Sophos XG Series Hardware: End of Life Announcement and Key Dates
XG Series Hardware is at End-of-Life
Recently, Sophos have announced the XG Series Hardware is going end-of-life, and this also applies to SG Series appliances running Sophos Firewall OS.
Your Upgrade Options
Upgrade your firewall appliance and bolster your defences against active threats. Get even more value from your investment in Sophos Firewall with a new XGS Series hardware appliance. Sophos XGS hardware offers increased performance with the dual processor architecture and dedicated hardware FastPath, plus many other technology improvements.
Why Upgrade?
- No new software to learn.
- Limited downtime – restore from XG backup.
- Continually improving performance.
- More flexible connectivity options including 5G support on some Desktop models.
Take your protection to the next level with Sophos MDR. Adding MDR allows you to extend the automation and lateral movement prevention to trigger responses based upon intel from Sophos threat analysts. All without changing your firewall rules, giving you unmatched, real-time response to active threats.
Why Upgrade Your Service with CyberLab?
“CyberLab has been dedicated to securing organisations of all sizes across the UK, including public sector bodies, for over 20 years through its partnership with Sophos.
The CyberLab team of experts have the latest accreditations and vast experience in transitioning clients to advanced cyber products.
As the Sophos XG Series Hardware nears its end-of-life, we highly recommend CyberLab as your partner of choice for a smooth transition to a new solution.”
– Stuart Borgman, Sophos VP Sales Engineering
Not Ready to Upgrade? Explore Your Renewal Options
- Extending your XG Series subscriptions up to the EOL date gives you the maximum use out of your XG appliance investment.
- The renewal date for one-year subscriptions was March 31, 2024, but shorter terms are still available for purchase. Please note, subscription terms can be extended beyond the EOL date.
If you currently own a subscription that extends past the EOL date, please contact CyberLab to discuss your options.
Free Posture Assessment
Understand your security risks and how to fix them.
Take the first step to improving your cyber security posture, looking at ten key areas you and your organisation should focus on, backed by NCSC guidance.
Claim your free 30-minute guided posture assessment with a CyberLab expert.
CyberLab Partners with The Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre
New Partnership Helping Local Businesses and Organisations to Strengthen Their Cyber Defences
CyberLab announce a new partnership with The Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre (ECRC), a trusted resource for support to protect businesses and third sector organisations in the country.
The Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre (ECRC) is part of the national roll out of Cyber Resilience Centres in the UK which began in 2019.
Led by Policing and facilitated by Business Resilience International Management (BRIM), ECRC have followed a structured modular programme based on a highly successful model that had previously been established for over 9 years in Scotland. ECRC work in structured partnership with regional Policing, Academia, Businesses, Third and Public Sector organisations through a variety of ways including training, assessments, and incident response advice.
As an IASME-approved assessor for Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus, CyberLab offers various options depending on your requirements and technical ability. The team, with their extensive experience, has helped thousands of companies and public sector organisations get certified and is rated “Excellent” by its customers on Trustpilot.
“We’re looking forward to working closer with The Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre to help protect, upskill and educate the local community.
The initiatives delivered by the ECRC are a fantastic way to safeguard businesses and organisations from the dangers of the Dark Web and cyber threats.
With cyber attacks it’s a question of when, not if, and we all play our part in building the nation’s cyber resilience.”
– Wayne Price, Commercial Director at CyberLab
About CyberLab
CyberLab is a specialist cyber security company that provides a wide range of security solutions and services.
Your one-stop cyber security advisor, the CyberLab team is equipped with the right technology, knowledge, and expertise to help businesses of all sizes, including large public sector organisations.
By leveraging world-class technology, decades of experience, and their extensive vendor partnerships, CyberLab have helped to secure thousands of organisations across the UK.
About The Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre (ECRC)
The Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre (ECRC) supports and helps protect SMEs, supply chain businesses and third sector organisations in the East of England against cyber crime.
Working with local Universities and Regional Police forces provides ECRC with access to the latest local, as well as National information, on emerging cyber threats, criminal trends, best practice for cyber resilience and new technology.
ECRC will provide you with timely guidance to prepare and protect your business, staff and clients from cyber criminals.
ECRC provide affordable testing and training services, with the opportunity to learn how to procure private sector cyber services where needed.
As a trusted resource, ECRC are a straightforward place to find IASME- approved Cyber Essentials and Cyber Essentials Plus Certifiers in the East. These are recognised nationally as Trusted Partners.
The Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre is modelled on a successful structured collaboration acclaimed by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC). It is part of a developing network of not-for-profit Resilience Centres across the UK with Business Resilience International Management.
Free Posture Assessment
Understand your security risks and how to fix them.
Take the first step to improving your cyber security posture, looking at ten key areas you and your organisation should focus on, backed by NCSC guidance.
