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Check Point CloudGuard Network Security vs Symantec Data Center Security comparison

Check Point Software Technologies and Broadcom are both solutions in the Cloud and Data Center Security category. Check Point Software Technologies is ranked #6 with an average rating of 8.6, while Broadcom is ranked #11 with an average rating of 8.0. Check Point Software Technologies holds a 1.4% mindshare in CDCS, compared to Broadcom’s 1.5% mindshare. Additionally, 96% of Check Point Software Technologies users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 81% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.
Check Point CloudGuard Netw...
Read 152 Check Point CloudGuard Network Security reviews
  • 902 Views
  • 345 Comparison Views
96% willing to recommend
Symantec Data Center Security
Read 11 Symantec Data Center Security reviews
  • 506 Views
  • 401 Comparison Views
81% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Oct 14, 2024

Check Point CloudGuard Network Security and Symantec Data Center Security compete in the realm of cloud and data center protection. In terms of features and scalability, Check Point seems to have the upper hand with its extensive offerings and integration capabilities, while Symantec is more robust in hardening and permission control.

Features: Check Point CloudGuard Network Security offers auto-scaling, centralized management, and comprehensive integration with major public cloud providers such as AWS, GCP, and Azure. It is highly scalable and focused on threat prevention. Symantec Data Center Security provides robust hardening capabilities and effective permission control, though it lacks the flexibility and feature range suitable for cloud environments.

Room for Improvement: Check Point CloudGuard Network Security users identify complexities in deployment and reporting, as well as challenges with integrations and the need for enhanced technical documentation and support. Symantec Data Center Security is noted for its complex policy structures and limited management flexibility, with calls for better integration with other solutions and more intuitive user interfaces.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Check Point CloudGuard Network Security offers flexibility across on-premises, private, and public cloud environments, making it suitable for hybrid setups. Its customer service is generally positive, albeit with some inconsistencies in support quality. Symantec Data Center Security excels in private and on-premises deployments, but is less adaptable to public and hybrid cloud settings. Customer service is praised for prompt support and vendor engagement.

Pricing and ROI: Check Point CloudGuard Network Security is positioned at a higher price point with customizable licensing options like pay-as-you-go and bring-your-own-license models, offering competitive yet premium pricing. Users report significant ROI through operational efficiencies. Symantec Data Center Security, although frequently seen as more expensive compared to competitors like CrowdStrike, has mixed perceptions regarding ROI, with some deeming its costs reasonable and others finding it less cost-effective.

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To learn more, read our detailed Check Point CloudGuard Network Security vs. Symantec Data Center Security Report (Updated: March 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Check Point CloudGuard Network Security vs. Symantec Data Center Security
March 2025
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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Check Point CloudGuard Netw...
Ranking in Cloud and Data Center Security
6th
Average Rating
8.6
Reviews Sentiment
7.5
Number of Reviews
152
Ranking in other categories
Firewalls (8th), Managed Security Services Providers (MSSP) (1st), Software Defined WAN (SD-WAN) Solutions (3rd), WAN Edge (3rd), Unified Threat Management (UTM) (6th)
Symantec Data Center Security
Ranking in Cloud and Data Center Security
11th
Average Rating
7.6
Reviews Sentiment
5.0
Number of Reviews
11
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of April 2025, in the Cloud and Data Center Security category, the mindshare of Check Point CloudGuard Network Security is 1.4%, down from 2.5% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Symantec Data Center Security is 1.5%, down from 3.3% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Cloud and Data Center Security
 

