Sophos Firewall v21 introduces support for Let’s Encrypt certificates across various sections of the firewall, marking a significant advancement in cybersecurity. Let’s Encrypt, a non-profit open certificate authority managed by the Internet Research Group (ISRG), offers X.509 certificates for TLS encryption at no cost, making it a popular choice among organizations looking to enhance their security measures.
The convenience of Let’s Encrypt comes with a slight drawback – the certificates are only valid for 90 days, requiring more frequent maintenance compared to traditional certificates that may last for 12, 24, or 36 months. However, Sophos Firewall addresses this issue by providing support for auto-renewal 30 days before expiry, ensuring continuous protection without any hassle.
The incorporation of Let’s Encrypt certificates extends to a wide range of firewall services, including the Web Admin Console, WAF, Email SMTP TLS, Hotspot sign-in pages, and Portals for User, Captive, VPN, and SPX. This update enhances the security posture of organizations utilizing Sophos Firewall, offering them more flexibility in managing their certificates.
Although Let’s Encrypt certificates are not compatible with remote access VPN, site-to-site VPN, or the Chromebook SSO authentication service, the overall benefits they provide outweigh these limitations. To get a better understanding of how Let’s Encrypt works and how to set it up, users can watch a brief demo video available on the Sophos website.
For detailed information on integrating Let’s Encrypt certificates with Sophos Firewall v21, users can refer to the online documentation provided by Sophos. To start leveraging this new capability, users can join the Early Access Program by registering online, downloading the firmware update package from the email link, and applying it to their Sophos Firewall.
In conclusion, the addition of Let’s Encrypt certificate support in Sophos Firewall v21 signifies a step towards enhancing cybersecurity practices and making encryption more accessible to organizations. By embracing this technology, users can strengthen their security measures and benefit from the convenience and cost-effectiveness of Let’s Encrypt certificates. Stay updated and secure with Sophos Firewall’s latest features and improvements, ensuring a robust defense against cyber threats in today’s digital landscape.