Configure email notifications using Gmail

Disclaimer: This information is provided as-is for the benefit of the Community. Please contact Sophos Professional Services if you require assistance with your specific environment.

Overview

This article contains steps to configure Sophos Firewall with email notifications for system events using Gmail.

Configuring the settings

1. Follow the steps in https://support.google.com/accounts/answer/185833?hl=en to configure Sign in with App Passwords.
2. Follow the steps in https://soph.so/NotificationSettings set up an external mail server that has the following settings:
   
   
   • Mail server IPv4 address/FQDN: smtp.gmail.com
   • Port: 587
   • Authentication required: Selected
   • Username: Your complete Gmail account
   • Password: Gmail password if 2-Step is turned off or App Password if 2-Step is turned on
   • Connection security: STARTTLS

Note: By not following Step 1 "Sign in with Passwords" you’ll get the following error in the Sophos Firewall smtpd_main.log 

2022-10-26 21:16:45.993Z [20834] aITR2x-zH3w3u-i5 server_login authenticator failed H=smtp.gmail.com [74.125.195.109] 534-5.7.9 Application-specific password required. Learn more at
534 5.7.9 support.google.com/.../ 29-20020a63195d000000b0043a1c0a0ab1sm3194640pgz.83 - gsmtp
20834 locking /sdisk/spool/output//db/wait-notification_smtp.lockfile
20833 LOG: MAIN
20833 == xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com R=router_for_notifications T=notification_smtp defer (-42) DT=0.369s: authentication required but authentication attempt(s) failed

Which will lead to the common error:

retry time not reached for any host for 'gmail.com'

Sign up to the Sophos Support Notification Service to receive proactive SMS alerts for Sophos products and Sophos Central Services