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Newsroom SonicWall Turns 30: Cybersecurity Pioneer Marks Three Decades of Innovation

SonicWall Turns 30: Cybersecurity Pioneer Marks Three Decades of Innovation

Cybersecurity veteran reflects on the vision, people, technology, customers and partners who shaped the company across three decades

MILPITAS, Calif. — Aug. 10, 2021 — SonicWall today announces its 30th anniversary as a cybersecurity industry leader. Throughout August, the company will celebrate its heritage, product innovation, channel DNA and the many cybersecurity innovators who have helped support and transform it into the SonicWall it is today.

“Innovation and adaptability are key components to successfully evolving cybersecurity strategy through the ebb and flow of the fast-moving threat landscape,” said SonicWall President and CEO Bill Conner. “SonicWall has proven across three decades that its mission is securing the long-term success of its customers, partners and employees. While the last five years were important chapters in this journey, we have more goals to achieve, milestones to mark and history to be made. SonicWall is always forward-looking. And that’s how the company — and its people — has been a mainstay in the industry for more than 30 years.”

To commemorate this milestone achievement, the company will honor long-term employees and celebrate those who have deep tenure. Throughout the month of August, SonicWall will feature pictures from the company, people, products, partners and customers over the course of three decades via the #SonicWall30 social media campaign. Throwback Thursdays will be reserved for contests and stories depicting SonicWall’s past and future.

The SonicWall story
Founded in 1991 by brothers Sreekanth and Sudhakar Ravi as Sonic Systems, a provider of networking solutions for Apple computers, the company’s focus was to provide organizations of all sizes with firewall technology that was as affordable as it was effective. The first security appliance for small- to mid-sized businesses (SMB) — the Interpol –— was released in October 1997 and shortly thereafter renamed ‘SonicWALL’ in 1998. One year later, the company issued its initial public offering (IPO) and was rebranded SonicWALL.

After being held by private equity firm Thoma Bravo and sold to Dell in 2012, the company rebranded as ‘SonicWall’ in 2016 and now resides as part of Francisco Partners’ portfolio.

SonicWall milestones at a glance

  • 1991: Sonic Systems founded by brothers Sreekanth and Sudhakar Ravi
  • 1991: Company’s first product, an Ethernet card for the NuBus and SE expansion slots, shipped
  • 1992: Apple OEMs relied on Sonic System’s software for connecting LocalTalk to Ethernet
  • 1995: Sonic Systems released first internet appliance product, the QuickStream/3, a three-port multi-protocol remote access server
  • 1997: First security appliance ships; first named Interpol and later rebranded as ‘SonicWALL,’ the product delivered SMBs a secure, affordable and easy-to-administer firewall/NAT solution
  • 1999: Company renamed ‘SonicWALL,’ issued IPO under ‘SNWL’ symbol
  • 2002: Company shipped 250,000th unit
  • 2005: Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) program announced
  • 2007: First patent (SWUS-001 – U.S. Patent No. 7,158,986) granted
  • 2010: Company eclipses 1 million units shipped
  • 2016: Bill Conner named President and CEO after company acquired by Francisco Partners
  • 2016: SecureFirst partner program introduced
  • 2018: Capture Cloud Platform announced at the RSA Conference
  • 2018: Patented Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMITM) technology unveiled
  • 2019: Company eclipses 3 million units shipped
  • 2019: Capture Security Center introduced
  • 2020: Boundless Cybersecurity unveiled, Generation 7 announced
  • 2021: SonicWall celebrates 30th anniversary

SonicWall’s channel heritage, customer loyalty
With roots planted firmly in the SMB market, the company’s growing customer base covers a vast range of industries, including education, healthcare, retail, infrastructure, federal government, state and local government, and more. Well known for its market-changing Boundless Cybersecurity vision, SonicWall now has more than 500,000 customers in 215 countries and territories.

“With cyber threats more prevalent and stronger than ever, it was imperative that we select a vendor that has been a consistent and driving force in navigating the threat landscape,” said Epicor IT Director of Hosting and Managed Services Harry Hartnup. “SonicWall’s innovative technology stays ahead of escalating threats while keeping pace with our evolving needs, helping us to scale, easily deploy and maintain visibility into growing networks.”

SonicWall, a 100% a channel company, relies on its expansive base of global partners to fuel its momentum and success. Today, the company has more than 17,000 channel partners worldwide and provides them with more training, tools and rewards than ever before.

