Top 11 Forcepoint Alternatives & Competitors in 2024

Navigating the cybersecurity landscape can be challenging, especially when popular solutions like Forcepoint present challenges. Many enterprises are now seeking alternatives that better align with their unique needs.

Though Forcepoint is a popular tool in the DLP field, it has limitations such as a difficult UI, deployment and performance issues.

This article delves into the top Forcepoint alternatives for 2024, providing insights into solutions that offer enhanced flexibility and integration capabilities to better meet diverse organizational needs. Let's explore the leading competitors and their unique offerings in the cybersecurity arena.

Limitations of Forcepoint

Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a widely used solution designed to protect sensitive data across various environments. However, it has several notable limitations that organizations should consider:

Complex User Interface and Configuration Challenges

• Difficult User Interface: Many users report that the interface is not intuitive, making it challenging for new users to navigate effectively.
• Time-Consuming Configuration: The initial setup can be complex and lengthy, requiring substantial time and resources to configure properly, which may delay the deployment of necessary data protection measures.

Limited Monitoring Capabilities

• Focus on Data Enforcement: While Forcepoint excels in data discovery and enforcement, it lacks robust user activity monitoring features. This limitation can hinder organizations from effectively detecting insider threats.
• Basic User and Entity Behavior Analytics (UEBA): The UEBA features offered are relatively basic compared to dedicated solutions, limiting the ability to analyze user behaviors comprehensively.

Add-On Costs and Integration Issues

• High Total Cost of Ownership: Basic features may be limited, necessitating additional purchases for advanced functionalities. This can lead to a higher-than-expected total cost of ownership.
• Integration Challenges: Some users have reported problems integrating Forcepoint DLP with existing systems, complicating the implementation process.

Lack of Remote Desktop Control

• No Remote Access Capabilities: Forcepoint DLP does not provide remote desktop control features, which can complicate incident response efforts when investigating potential data loss events.

Inadequate Forensics and Audit Features

• Limited Forensic Analysis Tools: While it can capture screenshots for forensic purposes, it lacks comprehensive audit trails and detailed forensic capabilities that some organizations may require for compliance and investigation.

These limitations suggest that while Forcepoint DLP has strong capabilities in certain areas, organizations with complex needs or those requiring extensive monitoring and support may want to explore alternatives.

Top 11 Forcepoint Alternatives and Competitors in 2024

Forcepoint is a well-known player in the cybersecurity arena, offering a complete suite of solutions to protect businesses against digital attacks. 

Unfortunately, Forcepoint has limitations such as,

• A difficult user interface, 
• Potential deployment issues, 
• False positives, and
• Occasional performance latency. 

For these reasons, many enterprises are now looking for alternative solutions that meet their unique requirements better.

The top 11 Forcepoint alternatives:

1. Strac
2. Symantec Endpoint Protection
3. Check Point DLP
4. Endpoint Protector 
5. Nightfall
6. Netskope
7. Cyberhaven
8. Digital Guardian
9. Teramind
10. Trend Micro
11. Trellix DLP

Let’s look at the best possible alternatives to Forcepoint.

1.Strac - DLP for SaaS ,Cloud & Gen AI

⭐Rated 5/5 on g2

Strac is an end-to-end data loss prevention & cloud access security broker software for all SaaS and Cloud apps that safeguards businesses from security and compliance risks with its robust features. It ensures that your confidential information remains secure throughout the entire process. 

Key features

• Strac's powerful algorithms automatically detect and redact sensitive data across all communication channels without manual intervention, providing accurate results and flexible configurations.
• Strac's redaction capabilities accurately identify and remove sensitive information from chat messages and attachments of all file formats (pdf, jpeg, png, images, screenshots, word docs, excel spreadsheets).

• Seamless integration with popular applications like Zendesk, Slack, Gmail, and Intercom.

• Compliant with PCI, SOC 2, HIPAA, GDPR, NIST CSF, and NIST 800-53.
• Offers end-to-end customization with respect to policies, data elements, access, and remediation. 

Pros

• Ease of integration: In under 10 minutes, customers integrate with Strac and instantly see DLP/live scanning/live redaction on their SaaS apps.
• Accurate Detection and Redaction: Strac's custom machine learning models trained on sensitive PII, PHI, PCI, and confidential data provide high accuracy and low false positives and false negatives.
• Rich and Extensive SaaS Integrations: Strac has the widest and deepest number of SaaS and Cloud integrations.

• Built-In & Custom Detectors: Strac supports all sensitive data elements detectors for PCI, HIPAA, GDPR, and any confidential data. Strac also supports customization where customers can configure their own data elements.
• Inline Redaction: Strac can redact (mask or blur) sensitive text within any attachment.
• API Support: Strac offers developers APIs to detect or redact sensitive data.

