The RSA Conference (RSAC), the premier cybersecurity industry event, returns to San Francisco’s Moscone Center April 28-May 1, 2025, bringing together thousands of security professionals, vendors, and thought leaders from across the globe. This annual gathering serves as the definitive forum for the latest cybersecurity innovations, trends, and best practices, featuring hundreds of educational sessions, keynotes from industry luminaries, and an expansive expo floor showcasing cutting-edge security solutions. For organizations navigating today’s complex threat landscape, RSAC provides unparalleled networking opportunities, hands-on training, and essential insights to help bolster defense strategies against evolving cyber threats.
As cybersecurity threats evolve at unprecedented speeds, with hackers now exploiting vulnerabilities within days rather than months, organizations need security solutions that can keep pace. In this exclusive VMblog interview, SonicWall President and CEO Bob VanKirk discusses the company’s transformation and expanded portfolio ahead of RSA Conference 2025.
VanKirk highlights SonicWall’s focus on managed security services, zero-trust solutions, and the challenges facing today’s SMBs and distributed enterprises. With exciting announcements planned for early May and a newly transformed presence at booth #6353 in the North Expo, SonicWall is positioning itself to meet the rapidly changing needs of partners and customers in an increasingly challenging threat landscape.
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VMblog: Give VMblog readers a quick overview of your company and its core mission in the cybersecurity space.
Bob VanKirk: SonicWall is a market leader in network security for both SMB and distributed enterprise customers with millions of firewalls sold and deployed. We have recently expanded our offerings to include Managed Security Services (MSS) and added a zero-trust network access (ZTNA) solution, Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) – all purpose-built for MSPs and MSSPs. SonicWall prides itself on staying aligned with our partners’ and customers’ needs from every aspect of our business, allowing SonicWall to set a new standard in cybersecurity.
VMblog: Where can attendees find you at RSA 2025? What’s your booth number, and what kind of experience can visitors expect when they stop by?
VanKirk: SonicWall is truly excited to be at RSA 2025 and introduce new and existing clients to our industry-leading products and solutions. We will be at booth #6353 in the North Expo. We welcome visitors to drop by, meet our executive team and top threat researchers, and hear about SonicWall’s greatly expanded offerings, how we have strengthened our cybersecurity portfolio, and, most importantly, how we can help partners and customers navigate the threat landscape.
VMblog: What is your message to RSA attendees coming out to the show this year?
VanKirk: Come and visit the transformed SonicWall at RSA! From our expanded cybersecurity offerings to our core business focus, we’re a new SonicWall, and we’re expanding our product portfolio, acquiring new capabilities to fill gaps and meet partner and market demands, doubling down on our partner-focus, offering world-class support, and changing the way we do business to better align with what our partners and customer’s needs.
VMblog: What were your key learnings from 2024’s security landscape, and how have those insights shaped your solutions for 2025?
VanKirk: Threat actors are moving faster than ever. In fact, hackers are exploiting new vulnerabilities within days-compared to the 120-150 days it typically takes organizations to patch. With the ever-increasing speed and sophistication of cyber threats, SMBs and their partners need a vendor that can provide real-time threat intelligence and proactive, valued security services. SonicWall has the answer.
VMblog: Can you share any exclusive previews or announcements that attendees can expect to see at your booth this year?
VanKirk: In the early May timeframe, we’ll be making some exciting announcements around new Cybersecurity capabilities that we’ll be bringing to market.
VMblog: What sets your solution apart in today’s crowded cybersecurity marketplace? Why should RSA attendees prioritize visiting your booth?
VanKirk: In today’s evolving digital landscape, SMBs are under constant siege from cyber threats powered by automation, AI, and advanced evasion tactics-easily slipping past outdated defenses. SonicWall delivers a comprehensive portfolio of secure, scalable solutions tailored for partners and customers alike. With SonicWall Managed Security Services (MSS), organizations gain always-on protection, backed by purpose-built SOC and NOC services designed specifically for MSPs and MSSPs. It’s the smarter way to stay ahead of threats-proactively, efficiently, and at scale.
SonicWall offers a comprehensive suite of cybersecurity solutions designed to protect businesses of all sizes, including:
- Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) – Scalable, high-performance firewalls with advanced threat protection, deep packet inspection, and Zero Trust security capabilities.
- Managed Security Services (MSS) – The company’s SonicSentry Services, a turnkey, subscription-based security solution enables Managed Service Providers (MSPs) and Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs) to deliver enterprise-grade cybersecurity without the complexity of in-house management.
- Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) – A highly effective and easily adopted Security Service Edge (SSE) / ZTNA solution, enabling your workforce to securely access any resource from any device.
VMblog: What role does zero trust play in your security strategy and solutions? How are you helping organizations implement zero trust effectively?
