Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention vs Symantec Data Loss Prevention comparison

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Comparison Buyer's Guide
Executive Summary
Updated on Oct 11, 2022

We performed a comparison between Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention and Symantec Data Loss Prevention based on our users’ reviews in five categories. After reading all of the collected data, you can find our conclusion below.

  • Ease of Deployment: Some users of each product say that their initial setup can be complex and require technical expertise.

  • Features: Users of both solutions are happy with their scalability and stability.

    Forcepoint users like its powerful data discovery and OCR features and say that it is user friendly and flexible. Several users mention that its reporting tools need to improve.

    Symantec users say it has impressive granularity, integrates well, and has good reporting and exfiltration capabilities. Some users note that it could be more user friendly.

  • Pricing: Forcepoint received mixed reviews in the pricing category. Some users feel that the price is too high. In contrast, Symantec users feel that the product is fairly priced.

  • ROI: Reviewers of both products report seeing an ROI.

  • Service and Support: Forcepoint users are satisfied with the level of support they receive. Some Symantec users feel that their support needs to improve.

Comparison Results: Symantec comes out on top in this comparison. According to its reviewers, it is more fairly priced and a more comprehensive and powerful solution than Forcepoint. Forcepoint does come out on top in the Support category, however.

To learn more, read our detailed Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention vs. Symantec Data Loss Prevention Report (Updated: March 2023).
688,083 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Featured Review
Quotes From Members
We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use.
Here are some excerpts of what they said:
Pros
"Scalability-wise, I rate this solution a nine out of ten.""The feature I found most valuable is the DLP. We are using it to do encryptions.""The scalability is fantastic. One of the things that I like about Forcepoint is that I can customize the solution to suit my objectives.""Forcepoint DLP's most valuable feature is that it provides complete end-to-end security.""This solution has a great encryption feature.""With OCR and Risk Analysis, we are able to determine if anything sensitive is been shared. OCR helps us to safeguard those things and with risk ranking, we can determine which user is trying to violate policies multiple times even though they have been blocked to him or her.""The product is user-friendly.""The incident management and fingerprinting have been the most valuable features."

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"It has good options for policy findings. You can do granular policy enhancements with multiple options. And the SMB blocking is a very good feature.""We can integrate with some other tools such as Splunk, which is very useful.""The accuracy in terms of the rate of detection is good.""Good end point encryption and data loss prevention.""The solution can easily scale.""The most valuable aspect of Symantec DLP is its broad coverage. Symantec DLP covers USB, Outlook email clients, and web traffic. If we install the endpoint DLP, we can cover multiple channels, including the clipboard and printer.""DLP's most valuable feature is compliance.""With respect to the amount of intelligence that they have with respect to how they formed the DLP solution, for example, exact data matching. If you compare Forcepoint with Symantec, Symantec is more sophisticated than Forcepoint."

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Cons
"The solution's interface is still not user-friendly for some customers. So, its interface can be better.""An area for improvement in Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention is the complex UI and policy deployment. You have to find the policies, and then designing the policies is also tricky.""Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention can improve by having an uninstall option for the client or restart of a client agent can be controlled from the server. This feature is missing which is available with other solutions.""With respect to the discovery component, the reports are very hard to interpret because they come out in an illogical format.""I'd like the data classification to be better.""The policy update size and agent size could be improved. We would also like to have a proper solution for Linux OS which Forcepoint does not offer.""They can improve a bit in the OCR category. The OCR deployment could be simplified. Right now, you have to set up a separate server to manage all the data going through the network, especially the images. Forcepoint could better integrate the OCR component with central management.""Feature requests do take some time to implement."

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"Symantec DLP doesn't provide complete cloud coverage. We need another DLP solution to monitor our cloud applications.""What could be improved in Symantec Data Loss Prevention is its security. It should be more secure.""The deployment is complex.""There should be more information about the features of the solution and what they do. This way we would be able to use all the features that are available.""We need to have agent auto-parsing.""In the object capture recognition, which we implemented recently, there are a lot of false positives that have been happening.""I would like to see changes to the analytics.""The one downside for Symantec is that, due to its transition from Symantec to Broadcom, there's been a lot of changes. I am based in the Philippines and we don't have a contact person locally for any Symantec."

