UPGRADE ADVANTAGE: How Sourcepass Turns Firewall Upgrades Into a Competitive Edge

A proactive approach to lifecycle management keeps 600+ SonicWall firewalls secure, efficient, and ready for what’s next.

For Sourcepass, a 500+ employee MSP managing more than 600 SonicWall firewalls across the United States, upgrades aren’t just about technology, they’re about preventing security incidents, avoiding disruptions and maintaining client trust.

“Regular firewall upgrades aren't just a nice-to-have, they're a business necessity,” says Anthony Latham, Sourcepass Vice President of Product. “End-of-life firewalls create cascading security risks that can devastate multiple customers simultaneously. Proactive upgrades ensure continued protection, support and operational efficiency.”

When a Vulnerability Becomes a Domino Effect

One incident drove home how high the stakes can be.

“We had some firewalls that had vulnerabilities on them, and where end of life you could not patch them anymore,” recalls Latham. “And it was like dominoes, the ten customers that had them, one-by-one, each one kept falling to this vulnerability. By the third one, we just went out and just started replacing them.”

The takeaway: Unsupported hardware doesn’t just put one client at risk — it can impact an entire customer base. Once a device can’t be patched, every unit becomes a potential entry point, and emergency replacements cost more in time, resources and trust.

A Shift From Reactive to Proactive

Sourcepass replaces hardware before it reaches end of life, keeping configurations consistent across customers and ensuring their SOC processes, integrations and automations remain effective.

“Most of our upgrades are driven by end of life,” Latham explains. “We want to continue to get firmware updates, and we want to make sure they have in-lifecycle licensing.”

By standardizing 75% of their customers on SonicWall, Sourcepass builds deep expertise on a single platform, streamlining support, speeding resolution times and enforcing uniform security policies.

The Hidden Risk of Forgotten Hardware

During a network audit for an auto dealership, Sourcepass discovered an old NSa 220 still running a separate, forgotten network. While it was “running fine,” it was a silent security liability due to outdated firmware.

This reinforced the need for thorough network documentation and regular audits. Legacy hardware often lingers unseen until it’s a problem, and by then, the damage may already be done.

Why Customers Say “Yes” to Upgrades

Ninety percent of Sourcepass customers accept upgrade recommendations without hesitation, which is a result of consistent, proactive management.

“90% of our customers will go with what we recommend,” says Latham. “This level of trust didn't happen overnight. It's the result of consistent, proactive management that keeps customers secure and operational.”

That trust creates a virtuous cycle: better service builds stronger relationships, which makes the next recommendation even easier. And current-generation SonicWall firewalls don’t just improve security — they also open the door to advanced services.

“MPSS will give us the ability to leverage SonicWall,” says Latham. “We do have an in-house SOC, so we have a full team of Sourcepass employees, so SonicWall MPSS is going to be basically the first layer on the network.”

By starting with a modern, standardized platform, Sourcepass can integrate new tools without disrupting its operational foundation.

Takeaways for MSPs

Sourcepass's experience offers clear lessons:

• Plan upgrades 12–18 months before end-of-life to avoid emergencies
• Standardize on a primary platform to maximize efficiency and quality
• Use upgrades as opportunities to reinforce customer trust
• Audit regularly to find hidden risks

As Latham puts it: “By putting them on a next-gen upgrade, we're ensuring that our support stays up to par. So that includes firmware upgrades, responding to security incidents, alerts, and whatever other integrations they may need.”

The Bottom Line

Firewall upgrades aren’t just technical — they’re strategic investments in security, efficiency and relationships.

For Sourcepass, the message is simple: treat upgrades as relationship opportunities, not just hardware swaps. When you provide excellent support, strategic guidance and proactive management, the results follow naturally.

Learn more about Sourcepass