: Sophos products are designed to be user-friendly, making them accessible for businesses with limited IT resources.
• Centralized Control: Sophos Central allows you to manage all security solutions from a single console, simplifying administration.
• Scalability: Sophos solutions scale with your business, whether you’re a small startup or a growing enterprise.
• Comprehensive Protection: From next-generation firewalls to endpoint protection, Sophos provides a full suite of security tools.

Conclusion

Next-generation firewalls are essential for SMBs to protect against modern cyber threats. The Sophos XGS 87 Firewall, combined with Sophos Central Intercept X Advanced for Server, offers a powerful and comprehensive security solution that is both high-performing and easy to manage. Investing in a next-generation firewall like the Sophos XGS 87 is a proactive step towards securing your SMB. 

For more insights, read our recent blog post: Why Sophos Central Intercept X Advanced is the Best Endpoint Protection Platform in 2025