“Our SonicWall journey started in 1996 and we have been retaining loyal partners who we’ve helped to scope, deliver, install and manage their customers’ security infrastructure ever since,” said Exertis UK and Europe Security Sales Director Jason Hill. “The relationships with the partner community stem right from the start and today we’re proud to still be working with the same fantastic partners whom without them, we wouldn’t be here today. This anniversary is a fantastic achievement all round and we sincerely look forward to the future of cybersecurity knowing we are backed by a vendor that puts security and education first.”

Through the award-winning SecureFirst partner program and SonicWall University, partners in every region have an opportunity to expand their education on today’s threat landscape, SonicWall offerings and earn accreditations that directly influence increased revenue attainment.

SonicWall technology evolution, growth
SonicWall’s product timeline moves at pace with the speed of technology developments. Just four years after its establishment, the company shipped its first internet appliance. By 2002, SonicWall had shipped 250,000 units and today has shipped more than 3.8 million appliances worldwide.

On January 2, 2007, SonicWall received its first patent (SWUS-001: U.S. Patent No. 7,158,986). Across the years, SonicWall employees have been granted more than 325 patents, including Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection™ in 2021.

“It’s incredible to stop and look back over numerous and successful product generations, the creation of new business models and the development of technology that impacted this company and the industry,” said SonicWall SVP, Chief Technology Officer John Gmuender. “While our past is impressive, I look forward to what lies ahead.”

About SonicWall
SonicWall delivers Boundless Cybersecurity for the hyper-distributed era in a work reality where everyone is remote, mobile and unsecure. SonicWall safeguards organizations mobilizing for their new business normal with seamless protection that stops the most evasive cyberattacks across boundless exposure points and increasingly remote, mobile and cloud-enabled workforces. By knowing the unknown, providing real-time visibility and enabling breakthrough economics, SonicWall closes the cybersecurity business gap for enterprises, governments and SMBs worldwide. For more information, visit www.sonicwall.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

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July 3, 2024

SonicWall Launches EMEA Managed Security Services Backed by a 24×7 European Security Operations Center (SOC)

SonicWall delivers on its promises of more fortification and flexibility for EMEA partners with key Managed Security Services additions – all ahead of strict new EU tech regulations MILPITAS, Calif. — July 3, 2024 — SonicWall announced today that it has rolled out its new Managed Security Services suite for European Managed Service Providers (MSPs), Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) and other partners, all backed by a new locally-based 24x7x365 Security Operations Center (SOC) providing local understanding of regional cyber threats, regulations, and business environments, enhancing threat detection and response capabilities. The announcement reinforces SonicWall’s commitment to its valued partners and extends its portfolio to include EMEA-based Managed Detection and Response (MDR), Security Operations Center services (SOCaaS), and other managed security services that are delivered in partnership with MSPs and MSSPs. “Within the past year, SonicWall made a commitment to its global partners that it would take an endpoint agnostic and flexible tailored to their unique journeys – we delivered that in February,” said SonicWall CEO and President Bob VanKirk. “Building on this commitment, we’re now introducing managed security services, an EMEA-based SOC, and a suite of additional tools and resources essential for our partners’ success. Our establishment of an EMEA-based SOC with European data residency further strengthens our promise to empower partners with local expertise and rapid response capabilities, crucial for effective client protection amidst Europe's ever-evolving cybersecurity landscape. Additionally, we've upheld our pledge to partners by recently launching MDR for Capture Client, Sentinel One, and Microsoft Defender. SonicWall’s European-based SOC is now available, ensuring European partners can offer their customers enterprise-grade SOC monitoring while remaining compliant with European regulations. In many cases, MSPs and other organizations don’t have an in-house SOC team monitoring alerts and managing the performance of security solutions around the clock, meaning there can be delays in taking defensive action at critical times. Alert fatigue can also be a problem as it can be difficult to identify true problems in the noise of false positives. Adding a SOC provides 24x7x365 monitoring, so that alerts are prioritized, and no alert is missed, no matter when it comes in. Sustained EMEA Momentum This announcement comes a week after the conclusion of SonicWall’s EMEA Partner Conference Elevate 2024, held in Lisbon, Portugal. Partners from across Europe joined SonicWall’s leadership for a hands-on understanding of SonicWall’s new Managed Security Services solutions, and for a better understanding on how to grow and diversify their business in an increasingly dynamic threat and business environment. “We listened to our community and delivered solutions that will dramatically impact their businesses, and the feedback we received at Elevate 2024 was overwhelmingly positive,” said SonicWall Chief Strategy Officer Matt Neiderman. “Our commitment to empowering our partners with a platform of modern solutions designed to help them grow their business is evident in both EMEA and around the globe, and we will continue to enhance the solutions and tools they need to sustain this current momentum.” EU’s Strict Regulations The addition of these Managed Security Service solutions comes just ahead of the European Union’s strict new DORA regulations which, from January 17, 2025, will place additional compliance burdens on cybersecurity providers and their customers. Compliance with DORA will involve a rethink of current risk management frameworks and operational resilience assessments including penetration testing, incident response and third-party risks. “The EU is leading the way globally on cyber-resilience to protect its economic interests with DORA,” said SonicWall Vice President of EMEA Spencer Starkey. “SonicWall’s new SOC is physical proof we’re onboard ahead of this important new regulatory reality. We know attackers work internationally and not just nine to five, now our partners can offer ultra-fast, local response capabilities with EU data residency starting today.” The new enterprise-grade SOC is an addition to SonicWall’s existing Managed Extended Detection and Response (MXDR) capabilities announced earlier this year to deliver powerful cybersecurity monitoring and response across the entire attack surface, including firewalls, endpoint protection, antivirus and cloud threat detection for MSPs and MSSPs. “Having a European-based SOC is pivotal for ensuring compliance with stringent regulations like GDPR and DORA,” said long-time SonicWall Partner and CTO at Data-Sec GmbH Moritz Freiherr von Schwerin. “It not only strengthens our ability to protect sensitive data and uphold privacy standards but also enables us to provide localized, agile responses to emerging cybersecurity threats specific to our region. This localization is crucial for maintaining trust and delivering effective security solutions that meet the unique needs of our clients across Europe. SonicWall has enhanced its offerings, both organically and through acquisitions, and they’re focused on supporting us better than ever before.” For more information on SonicWall’s Managed Security Services please visit: https://www.sonicwall.com/products/managed-security-services/. About SonicWall SonicWall is a cybersecurity forerunner with more than 30 years of expertise and is recognized as a leading partner-first company. With the ability to build, scale and manage security across the cloud, hybrid and traditional environments in real-time, SonicWall provides seamless protection against the most evasive cyberattacks across endless exposure points for increasingly remote, mobile and cloud-enabled users. With its own threat research center, SonicWall can quickly and economically provide purpose-built security solutions to enable any organization—enterprise, government agencies and SMBs—around the world. For more information, visit www.sonicwall.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

