Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway Review: Pros, Cons, Features, and Pricing
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is an internet security software that protects your organization from threats via advanced web security, content filtering, and URL filtering. It best serves security-focused industries such as finance and healthcare, where data protection is crucial across apps, SaaS, and web content. Its value proposition lies in delivering adaptive and real-time threat protection for your business.
It addresses issues such as data breaches, phishing, and zero-day threats for IT and security teams by securing end-user activity. In this article, I'll cover Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway's features, pros and cons, use cases, pricing, scalability, and centralized management to help you decide if this software aligns with your security needs and goals.
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway Evaluation Summary
- Pricing upon request
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Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway Overview
In my opinion, Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is a solid choice for midsize to large businesses seeking strong web security. It excels in customer support and offers standout features such as DLP, sandboxing, application control, and antivirus protection that enhance your security operations. However, its pricing can be a bit high, particularly for smaller teams.
Compared to competitors, such as Zscaler, Check Point, and Cisco, it offers more adaptive threat protection, making it ideal for industries such as healthcare and finance, which prioritize data security. If you're evaluating internet security platforms, consider whether your team can leverage its advanced security services to justify the cost.
pros
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It offers real-time threat protection using inline inspection and SSL decryption.
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Adaptive security measures include Zero Trust, ZTNA, and SASE architectures.
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Customer and technical support are highly responsive and helpful.
cons
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The user interface and dashboard can feel a bit outdated.
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Onboarding may take longer than expected.
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Some advanced functionalities, such as blocking access, firewall policies, and SD-WAN, require a learning curve.
Our Review Methodology
How We Test & Score Tools
We’ve spent years building, refining, and improving our software testing and scoring system. The rubric is designed to capture the nuances of software selection and what makes a tool effective, focusing on critical aspects of the decision-making process.
Below, you can see exactly how our testing and scoring works across seven criteria. It allows us to provide an unbiased evaluation of the software based on core functionality, standout features, ease of use, onboarding, customer support, integrations, customer reviews, and value for money.
Core Functionality (25% of final scoring)
The starting point of our evaluation is always the core functionality of the tool. Does it have the basic features and functions that a user would expect to see? Are any of those core features locked to higher-tiered pricing plans? At its core, we expect a tool to stand up against the baseline capabilities of its competitors.
Standout Features (25% of final scoring)
Next, we evaluate uncommon standout features that go above and beyond the core functionality typically found in tools of its kind. A high score reflects specialized or unique features that make the product faster, more efficient, or offer additional value to the user.
We also evaluate how easy it is to integrate with other tools typically found in the tech stack to expand the functionality and utility of the software. Tools offering plentiful native integrations, 3rd party connections, and API access to build custom integrations score best.
Ease of Use (10% of final scoring)
We consider how quick and easy it is to execute the tasks defined in the core functionality using the tool. High scoring software is well designed, intuitive to use, offers mobile apps, provides templates, and makes relatively complex tasks seem simple.
Onboarding (10% of final scoring)
We know how important rapid team adoption is for a new platform, so we evaluate how easy it is to learn and use a tool with minimal training. We evaluate how quickly a team member can get set up and start using the tool with no experience. High scoring solutions indicate little or no support is required.
Customer Support (10% of final scoring)
We review how quick and easy it is to get unstuck and find help by phone, live chat, or knowledge base. Tools and companies that provide real-time support score best, while chatbots score worst.
Customer Reviews (10% of final scoring)
Beyond our own testing and evaluation, we consider the net promoter score from current and past customers. We review their likelihood, given the option, to choose the tool again for the core functionality. A high scoring software reflects a high net promoter score from current or past customers.
Value for Money (10% of final scoring)
Lastly, in consideration of all the other criteria, we review the average price of entry level plans against the core features and consider the value of the other evaluation criteria. Software that delivers more, for less, will score higher.
Core Features
Real-Time Threat Protection
It detects and blocks web-based threats instantly, keeping your data secure. Your team benefits from immediate alerts and automated defenses.
Adaptive Security Measures
The software adjusts its protection based on your organization's unique needs, tailoring your security without extra effort.
Data Loss Prevention
It monitors and controls data transfers to prevent leaks. You can set rules that protect sensitive information.
Web Filtering
This allows you to control which websites your team can access. It helps you ensure productivity and reduce exposure to risky sites.
User Activity Monitoring
It tracks and reports on user behavior across your network, helping you to identify potential security issues early.
Comprehensive Reporting
The software generates detailed reports on security incidents and trends, which you can use to improve your security strategy.
Ease of Use
Although Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is fairly user-friendly, it may require a learning curve. The interface could feel outdated, but once you get familiar with it, navigating core features such as real-time threat protection becomes straightforward. Your team will appreciate the clear reporting, though onboarding may take longer than some expect. If you invest time in initial training, you'll likely find the software manageable and effective for your security needs.
Integrations
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway integrates with AI-Native Data Security Posture Management, Data Detection and Response, Remote Browser Isolation, Advanced Malware Detection and Protection, and solutions for data loss prevention, compliance, and data protection across multiple applications. It also provides an API and connects with third-party integration tools for enhanced data security and management.
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway Specs
- 2-Factor Authentication
- Access Management
- Anti-Virus
- API
- Audit Trail
- Bug Tracking
- Calendar Management
- Customer Management
- Dashboard
- Data Export
- Data Import
- Data Visualization
- Email Integration
- External Integrations
- File Sharing
- File Transfer
- Firewall
- Google Apps Integration
- Inventory Tracking
- Malware Protection
- Multi-User
- Network Device Performance Monitoring
- Network Traffic Monitoring
- Network Visualization
- Notifications
- Project Management
- Remote Access
- Risk Assessment
- SAP Integration
- Scheduling
- Software Integration
- Third-Party Plugins/Add-Ons
- Ticket Management
