Cyber threats like phishing scams, malware, and data leaks constantly evolve, putting sensitive data at risk. Proofpoint has emerged as a key provider in email security, known for its comprehensive protection and advanced threat detection capabilities. However, not all businesses find Proofpoint the perfect fit due to their diverse needs.

Since modern security needs extend beyond just email protection, we’ll present leading Proofpoint competitors for complete data protection. Whether you need a more affordable option, advanced threat intelligence, or seamless integration, we'll help you find the right security solution. Let’s begin.

The shortcomings of Proofpoint

While Proofpoint is a highly regarded email security solution, several shortcomings can prompt businesses to consider alternatives. 

• High Cost: Proofpoint's advanced features and comprehensive security measures have a high price tag. Many organizations seek more affordable solutions that still offer robust protection.
• Complexity and Usability: Proofpoint's features can make it complex to configure and manage. This complexity can be overwhelming, especially for businesses without a dedicated IT team. 
• Limited Monitoring Channels: It primarily focuses on email communications and endpoint activities. This focus can make other communication channels less protected, such as cloud services and instant messaging platforms.
• Delayed Alerts and Response: Proofpoint's system can lag in delivering real-time alerts about suspicious activities. This delay can hinder prompt response times, potentially allowing threats to cause more damage before being addressed.
• Inadequate Audit and Forensics Features: Proofpoint lacks robust audit trails and detailed forensic capabilities necessary for thorough investigations and compliance requirements.
• No Remote Desktop Control: The absence of this feature means IT administrators cannot take direct control over compromised or suspect endpoints to remediate issues in real-time.
• Missing OCR Capabilities: Proofpoint does not include Optical Character Recognition (OCR) capabilities, which are crucial for analyzing and monitoring text within images and scanned documents. 

List of Most Promising Proofpoint Alternatives 

These alternatives offer a range of features and price points to meet varying business needs.

1. Strac

Strac is considered the best Proofpoint alternative for its comprehensive data protection solutions. It is designed to secure sensitive information across various platforms. The platform combines advanced threat detection, data loss prevention, and encryption to ensure robust security.

Key Features:

• Data Discovery and Classification: Strac identifies and classifies sensitive data immediately upon sharing. It ensures that all critical information is protected from the moment it enters the system.
• Sensitive Data Redaction: The platform automatically redacts sensitive data and creates alert messages to ensure data security and compliance when such data is detected.
• SaaS DLP: It integrates seamlessly with a broad range of SaaS applications, enhancing data protection across platforms such as Slack, Gmail, Zendesk, Office 365, and Intercom.
• Endpoint DLP: It protects sensitive data on Linux, Windows, and Mac systems, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all devices.
• AI-Powered Detection: Strac uses advanced AI algorithms to detect and redact sensitive information from various document formats and LLM prompts.
• Optical Character Recognition (OCR): It detects and protects data hidden in images, ensuring no sensitive information is overlooked.
• Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts: Experience real-time monitoring of data and immediate alerts for potential breaches.
• Compliance Support: Strac helps organizations comply with PCI, HIPAA, SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, and other regulatory standards.

Most suitable for:

• Small to medium-sized businesses
• Organizations with stringent data protection requirements
• Businesses are looking for a cost-effective yet comprehensive security solution.

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2. Microsoft Defender

Microsoft Defender for Office 365 offers comprehensive email filtering and protection against advanced threats like phishing, business email compromise, and malware attacks. While Proofpoint offers a dedicated email security solution, MS Defender provides seamless integration with the MS 365 ecosystem. Built-in threat intelligence and automated response capabilities provide robust defenses to help organizations safeguard their communications.

Key Features: 

• Real-time protection against malware, viruses, and other threats
• Endpoint detection and response (EDR) to advanced threats
• Threat and vulnerability management in endpoint devices
• Cloud-delivered protection to stay updated with the latest  threats
• Integrates with other Microsoft security solutions like Office 365 and Sentinel

3. Cisco

Cisco offers Email Security Appliance and Secure Email solutions, providing robust protection against spam, malware, and phishing attacks. It features forged email detection, flexible deployment options, and integration with cloud-based threat intelligence. Compared to Proofpoint, Cisco’s flexibility in deployment and integration offers additional benefits for organizations. 

Key Features: 

• Advanced Threat Protection against emerging threats, ransomware, and phishing
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) protects sensitive data in outgoing emails
• Email encryption is used to secure email content in transit
• Flexible deployment includes cloud, virtual, on-premises, and hybrid options
• Talos threat intelligence for superior threat detection

4. Trustwave

Both Proofpoint and Trustwave offer robust protection against email threats. Trustwave’s strength lies in its multi-layered security and extensive policy controls. It captures a high rate of malware and exploits with layered protection. Trustwave's comprehensive security solutions help organizations enforce security policies and maintain compliance with industry regulations.

