CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Guardz vs SonicWall

Guardz sells an MSP-ready security platform that brings identity, endpoint, email, data, awareness, and exposure protection together. SonicWall is a unified cybersecurity portfolio that helps SMBs, MSPs, and IT teams consolidate network, endpoint, cloud, and threat response across hybrid environments. CISO Tribune files both under MDR and managed SOC and EDR and XDR. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

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Up to four companies side by side.

  • Guardz
  • SonicWall
Guardz vs SonicWall: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
GuardzGuardz sells an MSP-ready security platform that brings identity, endpoint, email, data, awareness, and exposure protection together.guardz.comSonicWallSonicWall is a unified cybersecurity portfolio that helps SMBs, MSPs, and IT teams consolidate network, endpoint, cloud, and threat response across hybrid environments.sonicwall.com
What it sells
  • Email Security[2][8]An API-based and AI-native engine to prevent credential theft, ransomware, and impersonation threats.
  • Security Awareness Training[2][4][10]Pre-scheduled security awareness training that alters behavior.
  • Phishing Simulation[14]AI-generated phishing attacks tailored by tone, industry, and language.
  • Capture Client[3][12]Endpoint detection and response built on SentinelOne.
  • Cloud Secure Edge[1][3][7][13][15]SonicWall's Security Service Edge (SSE) platform.
  • SonicSentry MDR[3][7][11]Managed detection and response from SonicWall analysts.
  • SonicWall Unified Management[3]A single console for managing SonicWall products.
Categories
Headquarters
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Founded
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Ownership and funding
Privately held[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]Owned by Francisco Partners and Elliott Management since 2016[2][3][5][6]
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
  • November 2, 2026Guardz added browser protection from Palo Alto Networks' Prisma Browser for Business to its security platform for managed service providers serving small businesses.[17]
  • March 3, 2026Guardz announced a strategic partnership with FoxPointe Solutions, a cybersecurity advisory firm focused on governance, risk management and virtual CISO services.[18]
  • May 12, 2026SonicWall announced availability of the Gen 8 NSv XS, a subscription-based virtual firewall for MSPs and MSSPs serving small and distributed environments.[18]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: listed, seen November 3, 2026[13]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: listed, seen November 4, 2026[5]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: listed, seen November 4, 2026[6]
Who it fits
From its own pages, Guardz sells mainly to MSPs, and describes its platform as built for them. Guardz says small businesses find it difficult to keep up with their external posture. Guardz says MSPs can use a prospecting tool to attract new clients by showing the extent of SMEs' exposure. Guardz says even non-security experts can respond to cyber events. Guardz says it gives clients visibility and control with configurable admin roles.From its own pages, SonicWall sells mainly to SMBs, MSPs, and IT teams, and to MSSPs and distributed enterprises. Its pages name healthcare, education, local government, finance, manufacturing, and retail as the kinds of organizations it protects. TZ series firewalls are positioned for SMBs and branch locations.
Last verified
September 30, 2026September 27, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Guardz and SonicWall are both filed under MDR and managed SOC and EDR and XDR.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Guardz's primary category is MDR and managed SOC; SonicWall's is Firewalls and NGFW.
  • Guardz is also filed under Identity threat detection and response and Email security. SonicWall is also filed under SASE and SSE.
  • Guardz lists Email Security, Security Awareness Training and Phishing Simulation. SonicWall lists Capture Client, Cloud Secure Edge, SonicSentry MDR and SonicWall Unified Management.
  • Guardz is privately held. SonicWall is owned by Francisco Partners and Elliott Management, since 2016.

What it sells: Guardz

What Email Security does[2][8]
Guardz email protection uses an API-based and AI-native engine to prevent credential theft, ransomware, and impersonation threats. Check Point Harmony powers Guardz Email Security.
What Security Awareness Training does[2][4][10]
Guardz helps teams plan, launch and track automated training campaigns. Campaign frequency can be set monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly.
What Phishing Simulation does[14]
Simulations can be generated in English, French, German, Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Italian. Failed simulations trigger an awareness issue.

