Symantec Siteminder Reviews

Name: Symantec Siteminder
Brand: Broadcom
Rating: 4.0 (73 reviews)

Vendor: Broadcom

4.0 out of 5

73 reviews
91% willing to recommend

1,209 followers

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What is Symantec Siteminder?

Symantec® SiteMinder is designed to secure the modern enterprise through a unified access management platform that applies the appropriate authentication mechanism to positively identify users; provides single sign-on and identity federation for seamless access to any application; enforces granular security policies to stop unauthorized access to sensitive resources; and monitors and manages the entire user session to prevent session hijacking. Finally, Symantec SiteMinder is battle-tested and has been deployed in the largest IT environments in the world.

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Symantec Siteminder is the #1 ranked solution in top Web Access Management solutions, #11 ranked solution in top Access Management solutions, and #12 ranked solution in top Single Sign-On (SSO) solutions. PeerSpot users give Symantec Siteminder an average rating of 8.0 out of 10. Based on the analysis of the 73 most recent Symantec Siteminder reviews, the overall sentiment is positive, with a sentiment score of 6.2. (Among the lowest in the category). Symantec Siteminder is most commonly compared to Microsoft Entra ID: Symantec Siteminder vs Microsoft Entra ID. Symantec Siteminder is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 82% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a financial services firm, accounting for 34% of all views.

Helped 825,661 peers since 2012

Featured reviews

Siva Chalamarla

Senior Software Engineer at HCLTech

The access control and the SSO are the two most valuable features. Siteminder allows users to authenticate once and gain access to multiple applications without needing to reauthenticate for each application separately. For example, if you access one application in one tab, you do not need to provide it again if you are trying to access the same application. The portal has different applications built into it. It's similar to Google. If you open Google and try to access the maps in that Google, you do not need to authenticate in maps. You just need to authenticate in the starting phase. Only a particular group of people have access. Our guys will give an error called access denied or unauthorized access. It depends on the application. It is pretty easy to learn.

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Umair (Abu Mohaymin) Akhlaque

Enterprise Solutions & Services Head at Duroob Technologies

It's not difficult, however, eventually, you need the right expertise to implement the solution. You need the right consultant who has knowledge of the applications, the knowledge surrounding security, and can handle in-depth logging processes that are taking place. Basically, you need the right people to implement it. It's not easy. I would prefer to have a consultant who has the development knowledge. The size of the team you need to implement the product depends on the size and the scope of the project. For a simple two or three applications, we needed only one consultant to implement. However, if it is a massive implementation with multiple products, multiple web servers, web applications, et cetera, eventually its scope varies and timelines vary, and you will require a couple of engineers to implement it.

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Reviewer345234

Associate General Manager at HCLTech

I would recommend the solution to users based on their budget and requirements. We have features to enable the WAF policy. If you are using cookies and all, it is more secure. It's about the functionality you have enabled in your system. Using Federation is more secure than using an AWS solution. You have to enable that feature which is also enabled in Symantec SiteMinder. You have to check whether you have enabled it or not. Any product is easy to use if your fundamentals are strong. When we started using this product, we had to customize everything according to the application's requirements. Nowadays, most things are out of the box. From a user or administrative point of view, it's not very hard to learn to use Siteminder for the first time compared to Java and .NET. Overall, I rate the solution a seven to eight out of ten.

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Symantec Siteminder mindshare

Product category:

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Symantec Siteminder in the Single Sign-On (SSO) category stands at 1.8%, down from 2.4% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Single Sign-On (SSO)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Single Sign-On (SSO)	Jan 7, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 7, 2025	Download
Comparison	Symantec Siteminder vs Microsoft Entra ID	Jan 7, 2025	Download
Comparison	Symantec Siteminder vs Cisco Duo	Jan 7, 2025	Download
Comparison	Symantec Siteminder vs Ping Identity Platform	Jan 7, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Microsoft Entra ID	4.3	30.1%	94%	218 interviews Add to research
Okta Workforce Identity	4.2	13.4%	94%	64 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Symantec Siteminder's key features include access management, single sign-on, and identity federation. Its flexibility allows integration with various applications and platforms. The user-friendly interface simplifies administration and enhances security with role-based authorization and identity provisioning. Siteminder efficiently manages user credentials across multiple environments, ensuring a seamless experience. Its robust security features, such as secure cookies and authorization mechanisms, make it valuable for enterprises looking to protect digital assets and enable secure, scalable authentication processes.

