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 (RTDMI^TM) 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.