Key Features: 

• Multi-layered security to protect against spam, malware, and phishing
• DLP to protect intellectual property and maintain regulatory compliance
• Integrates with Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) systems
• Domain protection via DMARC to protect against unauthorized use of domains
• 24/7 support and maintenance updates

5. Forcepoint

Forcepoint provides security solutions that protect against advanced threats, data theft, and fraud. Its solutions include advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and encryption to secure inbound and outbound emails. Its strong focus on behavioral analysis and user behavior education provides a unique approach to threat detection and prevention. In our Proofpoint vs. Forcepoint comparison, we have thoroughly examined their features and capabilities.

Key Features: 

• Behavioral sandboxing analyzes and blocks advanced threats using sandboxing techniques.
• DLP to monitor and prevent data exfiltration.
• Email encryption ensures the confidentiality of sensitive communications.
• User behavior analysis identifies high-risk user behavior and educates users to improve security awareness.
• Hybrid deployment combines on-premises and cloud-based threat defenses.

6. Netskope

Netskope offers cloud-based email security solutions that protect against threats and data loss while ensuring compliance. It provides visibility and control over sensitive data across email and cloud applications. Organizations seeking comprehensive cloud application protection may find Netskope's features more suitable than Proofpoint.

Netskope Alternative: Netskope Vs Strac

Key Features: 

• Cloud security for cloud applications and data.
• DLP to protect sensitive data across cloud services.
• Threat detection and protection in real-time.
• User behavior analytics to detect anomalies.
• Compliance with data protection laws.

7. Fortinet

Fortinet's email security solutions, including the FortiMail Email Security platform, offer protection against spam, malware, and other email threats. It features high-performance mail filtering, data loss prevention, and encryption. Fortinet's Zero Trust Access solution continually verifies users and devices, ensuring secure access to network resources.

Key Features: 

• Unified threat management (UTM) for multiple security features like firewall, antivirus, and intrusion prevention
• Advanced threat protection to detect and mitigate threats using AI and machine learning
• Secure SD-WAN for secure and optimized connectivity for distributed networks
• Endpoint protection from malware and other threats
• Integrates with other Fortinet security solutions for comprehensive protection

8. Sophos

Sophos is a cloud-based secure email gateway that leverages deep-learning neural networks to protect against phishing, spam, and malware, including zero-day attacks. Its advanced email sandboxing capabilities block unwanted applications and first-time ransomware, while behavioral analysis prevents boot-record attacks.

Key Features: 

• Next-gen endpoint protection for advanced protection against malware, ransomware, and exploits
• Synchronized security integrates endpoint, network, and cloud security for coordinated defense
• Time-of-click URL protection to examine the reputation of linked websites
• SophosLabs threat intelligence for real-time threat detection
• Managed threat response (MTR) for 24/7 threat surveillance and response services
• Data loss prevention (DLP) prevents data breaches by monitoring and controlling data transfers

9. Zscaler

Zscaler email security leverages its cloud-native architecture and advanced AI-powered capabilities to protect against email-borne threats. Its zero-trust exchange ensures secure connections directly to applications, minimizing the attack surface. Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) provides comprehensive internet security with URL filtering, SSL inspection, and data loss prevention. Similarly, Zscaler alternatives are available that better align with every specific need.

Key Features: 

• Cloud security for providing secure access to cloud applications and data.
• Zero trust architecture for secure access based on user identity and context.
• Advanced Threat Protection to detect and block malware, phishing, and other threats.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP) to protect sensitive data across cloud services.
• User behavior analytics to detect and respond to anomalies.

10. Cloudflare

Cloudflare offers comprehensive email security solutions to protect against threats, prevent data loss, and ensure email continuity. Its integrated security measures, including DDoS protection, web application firewall (WAF), and SSL/TLS encryption, help organizations safeguard sensitive data.

Key Features: 

• Web application firewall (WAF) to protect web applications from attacks like SQL injection and cross-site scripting.
• Content delivery network (CDN to improve website performance and security.
• Zero trust security for secure access to applications and data based on user identity.
• Threat intelligence to detect and block threats in real time.

The Bottom Line

As we've explored the strengths and features of Proofpoint competitors, it becomes clear that a comprehensive data protection solution is paramount. One must prioritize a security-first approach that protects against current threats and adapts to future challenges. 

Strac excels in providing a complete, AI-driven data protection solution that surpasses its competitors in features. Its modern approach to data security makes it the right choice for organizations of all sizes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What factors should I consider when choosing a Proofpoint alternative?

When selecting a Proofpoint alternative, consider factors such as data protection features and ease of integration with existing systems. Also, look for real-time monitoring and alert capabilities, support for regulatory compliance, and scalability. Evaluate how well the alternative can protect against advanced threats and data loss and ensure secure communication across various platforms.

Q2. Can Proofpoint alternatives integrate with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace?

Many Proofpoint competitors can seamlessly integrate with Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Solutions like Strac, Microsoft Defender, and Netskope offer robust integration capabilities. They ensure that email security and data protection extend across these popular platforms.

Q3. Are there cost-effective alternatives to Proofpoint?

Several cost-effective alternatives to Proofpoint, such as Strac and MS Defender, offer complete data protection and security features at competitive prices. These solutions provide robust email security, advanced threat detection, and extensive integration capabilities.

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