"Siteminder allows us to manage identity and portability control efficiently."
"Siteminder allows us to manage identity and portability control efficiently."
"It is pretty easy to learn."

Room for Improvement

Symantec Siteminder users mention challenges with configuration, a dated interface, and inadequate documentation. They note issues with the web agent installation process, the need for better integration with other technologies, and complications during upgrades. They express a desire for improved support, a more modern and user-friendly interface, and streamlined reporting. Additionally, users mention the need for enhanced customization options, better support for new protocols like OpenID, and faster adaptation to new technologies.

"The maintenance cost has increased significantly, and we are concerned about this."
"Siteminder needs to improve its user experience."
"The support team could work on their response time and overall competence."

ROI

Many users reported positive outcomes from Symantec Siteminder, noting it provided strong security and streamlined access management. Cost savings and efficiency improvements were frequently highlighted. A few users emphasized better user experience and reduced administrative burdens. Some mentioned rapid implementation and easy integration with existing systems. Enhanced compliance and audit capabilities were also often noted.

Pricing

Symantec Siteminder pricing is generally considered high, though competitive compared to other enterprise solutions. Users highlight variable packages based on user base and feature sets, advising careful planning for scalability. While licensing includes partial and subscription options, costs can escalate, particularly with database needs. Despite perceptions of a fair model and significant ROI, some express concerns about high maintenance fees and suggest pricing improvements. Evaluating all solutions through a PoC is recommended for enterprises.

"The solution's pricing is competitive."
"The pricing is reasonable."
"Siteminder is a little costly. You pay for licensing, and they offer packages, so if you have less users, then you have to buy different products at different prices. If you have more of a user base, then the package is different. They also include other features—for example, if you have a database and you're using Siteminder, then it's good to use a Semantic-specific database, but if you are using less, then you have to purchase the database separately. Whereas if you are going for a bigger license, then it comes within the package. It depends on which plan you are using."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Symantec Siteminder for single sign-on authentication and authorization across multiple applications and websites. It supports secure user registration, integrates with biometric modules, and provides identity federation for remote applications. It is employed in various sectors, including banking and insurance, ensuring reliable access control and protecting URLs. Additionally, it integrates with systems for tasks like user validation, single login for clients, and reverse proxy for enhanced security against unauthorized access.

Service and Support

Users report mixed experiences with Symantec Siteminder's support. Some find the response timely and knowledgeable, while others face delays and repetitive inquiries. Support quality improves after escalating to higher-tier assistance. Relationships with account managers help enhance experiences, but initial interactions can be frustrating due to inconsistent expertise and slow responses. Users notice improvements over time, but some express dissatisfaction, especially when using older infrastructure. Overall, engagement with partners can yield better outcomes.

Deployment

Symantec Siteminder's initial setup is generally complex, requiring significant understanding of the application's architecture and components. Many found the process not straightforward, needing professional services or additional resources. Some upgrades and component setups were simpler, but new users often faced a learning curve. Documentation clarity was another challenge, requiring multiple documents or external help to ensure successful deployment. Those with prior experience reported smoother processes, though complexities remained present across environments.

Scalability

Symantec Siteminder is viewed as highly scalable and capable of supporting varying user volumes, even into the millions. Users note ease in expanding horizontally with additional servers. Challenges may arise with specific integrations or configurations, but many find it suitable for business needs. Its architecture supports extensive growth, though some parts may require manual adjustments. Users benefit from scalability capabilities, with some seeking improvements in infrastructure and vertical scaling options.

Stability

Symantec Siteminder is considered stable by many, frequently cited for its reliability and high uptime. Some report issues during upgrades or when implementing new features, though such instances are infrequent. Patches and support help address occasional glitches. Long-term users emphasize its maturity and stability, especially in environments with redundancies. Challenges like compatibility issues or restarts are often linked to older versions or specific configurations.

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

Download our Symantec Siteminder Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.