Netskope vs Zscaler

A detailed comparison of Proofpoint and Forcepoint . Discover which Legacy DLP could best meet your security needs.
Prefer an alternative? Explore Strac

Netskope vs Zscaler: What You Need to Know

As more enterprises migrate to the cloud, compliance mandates and safeguarding data are becoming increasingly challenging. To mitigate risks, Netskope and Zscaler are considered leading players in this industry for their CASB and SWG capabilities. As you navigate this decision, it's crucial to understand the nuances that set these solutions apart. Are you prioritizing ease of deployment and management? Or is seamless integration with your existing tech stack the key factor? This page compares Netskope vs Zscaler to explain their features, strengths, and limitations. Furthermore, we introduce Strac as an alternative that adopts a tailored approach to the modern, dispersed cloud ecosystem.

What is Netskope

Proofpoint is a leading cybersecurity and compliance company that provides solutions to protect your organization’s people and data. It also protects brands against advanced threats and compliance risks. Renowned for its powerful email security, the platform offers extensive protection against phishing, malware, spam, and other digital threats. 

What is Zscaler?

Forcepoint is recognized for its data protection, cloud security, and insider threat solutions expertise. The company's integrated approach focuses on understanding users' behaviors and interactions with data across networks and applications. It leverages user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) to detect and mitigate risks more effectively.
Pros
  • Netskope delivers comprehensive monitoring and control over cloud activities and advanced analytics capabilities.
  • The solution overcomes the constraints of traditional VPNs by ensuring that only authenticated users can access applications.
  • It ensures reliable and secure connectivity across various endpoints, including websites, cloud environments, remote users, and IoT devices.
  • It provides a cohesive management dashboard for Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and sophisticated firewall functionalities.
Pros
  • Cloud-native architecture provides consistent security policies and access controls regardless of user location
  • Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution (Zscaler Private Access) provides secure remote access to private applications without exposing them to the internet
  • Scalable and easy to deploy without the need for appliances or network infrastructure changes
  • Good visibility, reporting, and analytics on user activity and threats
  • Peering with Microsoft and other major SaaS providers for better performance
Cons
  • Netskope does not offer complete Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) functionality and depends on external SD-WAN solutions for full network coverage.
  • The platform's reliance on shared IP addresses may restrict the ability to implement bespoke security measures.
  • The CASB feature requires enhancements to improve visibility into endpoint devices.
Cons
  • Sharing public IP address space with other Zscaler users can cause conflicts with certain services that require IP whitelisting
  • SSL inspection can create compatibility issues with some applications and websites
  • Complex setup and management if using both Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), which have separate management consoles
  • Costs can be high, especially with additional modules and services

What is Netskope?

Proofpoint is a leading cybersecurity and compliance company that provides solutions to protect your organization’s people and data. It also protects brands against advanced threats and compliance risks. Renowned for its powerful email security, the platform offers extensive protection against phishing, malware, spam, and other digital threats. 
Pros
  • Netskope delivers comprehensive monitoring and control over cloud activities and advanced analytics capabilities.
  • The solution overcomes the constraints of traditional VPNs by ensuring that only authenticated users can access applications.
  • It ensures reliable and secure connectivity across various endpoints, including websites, cloud environments, remote users, and IoT devices.
  • It provides a cohesive management dashboard for Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and sophisticated firewall functionalities.
Cons
  • Netskope does not offer complete Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) functionality and depends on external SD-WAN solutions for full network coverage.
  • The platform's reliance on shared IP addresses may restrict the ability to implement bespoke security measures.
  • The CASB feature requires enhancements to improve visibility into endpoint devices.

What is Zscaler?