Featured Reviews

Martin Raška - PeerSpot reviewer
Unification of security features strengthens network protection
The overall network security is good. It's big-picture, all in one bundle. It's valuable to have everything in one place instead of spreading across different products. Unified security management positively affects a company's security operations. They have one unified view of the security. I can connect multiple gateways to the management and have it in one place. I can have reporting and views in a single pane of glass on the consolidated platform. It's easy to use. The management is the best on the market. It's very easy to work with, read, understand, and navigate. It helps increase our customer's security posture. We can see in some cases CloudGuard improves our customers' posture overall.
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Atul-Vats - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers a complete system lockdown feature and the ability to restrict users but has a complex policy structure
The negative aspect of that particular product is the fact it has a very, very, very complex policy structure. A user or administrator making the policy in the DCS should have a very thorough knowledge of the operating system or policy making. You have to be very specific about the data structure. If you want to secure a Linux server, an administrator should be very confident about how the directory structure of Linux, how Linux works, and where it puts the important logs. You have to be very cautious about the complete path, and you have to write it over there in the policy part. If you are not very specific, there will be a lot of noise in the system. You're going to receive thousands of events that are false positives. The fine-tuning of the policy is a very complex thing in the DCS itself. Another negative aspect that I have observed is if the product gets installed on the kernel level of any non-Windows server, it has some issues, comparability issues. Sometimes the product doesn't work properly, so it shuts down the machine and crashes the system. There are many cases in which I've observed the DCS crashing the system.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"CloudGuard Network Security provides unified security management across hybrid-clouds as well as on-prem."
"I give it a ten out of ten."
"The number of options it gives for deployment or security is valuable. When it comes to security, it has a feature that is super awesome for zero-day-based attacks. Their IPS is also very capable. We tested other firewalls, and we understood that it is the best one in the market."
"The tool's most valuable features are inspecting internet traffic and IPS. We can manage the firewall using shared policies from a single management server."
"The complexity managed by Check Point developers is amazing."
"The features of the solution which I have found most valuable are its flexibility and agility. It's a fully scalable solution, from our perspective. We can define scaling groups and, based on the load, it will create new instances. It's truly a product which is oriented toward the cloud mindset, cloud agility, and this is a great feature."
"The SSL spectrum proved to be the most valuable for our incoming connections."
"CloudGuard Network Security provides us with unified security management across hybrid clouds as well as on-premise."
More Check Point CloudGuard Network Security pros
"The most valuable feature is the endpoint protection system."
"The advantage of Data Center Security is its ease of use and that it serves as a single unified platform, where I can apply all my security policies to protect that server."
"The granularity of applying the policies is valuable."
"The tool will then detect any anomalies, such as an intruder who has breached the network, which can trigger the system lockdown feature if it's enabled and meets the defined threshold."
"The real strength lies in its straightforward approach, offering just two key policies: prevention and detection."
"The most valuable feature is the centralized console, which can handle different products that we have."
"Good file integrity monitoring features."
"The ability to finely control permissions and restrictions on servers or assets through a customizable rule set is a key strength."
More Symantec Data Center Security pros
 

Cons

"Improvements needed include better integration with Azure features to match on-premises capabilities."
"At CPX, we heard that we can see all the things on the same platform. That is what we have been asking for, and hopefully, we are going to start seeing it this year."
"The user interface can be improved."
"Clustering in Azure is a bit different, not using the Check Point cluster but relying on load balancing. It's not as instant as I'm used to; in Azure, it might take around half a minute to a minute, and during this time, services could be down. The delay is attributed to Azure using its load balancing mechanisms instead of the Check Point cluster."
"There is room for improvement in the integration with PaaS services from the public cloud. It would be very helpful."
"Despite using it for a long time, there are always new features. For example, just last week, I discovered a new feature that had been in the software for years yet it was not visible due to its placement behind multiple menus. Teaching sessions would be beneficial, yet it is our responsibility to learn, so we cannot entirely rely on Check Point."
"CloudGuard Network Security's pricing is expensive. We have encountered issues with its licensing."
"Documentation might become too complex or too spread out, especially for newcomers."
More Check Point CloudGuard Network Security cons
"They need to develop a more flexible product that can be scaled such that it fits well into a small business or a bigger, enterprise-level solution."
"It would be advantageous if Symantec or Broadcom, given the rebranding, could simplify the process, enabling users to leverage the antivirus functionality more easily."
"Agent management is a challenging task."
"The support is very bad. They're not fast at all. Trend Micro's support is much better."
"A user or administrator making the policy in the DCS should have a very thorough knowledge of the operating system or policy making. You have to be very specific about the data structure."
"Adding more compatibility with common products like Microsoft would be a plus."
"This solution clashes with Microsoft defender, which results in performance degradation on the machine."
"Could have better reporting capabilities and better support."
More Symantec Data Center Security cons
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The product's licensing costs are yearly."
"When customers compare it with Sophos or any other products, the price is on the higher side."
"The cost is on the higher side, as it is based on workload, hence we need to decide which VPC or workload needs to be part of CloudGuard."
"It is the most expensive part of the product. There is a lot of room for improvement. Security comes with a price, but it is still a big chunk just for the service."
"I quite like the way they priced it. It is very reasonable."
"I know that we have an enterprise agreement with Check Point. That gives us some benefits, but I do not have more information about that."
"The pricing is pretty high, not just for your capital, for what you have to pay upfront, but for what you pay for your annual software renewals as well, compared to a lot of other vendors. Check Point is near the top, as far as how much it's going to cost you."
"CloudGuard Network Security is not too cheap."
More Check Point CloudGuard Network Security pricing and cost advice
"It is notably more expensive when compared to other solutions."
"Compared to some other solutions, such as CrowdStrike, Symantec is more expensive."
"The product is a bit costly."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
21%
Financial Services Firm
14%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Energy/Utilities Company
6%
Manufacturing Company
20%
Financial Services Firm
16%
Computer Software Company
14%
Government
5%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Check Point CloudGuard Network Security?
The tool's most valuable feature is its management console.
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Check Point CloudGuard Network Security?
Pricing in Jamaica is a major issue, with users often citing it as a reason for not using Check Point.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Check Point CloudGuard Network Security?
They could improve the documentation. The interface is fine for me since I have been using it for some time.
See all answers
What do you like most about Symantec Data Center Security?
The granularity of applying the policies is valuable.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Symantec Data Center Security?
Agent management is a challenging task. We cannot do it from the console. We will have to use other tools.
See all answers
What is your primary use case for Symantec Data Center Security?
One key use case for data center security is protecting files within the data center. This is especially important for Linux systems, where locking down specific files is essential to prevent unaut...
See all answers
 