Check out how they are used to protect their AI or LLM apps and also to safeguard their sensitive data ➡️ Strac Developer Documentation.

• Tokenization and Data Protection: Strac's APIs allow for the extraction and secure tokenization of sensitive PII data, ensuring the protection of customer information on their front-end apps and back-end servers.

• Top-Notch Support: Strac's customer support team assists clients throughout the integration and beyond, making the overall process hassle-free.
• Customizable Configurations: Strac provides out-of-the-box Compliance templates with all sensitive data elements to detect/redact, plus flexible configurations to cater to specific business needs, ensuring that data protection measures align with individual requirements. 

Check out Strac’s full catalog of sensitive data elements.

Cons

Invoicing was manual initially, but Strac has now made invoices available online.

Pricing

Strac provides multiple pricing options for teams of all sizes. It also offers a free 30-day trial. Connect with the team for further information. 

Reviews

2. Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP)

⭐Rated 4.4/ 5 on g2

Symantec Endpoint Protection (SEP) offers unrivaled protection against various malware attacks. This multi-layered approach incorporates essential and next-gen technologies, creating a powerful fusion that delivers superior protection. Managing SEP is easy due to its high performance, lightweight nature, and single client and management console, allowing users to oversee physical and virtual protection. SEP's orchestrated response to evolving threats is delivered at scale for maximum security.

Key features 

• Application Security
• Device management
• Anti Virus
• Web Threat Management
• Encryption
• Activity Log

Pros

• Intelligence in immediately blocking potential threats
• Comprehensive web protection
• Ease of management

Cons

• Bug of multiple push notifications
• Lack of detailed notifications regarding vulnerabilities
• Resource utilization is high 

Pricing

Contact Symantec’s enterprise sales team for pricing information. 

Reviews

3. Check Point DLP

⭐Rated 4.8/5 on g2

Check Point Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a platform designed to protect against the unintentional loss of sensitive data. It combines technology and processes to prevent data from leaving your organization without authorization. This helps to ensure that only approved users can access confidential information. 

Check Point DLP utilizes Check Point Infinity Architecture for easy deployment and management. Additionally, it educates users on proper data handling policies. They handle information securely and remediate real-time incidents whenever unauthorized access is detected.

Key features

• Centralized management to administer and track DLP operations.
• Incident response (encrypting, quarantining, or halting communication) in case of breach.
• Multilayered protection
• Granular policy setting
• SSL inspection for encrypted transmissions.

Pros

• Centrally manages data loss prevention policy for the entire infrastructure.
• Provides complete visibility and control over sensitive data.

Cons

• It focuses mainly on the network layer and can slow down server performance when activated.
• Restricted to its environment and lacks third-party system compatibility
• Offers limited template flexibility
• Lacks advanced features like auto-learning and third-party asset management integration

Price

Contact the CheckPoint team for further information on pricing.

Reviews

4. Endpoint Protector 

⭐Rated 4.4 / 5 on g2

Endpoint Protector is a Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solution that provides businesses of all sizes and industries with Intellectual Property Protection, Personal Identifiable Information Protection, and Insider Threat Protection. 

With its advanced cross-platform capabilities for macOS, Windows, and Linux computers, as well as enforced encryption for USB storage devices, Endpoint Protector can help organizations achieve compliance while meeting data protection regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, PCI-DSS, CCPA, LGPD, TISAX, and KRITIS. 

Key features

• Cross-platform collaboration
• A single window for extensive management, reducing administrative workload.
• Enhanced DPI capacity to improve content-aware protection guidelines.
• Data blocking to prevent unwanted access to sensitive information.

Pros

• Ensures data safety both in transit and at rest, bolstering overall security
• Sales and implementation teams are highly professional and supportive, ensuring smooth onboarding.
• Endpoint Protector needs fewer hardware resources making it more cost-effective.

Cons

• The licensing cost might be high for smaller organizations.
• Steep learning curve and setup complexity.
• Lack of data masking.
• No DB Fingerprint audit. 

Price

Contact the Endpoint team for further information on pricing.

Reviews

5. Nightfall

⭐Rated 4.6/5 on g2

Nightfall AI is a cloud data loss prevention (DLP) for generative AI (GenAI) tools, SaaS apps, and custom apps. It provides a seamless security layer for any cloud platform, protecting sensitive assets such as PII, PHI, PCI data, secrets, and keys. Its customizable detection templates enable customers to select the best policy for their organization. It also provides comprehensive real-time alerts and automated actions to remediate threats quickly and efficiently.