Forcepoint is recognized for its data protection, cloud security, and insider threat solutions expertise. The company's integrated approach focuses on understanding users' behaviors and interactions with data across networks and applications. It leverages user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) to detect and mitigate risks more effectively.
Pros
  • Cloud-native architecture provides consistent security policies and access controls regardless of user location
  • Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) solution (Zscaler Private Access) provides secure remote access to private applications without exposing them to the internet
  • Scalable and easy to deploy without the need for appliances or network infrastructure changes
  • Good visibility, reporting, and analytics on user activity and threats
  • Peering with Microsoft and other major SaaS providers for better performance
Cons
  • Sharing public IP address space with other Zscaler users can cause conflicts with certain services that require IP whitelisting
  • SSL inspection can create compatibility issues with some applications and websites
  • Complex setup and management if using both Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) and Zscaler Private Access (ZPA), which have separate management consoles
  • Costs can be high, especially with additional modules and services

Seeking Both Simplicity and Scalability? Meet Strac

Netskope and Zscaler are known for their comprehensive cloud security solutions. However, Strac is tailored specifically for the security demands of modern enterprises. Strac’s cutting-edge artificial intelligence and machine learning capability crafts a data security strategy that's not just reactive but predictive. Let’s compare each of them:

Netskope vs. Zscaler vs. Strac

Features
Data Loss
Prevention (DLP)
Offers DLP capabilities to detect and protect sensitive data across cloud services, websites, and private apps.
Provides DLP features to monitor data movement and prevent data loss.
Specializes in advanced DLP with high accuracy in detecting sensitive data like PII, PHI, and PCI across SaaS apps, cloud, and endpoints.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Includes CASB functionality to monitor and secure cloud service usage.
Provides CASB capabilities for visibility and control over cloud apps.
Offers comprehensive CASB solutions with deep visibility, granular controls, and risk assessment for cloud apps and services.
Endpoint Protection
Available
Available
Secures sensitive data on endpoints like Windows and Mac with continuous scanning, blocking, and encryption
Collaboration Security
Supports Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, Salesforce etc.
Offers protection for cloud apps like Office 365, Salesforce etc.
Integrates with Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zendesk, and other tools
User Experience
Offers a unified SASE client for secure access to web, cloud, and private apps.
Provides a cloud security platform for secure internet and app access.
Focuses on frictionless user experience by never exposing sensitive data to businesses or end-users.
Generative AI Security
Not available
Not available
offers DLP capabilities to detect and block sensitive data in generative AI tools like ChatGPT
Deployment
Cloud-native platform for SASE and zero trust security services.
Cloud-based security platform for internet and app access.
Cloud-native DLP and CASB solution with no-code integrations for quick deployment.
Compliance
Offers compliance with standards like FedRAMP, HIPAA, PCI DSS, SOC 2, GDPR, and more
Adheres to standards like ISO 27001, ISO 27701, SOC 2, FedRAMP, and more.
Ensures compliance with PCI, SOC 2, HIPAA, ISO 27001, GDPR, and more.
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How does Strac bridge the gaps left by
Netskope and Zscaler?

Strac addresses the vulnerabilities and complexities introduced by modern digital practices. It not only complements but significantly extends beyond the capabilities of Zscaler vs Netskope with features such as:

Generative AI Security

Strac stands out by offering DLP capabilities tailored for the modern challenges posed by generative AI platforms like ChatGPT. It can detect and appropriately redact sensitive information within AI prompts and outputs. This is a crucial area that conventional DLP solutions may not fully cover.

Comprehensive Cloud and SaaS Integration

The platform boasts extensive integration capabilities to connect with popular cloud services such as Google Drive, Dropbox, and AWS S3. It also connects with collaboration tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zendesk to ensure secure data management.

Advanced Data Discovery and Classification

Strac is recognized for its superior data discovery, classification, and remediation capabilities. This security extends across SaaS platforms, cloud environments, endpoints, and generative AI applications.

Structured and Unstructured Data Discovery

The ability to uncover both structured and unstructured data sets Strac apart. It ensures comprehensive data protection and addresses a common shortfall of traditional DLP solutions.

Email Security with Redaction

Strac also advances email security by implementing automatic redaction features. This approach ensures that sensitive information within emails and attachments is identified and obscured in real time.

Compliance Certifications

Strac complies with various data protection regulations such as PCI DSS, HIPAA, and GDPR. This focus on compliance appeals to organizations with strict regulatory requirements not fully addressed by other platforms.

Book your demo session now to explore the robust protection features.

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