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June 11, 2024

SonicWall Builds off its Partner Strength to Drive New Heights at Elevate 2024

Partners will get exclusive previews of the recently announced SonicPlatform and SonicWall’s newly enhanced solution roadmap from its recent acquisitions MILPITAS, Calif. — June 11, 2024 — SonicWall announced today the return of SonicWall Elevate, its premier partner event where it will detail its recent acquisitions and preview its solution roadmap which is helping organization create defensive measures from cloud to endpoint. This is yet another delivery for SonicWall’s valued partner and customer community – which has generated incredible momentum over the last several quarters. “SonicWall has been actively listening to its partner channel for the last 18 months and Elevate 2024 is another testament to our commitment to provide partners what they need to succeed in 2024 and beyond,” said SonicWall CEO Bob VanKirk. “Our partners are a force multiplier, one of our key differentiators, and we will be sharing an updated roadmap that has been specifically shaped by our partners’ voices. We have added managed security services, cloud-native security and more – all to put our partners in position to take their businesses to new heights.” SonicWall Elevate will involve sharing  key updates on its network security products, threat intelligence, as well as its newly acquired additions which include security service edge (SSE), zero trust network access (ZTNA) and additional managed security services for threat detection and response. With the platform, users get a unified backend for threat visibility and simplified workflows, uniquely positioning SonicWall well with an end-to-end solution. Elevate 2024 is designed to give partners all the tools they need to succeed in the coming year and beyond, including: Exclusive demos of SonicWall’s latest technology, including the new SonicPlatform Information on how to leverage recent acquisitions and how partners can grow and diversify their business to increase revenue Enhance the value of network security solutions and see what’s coming next Everything partners need to know about decreasing alert fatigue and growing opportunities with the 24x7 SOC protection of SonicWall MDR Interactive breakout sessions, complete with workshops and Q&A Opportunities for partners to offer feedback directly to SonicWall executive leadership SonicWall is experiencing consecutive quarters of partner growth, fueled by the explosive expansion in our Service Provider Program, recent program enhancements, and a dedicated focus on channel engagement. Over the last three quarters, SonicWall has seen an increase of transacting partners, including a 4% quarter-over-quarter growth. When and Where Americas June 12-14:Dallas, TX USA Europe, Middle East and Africa June 26-28: Lisbon, Portugal Asia, Pacific and Japan July 10-12: Bali, Indonesia For more information about Elevate 2024 and to register, please visit https://www.sonicwall.com/events/sonicwall-elevate-2024/. About SonicWall SonicWall is a cybersecurity forerunner with more than 30 years of expertise and is recognized as a leading partner-first company. With the ability to build, scale and manage security across the cloud, hybrid and traditional environments in real-time, SonicWall provides seamless protection against the most evasive cyberattacks across endless exposure points for increasingly remote, mobile and cloud-enabled users. With its own threat research center, SonicWall can quickly and economically provide purpose-built security solutions to enable any organization—enterprise, government agencies and SMBs—around the world. For more information, visit www.sonicwall.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