Claim your free 30-minute guided posture assessment with a CyberLab expert.
CyberLab joins the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland: Protecting Scottish Businesses
New Membership Helping Scottish Businesses Strengthen Cyber Resilience
CyberLab is proud to join the Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland, strengthening our commitment to helping businesses stay secure through expanded community outreach.
The Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland is a leading organisation dedicated to equipping businesses with the knowledge and resources needed to combat cyber threats and fraud.
The Centre plays a critical role in supporting businesses, charities, and social enterprises by providing expert-led training, practical advice, and access to essential security resources. Its unique partnerships with Police Scotland and the Scottish Government place the Centre at the forefront of national cyber security and fraud prevention efforts.
“We’re thrilled to join forces with the Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland to support businesses and organisations in becoming more secure and resilient. The Centre’s socially driven mission and partnerships with key national bodies align perfectly with our commitment to building a safer digital future.
As cyber threats evolve, collaboration is essential. Together, we aim to provide businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate today’s complex security landscape.”
– Wayne Price, Commercial Director at CyberLab
Through this membership, CyberLab will collaborate closely with the Centre to enhance its security offerings, benefiting from expert insights and tailored training programmes. These initiatives will empower businesses of all sizes to strengthen their defences, reduce risks, and build long-term resilience against cyber and fraud-related threats.
“We’re delighted to have CyberLab join the Scottish Cyber Security Network. Their experience and dedication to improving the cyber security landsdcape in Scotland will be a real asset to our membership community.
Collaborating with members like CyberLab strengthens our shared efforts to enhance Scotland’s cyber resilience, and we’re excited about the contributions they’ll bring to the network.”
As cyber threats evolve, collaboration is essential. Together, we aim to provide businesses with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate today’s complex security landscape.”
– Jude McCorry, CEO at Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland
About CyberLab
CyberLab is a specialist cyber security company that provides a wide range of security solutions and services.
Your one-stop cyber security advisor, the CyberLab team is equipped with the right technology, knowledge, and expertise to help businesses of all sizes, including large public sector organisations.
By leveraging world-class technology, decades of experience, and their extensive vendor partnerships, CyberLab have helped to secure thousands of organisations across the UK.
About The Cyber and Fraud Centre Scotland
The Cyber and Fraud Centre – Scotland is a leading and trusted provider of cyber services, training, and advice. Its team is dedicated to protecting organisations across Scotland. As a social enterprise, the Centre stands apart from other cyber support providers by reinvesting in the cyber community. This ensures that every business, charity, membership body, or social housing organisation it supports – regardless of size or structure – has access to essential security resources.
By combining expert knowledge with a socially driven mission, the Centre is reshaping how cyber support is delivered, fostering trust, collaboration, and a shared commitment to a safer digital future.
Free Posture Assessment
Understand your security risks and how to fix them.
Take the first step to improving your cyber security posture, looking at ten key areas you and your organisation should focus on, backed by NCSC guidance.
Claim your free 30-minute guided posture assessment with a CyberLab expert.
Chess Acquires CyberLab: Building a Cyber Security Powerhouse
Chess and CyberLab: Building a Cyber Security Powerhouse
Chess Cyber Security and CyberLab have combined forces to deliver one of the most comprehensive cyber security offerings in the UK.
This strategic integration brings together deep technical expertise, innovative technology, and a proven track record of helping organisations manage risk and strengthen resilience.
Why This Matters for Customers
Cyber threats continue to evolve, and businesses need partners who can provide end-to-end protection – from assessment and testing to consultancy, implementation and ongoing management.
By joining Chess, CyberLab enhances this capability, creating a single point of access for:
- Testing and assurance: Penetration testing, vulnerability assessments, and compliance audits
- Managed security services: Continuous monitoring, threat detection and response
- Governance and certification: Cyber Essentials, Cyber Essentials Plus and IASME Cyber Assurance
- Security-as-a-Service (CSaaS): A holistic platform that combines consultancy, technology and training to simplify cyber risk management
What CyberLab Brings to the Table
CyberLab introduced an innovative security-as-a-service model, giving organisations a centralised portal to:
- View and manage their security posture
- Identify individual blind spots
- Automate fixes with tailored training programmes
- Access compliance frameworks and reporting in one place
This approach makes cyber security simpler, more transparent and more actionable for businesses of all sizes.
A Track Record of Excellence
Chess has long been recognised as a trusted technology partner, with awards including:
- Sophos Public Sector Partner of the Year (10+ years)
- Sophos Mid-Market Partner of the Year
- Forescout Commercial Partner of the Year
- Consistently ranked in the Top 100 Companies to Work For
The integration of CyberLab builds on previous milestones, such as the acquisition of Armadillo Sec and Foursys, reinforcing Chess’s position as a leader in cyber security.
