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DaliaHassen - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Security Architect at Meeza
Real User
A stable, scalable, and valuable tool that provides excellent network monitoring
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution is outstanding from a monitoring perspective."
  • "Darktrace is a closed technology, meaning we know very little about how it works, including the architecture, which is significant. As a result, when we implement the system and find we're getting many false positives, we have minimal insight into why it's happening and what we can do to fix it. We don't know how the solution is configured, the criteria for threats to be determined, or the product's inner workings. We understand that they have to ensure privacy and their copyright, but we want to see some documentation or public research into the security Darktrace provides."

What is our primary use case?

I work for a Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP), and we provide the solution for our clients to improve their security posture in both IT and OT. The deployments are typically hybrid. 

What is most valuable?

The solution is outstanding from a monitoring perspective. 

All of the features are valuable and provide excellent capability in the field.

What needs improvement?

Darktrace is a closed technology, meaning we know very little about how it works, including the architecture, which is significant. As a result, when we implement the system and find we're getting many false positives, we have minimal insight into why it's happening and what we can do to fix it. We don't know how the solution is configured, the criteria for threats to be determined, or the product's inner workings. We understand that they have to ensure privacy and their copyright, but we want to see some documentation or public research into the security Darktrace provides.

A relatively new module called Darktrace PREVENT provides digital protection to the company from the internet. However, the protection doesn't extend to the dark web, which limits its depth. PREVENT also offers phishing awareness training in the form of dummy attacks and some penetration testing, but it is very limited from my point of view.

The AI and Darktrace breach model must be enhanced to minimize false positives, as they can give our customers a negative impression of the solution. Some of them come to us and say they aren't getting what they expect from it, especially after a significant investment.

For how long have I used the solution?

I initially used the product in 2016, then returned to it in 2022 and have been using it for about a year. Over the years, the extension to the Darktrace portfolio has been tremendous, and they have made improvements in many areas, including reporting and autonomous response.

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What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability is very good; I rate the solution eight out of ten here. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is scalable; I rate it eight out of ten for scalability.

How are customer service and support?

Darktrace tech support is helpful, but there is room for improvement, especially around assistance for complex deployments. I rate them seven out of ten. 

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

The deployment is straightforward. However, a complex network, such as one in the cloud and a DOCSIS ecosystem, can become extremely difficult. Generally, though, the deployment is straightforward, and in our case, we completed the whole setup in three to four hours.

Specifically, large, complex MPLS networks are exceedingly tricky when deploying Darktrace. We may need more experience or training, but it would be good to see some improvements here.

Our InfoSec team uses the solution, consisting of two to three staff members. Regarding endpoints protected by the product, there were around 400 in my old position and 2000 in my current organization.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I'm unfamiliar with the exact cost, but we have a yearly license and had to pay for Darktrace's services before the deployment. The product is very expensive, so some organizations can't afford to pay the total amount directly, meaning they often seek a partner or pay in installments, which increases the price more.

Darktrace requires direct billing to London, which isn't possible for organizations in Qatar, so they have to go through processes that increase the price even further. If they had an office in Dubai or Qatar, that could solve this payment issue.

What other advice do I have?

I rate the solution eight out of ten and highly recommend it.

From a technological perspective, Darktrace is an excellent company, and the rate at which they improved and continue to improve their product is impressive.

All the data is on the appliance on the customers' premises, and we have to open back doors to the analysts in London to access the devices, who have complete visibility into what's happening on the customer side. This is a significant negative point for Darktrace. They also have complete visibility into our email, which is a privacy concern for us. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Partner
PeerSpot user
Marcelo Zuniga - PeerSpot reviewer
CISO at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Top 20
Provides threat monitoring by summarizing information about threats and suspicious traffic
Pros and Cons
  • "Darktrace's most valuable features are its dashboards and its ability to summarize huge amounts of information about threats and suspicious traffic."
  • "The solution's user interface and stability could be improved."

What is our primary use case?

We use Darktrace for threat monitoring in the finance industry.

What is most valuable?

Darktrace's most valuable features are its dashboards and its ability to summarize huge amounts of information about threats and suspicious traffic. The solution summarizes suspicious traffic in all our networks, allowing us to focus our efforts on the most vulnerable points in our network.

What needs improvement?

The solution's user interface and stability could be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Darktrace for one year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I rate the solution’s stability a six out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the solution’s scalability an eight out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

The solution's technical support team was very proficient and useful.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We previously used Cisco's EDR and traffic monitor.