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Pricing and Cost Advice
  • "One feature that I'm getting ready to take advantage of more is the ability to add more data crawlers to the DLP on-prem environment, without any extra Forcepoint costs or licensing needed for that additional data server. That will help in reducing the stress on the data server that we're using now."
  • "Its pricing is quite low considering the features they are offering. As compared to other solutions, it is reasonable. They do have professional support. If we need professional support, then there will be additional costs."
  • "The licensing of Forcepoint is quite straightforward. It's based on the number of users. The support fees are a separate cost."
  • "The pricing is reasonable. That's why we went with Forcepoint. They were pretty competitive."
  • "They have to look at a different pricing structure for small to medium-sized enterprises because the cost is too high."
  • "They are flexible regarding the pricing and they have a good model for an OEM data classification tool... Forcepoint has been one of the most competitively priced products over the last few years."
  • "Pricing for this solution could be better."
  • "Forcepoint has been very cost-effective because they gave us a good deal while procuring the DLP solution."
  • More Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention Pricing and Cost Advice →

  • "The price of the solution is expensive."
  • "The solution should be less expensive to allow more people the opportunity to use it. Some of their competitors are less expensive. There is a license required to use the solution and we purchased an annual license."
  • "The price of Symantec Data Loss Prevention could be reduced."
  • "There is an annual license required to use this solution."
  • "Support is a little costly, but you get what you pay for."
  • "DLP could be a bit cheaper."
  • "The solution's pricing is based on a license model."
  • "The price of Symantec DLP is fair. I don't recall the cost of the license, but it wasn't outrageous enough that it was an obstacle to approval. I'm not concerned with how much per seat or server, but I know they charge a lot."
  • More Symantec Data Loss Prevention Pricing and Cost Advice →

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    Questions from the Community
    Top Answer:The built-in rules, templates, and content classifiers are among the most valuable features. Some of the built-in patterns are good places to get started with. Along with the phrases, they are helpful… more »
    Top Answer:All of the vendors that I know have the same licensing fee — all of them. The ones that I've used, like Forcepoint, Symantec, and Digital Guardian, all have similar licensing, either perpetual or… more »
    Top Answer:The user-friendliness of the interface in formulating DLP policies could be improved. An example would be managing policies. It's a little daunting at first, and can be confusing, at times, when it… more »
    Top Answer:The solution is simple to use with good administrative controls and a console that is easy to understand.
    Top Answer:Symantec's pricing is competitive. I would recommend Symantec DLP over cheaper solutions because it provides a broader range of detection across various channels that isn't easy to achieve with other… more »
    Top Answer:The solution should integrate with other databases because it relies on Oracle which is not financially feasible for many customers, particularly in small or poor countries. Oracle is very expensive… more »
    Ranking
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    7,349
    Comparisons
    4,621
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    22
    Average Words per Review
    638
    Rating
    7.8
    Views
    8,988
    Comparisons
    6,735
    Reviews
    22
    Average Words per Review
    539
    Rating
    8.3
    Comparisons
    Also Known As
    Forcepoint DLP, Forcepoint Data Security Suite, Websense Data Security Suite
    Symantec DLP
    Learn More
    Overview

    Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention (DLP) is a data loss prevention tool that protects users from advanced threats and data breaches. Forcepoint DLP’s technologies can quickly identify and protect sensitive data and provide insight and awareness into attacks on endpoint devices both on and off the network.

    With company data constantly on the move, data security teams must have visibility and control across all channels - endpoint, web, network, email, and cloud. Forcepoint DLP provides protection and visibility across all data in the cloud as well as on-premises. One of the key features of Forcepoint DLP is its ability to identify data at rest, in motion, and in use and efficiently secure sensitive information.

    Forcepoint DLP key features:

    • Identify, remediate and secure sensitive data with network, cloud, and endpoint discovery.
    • Central management of policies across all channels, including cloud, endpoint, network, web, and email.
    • Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to identify data embedded in images.
    • Personally Identifiable Information (PII) for validation checks, real name detection, and proximity analysis.
    • Custom encryption identification for exposing concealed data.
    • Machine learning, which allows users to train the system to identify unfamiliar data. Users can provide the engine with positive and negative examples so similar data can be flagged.
    • Analytics for identifying changes in user behavior. These analytics are leveraged to better understand user risk and are then implemented as automated policy enforcement based on the risk level of the user.
    • Cloud protection for monitoring and preventing the loss of sensitive data online, and assessing the risk posed by visited websites.

    Reviews from Real Users

    Forcepoint DLP stands out among its competitors for a number of reasons. Two major ones are its risk analysis features and its OCR and data discovery capabilities.

    Allan P., an associate consultant at Atos, writes, “With OCR and Risk Analysis, we are able to determine if anything sensitive has been shared. OCR helps us to safeguard those things and with risk ranking, we can determine which user is trying to violate policies multiple times even though they have been blocked. It does require additional servers, as the processing and result of the incident is high, however, it's worth using to see all the use cases being met with these two features as well. They are the best features provided by Forcepoint.”

