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IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy vs IBM Security Guardium Data Protection comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive Summary

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

IBM InfoSphere Optim Data P...
Average Rating
8.0
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
Data Masking (7th)
IBM Security Guardium Data ...
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.6
Number of Reviews
78
Ranking in other categories
Database Security (1st)
 

Mindshare comparison

While both are Database Development and Management Tools solutions, they serve different purposes. IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy is designed for Data Masking and holds a mindshare of 3.6%, up 2.8% compared to last year.
IBM Security Guardium Data Protection, on the other hand, focuses on Database Security, holds 32.0% mindshare, up 31.1% since last year.
Data Masking
Database Security
 

Featured Reviews

HansMiseur - PeerSpot reviewer
A stable and flexible product that improves development time
The product is very stable and flexible. The product masks data throughout the entire structure. It helps us to work in a differential integrity environment. We conducted testing directly on our production environment in the past, but that’s no longer the case. We can now work with actual data in a production-like setting without production data. The shift to non-production data for testing and development has significantly improved our workflow. Developers can now work with fewer errors when deploying to production. The delivery of new software became faster, and errors significantly decreased. Working with actual data during the development phase allowed us to catch and address issues early rather than encountering them later during acceptance or production.
Ahmer Faisel Khan - PeerSpot reviewer
Offers mature agents, compliance reporting and reliable database security
The solution should allow the data to shift to a centralized repository with elastic servers and big data infrastructure. If a customer searches for old logs for retention purposes, there are limitations on appliances once they are set with specific hardware, so they can only be changed by uninstalling or reinstalling the hardware. The solution's aggregator feature allows data aggregation, but for instance, if a customer wants a project ready in two years, having an Elasticsearch in DB or the capacity to store huge amounts of data would be beneficial in data investigation or evaluation at an affordable cost. Some AI features should be added to IBM Security Guardium Data Protection. For example, the AI features implemented in the solution can be anomaly detection or suspicious activity identification.

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The product is very stable and flexible. The product masks data throughout the entire structure. It helps us to work in a differential integrity environment. We conducted testing directly on our production environment in the past, but that’s no longer the case. We can now work with actual data in a production-like setting without production data. The shift to non-production data for testing and development has significantly improved our workflow."
"The most valuable feature is the GUI, the interface. It also interfaces well with REST API, if you want to automate some of the commands."
"Efficiency is key and IBM Guardium provides information in a heartbeat, but protects the data with military grade encryption."
"The solution supports a lot of databases."
"The front-end works very well."
"Our ability to see when users are accessing sensitive data."
"From the perspective of analysis and prevention, this product is pretty accurate."
"The reporting side is also very, very good, especially its flexibility which allows you to tailor the reports to whatever information you want."
"The most valuable feature is the visualization of data and the ability to monitor our databases."
 

Cons

"We have encountered challenges with different intgrity structures. In my experience, I’ve encountered challenges with implementing business cases. While the product remains stable, translating its use cases can be more complex. This involves both technical and functional considerations."
"Right now we're having some issues where it's using a high CPU, we don't know why. So, better testing before the product is ready would help."
"Guardium's storage capabilities could use some improvement. I'd also like to have some better integration using digital technology or a connector."
"The backup and recovery is very resource-hungry and requires a huge amount of storage capacity."
"The manuals should be clearer. There needs to be an online course or tutorial for faster management training."
"Guardium Data Protection is far better in terms of external integration. But in terms of firewall features, like when you're blocking activities, it's as if Oracle AVDF simply has superior features. This is just from third-party observations, but the users of Oracle AVDF are saying that when it comes to the firewall and protection functionality, they're much more inclined to AVDF."
"I would like to see a lot of additional reporting and analytics features. They have basic outlier detection, but I would love to see that go further, and model it after analytics tools like Splunk."
"I would like to see AI and machine learning added in the future."
"​It will not go as fast as you want. ​"
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy's pricing is not expensive. It was less than what we expected. The licensing model for IBM Optim involves a one-time purchase followed by an annual subscription fee. This fee covers ongoing support and access to new versions. However, there are no options for extended or additional support."
"Guardium is most suitable for large scale enterprises because the pricing model is better if you are implementing a large number of databases."
"IBM solutions have fair price strategy, and operates on a yearly basis. If it's a SaaS solution, then you can opt for yearly basis."
"I would suggest to review the type of data, need for security, and if the organizational structure needs the options IBM Guardium provides."
"Guardium's pricing is quite high, but it gives good value for money for all sizes of enterprises, especially for partners."
"It is not an expensive product. We purchase its yearly license."
"It's an expensive solution"
"​If you are researching this type of solution, work with IBM."
"The product's pricing is reasonable and affordable. It is in the moderate range."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
No data available
Financial Services Firm
30%
Computer Software Company
11%
Manufacturing Company
7%
Insurance Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy?
The product is very stable and flexible. The product masks data throughout the entire structure. It helps us to work in a differential integrity environment. We conducted testing directly on our pr...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy?
IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy's pricing is not expensive. It was less than what we expected. The licensing model for IBM Optim involves a one-time purchase followed by an annual subscription fe...
What needs improvement with IBM InfoSphere Optim Data Privacy?
We have encountered challenges with different intgrity structures. In my experience, I’ve encountered challenges with implementing business cases. While the product remains stable, translating its ...
How does IBM Guardium Data Protection compare with Imperva SecureSphere Database Security?
IBM Security Guardium Data Protection is a solution for database security from IBM that gives complete visibility, control, and analysis to secure sensitive data and comply with regulations. IBM S...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for IBM Guardium Data Protection?
The pricing is good, and I have no problem with it. Although there is no flexibility to compete with other products, it generally costs between one hundred and three hundred thousand per year depen...
What do you like most about IBM Security Guardium Data Protection?
The features I like are the robust policies, which allow us to create customized monitoring based on specific activities.
 

Also Known As

IBM Optim Data Privacy, Optim Data Privacy
InfoSphere Guardium, Guardium, IBM Guardium
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Rabobank
Information Not Available
Find out what your peers are saying about Perforce, Informatica, Broadcom and others in Data Masking. Updated: March 2025.
848,253 professionals have used our research since 2012.