How was the initial setup?

The solution's initial setup is very complex. It's not easy to set up Darktrace. The solution was deployed in three months by a team consisting of ten networking engineers.

What was our ROI?

The solution improved our visibility. Earlier, we couldn't visualize some threats on the internal network level. With Darktrace, we were able to spot some deficiencies and certain vulnerabilities.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

Before choosing Darktrace, we evaluated Palo Alto and Cisco. Palo Alto needed some integration with other Palo Alto and Cisco products. It was mostly focused on network traffic anomalies rather than cybersecurity threats.

What other advice do I have?

Darktrace is a very complex product. It's not like a commodity because we're not talking about licenses but mostly about traffic, which is a complex matter. Darktrace's AI technology could be improved because it requires a huge amount of manual work to work properly.

Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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January 2025
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Wissam Khashab - PeerSpot reviewer
IT Security Manager at Sara
Real User
Beneficial viability, simple installation, and responsive support
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable features of Darktrace are its full capabilities. You have visibility of everything."
  • "Darktrace could improve by being more user-friendly."

What is our primary use case?

Darktrace is an appliance that has been installed in our network, and it is connected to the database SaaS applications and they're collecting the data from there.

We are using Darktrace for tracking our network and if any suspicious activity happens, we will be notified or we can check it on our tenant.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable features of Darktrace are its full capabilities. You have visibility of everything.

What needs improvement?

Darktrace could improve by being more user-friendly.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Darktrace for approximately six months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Darktrace is stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability of Darktrace is good.

We have approximately 350 users using the solution in my company. Everyone is using it.

How are customer service and support?

The support from Darktrace is responsive and speedy.

I rate the support of Darktrace a nine out of ten.

How was the initial setup?

Darktrace is simple to install and the full process took approximately three weeks.

What about the implementation team?

The deployment of Darktrace was done by the vendor.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of Darktrace is high and could be reduced. We pay approximately $30,000 to $54,000 annually.

The cost of the solution is high making it an issue for smaller companies. We are a small organization and it is difficult to afford. We are not a large organization. For this reason, the solution's price must be reduced. Having 350 users is not a large organization. It's a small organization and paying approximately $30,000 to $54,000 annually, is a lot. However, sometimes we had too many services to have more visibility and be secure, this is the idea why we went with Darktrace without negotiating the prices.

What other advice do I have?

I recommend Darktrace to others, it is a helpful service you will have full visibility of what's happening on your network, emails, and SaaS applications.

I rate Darktrace an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Sammy Mukuna - PeerSpot reviewer
Network Admin at Naivas Ltd
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
Has a straightforward setup process and good technical support services
Pros and Cons
  • "Its AI technology supports cybersecurity by learning my environment and accurately responding to threats."
  • "The pricing needs improvement."

What is our primary use case?

We use the product to collect and monitor my environment. It models my traffic and sends me reports. Additionally, I have the response module in place to handle critical breaches by quarantining devices. I utilize it for generating reports and analyzing data to leverage threat intelligence.

What is most valuable?

The product's most valuable features are the response module and email protection.

What needs improvement?

Darktrace is quite expensive, which can be a significant factor for organizations with budget constraints. The pricing needs improvement. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Darktrace for around four to five years now.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable solution. I rate the stability an eight. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I rate the platform scalability a ten. It supports a wide range of devices and is highly scalable.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support services are reliable.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

With the support from Darktrace and its partners, the setup process was user-friendly and easy.

The deployment took less than a week, although the learning phase for the environment can take some additional time.

What was our ROI?

Darktrace generates an ROI by effectively mitigating threats and avoiding costs related to downtime and other issues.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The product is expensive.

What other advice do I have?

Darktrace provides real-time alarms for any anomalies in my network, which I utilize for incident response. It has significantly improved our reporting capabilities and response times once we set the parameters for identifying critical threats.

The response capability is beneficial because it autonomously responds to identified threats without manual intervention, ensuring that alerts are addressed 24/7. This includes quarantining devices as needed, which adds resilience to our security operations.

There have been improvements in incident response times. Before using the response functionality, we experienced a breach last year. Now, reports highlight and address incidents more effectively, reducing response times.

Its AI technology supports cybersecurity by learning my environment and accurately responding to threats. It reduces false positives and provides accurate threat detection by understanding the behavior of my network.