Key features

• Integration with native cloud tools such as AWS, GCP, and Slack, improving operational efficiency and security.
• Proactive alerts for potential data breaches in real-time.
• Advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze and identify sensitive data across several platforms.
• Automatic remediation to protect sensitive data from potential breaches.

Pros

• Effective onboarding 
• Ease of installation
• Multi-Product Compatibility

Cons

• Although Nightfall has commendable detection rates, it can sometimes be too sensitive, leading to false positives. 
• There's a limitation in plugging into Instant Messaging (IM) applications.
• The user interface doesn't support bulk actions, which could sometimes be beneficial.

Pricing

Contact the Nightfall team for further information on pricing.

Reviews 

6. Netskope

⭐Rated 4.4 / 5 on g2

Netskope is a cloud security platform offering businesses comprehensive digital environment protection. As the leading provider of cloud-native solutions, Netskope provides visibility, real-time data and threat protection, and granular control across SaaS, IaaS, and web traffic. Our suite of features includes Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Data Loss Prevention (DLP), and Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) so that you can safely navigate the modern digital landscape.

Key features

• Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) and real-time protection of data.
• Granular visibility & control of user behavior and sensitive data movement over the cloud.
• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) protects the network from exposure while providing safe access to private applications.
• Context-aware governance recognizes the context of cloud usage and implements governance policies that comply with the combination of multiple features.

Pros

• Product functionality and performance
• Breadth of services
• Strong services expertise

Cons

• Netskope may not easily integrate with security tools, requiring extra effort and research.
• Setting up Netskope can be intricate and demands expertise.
• Users aren't always informed in advance about publisher upgrades.
• The NPA user interface isn’t user-friendly.

Pricing

Contact the Netskope team for further information on pricing.

Reviews

7. Cyberhaven

⭐Rated 4.8/5 on Gartner peer

Cyberhaven is a cutting-edge data loss prevention (DLP) solution that takes an innovative approach to identifying and categorizing sensitive data. It helps prevent insider threats and account takeovers, tracing every aspect of a company's data access, usage, and movement. Cyberhaven also makes it easy to define security policies with its visual policy editor, allowing users to test their policies on historical data before enforcing them.

Key features

• Real-time data tracking across endpoints, on-premises systems, and cloud environments.
• Visual data mapping,  highlighting the movement and transformation of data throughout the operation.
• Instant investigation of any data movement.
• Recognize risky data practices and behaviors.

Pros

• Easy-to-understand, feature-rich user interface
• Easy to install and maintain
• Offers extensive customization options for policies and datasets

Cons

• Lack of Linux support
• The agent does not detect confidential data within ZIP files
• The product offers limited reporting capabilities
• There are minimal integrations available with other products

Pricing

Contact the Cyberhaven team for further information on pricing.

Reviews

Source: Gartner Peer

8. Digital Guardian

⭐Rated 4.3 / 5 on g2

Digital Guardian is a SaaS solution for Enterprise Data Loss Prevention (DLP). It offers quick deployment and on-demand scalability to protect your data. 

With broader endpoint OS coverage, persistent data protection, optimized policy creation, and 24/7 customer support for rapid response, Digital Guardian provides great security. You can also easily migrate your existing policies to Digital Guardian and track the movement of sensitive data to develop better policies for enhanced security.

Key features

• Reliable data protection
• Analytics tools to uncover security flaws and increase overall security.
• Endpoints, networks, and storage systems protection
• Advanced reporting to get insights into corporate data consumption.
• Customized policy setups to meet the demands of individual organizations.

Pros

• The intuitive design allows easy navigation and operation
• Compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems

Cons

• Initial setup can be complex, time-consuming, and demands high technical knowledge.
• It can be resource-intensive, affecting performance on older or less powerful devices.
• Integration with existing cloud storage solutions can be challenging.
  

Pricing 

Contact the Digital Guardian team for further information on pricing.

Reviews

9. Teramind

⭐Rated 4.5/5 on g2

Teramind's Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solution effectively protects against data breaches, data leaks, and IP theft. This solution provides data visibility and control, auto-discovery and classification of sensitive data. It also offers flexible deployment options, such as on-premise or in the cloud, and actionable workforce insights that reduce risk and streamline business operations. 

Key features

• User activity tracking, insider threat identification, and content discovery & classification for seamless security
• ​Effective monitoring of all business computers.
• Track various activities, including keystrokes and printer operations, website and app usage history.
• Multi-monitor viewing.

Pros

• Offers an intuitive user experience
• Provides real-time insights into team activities

Cons

• Teramind does not support Linux, and its features for MacOS are more restricted compared to Windows
• High cost
• Complex and time-consuming initial setup 
• Resource-intensive, potentially affecting device performance.
• Steep learning curve

Pricing

Contact the Teramind team for further information on pricing.