    Mahesh D., A senior manager at 2Five1, notes, “The workflow remediation is quite good. That is a key feature because of which it has the upper hand over other DLP solutions. Endpoint protection, web protection, network protection, and storage use are valuable features. Among these, endpoint protection is most valuable. It has good policies and good mechanisms to detect incidents. The workflow remediation is quite good. That is a key feature because of which it has the upper hand over other DLP solutions. Endpoint protection, web protection, network protection, and storage use are valuable features. Among these, endpoint protection is most valuable. It has good policies and good mechanisms to detect incidents.”

    Keeping sensitive corporate information safe and compliant has never been easy. But today, you’re faced with a totally new set of data protection challenges. Sensitive information is leaving the safety of your corporate network as more employees share files over consumer cloud storage services and access those files on their own mobile devices. The number of targeted cyber attacks continues to grow, as cybercriminals develop effective new methods for defeating traditional security measures and stealing corporate information. And as all of these factors converge, it becomes increasingly difficult to manage corporate information and protect it against loss and theft. 

    Symantec Data Loss Prevention (DLP) provides a comprehensive approach to information protection that embraces today’s cloud- and mobile-centered realities. With DLP, you can:

    • Discover where data is stored across all of your cloud, mobile, network, endpoint, and storage systems

    • Monitor how data is being used, whether your employees are on or off the network

    • Protect data from being leaked or stolen—no matter where it’s stored or how it’s used

    Offer
    Learn more about Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention
    Learn more about Symantec Data Loss Prevention
    Sample Customers
    Alphawest, Betsson, Cellcom Israel Ltd., Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Confartigianato Vicenza, EverBank, Finansbank, iGATE, Landa Digital Printing, Northern California Bank, Reliance Capital, Remosa, Toyota, Scavolini, Zim Integrated Shipping Services
    Hadassah University Hospital, Her Majestys Government (HMG), United Kingdom, Hitachi Consulting Software Services India Pvt Ltd., Hua Nan Bank, Hyundai Department Store Group,JW Marriott Hotel Seoul, Lake Health, McCann Erickson Israel, Molina Healthcare Inc., PGi, Quilvest Switzerland Limited, State of Nevada Public Employees Benefits Program, Symantec Corporation (Enterprise Security), The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, The Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust (DLP), The Saudi Industrial Property Authority, TSO cloud, Visa, Yunnan Power Grid Company
    Top Industries
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm16%
    Computer Software Company16%
    Comms Service Provider11%
    Security Firm11%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Computer Software Company19%
    Financial Services Firm14%
    Comms Service Provider12%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    REVIEWERS
    Financial Services Firm25%
    Insurance Company15%
    Computer Software Company10%
    Comms Service Provider10%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Financial Services Firm17%
    Computer Software Company16%
    Comms Service Provider12%
    Manufacturing Company7%
    Company Size
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business51%
    Midsize Enterprise11%
    Large Enterprise38%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business20%
    Midsize Enterprise14%
    Large Enterprise66%
    REVIEWERS
    Small Business36%
    Midsize Enterprise20%
    Large Enterprise43%
    VISITORS READING REVIEWS
    Small Business20%
    Midsize Enterprise13%
    Large Enterprise67%
    Buyer's Guide
    Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention vs. Symantec Data Loss Prevention
    March 2023
    Find out what your peers are saying about Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention vs. Symantec Data Loss Prevention and other solutions. Updated: March 2023.
    688,083 professionals have used our research since 2012.

    Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention is ranked 3rd in Data Loss Prevention (DLP) with 26 reviews while Symantec Data Loss Prevention is ranked 2nd in Data Loss Prevention (DLP) with 25 reviews. Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention is rated 8.0, while Symantec Data Loss Prevention is rated 8.4. The top reviewer of Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention writes "Good interface, powerful OCR and data discovery capabilities, customizable". On the other hand, the top reviewer of Symantec Data Loss Prevention writes "Consitent, accurate, and simple". Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention is most compared with Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention, Digital Guardian, Endpoint Protector, Zscaler Cloud DLP and GTB Technologies Inspector, whereas Symantec Data Loss Prevention is most compared with Microsoft Purview Data Loss Prevention, Trend Micro Integrated Data Loss Prevention, Endpoint Protector, Digital Guardian and Zscaler Cloud DLP. See our Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention vs. Symantec Data Loss Prevention report.

    See our list of best Data Loss Prevention (DLP) vendors.

    We monitor all Data Loss Prevention (DLP) reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.