It is a tool worth trying, but the pricing aspect should be considered. I rate an eight out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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PatrickWang - PeerSpot reviewer
Cybersecurity Manager at DP World Australia (Holding) Pty. Ltd.
Real User
Useful AI network threat detection, highly reliable, and helpful support
Pros and Cons
  • "The most valuable feature of Darktrace is the AI that detects abnormal network activity."
  • "Although we haven't detected any network threats since implementing Darktrace, we are unsure of its efficacy. It would be beneficial if the solution could offer additional details to the user regarding any potential or prevented threats. Additionally, there could be better search tools and integration."

What is our primary use case?

Darktrace is used for network security.

The solution can be deployed in the cloud and on-premise.

What is most valuable?

The most valuable feature of Darktrace is the AI that detects abnormal network activity.

What needs improvement?

Although we haven't detected any network threats since implementing Darktrace, we are unsure of its efficacy. It would be beneficial if the solution could offer additional details to the user regarding any potential or prevented threats. Additionally, there could be better search tools and integration.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Darktrace for approximately three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The stability has been good in my usage.

I rate the stability of Darktrace an eight out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We have serval engineers that use Darktrace.

I rate the scalability of Darktrace an eight out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

The support has been good. When we contacted them we received a helpful response.

I rate the support of Darktrace an eight out of ten.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We have used many similar solutions before Darktrace. We choose Darktrace because of the AI. We can develop many use cases with the solution.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup of Darktrace is straightforward. We are using Slunk and the implementation is simple.

What about the implementation team?

We used a third party for parts of the implementation of Darktrace.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

There is an annual license to use Darktrace.

What other advice do I have?

One person can handle the maintenance of Darktrace.

I recommend the solution to others.

I rate Darktrace an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer:
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Christian Strasser - PeerSpot reviewer
Manager Information Systems / Technology at Food Sciences Corporation
Real User
Easy to implement with a nice interface and very good at identifying intrusions
Pros and Cons
  • "We liked their approach to identifying intrusions or network anomalies using AI."
  • "Upper management wasn't sold on the value proposition."

What is our primary use case?

We were trying to justify Darktrace, and I was starting to do an analysis of the different solutions. We did a POC and haven't made a decision as to if we will use it or not.

We were just trying to validate their claims of AI-driven preventive network issues. They showed us a number of things, and we were able to show or verify that, yes, the things that they pointed out we were glad they caught. Nothing turned out to be a true intrusion, however, the stuff that they showed us were things that we were happy to see on our network. They discovered traffic on our network that was anomalous. We were just looking to see if they could point us to anomalous traffic, and they did.

What is most valuable?

We liked their approach to identifying intrusions or network anomalies using AI.

We liked their interface and the graphics that they deployed to present the information. It was really good, and we were happy with the overall quality of the product, which was very, very robust.

The implementation was easy.

What needs improvement?

We didn't really notice any downsides to the product. We were very impressed with it. It was a matter of timing and cost. Upper management wasn't sold on the value proposition.

For how long have I used the solution?

We had demoed Darktrace for a few months.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It ran pretty fast. Its interface was quick, and it did not impact our network traffic. It didn't slow down anything on our network. It was stable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We had a sense that it was going to handle our network without many problems. We have a few hundred endpoints of all types, and there was no problem. We had three users on the solution. 

Since we weren't really entirely familiar with the product we were, I'd say we were probably using 10% to 20% of its capabilities.

How are customer service and support?

When we originally initially configured and set it up, we used some support, and we were happy with them. We thought they were very confident and good.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We haven't demoed anything else before or since. 

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was actually pretty easy, as I recall. The hardest thing was finding space on our rack. That said, once we had that up and running, it was pretty straightforward.

We needed one or two people to deploy the solution. Two and a half people were on the deployment full-time. 

What about the implementation team?

We did the deployment on our own, with Dartrace assisting us remotely. 

What was our ROI?

We only demoed the solution for a few months and therefore did not witness an ROI. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The cost was reasonable. They were pitching us a five-year contract at a fairly reduced rate annually. The product cost was on the lower side. I'd rate it a two or three out of five in terms of the expense involved. There were no hidden or extra fees involved. 

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

We started looking at some other things yet didn't really dig very deep. When we were initially looking at Darktrace, they were the only game in town for us. They seemed to be unique after the fact.

