Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway and Zscaler Internet Access are leading competitors in the web security space. Based on the evaluation, Zscaler seems to have the upper hand due to its cloud-native architecture and strong focus on remote worker security.
Features: Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway provides in-depth customization, URL filtering, and CASB integration, making it suitable for complex security needs. It can be deployed on both VMs and existing appliances. Zscaler Internet Access offers SSL inspection, Advanced Threat Security, and Cloud Sandbox, making it an ideal choice for organizations emphasizing strong security measures, particularly for remote work environments. Its real-time threat protection and centralized endpoint control add significant value.
Room for Improvement: Forcepoint users report challenges with AD authentication, slow policy implementation, and limited cloud features, highlighting a need for better integration. Improvements in reporting and reducing false positives are also desired. Zscaler is criticized for high costs and network performance issues, with user interfaces seen as complex. Enhancements in pricing models and integration capabilities could increase competitiveness.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Deploying Forcepoint varies across on-premises and hybrid environments, necessitating technical expertise. While customer service is rated positively, technical support needs consistency. Zscaler benefits from cloud-native deployment, simplifying access for distributed users but may require on-site support. Although Zscaler customer service is often helpful during deployment, technical support can be improved according to some users.
Pricing and ROI: Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is perceived as an expensive option. Although flexible licensing is offered, additional functionalities like web isolation can add to costs. The solution provides good security features for ROI, though seen as costly compared to alternatives. Zscaler Internet Access positions itself at a premium price due to comprehensive security features, making it valuable for cloud-based operations and global scalability. However, the cost may be significant for large enterprises.
The managed service aspect of Zscaler Internet Access has allowed for reduced staffing costs, resulting in a saving of approximately 20-25% compared to prior expenses.
There are instances where both the response time and technical support quality need improvement.
The technical support for Zscaler Internet Access is rated around seven out of ten due to some response time issues and the engagement model.
I find customer support to be quite adequate
I find Zscaler Internet Access to be highly scalable, which was one of the reasons for choosing it.
Zscaler Internet Access is scalable and has points of presence across the globe to ensure low latency and reliable connections.
Zscaler Internet Access is stable and capable of building resilient architectures.
Zscaler Internet Access is very stable, and I would rate its stability as nine out of ten.
They need to enhance their CASB solutions since currently, the cloud index support is low compared to competitors.
The response time and engagement model for technical support could be improved to handle complex outages more efficiently.
One feature I am missing is the ability to connect automatically to internal monitoring systems.
It's really expensive.
Zscaler Internet Access is recognized as an expensive solution.
Zscaler Internet Access is less expensive than competitors like Palo Alto, offering a premium service justified by security enhancements and cost-effective scalability.
As organizations move away from legacy applications and data centers, the SASE architecture and ZTNA-based operations become essential.
The SSL inspection also offers added security, facilitating the exchange of critical data.
Some of the most valuable features of Zscaler Internet Access include secure web gateways, URL filtering, data loss prevention, anti-malware defense, file extension blocking, and a comprehensive categorization system.
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is a secure web gateway (SWG) tool that provides multiple forms of protection against malware, including blocking categories of websites, inline scanning of downloaded files, and zero trust-based advanced threat protection. The solution monitors and controls any interaction with any website, including blocking access to websites based on category and risk score, blocking download of malware, blocking upload of sensitive data to personal file sharing accounts, and detecting shadow IT.
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway Features
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway Benefits
There are many benefits to implementing Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:
Reviews from Real Users
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is a solution that stands out when compared to many of its competitors. Some of its major advantages are that it has strong reporting capabilities, good URL filtering, and can retrieve and analyze lost data when necessary.
Shipra G., Service Delivery Manager at Paramount Computer Systems, says, “The reporting part of it is pretty awesome. With the reporting, you can drill down effectively. It gives us a lot of power to really look into what we are looking for. That is one very crucial feature. In the remote filtering part, the agent that they have on Forcepoint is pretty light. That also is a very, very good feature that we look into and sell.”
Mohammed S., Security Engineer at Futuretec, writes, "The most valuable feature for me in Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is URL filtering, though all other features of the product are okay as well."
Arvind K., Director at Foresight Software Solutions Pvt Ltd., says, “They have well-integrated web security. They have the enterprise DLP included in the cloud as well.”
An Ict Help Desk Administrator Individual Contributor at a transportation company states, “The most valuable feature of Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is the ability to retrieve and analyze lost data. It also allows us to detect and prevent the release of all messages and to take appropriate actions in consequence.”
Zscaler Internet Access is a cloud-native security service edge (SSE) platform. Its main purpose is to provide AI-powered protection for all users, all applications, and all locations. The solution replaces other legacy network security solutions to stop advanced attacks and prevent data loss by using a comprehensive zero trust approach.
Zscaler Internet Access Features
Zscaler Internet Access has many valuable key features. Some of the most useful ones include:
Zscaler Internet Access Benefits
There are several benefits to implementing Zscaler Internet Access. Some of the biggest advantages the solution offers include:
Reviews from Real Users
Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by Zscaler Internet Access users.
A Service Manager at a construction company says, "There are a bunch of different capabilities that are valuable within the platform. We use quite a lot of them, but not everything. The ones that are most important to us are the URL Filtering and the application control. For our needs, the cloud-native proxy architecture is a very good solution. This architecture helps with cyber threats because we inspect most of the traffic and we can see that a lot of threats are stopped directly in the secure web gateway."
Owen N., Security Architect at Claro Enterprise Solutions, explains that the solution’s most valuable features include “The integration of the gateway that inspects all ports and protocols. So, there is threat prevention; The cloud sandbox; VNS security; Access control that will protect URL filtering and the cloud firewall; Data protection that will protect your gateway, like your CASB or your cloud DLP; The capabilities of this will point your traffic to Zscaler Cloud.”
An Architecture Senior Manager at an insurance company mentions, "The data loss prevention feature is the most valuable. It stops our users from inadvertently leaking our customers' data to the Internet or anywhere else it shouldn't go." He also adds, “The solution provides quick access to cloud services, securing our data and allowing us to inspect all our traffic.”
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