What This Means for You
Today, customers benefit from:
- Comprehensive coverage: From discovery and testing to consultancy and managed services
- Expertise at scale: CREST-accredited penetration testers, certified consultants and award-winning partners
- Simplified management: A single portal for posture assessment, compliance and training
- Future-ready security: Solutions designed for hybrid work, cloud adoption and evolving threat landscapes
Looking Ahead
Cyber security is critical for every organisation.
By combining Chess’s breadth of services with CyberLab’s specialist capabilities, we provide the agility, insight and technology needed to protect businesses now and in the future.
Free Posture Assessment
Understand your security risks and how to fix them.
Take the first step to improving your cyber security posture, looking at ten key areas you and your organisation should focus on, backed by NCSC guidance.
Claim your free 30-minute guided posture assessment with a CyberLab expert.
Why Windows 10’s End of Life Matters for Cyber Essentials Plus
Navigating Compliance After Microsoft Ends Support for Windows 10
Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 10 on 14 October 2025, marking a major shift for organisations working toward Cyber Essentials Plus (CE+) certification. Without free security updates or patches, Windows 10 devices now pose a compliance risk – unless covered by Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates (ESU) programme.
For CE+ applicants, this change is more than a technical footnote. It directly affects your certification status. Devices running Windows 10 are no longer considered secure by default. To remain compliant, organisations must upgrade to Windows 11 version 23H2 or newer (ideally 24H2 or 25H2).
If your CE+ audit is scheduled within the 90-day window following your Cyber Essentials certification, any Windows 10 devices must be upgraded or removed from scope before submitting your asset list to the auditor.
“With Windows 10 now out of support, organisations pursuing Cyber Essentials Plus must act quickly. Upgrading to Windows 11 isn’t just best practice – it’s essential for compliance. At CyberLab, we’re here to make that transition smooth, secure, and audit-ready.”
– Ryan Bradbury, CTO at CyberLab
Why It Matters
Auditors will now perform technical verification during CE+ assessments.
If Windows 10 devices are detected:
- They must be excluded from scope.
- Failure to do so could result in audit failure or the need to restart both Cyber Essentials and CE+ assessments.
What You Need to Do Now
To stay secure and compliant, here are your next steps:
- Audit your device inventory: Identify any machines still running Windows 10.
- Upgrade to Windows 11: Preferably version 24H2 or 25H2. Note that 23H2 reaches end of life on 11 November 2025, so plan accordingly.
- Consider ESU: If upgrading isn’t feasible, explore Microsoft’s Extended Security Updates programme.
- Communicate with your auditor: Be transparent about your upgrade plans and ensure your asset list reflects only compliant devices.
This transition is a critical moment for organisations aiming to maintain Cyber Essentials Plus certification. By acting now, you’ll avoid last-minute surprises and ensure your systems meet the latest security standards.
Need help navigating the upgrade or preparing for your CE+ audit? CyberLab’s team is here to support you.
Free Posture Assessment
Understand your security risks and how to fix them.
Take the first step to improving your cyber security posture, looking at ten key areas you and your organisation should focus on, backed by NCSC guidance.
Claim your free 30-minute guided posture assessment with a CyberLab expert.
CyberLab Celebrates Recognition in Top 100 Best Companies 2025
CyberLab Celebrates Three Top 10 Results in Best Companies 2025
🏆 #8 Best Small Company To Work For in the UK
🏆 #10 Best Company to Work For in the North West
🏆 #5 Best Company to Work For in the Technology Sector
CyberLab is proud to celebrate our latest recognition in the prestigious Best Companies™ 2025 rankings!
These outstanding achievements are a testament to the incredible people who make CyberLab what it is. Their passion, creativity, and commitment to building a culture of excellence continue to drive us forward.
A Message from CEO Gavin Wood
“I’m incredibly proud to announce that once again we’ve delivered a fantastic result in this year’s Best Companies survey, and this time we’ve improved on last year’s performance.
What makes this achievement meaningful is the collective effort behind it. From our people helping our customers defend against the evolving cyber security threat landscape, to our leadership team shaping culture and direction, every person has played their part.
Our focus on Simplicity, Passion and Quality continues to pay off. This advance isn’t just a number or a badge. It’s a signal that our commitment to being a great place to work, and a great partner for our customers, is working.
As we grow, evolve and tackle new challenges, maintaining our culture is just as important as hitting targets. A big thank you to the whole team. Let’s build on this momentum and make next year even stronger.”
“I am over the moon to announce our results for Best Companies 2025. These incredible results are a testament to our people, plus their hard work and dedication in making CyberLab a great place to work.”
– Mimi Rostron, People & Culture Manager
At CyberLab, we believe that prioritising the wellbeing of our people is essential to both personal and organisational growth.
In this milestone year, we extend our heartfelt thanks to our incredible team. Their passion and commitment make this recognition possible, and we look forward to building on this success together.