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May 2, 2024

SonicWall Data Reveals the Top Five Most Widespread Network Attacks Used Against Small Businesses

The last two years of firewall telemetry data, paints a clear picture of what attacks are most widespread amongst SMBs – demanding the need for prioritization MILPITAS, Calif. — May 2, 2024 — A review of SonicWall telemetry data suggests that the most widespread network attacks to small businesses (SMBs) are older vulnerabilities with a large amount of publicly available information and affecting major vendors. In light of this data, prioritization is a critically important factor for today’s CISOs who are asked to manage and prioritize risk. “In order to properly prioritize threats, we must first understand what attacks, vulnerabilities, and tactics are being used by our enemies,” said SonicWall Executive Director of Threat Research Doug McKee. “Relying too heavily on one factor (e.g., CVSS scores) can lead to an incomplete view of the risk associated with a vulnerability. Consider all factors together to develop a comprehensive understanding of the risk landscape and prioritize vulnerabilities accordingly.” From January 2022 to March 2024, using SonicWall IPS data, SonicWall determined the most widespread attacks against small businesses. Here are the top five ranked: Log4j (CVE-2021-44228) - 43% of organizations were under attack Fortinet SSL VPN Path Traversal (CVE-2018-13379) - 35% of organizations were under attack Heartbleed (CVE-2014-0160) - 35% of organizations were under attack Atlassian Pre-Auth Arbitrary File Read (CVE-2021-26085) - 32% of organizations were under attack VMware SSRF (CVE-2021-21975) - 28% of organizations were under attack The “newest” vulnerability on this list is almost three years old, and the oldest goes back almost a decade.  This suggests the biggest “win” for small businesses is to ensure they have a solid methodology in place for dealing with well-known vulnerabilities, regardless of the age of the threat. “It is still very relevant to spend time and resources tracking down items like heart bleed and log4j, which is arguably more valuable than worrying about the latest AI threat or zero days in Microsoft with no publicly available exploit,” said McKee. Prioritization is Key Prioritization is a critical factor for today’s CISOs who are asked to manage and prioritize risk.  The largest challenge with supply chain issues like Log4j, is understanding simply – is it used and where?  Product security testing or other forms of deep technical analysis of the product used on your network is vital to ensure a business is protected from threats being used by attackers and therefore should take priority in terms of funding. For more information visit www.sonicwall.com. About SonicWall SonicWall is a cybersecurity forerunner with more than 30 years of expertise and is recognized as a leading partner-first company. With the ability to build, scale and manage security across the cloud, hybrid and traditional environments in real-time, SonicWall provides seamless protection against the most evasive cyberattacks across endless exposure points for increasingly remote, mobile and cloud-enabled users. With its own threat research center, SonicWall can quickly and economically provide purpose-built security solutions to enable any organization—enterprise, government agencies and SMBs—around the world. For more information, visit www.sonicwall.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

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April 25, 2024

Riding a Wave of Momentum, SonicWall Debuts New Cybersecurity Management Platform at RSA Conference 2024

