Symantec Secure Web Gateway Reviews

Name: Symantec Secure Web Gateway
Brand: Broadcom
Rating: 3.3 (11 reviews)

3.3 out of 5

11 reviews
57% willing to recommend

What is Symantec Secure Web Gateway?

Symantec Secure Web Gateway is a comprehensive web security solution that provides advanced protection against web-based threats. It offers real-time threat detection and prevention, content filtering, and data loss prevention capabilities to safeguard organizations from web-based attacks. With its advanced threat intelligence and machine learning capabilities, it can detect and block even the most sophisticated web-based threats, including malware, phishing, and ransomware attacks. The solution also provides granular control over web access, allowing organizations to enforce web usage policies and prevent access to malicious or inappropriate websites. It offers flexible deployment options, including on-premises, cloud, and hybrid deployments, to meet the unique needs of different organizations. Additionally, it integrates seamlessly with other Symantec security solutions, such as Symantec Endpoint Protection and Symantec Data Loss Prevention, to provide a comprehensive security posture. Symantec Secure Web Gateway is designed to provide a seamless user experience, with minimal impact on web browsing performance. It offers a range of reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing organizations to gain insights into web usage patterns and identify potential security risks. With its comprehensive web security capabilities, Symantec Secure Web Gateway is an essential component of any organization's security infrastructure.

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Symantec Secure Web Gateway is the #30 ranked solution in top Web Security Gateways. PeerSpot users give Symantec Secure Web Gateway an average rating of 6.6 out of 10. Symantec Secure Web Gateway is most commonly compared to Cisco Umbrella: Symantec Secure Web Gateway vs Cisco Umbrella. Symantec Secure Web Gateway is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 64% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 19% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Symantec Secure Web Gateway

January 2025

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Featured reviews

Malik Khan

Sr.Technical Consultant at Meta Infotech

We use Symantec Secure Web Gateway to apply URL policies for cloud security, data protection, and SSL The product is easy to deploy. It has a faster implementation process compared to other products. The platform’s data center is not capable of managing most of the traffic. We have been using…

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Mohamed Elgindy

Pre-Sales Consultant | Cyber Security at Beta Information Technology

The reports could be better. For example, the report is installed on the VMware Virtual Appliance. It must support other things like HighBar RE, et cetera. The cost has risen and it is more expensive than it used to be. There is not any reporting on the central appliance. If a new developer can add basic reporting, and real-time monitoring, it would be ideal. There is no real-time monitor. It'll be a great enhancement if Symantec can add a real-time monitor to the appliance. Other competitors have a real-time monitor on them.

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Donald Baldwin

Principal Enterprise Architect at Aurenav Sweden AB

One of the problems with using Symantec is that it's widely known and the people who are making malware have designed to circumvent it. You have to keep that in mind. The other thing that I find is a weakness is that it doesn't give you a statement so you don't have an ability to really test something to see if something's suspicious because if it is, it might have a payload that could disable Symantec and get through it. I'm always more concerned about that. This is one of the reasons we separate it from our Comodo. It needs to be easier to set up rules for what sites it should allow or not allow us in certain areas of our computer for programs. It would also be nice really nice to have it give you better information about what it's finding. A lot of the alerts we get are very difficult to understand what it's actually telling you. It's too generic.

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Symantec Secure Web Gateway mindshare

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Symantec Secure Web Gateway in the Secure Web Gateways (SWG) category stands at 1.1%, down from 1.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Secure Web Gateways (SWG)	Jan 31, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 31, 2025	Download
Comparison	Symantec Secure Web Gateway vs Cisco Umbrella	Jan 31, 2025	Download
Comparison	Symantec Secure Web Gateway vs Zscaler Internet Access	Jan 31, 2025	Download
Comparison	Symantec Secure Web Gateway vs Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks	Jan 31, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Cisco Umbrella	4.4	N/A	97%	111 interviews Add to research
Zscaler Internet Access	4.1	15.5%	98%	52 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Symantec Secure Web Gateway is valued for its ease of use across devices, user-friendly GUI, cloud-based reporting, and endpoint security. Users appreciate ICAP capability, URL filtering, website blocking, and SSL interception. It features straightforward deployment with fast implementation and caching. Users note some challenges with online interfaces and licensing post-acquisition.

"I find the product to be very straightforward."
"Typically, Symantec is more or less like any other platform that performs proxy functions."
"It has a faster implementation process compared to other products."

Room for Improvement

Symantec Secure Web Gateway requires improvements in several areas. Credential registration issues arise frequently, affecting device integration. The firewall capabilities are inadequate compared to competitors. Technical support is often lacking and the interface is not intuitive. Deployment is complicated, especially compared to alternatives like Cisco Umbrella. Real-time monitoring and comprehensive reporting are absent. The cost has increased and customer management is cumbersome. Integration with other security platforms could be enhanced for better functionality.

"I find that the technical support is mediocre, at least for the Middle East. I frequently face challenges when contacting OpenStack through the distribution channel."
"AI-driven security could be helpful, yet how effective it will be remains unclear."
"The platform’s data center is not capable of managing most of the traffic."

Pricing

Symantec Secure Web Gateway pricing and licensing are generally considered expensive, with additional charges for advanced security features. Many customers express concerns about the cost, leading them to explore alternative solutions. Despite the high pricing, it is noted to be less expensive than Zscaler, with some believing it is comparable to peers. Discounts may be available when negotiating deals with vendors, though specifics on costs are not always shared by users.

"Symantec Secure Web Gateway is less expensive than one of its competitors."
"There is an additional charge for advanced security features."
"Pricing and licensing is stunted and licensing is expensive. We have many customers who are now thinking about other solutions due to the cost."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations use Symantec Secure Web Gateway primarily for endpoint security and cloud-managed web proxies. It offers URL filtering, antivirus capabilities, and SSL interception for HTTP and HTTPS requests. Users apply it to block or grant internet access, often implementing policies based on roles or locations. Its ease of use and ability to manage web traffic seamlessly, without managing infrastructure or requiring constant updates, makes it valuable for companies needing flexible and dynamic internet access control.

Service and Support

Users express mixed experiences with Symantec Secure Web Gateway's customer service. Some find it adequate, with prompt responses for severe issues, while others describe it as slow, particularly for low-severity cases. The process can involve unnecessary delays, often requiring navigation through partners before reaching Symantec. Support is described as long-winded, asking detailed questions. Some users are not satisfied, citing Broadcom's slow response times and complex procedures. Others mention friendly interaction once a ticket is opened.

Deployment

Symantec Secure Web Gateway's initial setup varies in complexity. For some, it is easy and straightforward, often involving a quick deployment with little difficulty. Others rely on IT teams without encountering issues, finding the process as simple as logging into the cloud console. However, some experience a prolonged installation due to specific requirements, involving several personnel and months for completion. Equipment maintenance requires significant tech support, but installation can be handled in-house with standard processes.

Scalability

Symantec Secure Web Gateway experiences mixed feedback on scalability. Some find it scalable without issues, while others believe it lags in cloud capabilities. Administrative challenges are noted, with scalability being adequate but improvable. Users vary in numbers, with some using it seamlessly, but improvement potential is acknowledged. Scalability ratings suggest room for enhancement, yet the current setup supports significant user numbers under specific licenses.

Stability

Symantec Secure Web Gateway's stability receives mixed feedback. Some users experience no issues, citing reliability and a lack of crashes. Others mention frequent bugs and the need for fine-tuning. Availability is often assured due to AWS hosting. However, occasional logout problems impact stability, which some rate seven out of ten.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

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