What it sells: SonicWall

What Capture Client does[3][12]
Capture Client is built on SentinelOne. SonicWall describes it as delivering endpoint detection and response integrated with the SonicWall ecosystem.
What Cloud Secure Edge does[1][3][7][13][15]
Cloud Secure Edge delivers secure access to internal resources and safe connections to the internet for remote and hybrid workers. It covers ZTNA, SWG, CASB, and DNS Security from one platform.
What SonicSentry MDR does[3][7][11]
SonicSentry MDR combines SonicWall telemetry with expert analysts who hunt, triage, and contain threats around the clock. For endpoints, SonicWall describes 24/7 expert monitoring and response backed by proactive threat hunting.
What SonicWall Unified Management does[3]
SonicWall Unified Management gives IT teams and MSPs a single console to manage, monitor, and respond. It covers firewalls, switches, endpoints, and Cloud Secure Edge.

Questions about Guardz and SonicWall

What do Guardz and SonicWall sell?
Guardz sells Email Security, Security Awareness Training and Phishing Simulation. SonicWall sells Capture Client, Cloud Secure Edge, SonicSentry MDR and SonicWall Unified Management.
Are Guardz and SonicWall in the same category?
They share MDR and managed SOC and EDR and XDR. Guardz's primary category is MDR and managed SOC and SonicWall's is Firewalls and NGFW.
Who owns Guardz and SonicWall?
Guardz is privately held. SonicWall is owned by Francisco Partners and Elliott Management, since 2016.
Who are Guardz and SonicWall sold to?
From its own pages, Guardz sells mainly to MSPs, and describes its platform as built for them. From its own pages, SonicWall sells mainly to SMBs, MSPs, and IT teams, and to MSSPs and distributed enterprises.
What have Guardz and SonicWall announced recently?
November 2, 2026: Guardz added browser protection from Palo Alto Networks' Prisma Browser for Business to its security platform for managed service providers serving small businesses. May 12, 2026: SonicWall announced availability of the Gen 8 NSv XS, a subscription-based virtual firewall for MSPs and MSSPs serving small and distributed environments.

About Guardz

Guardz sells an MSP-ready security platform that brings identity, endpoint, email, data, awareness, and exposure protection together. Guardz says attackers move across identities, email, endpoints, web, and data. Guardz connects the entire workspace through a unified data fabric, enabling autonomous detection, investigation, prioritization, and response. Guardz describes one data fabric with three layers, including intelligence that learns and agents that triage and respond. Guardz says it automatically correlates signals across customer environments so a team can see what matters, act faster, and show the value behind each action.[1][2]

Identity Threat Detection & Response (ITDR) verifies MFA and security settings, and benchmarks and analyzes user behavior to flag suspicious activity. ITDR monitors identity behavior across the cloud to detect unusual activity, correlate risk signals and trigger targeted responses. Guardz natively integrates with M365 and GWS to run analysis across the most critical cloud logs without complex integrations or service accounts. Guardz lets teams suspend compromised accounts and isolate users in a single action to contain attacks before they spread.[2]

Guardz offers AI-native EDR with SentinelOne embedded and Managed AV with Windows Defender, which Guardz says ensure real-time protection across devices. SentinelOne provides the endpoint engine, and Guardz makes it operational across clients. Managed AV supports Windows and Macs, while SentinelOne EDR supports Windows, Mac and Linux. Kill, Quarantine, Remediate, Roll-Back and Isolate Device can be automated, triggered by the MSP or executed by the MDR team. SentinelOne licenses are included in the Ultimate Plan, and alerts are managed by the Guardz MDR team. Guardz agents can be deployed through RMM and MDM flows with minimal end-user involvement. Alerts from Guardz can be sent through email and syslog into existing workflows.[2]

AI runs response playbooks at machine speed to contain threats and automate remediation, with 24/7 MDR experts handling cases that need human investigation and action. MDR adds human investigation and response around the clock.

Guardz email protection uses an API-based and AI-native engine to prevent credential theft, ransomware, and impersonation threats in real time. Check Point Harmony powers Guardz Email Security, stopping email threats with connected security operations for MSPs across clients. Cloud Data Protection works by analyzing user activity and behavior within cloud applications to identify and prevent threats. Guardz scans the settings, security configurations, user activity logs and token grants of cloud applications through public APIs.[2]

Guardz offers web security through a browser extension that escalates risk around employees exposed to malicious sites, web redirects, and unsafe extensions. Prisma Browser for Business uses the context of the active browsing session to detect and block threats as users encounter them. Guardz connects browser blocks and policy events with identity, email, and endpoint activity. Guardz scans for open ports and public exposures to prevent malicious actors from accessing vulnerable and outdated services. Guardz continuously monitors the internet for leaked credentials and exfiltrated data.

