Forcepoint ONE vs Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway comparison

Forcepoint and Broadcom are both solutions in the Secure Web Gateways (SWG) category. Forcepoint is ranked #19 with an average rating of 7.4, while Broadcom is ranked #26 with an average rating of 8.0. Forcepoint holds a 1.4% mindshare in WSG, compared to Broadcom’s 0.6% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Forcepoint users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Broadcom users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 4, 2024

Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway and Forcepoint ONE are competitors in the cybersecurity space, focused on securing web activities. Based on the data comparisons, Forcepoint ONE seems to have the upper hand due to its advanced data protection features and comprehensive control capabilities.

Features: Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway offers robust threat intelligence, an effective URL filtering system, and strong monitoring capabilities. Forcepoint ONE provides superior data protection, advanced analytics, and real-time data loss prevention, giving organizations precise control and comprehensive data security.

Room for Improvement: Symantec could enhance its integration with other security solutions and expand its customization options to meet diverse organizational needs. Improving data protection features would also benefit Symantec. Forcepoint ONE may benefit from optimizing its deployment process for faster onboarding and could improve responsiveness in customer service. Additionally, a more competitive pricing structure could attract a wider customer base.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Symantec offers a streamlined deployment process with faster onboarding, providing significant ease for users. Its responsive customer service enhances its appeal for organizations seeking quick support. On the other hand, Forcepoint ONE, while requiring more initial setup, provides extensive customization options valued by tech buyers, although its customer service might be less responsive.

Pricing and ROI: Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway often presents a lower setup cost, making it appealing for budget-conscious organizations. Despite the higher initial investment, Forcepoint ONE delivers better long-term ROI due to advanced security features and flexible policy management, suitable for enterprises investing heavily in security infrastructure.

To learn more, read our detailed Forcepoint ONE vs. Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway Report (Updated: September 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Forcepoint ONE vs. Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway

September 2025

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Categories and Ranking

iboss

Mindshare comparison

As of October 2025, in the Secure Web Gateways (SWG) category, the mindshare of iboss is 2.2%, up from 1.8% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Forcepoint ONE is 1.4%, up from 1.3% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway is 0.6%, up from 0.2% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Secure Web Gateways (SWG) Market Share Distribution
Product	Market Share (%)
iboss	2.2%
Forcepoint ONE	1.4%
Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway	0.6%
Other	95.8%

Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

Featured Reviews

Matt Crockford

Head of Cybersecurity at SES Water

It's easy to roll out, and their understanding of our business made it seamless

One aspect we value about iboss is its simplicity. Their customer service is brilliant, and they are super responsive and knowledgeable. It's easy to roll out, and their understanding of our business made it seamless. We were impressed by the solution's mental health function, which can detect if someone needs help. It scans what users are browsing and flags warning signs so we can check to see if they are okay. We've had to use it a couple of times. The user interface is highly intuitive. Our IT team picked it up with minimal training. It's arranged so that it's easy to find where things are. Another advantage is the single pane of glass console, which gives you visibility into what's happening. We're not fully there yet because we haven't implemented zero trust, but we're excited about the possibilities from the demos we've seen. We launched a POC of iboss' ChatGPT Risk Protection feature two weeks ago. AI is a great tool, but you need to be careful what you put into it. My biggest fear is employees inputting sensitive corporate information or customer PII data into one of these chatbots. I was impressed by our trial of the feature. It's exactly what we wanted. Now, when a user goes to ChatGPT, there's a banner warning them not to share information, and we can block conversations containing customer data like bank details and email addresses. I don't want to stop people from using it, but we need visibility. We've only tried it on a test group of 15 people. You can configure it to look for specific keywords or integrate it with your DLP policy if you have that configured

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Edwin Eze-Osiago

Regional Solutions Manager Sub Saharan Africa at Infodata Professional Services Limited

Easy to deploy, stable, and scalable

Bitglass integration with some IDP providers needs improvement. Currently, the solution is not compatible with Azure AD for third-party authentication. The fraud proxy in the SmartEdge agent is not compatible with Forcepoint DLP or a web hybrid agent. I would like the developers to consolidate multiple agents across systems for better integration.

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Shridhar Shimpi

Technical Support Engineer at Jainam Technologies

Easy-to-install product with good technical support services

We use the product for WAF and DLP features. It works as a cloud firewall service as well The product's most valuable features are isolation and integration. We have been using the product for four years. We are using the latest version. We have Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway with 200 users…

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Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

Pros

"Valuable features: Within the filter: Controls (Web categories, applications, and Allow/Block list) and Network (local Subnets). Within the reporter: Logs (Event Log) and Reports."

"I would definitely recommend iboss for web filtering purposes to other organizations or individuals."

"We were impressed by the solution's mental health function, which can detect if someone needs help. It scans what users are browsing and flags warning signs so we can check to see if they are okay. We've had to use it a couple of times."

"The iboss system is highly reliable. The false positive rates are small compared to some other systems we've experienced through other partner agencies who use competing solutions."

"Technical support is pretty sharp and very responsive."

"Because of iboss, I did not have to assign web filtering tasks to my techs on a daily basis."

"Its initial setup was straightforward."

"iboss is among the few products providing inline filtering where no application is needed on the device."