VanKirk: Threat actors are using AI and automation to outpace traditional defenses-making zero trust a must. SonicWall’s Cloud Secure Edge (CSE) redefines secure access with +10x greater throughput and advanced device posture checks that sync seamlessly with endpoints. Built for modern, hybrid environments, CSE empowers organizations to enforce strict access controls and eliminate implicit trust, whether replacing legacy SSL-VPNs or scaling secure cloud adoption. With robust SSE capabilities and rapid market growth, CSE has become a cornerstone for partners securing digital transformation at the cloud edge.
VMblog: With the rise in sophisticated ransomware attacks, how does your solution help organizations better prepare and respond?
VanKirk: As IT demands grow, organizations are turning to MSPs to ease the strain and strengthen security. Managed services now offer more than support-they provide a critical human layer of defense, combat alert fatigue, and free up teams to focus on core priorities. With SonicWall’s multi-tenant, 24x7x365 SOC and NOC-purpose-built for MSPs and MSSPs-partners can deliver always-on protection at scale, backed by real-time visibility and expert response across all customer environments.
SonicWall’s solutions offer both scalability and intuitiveness:
- Scalable: MSPs require solutions that are scalable and flexible that can grow alongside their business. SonicWall provides solutions that allow for seamless expansion:
- Cloud-based Management: Easily manage multiple clients and networks from a single, centralized platform.
- Flexible Deployment and Pricing Options: Choose from on-premises, cloud, or hybrid solutions that best fit your business model, while having flexible pricing options that match the way customers want to buy, including exclusive access to monthly and annual MSSP subscription pricing.
- Smart: SonicWall ensures MSPs have comprehensive control and visibility over their clients’ IT environments:
- Real-time Monitoring: Gain insights into network activity and potential threats with real-time data analysis.
- Customizable Reporting: Generate detailed reports that provide valuable information for decision-making and compliance purposes.
- Policy Management: Implement and enforce security policies across all managed networks with ease.
VMblog: How is your company addressing the challenges of securing hybrid and multi-cloud environments?
VanKirk: With Cloud Secure Edge (CSE), SonicWall empowers customers to simplify remote work and cloud migration-backed by our deep commitment to MSPs and the businesses they protect. A core value-add has always been flexibility, and our momentum this year reflects that, with frictionless deployments, powerful SSE enhancements, and seamless integration with Network Security Manager (NSM) for centralized control. Together, we’re redefining secure network access-and the best part is that we are just getting started.
VMblog: How can security leaders better prepare their organizations for the evolving threat landscape in 2025 and beyond?
VanKirk: In a threat landscape that’s evolving faster than ever, one thing is clear: partnering with MSPs and MSSPs through services like Managed Detection and Response (MDR) and Managed Security Services (MSS) is one of the smartest moves organizations can make. Additionally, Managed Protection Security Services (MPSS) Firewall Management with 24/7 monitoring allows MSPs of any size to offer managed firewall services backed by SonicWall’s SonicSentry Network Operations Center (NOC) team. These expert-led services offer threat detection and response at scale-helping businesses stay ahead of sophisticated attacks while easing the burden on internal teams.
While no organization is immune, many threats are still preventable with strong cybersecurity hygiene. Proactive measures-like endpoint protection, zero trust access, and continuous monitoring-can dramatically improve your security posture and resilience. As such, we recommend the following:
- Implement Real-Time Patch Management – Organizations with poor patch management hygiene are highly vulnerable to cyberattacks. By continuously scanning for and applying patches, businesses can prevent ransomware infections, data breaches, and system compromises before threat actors can take advantage of known weaknesses.
- Adopt a Zero Trust Security Model – Threat actors leverage AI and automation to infiltrate networks. Security teams need to enforce strict access controls, assume no implicit trust, and validate every access request.
- 24/7 SOC Services for Real-Time Threat Protection – MSPs/MSSPs should partner with security vendors offering SOC services and 24/7/365 monitoring because cyber threats evolve rapidly, with attackers exploiting vulnerabilities within hours of discovery. Continuous monitoring ensures real-time threat detection, rapid incident response, minimized downtime, protecting clients from costly breaches and operational disruptions.
- Enhance Ransomware Preparedness – Organizations are faced with the reality of preparing for catastrophic ransomware breaches. Implement regular backups, network segmentation, and endpoint detection & response (EDR) solutions. Strengthen IoT Security – IoT attacks surged 124% in 2024. Secure IoT devices by changing default credentials, applying firmware updates, and restricting network access.
- Monitor Cloud Environments and SaaS Applications – Enforce multi-factor authentication (MFA), CASB solutions, and least-privilege access policies.
- Conduct Regular Cybersecurity Awareness Training – Human error remains a major attack vector. Regular training on phishing, social engineering, and credential hygiene can significantly reduce risk.
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