Cato SASE Cloud Platform vs Forcepoint CASB comparison

Lookout is a well-established and powerful secure web gateway (SWG) solution that protects more than 200 million users from threats that can result from the penetration of unsecured web traffic into their networks. Lookout is designed to enable organizations to work remotely while maintaining a tight blanket of security over their confidential business data. It provides administrators with security that extends from their endpoints to the cloud service that they are using to run their organization’s network. 

Users of Lookout are able to proactively detect threats and keep themselves secure from a field of threats that constantly evolves. IT teams can protect their organizations without having to rely on any other security solutions. This singular solution can run on multiple kinds of mobile devices. The privacy of individuals is preserved while keeping compliance rules intact. Additionally, users gain access to a number of tools that enable them to prevent security breaches from taking place.

Lookout Benefits

Some of the ways that organizations can benefit by deploying Lookout include:

• Ease of deployment. Lookout is a solution whose design makes it easy for users to deploy it. It provides users with simple, step-by-step instructions that remove the need for organizations to devote extensive amounts of time to make sure that it is properly set up. Anyone can quickly set up the solution without undergoing technical training. 

• Built-in support. Users of the Lookout application have access to built-in demos that can teach them how to use various solution features. Instead of spending time trying to figure out the application, users can watch the demo that is most relevant to them and see for themselves how that particular feature is used.

• Easy-to-use user interface. Lookout’s user interface is laid out in an intuitive way that makes it easy for administrators to navigate. This interface is present in both the mobile and desktop versions of this solution. 

• Settings customization. Lookout has a built-in settings customization menu. This makes it possible for administrators to easily customize their settings so that they best conform to their needs. 

Lookout Features

• Activity monitoring and activity tracking. Lookout’s activity monitoring and activity tracking capabilities enable users to keep a close eye on the activities that are taking place in their networks. IT teams and administrators have the ability to watch their networks for any unusual activity. These features ensure that organizations can keep ahead of any potential threats. They provide the kinds of insights and warnings that make the jobs of those IT teams and administrators much easier and more streamlined. 

• Encryption. Organizations that employ Lookout can encrypt their networks and keep crucial business data from being read by unauthorized parties. This feature keeps the secrets organizations are trying to keep out of the wrong hands.

• Anti-virus tools. Lookout provides users with tools to block threats from harming their networks. These tools can successfully block 99.6 percent of threats without raising false alarms. 

Cato Networks is a leading SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) platform, combining SD-WAN and network security to obtain a cloud-native service. Cato Networks optimizes and secures application access for users and identities. The platform delivers a next-generation secure networking architecture that minimizes legacy IT infrastructures’ complexity, costs, and risks. The goal of Cato Suite is to connect any user to any application securely and optimally.

Cato Suite runs on a private global network of more than 65 PoPs (points of presence) connected via SLA-backed network providers. The service can connect branches, data centers, users, and clouds. Cato can be deployed in stages to augment legacy network services.

Cato Suite delivers end-to-end route optimization for WAN and cloud traffic. The architecture is self-healing, enabling a high service uptime.

Cato Features

Cato Cloud has a global backbone to deliver a reliable, global network. Here are some key SD-WAN features of Cato Cloud.

• Optimizes traffic flows: The Cato Suite can individually optimize traffic flows in the last mile - from the customer’s location to the point of presence, and also between PoPs. This feature eliminates the need for internet providers to hand off traffic to each other, avoiding the resulting latency and congestion.
  
• Controls and manages bandwidth: The software-defined overlay is encrypted across the entire cloud infrastructure. This overlay uses application-aware routing, analyzing latency and loss data to choose the best route according to network conditions. These features, like protocol priority marking, enable the system to ensure the performance of real-time applications.
  
• Delivers redundancy and failover: By connecting the points of presence with multiple Tier-1 IPs, Cato builds the redundancy needed to ensure security and highly available service.
  
• Cloud-native: Cato is built as a scalable, resilient, and elastic cloud service.
• Converged: The platform converges SD-WAN and network security into a single infrastructure framework.
  
• Secures all edges: Cato Network can secure and optimize traffic from all users, locations, applications, and clouds.