After securing three acquisitions, adding MSP-tailored managed services and cloud security to build out its platform, SonicWall is delivering on partner commitments MILPITAS, Calif. — April 25, 2024 — In recent months, SonicWall reinforced its ongoing commitment to its valued partners and extended its cybersecurity portfolio to include managed security services and cloud edge security solutions that are tailor-made for MSPs (Managed Service Providers) and MSSPs (Managed Security Service Providers). Now, SonicWall and its new solutions, together with its new cybersecurity management platform will be showcased at the RSA Conference 2024 in San Francisco, Calif., May 6-9, at Booth N-5353, North Expo Hall, at the Moscone Center. “An unwavering commitment to SonicWall partners and customers around the globe is, and will continue to be, SonicWall’s priority,” said SonicWall CEO and President Bob VanKirk. “It’s encouraging to experience the remarkable momentum sweeping across our business – It starts with taking an outside in approach and executing on that insight. As a result, SonicWall is proud to demonstrate its updated capabilities and introduce the SonicPlatform, all of which are a direct result of feedback from our partners.” SonicWall returns to RSA Conference in 2024 after introducing its revamped executive leadership team last year. It will provide insightful sessions, new technology demos and one-on-one conversations with SonicWall cybersecurity and MSP experts, and an after-hours networking event. "As a SonicWall partner, it’s invaluable to learn the latest in cybersecurity trends and technologies,” said Logically CEO and SonicWall Partner Joshua Skeens. “This past year we've seen SonicWall transform, becoming even more partner friendly and focused on ensuring we have the security solutions and business tools we need to protect our customers as they do business. With the introduction of the SonicPlatform, SonicWall is ensuring that we are positioned to provide world-class security across multiple solutions in a more cohesive and efficient way." SonicWall Partner Momentum SonicWall’s business momentum is fueled by growth in its partner community – with key new partner wins over the last three quarters as part of a growing trend. SonicWall’s commitment to providing meaningful initiatives to its partners is paying dividends. Within the last 6-months SonicWall has offered: New Customer Deal Registration: Partners can receive additional discounts ranging from 10% for any qualified approved opportunity to up to 50% discount for a qualified new customer. Tier Match +1: For a limited time, SonicWall will beat the loyalty status partners currently hold with a competing firewall manufacturer. Eligible partners can have their SonicWall partner account matched to the closest equivalent tier, plus one for 180 days. Exclusive Partner Support: In addition to flexible subscription pricing, SonicWall offers exclusive technical support in addition to its Service Provider Plan. This offering allows partners priority access to tier two subject matter experts (SMEs) across the SonicWall portfolio – all with an exceptional response time. These and other partner initiatives have led to a 42% increase in partner growth year-over-year, with 63% of new partners transacting within the same quarter they onboarded. Additionally, partners in the Service Provider Program increased 91% year-over-year. SonicPlatform SonicWall is proud to introduce SonicPlatform, an innovative management platform designed to unify SonicWall products into a single integrated interface. SonicPlatform is not only focused on streamlining management tasks; it also delivers deep product integration that enables the sharing of contextual information across all enforcement points. SonicPlatform is built to deliver on a vision of a comprehensive, intuitive, and unified management that greatly simplifies the oversight of both cloud-based and on-premises infrastructures. SonicWall has added numerous security and networking solutions, including endpoint security, wireless access, cloud email security and threat intelligence, along with its recent additions of security service edge (SSE), zero trust network access (ZTNA) and managed security services, such as managed detection and response (MDR). With the platform’s unified backend for threat visibility and simplified workflows, partners will have a highly coherent end-to-end solution. This platform is especially beneficial for MSPs and MSSPs, enabling them to efficiently manage multiple client environments, automate key tasks, reduce operational costs, enhance service delivery, and garner valuable insights—all through a single, user-friendly interface. SonicPlatform serves as a centralized hub for managing all client resources, with key features such as: Unified Console: A single, intuitive interface for managing all clients and their resources. Unified System Health Visibility: Comprehensive insights into the health and performance of clients' products – including maintenance needs. Enhanced Security Management: Advanced capabilities for detecting and mitigating threats. Expanded Inventory Management: Efficient management of clients' resources, including appliances, subscriptions, and licenses, across on-premises and cloud environments. SonicPlatform represents a significant stride towards a more integrated, efficient, and secure management ecosystem for SonicWall's increasingly diverse suite of security solutions. More Information SonicWall leaders and experts will be available during the company’s exhibition hours to demo and answer any questions regarding its recent acquisitions and SonicPlatform. SonicWall | Booth 5353, North Hall | Moscone Center Tues., May 7: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. PT Wed., May 8: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. PT Thurs., May 9: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. PT For more information, or to request a 1-on-1 meeting with a SonicWall cybersecurity expert, please visit SonicWall.com/RSA. About SonicWall SonicWall is a cybersecurity forerunner with more than 30 years of expertise and is recognized as a leading partner-first company. With the ability to build, scale and manage security across the cloud, hybrid and traditional environments in real-time, SonicWall provides seamless protection against the most evasive cyberattacks across endless exposure points for increasingly remote, mobile and cloud-enabled users. With its own threat research center, SonicWall can quickly and economically provide purpose-built security solutions to enable any organization—enterprise, government agencies and SMBs—around the world. For more information, visit www.sonicwall.com or follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.

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