What other advice do I have?

We were end-users. 

I'd rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
IT Manager at a non-profit with 51-200 employees
Real User
Top 5Leaderboard
A stable and reliable cyber-security solution for network and email monitoring
Pros and Cons
  • "It has helped the organization to detect any malware affecting the machines...The network monitoring and the email monitoring features are very valuable for us."
  • "The main portal needs improvement as it is difficult to use."

What is our primary use case?

The solution is a security cover for our on-premises solution to improve our security rating. Also, we want to protect our emails.

How has it helped my organization?

It has helped the organization to detect any malware affecting the machines. For example, if any phishing email creates a factory view bug or some of the workstations have some weird activities, or if someone downloaded malware from the internet, then Darktrace sends us a warning notification to look into the details so that our machine does not get involved with the malware. This function has helped our organization.

What is most valuable?

The network monitoring and the email monitoring features are very valuable for us.

What needs improvement?

The main portal needs improvement as it is difficult to use. But it's straightforward to follow compared to other VPN portals, for example, Azure. You don't have to bug the customer support team quite often.

They can add the EDR and follow-up options in the next release. For instance, if something happens, we get a notification. If a follow-up option is available, we can create a case and then understand how to record the evidence.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Darktrace for one year.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is a stable solution. I rate it nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is a scalable solution. I rate it a nine out of ten. Presently, 150 users are using the solution, and we wish to increase the number of users in the future.

How are customer service and support?

The technical support team is slow, but not that bad. I rate it eight out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Positive

How was the initial setup?

I do not know much about it, as an engineer from Darktrace did the setup for us.

What about the implementation team?

The engineer from Darktrace set it up about two years ago.

What was our ROI?

There has been a return on investment using the product.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

We pay 8,000 a year. The pricing is reasonable.

What other advice do I have?

If any company has enough budget to put another layer between the internet and the on-prem device, they should consider Darktrace.

I rate the product a nine and a half out of ten.

Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
PeerSpot user
Malebo Lethoba Group - PeerSpot reviewer
Security Analyst at Life Healthcare
Real User
Reliable with excellent support and good pricing
Pros and Cons
  • "The solution can scale."
  • "I'd love them to see maybe covering the cloud a bit more."

What is our primary use case?

We primarily use the solution for network detection and response.

What is most valuable?

Antigena is the most valuable due to the reduction in terms of the mean time to respond.

The solution can scale.

It's reliable and stable. 

Technical support is great.

The pricing is good. 

What needs improvement?

The initial setup is a bit complex. 

It's quite a good product. However, I'd love them to see maybe covering the cloud a bit more. We'd like a cloud version. For example, FortiGate firewalls now have virtual firewalls that you can just install, as well as the cloud. They can drive it with Microsoft, and Microsoft can maybe provide technology that would allow Darktrace to work seamlessly in the cloud. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used the solution for almost two and a half years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

The solution is stable. It's reliable. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The solution is very scalable. You can also install it in a Citrix environment very easily.

The whole security team has access to it. That said, I have the most hands on in terms of the product. Five or six people use the solution.

How are customer service and support?

Technical support is great. They come from the UK and they came out to Africa to meet us personally. The engineers are always available. Their resellers are supportive. Even to this day we still run through weekly meetings.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We consume quite a lot of products from Darktrace, so we have a few. We got that Darktrace Network, Antigena, Cloud Sales, and AIS integrations, et cetera.

This is my first time working with an NDR that has AI and machine learning.

How was the initial setup?

From a networking perspective, it is a bit complex since we sort of have to keep an end tab on the network for network log ingestion, flow ingestion, and all of that.

The implementation took about two months or so.

What about the implementation team?

We did the implementation with the help of a technician from Darktrace and a reseller. I'd rate their assistance a ten out of ten. They were great.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing is reasonable. I'm not sure of the exact costs. However, they are not that expensive. We pay annually.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

I did not compare the solution to other options, although I did look into Cisco Secure Network Analytics.

What other advice do I have?

I'm an end-user.

It's quite a good tool. They've worked hard to be the top security control in terms of AI and machine learning, and their product works well. Cisco would not match up. Maybe Palo Alto Cortex could do what they do. Cisco is not a security house, even though they have the networking knowledge and all of that. Most of their products are only now catching up to cybersecurity.

I'd rate Darktrace ten out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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Updated: January 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Darktrace Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.