Comparisons

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Compared 17% of the time
Azure Firewall vs Check Point CloudGuard Network Security Logo
Azure Firewall vs Check Point CloudGuard Network Security
Compared 12% of the time
VMware NSX vs Check Point CloudGuard Network Security Logo
VMware NSX vs Check Point CloudGuard Network Security
Compared 7% of the time
Fortinet FortiGate-VM vs Check Point CloudGuard Network Security Logo
Fortinet FortiGate-VM vs Check Point CloudGuard Network Security
Compared 6% of the time
More Check Point CloudGuard Network Security Competitors
Trend Micro Deep Security vs Symantec Data Center Security Logo
Trend Micro Deep Security vs Symantec Data Center Security
Compared 53% of the time
Symantec Endpoint Security vs Symantec Data Center Security Logo
Symantec Endpoint Security vs Symantec Data Center Security
Compared 37% of the time
VMware NSX vs Symantec Data Center Security Logo
VMware NSX vs Symantec Data Center Security
Compared 10% of the time
More Symantec Data Center Security Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Check Point CloudGuard Network Security
April 2025
Check Point CloudGuard Network Security reportDownload Check Point CloudGuard Network Security product report
Buyer's Guide
Symantec Data Center Security
March 2025
Symantec Data Center Security reportDownload Symantec Data Center Security product report
 

Also Known As

CloudGuard IaaS, Check Point vSEC, CloudGuard IaaS, Check Point Virtual Systems, Check Point CloudGuard Network Security
No data available
 

Overview

Check Point CloudGuard Network Security is designed to secure cloud assets, offering robust firewall capabilities and protection for both internal and external traffic across AWS, Azure, and on-premises environments.

Enterprises rely on Check Point CloudGuard Network Security for comprehensive network protection, threat prevention, and compliance enforcement. Supporting virtual machines and hybrid environments, it delivers advanced security measures including intrusion prevention and application control. Key functions include firewall security, network segmentation, and cloud environment protection, ensuring businesses maintain a secure and compliant IT infrastructure.

What are the most valuable features of Check Point CloudGuard Network Security?
  • Flexible Architecture: Adaptable to diverse cloud and on-premises environments.
  • UTM Capabilities: Unified Threat Management delivering multi-layered security.
  • Advanced Threat Prevention: Includes IPS, application control, and anti-malware.
  • Auto-scaling: Automatically adjusts capacity based on traffic and demand.
  • Comprehensive Threat Prevention: Protects against known and unknown threats.
  • Ease of Use: Streamlined deployment and management processes.
  • Integration with Cloud Platforms: Seamlessly works with AWS, Azure, and other clouds.
  • Centralized Management: Single-pane-of-glass visibility and control.
  • User Identity Awareness: Enhances security policies based on user identities.
  • Zero-touch Deployment: Simplifies initial setup and deployment.
What benefits and ROI can users expect from Check Point CloudGuard Network Security?
  • Email Protection: Shields email communications from threats.
  • Anti-malware: Guards against malicious software.
  • Single-pane-of-glass Visibility: Provides a unified view for better security management.
  • Scalability: Grows with the business needs.
  • Seamless Cloud Transition: Eases the move from on-premises to cloud environments.

In industries such as financial services, healthcare, retail, and education, Check Point CloudGuard Network Security is implemented to safeguard sensitive data, ensure compliance, and protect critical infrastructure. Companies in these sectors benefit from its advanced threat prevention and flexible deployment options, meeting their stringent security requirements while enabling secure digital transformation.

Check Point Software Technologies

Docker containers make it easy to develop, deploy, and deliver applications where containers can be deployed and brought down in a matter of seconds. This flexibility makes it very useful for DevOps to automate deployment of containers. Symantec Data Center Security: Server Advanced provides agentless Docker container protection that allows you to achieve the performance benefits of Docker without sacrificing security. Full application control enables administrator privilege de-escalation, patch mitigation, and protection against zero day threats in today's heterogeneous data centers.

Broadcom
 

Sample Customers

Physicians Choice Laboratory Services, Helvetica Insurance
Information Not Available
Buyer's Guide
Check Point CloudGuard Network Security vs. Symantec Data Center Security
March 2025
Free Report: Check Point CloudGuard Network Security vs. Symantec Data Center Security
Find out what your peers are saying about Check Point CloudGuard Network Security vs. Symantec Data Center Security and other solutions. Updated: March 2025.
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We monitor all Cloud and Data Center Security reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.