Guardz offers pre-scheduled security awareness training that alters behavior and limits human-driven cyber risks before they escalate. Guardz helps teams plan, launch and track automated training campaigns that boost employee vigilance and shut down human-driven risks. Campaign frequency can be set monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly. Guardz Phishing Simulation empowers MSPs to run lifelike, AI-generated attacks tailored by tone, industry, and language. Training videos and phishing simulations are available in more than 70 languages. Failed simulations trigger an awareness issue, and admins can assign instant training.[2][14][15]

Guardz builds its platform for MSPs. Guardz lets MSPs centrally navigate the security of multiple clients, either aggregated or in their unique individual environments. MSPs can set global configurations once and push them across every client, with automated detection and remediation working continuously in the background. Prospecting Reports scan a client's public-facing assets to uncover security gaps. Evidence mapping reports how Guardz security controls align with frameworks like SOC 2, ISO 27001, HIPAA, and GDPR. Guardz client reports are delivered monthly, quarterly, or on-demand and highlight threats, risk, and mitigation activity.[1][3][16]

Guardz on the record

Sources

Guardz full record

  1. [1]guardz.comGuardz · guardz.com · undated page, accessed September 30, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Msp business plan the ultimate blueprint for growthGuardz · guardz.com · published June 12, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]About usGuardz · guardz.com · undated page, accessed September 30, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Guardz: Unified Cybersecurity Platform Built for MSPGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Security Awareness Training for MSPs and EmployeesGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]All-In-One Cloud App Security Solution | GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Protect Your Business from External Cyber Threats | GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Guardz Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features - G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier C
  14. [14]Adaptive Phishing Simulation Platform for MSP SecurityGuardz · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]Cyber Risk Prospecting report - Thank-you | Guardz.comGuardz · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]Exclusive: Guardz brings Palo Alto Networks browser protection to MSPs serving small businessesSiliconANGLE · published November 2, 2026 · Tier B
  18. [18]Guardz Partners with Foxpointe Solutions to Deliver Strategic, Scalable Cybersecurity for MSPs and Their ClientsGuardz · published March 3, 2026 · Tier A

SonicWall full record

  1. [1]sonicwall.comSonicWall · sonicwall.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Francisco partners and elliott management complete acquisition of dell software groupFrancisco Partners · franciscopartners.com · published November 1, 2016 · Tier A
  3. [3]Cybersecurity That Delivers Real Business Outcomes | SonicWallSonicWall · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Federal Government Cybersecurity | SonicWallSonicWall · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]SonicWall Next Generation Firewall Reviews & Product Details - G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier C
  6. [6]SonicWall Reviews, Ratings & Features 2026 | Gartner Peer InsightsGartner Peer Insights · undated page, accessed October 28, 2026 · Tier C
  7. [7]Cybersecurity Solutions by Use Case | SonicWallSonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Cybersecurity for Cloud Virtual and Hybrid Networks | SonicWallSonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]SonicWall TZ Series: Advanced Protection for SMBs | Entry Level Next Generation FirewallsSonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Firewall & Network Security Services | SonicwallSonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Endpoint Security & Managed EDR Solutions | SonicWallSonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Endpoint Security Solutions | EDR, NGAV & Ransomware Protection | SonicWallSonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Cloud Secure Edge (CSE): ZTNA Solution | SonicWallSonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]SonicWall VPN Clients | NetExtender & Mobile ConnectSonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]SonicWall Unified Management | Cybersecurity PlatformSonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]SonicWall Capture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP)SonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]On-Premise ATP | SonicWall Capture Security applianceSonicWall · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  18. [18]SonicWall Expands Gen 8 Platform to the Cloud with New NSv XS Virtual Firewall to Help MSPs and MSSPs Deliver Managed Security Wherever Workloads RunSonicWall · published May 12, 2026 · Tier A

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