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Cisco Umbrella VS Forcepoint Web Security

Compare Cisco Umbrella VS Forcepoint Web Security and see what are their differences

Cisco Umbrella logo Cisco Umbrella

Cisco Umbrella is a cloud security platform that provides the first line of defense against threats on the internet.

Forcepoint Web Security logo Forcepoint Web Security

Seguridad Web De Última Generación Para La Fuerza Laboral Global Del Futuro
  • Cisco Umbrella Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-07-23
  • Forcepoint Web Security Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-27

Cisco Umbrella features and specs

  • Comprehensive Security
    Cisco Umbrella offers a wide range of security features including DNS-layer security, secure web gateway, firewall, and cloud-delivered threat intelligence which collectively provides multi-layered protection against cyber threats.
  • Ease of Deployment
    Cisco Umbrella can be deployed quickly and easily across different types of networks, including on-premises, remote offices, and mobile users, without requiring significant changes to existing infrastructure.
  • High Availability
    Built on a globally distributed network, Cisco Umbrella ensures high availability and redundancy, making it a reliable option for companies that cannot afford downtime.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The centralized and intuitive dashboard makes it easy for administrators to monitor network activities, manage policies, and generate reports, reducing the complexity of security management.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Cisco Umbrella integrates well with other security tools and Cisco products, allowing organizations to build a more cohesive and comprehensive security strategy.

Possible disadvantages of Cisco Umbrella

  • Cost
    Cisco Umbrella can be expensive, especially for smaller organizations with limited budgets, which might find the cost prohibitive relative to their needs.
  • Complexity of Advanced Features
    While the basic features are easy to use, some of the more advanced features require specialized knowledge and training to fully leverage, which can be a barrier for some organizations.
  • Dependence on Internet Connectivity
    Being a cloud-based solution, Cisco Umbrella requires continuous internet connectivity to function effectively. Any disruption in internet service can impact its performance and reduce its effectiveness.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Because it involves routing all DNS queries through its servers, there could be potential privacy concerns for organizations worried about data sovereignty and confidentiality.
  • Limited Offline Protection
    Cisco Umbrella primarily provides online protection. For devices that need security while offline, additional measures need to be implemented, which could complicate the security strategy.

Forcepoint Web Security features and specs

  • Comprehensive Web Protection
    Forcepoint Web Security offers robust protection against web-based threats, including malware, phishing, and ransomware. Its advanced threat detection capabilities and real-time analytics help in identifying and mitigating threats effectively.
  • Cloud & On-Premises Options
    The solution provides flexible deployment options, allowing organizations to choose between cloud-based, on-premises, or hybrid models to suit their infrastructure and operational needs.
  • Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
    Integrated DLP capabilities help in preventing sensitive information from being leaked or accessed by unauthorized users. This is crucial for organizations that need to comply with data protection regulations.
  • User Behavior Analytics
    The platform includes user behavior analytics (UBA) to monitor and analyze user activities. This helps in identifying risky behaviors and potential insider threats, enhancing overall security posture.
  • Scalability
    Designed to scale easily with growing organizations, Forcepoint Web Security can accommodate increasing numbers of users and devices without compromising performance or protection.

Possible disadvantages of Forcepoint Web Security

  • Cost
    The solution can be relatively expensive, especially for small to medium-sized enterprises. Licensing and subscription costs may be a concern for budget-conscious organizations.
  • Complexity
    The comprehensive nature of the solution can make it complex to configure and manage. Organizations may require dedicated IT personnel or professional services to fully leverage its capabilities.
  • Performance Impact
    Depending on the deployment and configuration, users may experience performance degradation, especially if the network infrastructure is not robust enough to handle the additional load.
  • Learning Curve
    Users new to the platform might find there is a steep learning curve, requiring training and time to become proficient in using all features and effectively managing the system.
  • Integration Challenges
    Integrating Forcepoint Web Security with existing IT infrastructure and other security tools may pose challenges, particularly in complex or heterogeneous environments.

Cisco Umbrella videos

How IT Works: Security at the DNS Layer with Cisco Umbrella

More videos:

  • Review - Cisco Umbrella Product Packages
  • Review - Cisco Umbrella Customer Review: Cisco IT
  • Review - What is Cisco Umbrella?
  • Review - Unleash the Power of Cisco Umbrella: A Comprehensive Review

Forcepoint Web Security videos

Forcepoint Web Security Cloud Features

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Cisco Umbrella and Forcepoint Web Security)
Cyber Security
68 68%
32% 32
Security & Privacy
54 54%
46% 46
Monitoring Tools
52 52%
48% 48
Web Security
100 100%
0% 0

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Cisco Umbrella seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Cisco Umbrella mentions (3)

  • Amazon Outage
    Cisco Umbrella | Leader in Cloud Cybersecurity and SASE Solutions. Source: about 2 years ago
  • How are Vpns blocked?
    A combination of subscription ip blocklists like that sold by MaxMind combined with DNS and application filtering services like Umbrella would catch most services. For good measure I'd toss in local .exe application whitelisting running on each of the schools machines to only allow the applications the school wants using something like applocker which is included in windows so it probably fits into their budget. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Blocking sites
    We've been very happy with Cisco's Umbrella product. A few years back I "test drove" the free version, but thats a very poor substitute for the paid product. It's not cheap, but it has worked very well for us. Over 70% of our users are remote since the start of COVID, so we opted for the "roaming client" installation on every endpoint. We have a "basic" network profile for our office locations that slightly... Source: over 2 years ago

Forcepoint Web Security mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of Forcepoint Web Security yet. Tracking of Forcepoint Web Security recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Cisco Umbrella and Forcepoint Web Security, you can also consider the following products

Kaspersky Security for Internet Gateways - Kaspersky Security for Internet Gateways offers secure internet access for the employees.

McAfee SmartFilter - McAfee Web Protection is a web security solution that includes an on-premises secure web gateway and SaaS-based web security delivered from the cloud.

OpenDNS Umbrella - Cloud Security

WebTitan - WebTitan is an advanced DNS based web content filter and web security layer that blocks malware, ransomware and phishing attempts as well as providing web content control. Cloud and gateway versions available.

DNSFilter - DNSFilter offers DNS-Based Content Filtering & Threat Protection.

Barracuda Web Security Gateway - Barracuda Web Security Gateway filters content, malware, social media and rogue app threats.