What challenges does Cato Network solve?

• Migration to SD-WAN

MPLS (multi-protocol label switching) networks are usually expensive and limited in their capacity. Cato simplifies migrating to a faster, higher-capacity internet and SASE cloud. Cato SD-WAN appliances enable customers to improve usable capacity and resiliency.

• Global connectivity optimization

Customers who suffer from the challenge of high latency and network inconsistency can use Cato to deliver a consistent connection and user experience to access on-premises and cloud applications.

• Securing branch internet access

Cato’s complete network security stack connects all branch locations to the Cato cloud, therefore protecting all traffic, both internet-bound and WAN, with enterprise-grade, cloud-based security services. This capability avoids having to backhaul internet traffic to a data center or hub or having to implement stand-alone cloud security solutions.

• Cloud acceleration and control

Organizations using Cato notice an acceleration of cloud traffic. Cato achieves this by routing all traffic from the edges to the PoP closest to the data center. Because of the close distance between the two, the latency is near zero.

Reviews from Real Users

An IT manager/project coordinator at a healthcare company says that “[Cato is] a cloud-based solution that integrates well with everything. They are the classic SaaS solution.”

Yeong-Gi L., a network engineer at Snetsystems, notes that “The solution is very stable. The scalability is quite good. Technical support was always helpful and responsive. The integration capabilities are not a problem at all.”

"The most valuable feature is that it also works as a next-gen firewall because it has security features," says Lorenzo S., senior solutions consultant Lead at MDI.

Forcepoint CASB (Cloud Access Security Broker) is a security solution which is designed to secure and monitor the use of cloud services within an organization. It helps organizations gain visibility and control over the cloud applications and services being used by their employees. Forcepoint CASB integrates with cloud service providers' APIs and employs various techniques such as traffic analysis, proxying, and API-based controls to provide security and visibility into cloud application usage. It can be deployed as a standalone solution or integrated with other security technologies within an organization's existing infrastructure.

Forcepoint CASB Features:

• Cloud Application Visibility: CASB helps organizations discover and gain insights into the cloud applications and services being used across their network.
• Data Loss Prevention (DLP): It enables organizations to enforce data protection policies and prevent sensitive information from being leaked or exposed in cloud applications.
• User Behavior Monitoring: CASB monitors user activities and behavior within cloud services, allowing organizations to detect and respond to potential insider threats or anomalous behavior.
• Compliance and Governance: It helps organizations enforce regulatory compliance requirements and maintain control over data stored and processed in the cloud.
• Threat Protection: CASB offers protection against cloud-specific threats such as account hijacking, unauthorized access, malware, and data breaches.
• Access Control and Encryption: It provides capabilities to control user access to cloud applications and data, as well as encryption options for securing sensitive information.

Forcepoint CASB Benefits:

• Cloud Visibility: Provides a clear view of cloud applications and services used within the network.
• Data Protection: Enforces policies to prevent data leakage and ensures compliance with regulations.
• Insider Threat Detection: Monitors user behavior to identify potential insider threats or malicious activities.
• Compliance and Governance: Helps meet regulatory requirements and maintain control over cloud data.
• Threat Protection: Detects and prevents cloud-specific threats like account compromise and data breaches.
• Access Control and Encryption: Implements strong access controls and encryption for secure cloud access.
• Shadow IT Discovery: Identifies unauthorized cloud applications for risk assessment and control.
• Integration and Orchestration: Integrates with existing security technologies for enhanced visibility and response.

Reviews from Real Users

Edwin Eze Osiago, Regional Solutions Manager (Sub-Sahara Africa) at InfodataReliable, says that Forcepoint CASB is "Easy to set up and offers good visibility".

PeerSpot user, Professional Services Coordinator at a tech vendor, writes that Forcepoint CASB "Needs better backend code, requires stronger technical support, and the initial setup should be easier" and also adds  that "The most valuable aspect for us is the fact that the product seamlessly integrates with the Forcepoint DLP".

Mahendra Bedre, Lead at Infrastructure Solutions ALM, says that Forcepoint CASB's "Macro integration and IDs for credentials are great features; It is easy to use with a good layout".