Reviews

10. Trend Micro 

⭐Rated 4.6/5 on g2

Trend Micro Cloud One is a comprehensive security services platform for cloud builders designed to secure hybrid and multi-cloud environments. It offers solutions in Hybrid cloud security, network defense, user protection, cloud migration, cloud-native app development, and operational excellence. Its integrated DLP solution provides visibility and control of data to meet compliance standards easily. 

Key features

• Visibility into cloud environments, resolving common problems in cloud workloads.
• Holistic security for hybrid cloud configurations, securing workloads across diverse environments and platforms.
• Simple online interface, smooth third-party tool integration, and automated agent upgrades.
• Integrates multiple security services under one structure.

Pros

• Real-time dashboard alerts keep users informed of all compliance checks
• Provides a vast collection of articles and resources related to configurations
• Offers in-depth and varied reporting capabilities
• Low resource consumption
• Intuitive interface

Cons

• GUI improvements needed
• Limited reporting options
• Restricted cloud integration
• Clunky management interface
• Agent uninstallation issues
• Limited web console features
• High Pricing

Pricing

Contact the Trend Micro team for further information on pricing.

Reviews

11. Trellix DLP

⭐Rated 4.3/5 on G2

Trellix DLP is a data protection solution designed to prevent unauthorized access, transmission, or sharing of sensitive information. It employs advanced techniques such as content inspection, data fingerprinting, and keyword matching to safeguard various types of sensitive data.

Key Features

• Centralized Monitoring: Offers a single console for managing policies and monitoring real-time events.
• Incident Management: Provides tools for tracking incidents and generating reports to maintain compliance.
• Multi-Channel Protection: Protects against data loss across endpoints, removable devices, email, web applications, and cloud storage.

Pros

• Comprehensive Protection: Trellix DLP provides robust capabilities for preventing data breaches and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• User-Friendly Interface: The centralized management console simplifies policy administration and event tracking.

Cons

• Limited Monitoring Channels: Primarily focuses on network monitoring and endpoint control, which may not cover all potential data movement channels.
• No Geolocation Tracking: Lacks the ability to track the physical location of endpoints, which could be crucial for compliance in some industries.
• Absence of Dedicated UEBA: Does not include a UEBA solution for detecting insider threats based on user behavior patterns.

Pricing

Pricing details for Trellix DLP are generally available upon request from the vendor. It is advisable for organizations to contact Trellix directly for a fitted quote based on their precise requirements.

Reviews

Trellix DLP has received positive feedback on G2, with users appreciating its comprehensive protection capabilities but noting areas for improvement in monitoring channels and analytics features. Users rate it favorably for its ease of use but highlight the need for more advanced features in certain aspects of data protection.

Comparing the Top Forcepoint Alternatives of 2024

This table provides a complete overview of the top alternatives to Forcepoint in the data loss prevention space.

Key Questions to ask before choosing a DLP

Consider the below questions when evaluating DLP solutions:

• Can the DLP be used in a hybrid environment, the cloud, or on-premises? 
• How seamlessly does the DLP integrate with the current infrastructure—databases, applications, and cloud services?
• Is the solution sufficiently scalable to handle growing data volumes and user counts?
• What techniques does the DLP employ to detect sensitive data?
• How comprehensive and flexible are the policy controls? Can they be customized for particular data kinds, users, or groups?
• What automatic actions can be taken when a policy violation is detected?
• Is encryption provided for data at rest and in transit?
• How are administrators or other stakeholders notified of suspected breaches or violations?
• Does the DLP employ user behavior to find unusual trends and possible insider threats?
• What tools are accessible for training? Does technical help run round-the-clock?
• Does the DLP employ user behavior analytics to find unusual trends and possible insider threats? 
• How much does overall ownership cost, including license, implementation, and ongoing maintenance?
• What is the total cost of ownership, considering installation, maintenance, and licensing? Does the product assist in meeting special regulatory needs unique to your sector (such as GDPR or HIPAA)?
• How often does the vendor issue updates? Are there any extra charges related to upgrading?
• How does the solution deal with false positives, and how can they be reduced?
  

In conclusion, the above questions can help you choose the ideal DLP solution for your organization. 

With powerful platforms like Strac, you can ensure a secure digital environment and protect against data breaches, unauthorized access, and compliance issues. Ready to get started? 

Schedule a demo with Strac now.

Read our other resources:

• Top 10 Nightfall alternatives
• How to make Slack HIPAA compliant?
• Complete guide to Cloud Data Loss Prevention