The TZ80 firewall platform features built-in integration with cloud-native zero trust network access (ZTNA) and VPN as a service (VPNaaS) for hybrid environments.
Bob VanKirk, SonicWall’s President and CEO
Today, cybersecurity vendor SonicWall is announcing their new TZ80 firewall platform, a new service aimed at the SOHO and branch office segments of the small business market. With this, SonicWall significantly rethought what they provide in a small business firewall, in response to partner requests.
The TZ80 is a new classification of device that the company is now bringing to market.
“Several years back, we had our 6th generation SOHO wireless device and that was our low-end device,” said Bob VanKirk, SonicWall’s President and CEO. “When we went to Generation 7 four years ago, that was a big shift, in which we moved to Linux. But at that time we did not come up with a replacement for the SOHO wireless product. This is our first lower end firewall offering since then.”
The TZ80 firewall platform features built-in integration with cloud-native zero trust network access (ZTNA) and VPN as a service (VPNaaS) for hybrid environments. It is also backed by world-class technical support, available firewall management and network monitoring, and an industry-first cyber threat warranty.
“When I came into this role a little more than two years ago, we stepped back and took an outside-in approach and listened to our partners, including how we charged and billed them,” VanKirk said. “What we heard was that we needed a low-end firewall and also needed to add managed security services and move to more monthly billings. Early this year we acquired Banyan Security, a secure service edge technology provider that provides zero trust security for smaller businesses, and the TZ80 utilizes the cloud native acquisitions from the Banyan acquisition.”
VanKirk said that the TZ80’s cost is less than $100 and then a low monthly fee, backed with managed security services. There is a $100K warranty for a qualifying firewall and $200K for a qualifying managed firewall. SonicWall is also offering a new “3 & Free” promotion, which includes cloud native VPN licenses along with a free next-gen firewall. when purchasing a 3-year Advanced Protection Services Suite (APSS) or Essential Protection Services Suite (EPSS).
“While we have provided SSL VPN since 2007-2008, it is very different from the old SonicWall in terms of how we react to partners,” he said. “It’s not just about a piece of hardware. It’s about providing the necessary services. No one until now has provided a cost effective solution for SMB. However, we have now integrated the Banyan licenses into our Sonic OS to provide a hybrid solution so the firewall can support VPN access needed with modern capability. Our 18,000 partners want this. We just had a record quarter coming off that capability.”
VanKirk said that Banyan had not done OEM business with SonicWall or anyone else.
“Now it will be used on the same console that partners are used to using,” he stated. “Now it provides just another ZTNA option. We fold in a couple and they can add others as needed, launching them from the existing admin console. We spent the first six months of the year were spent integrating and making them MSP friendly.”
The Managed Protection Services Suite (MPSS) bundle provides management for TZ80 devices.
“We need to be clear how this complements and doesn’t duplicate what other MSPs provide,” VanKirk said. “We encourage partners to white label our capabilities. We anticipate this gaining momentum, and are leaning into this area. One of our biggest challenges is getting our partners to remain current, and to have all services turned on, which is very important in today’s threat environment.”
VanKirk said that the TZ80 is well suited to MSPs, but it will be aimed at other partner types as well.
“We are designing it for more than MSPs,” he indicated. 20-30% of our partners are not MSPs and we provide full service offerings that they can white label. We are doubling down on doing business via our partner network, and meeting them wherever they are on their journey. We are also intentionally positioning this as more than a firewall.”
VanKirk expects that the market for this will be fairly evenly split between the SOHO and the branch office segments.
“I also see a secondary application from the IoT side, in things like parking and embedded medical devices,” he said.
