Which is the most common deployment scenario for Sophos Firewall?

Gateway mode is the most common deployment scenario for Sophos Firewall because it operates at Layer 3 of the OSI model, making it suitable for a wide range of network environments. In this mode, the firewall acts as a network gateway, managing traffic between different network zones, such as the internal network and the internet. By routing traffic effectively, it provides essential services like intrusion prevention, web filtering, and other security measures right at the entry and exit points of the network.

This approach allows organizations to protect their networks from external threats while also monitoring and managing traffic patterns, ensuring that potential vulnerabilities are addressed promptly. Compared to other modes, gateway mode offers a comprehensive view of network traffic and simplifies policy management, making it easier to enforce security protocols and compliance requirements.

While transparent mode is useful for integrating with existing network infrastructure without changing IP addressing, it lacks some routing features available in gateway mode. Bridge mode is designed for linking two network segments while filtering traffic but is less common for typical network deployment scenarios. Layer 3 mode, on the other hand, is an overarching term for gateway mode but does not specify the operational context as clearly, making gateway mode more recognizable in practical applications.