More iboss pros

"We are able to verify what is getting saved out onto the cloud. It allows us to have some DLP rules, since we have to be HIPAA compliant. If some personal health information has been uploaded to Office 365, then we are able to detect that sort of thing and account for it. We have set up rules to prevent people from doing that."

"The solution is very good when it comes to securing us against data leakage, because of the other proxy. It also has API scanning or data at rest. It inspects data in motion, which is the proxy, and then it has the data at rest, which is the API scanning. We can inspect for anything we want: file fingerprinting, PHI-sensitive data, PCI-sensitive data. It does not matter. We can usually find it and block it in transit and do our remediation with it. It could either be block, encrypt, or allow and watermark the file to follow it and see where it goes. It allows for those different scenarios."

"Forcepoint ONE is okay for me, and I find it a very good solution. Its most valuable feature is monitoring. Its monitoring is very good, and it can communicate with a SIEM system. I also find the DLP feature of Forcepoint ONE good."

"The solution’s AJAX-VM provides constant reverse proxy uptime. It has been very positive for our security operations. When people are trying to access the SaaS solution, it protects us from downloading any of that data and experiencing any type of attacks"

"The pricing is very good and cheaper than other solutions like Netskope and Forcepoint."

"The biggest thing that I like about this product is that it's easy to use and teach. When we have somebody new starting to work with the product, it's easy to teach them. It's also easy to use the product as it does so much."

"The control of web access by category is very effective."

"By default without a policy, Bitglass has the capability to notify the admin of multiple or simultaneous logins across a wide range of geographical regions."

More Forcepoint ONE pros

"The product is easy to install and deploy on the cloud."

"This solution does not require much administration."

"I would rate my experience with the initial setup an eight out of ten, where one is difficult, and ten is easy to set up. It was pretty straightforward."

Cons

"One thing I would like to see differently with their Zero Trust platform is that some of the AI aspects related to high-risk activities have more false positives."

"I'd like to see them accelerate development on the security side, particularly around data loss prevention."

"The area I would like to see improvement in is the ability with in the reporter to navigate directly to the content the user is traversing. It is kind of there, but it's not perfect. Quite frequently, I receive links that lead me to pages with error messages."

"Iboss is growing so fast that it is often hard for them to keep up with the challenges."

"SSL decryption: We had issues with learners using apps instead of using web browsers. This type of encryption is tough for any appliance in a BYOD environment."

"Our iboss subscription access should be more secure with an OTP or VPN etc. It is easy to gain access if, for example, hackers obtain my username and password."

"Sometimes, obviously, there are bugs."

"Our biggest problem with their service was it did not recognize the device and filtering did not always work correctly."

More iboss cons

"We encounter challenges in determining whether certain features for blocking certain file types or preventing automatic downloads are functioning correctly."

"I need control over access to web WhatsApp, which the solution cannot resolve yet."

"The solution's integration with other products needs improvement."

"Integration into different multi-factor authentication tools. On their page, they tout Duo, but I don't use Duo. I use another vendor. Not that they don't interact, but it takes a little bit more doing. Any amount of efficiencies here would help."

"I need control over access to web WhatsApp, which the solution cannot resolve yet."

"I wish they would advance more into the endpoint DLP solution. Currently they do not do anything around endpoint, they're still strictly cloud-based. The forward proxy is really the only thing they do. What I would like to see them do is to scan machines, workstations and servers, for information we might not want on those machines. That would be huge."

"There is room for improvement in making the reporting closer to real-time, ideally around five or ten minutes instead of half an hour. The interface could also be updated as it was quite dated."

"Initially, we had some challenges that Bitglass resolved quickly. The challenges were around communication. There didn't seem like there was the right level of communication within the Bitglass organization. Once we brought the issues up at a higher level, then they were resolved."

More Forcepoint ONE cons

"Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway can be improved by giving customers more ability to provide feedback on the categorization of websites and the site review portal."

"The product is cost-effective, considering its features, technology, and support services."

"WSS runs slowly sometimes, I would like for this to be looked into."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The overall pricing for iboss is very competitive and transparent."

"It is not expensive, and it is also not cheap. iboss is priced right in the sweet spot for the number of features it offers."

"We had the cost of purchasing a new appliance along with the implementation and licensing costs. However, the following year, the cost of just licensing was similar to what was paid the previous year for a new appliance along with the implementation and licensing costs."

"We have not priced the solution recently, but they were competitive with other vendors in the past."

"It is probably in line with other solutions, but I do not deal with the financial side."

"It is expensive compared to one of its competitors."

"Typically, the longer you price forward, the better off you're going to be. They have been very willing to work with us on pricing."

"The product is reasonably priced compared to other vendors. I rate the pricing a two or three."

"There is training involved. If you're going to add more people to it, such as cross train more of your group, there's a cost. Other than that, that's it. We have paid exactly what the invoices have said. We signed a three-year contract and not gone above it."

"The licensing cost for Forcepoint ONE would depend on the features, but the pricing is very competitive here in Brazil. The solution offers a good price, and I would rate it a three or a four in terms of pricing. I don't have information on whether there are additional costs apart from the standard licensing fees for Forcepoint ONE."

"We have our pricing by user. We do our pricing agreements annually. There are also additional costs for maintenance."

"When considering only the cost, the solution may appear to be costly; however, when evaluated in terms of commercial value, Bitglass is not expensive."

"The price is fixed and affordable."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Financial Services Firm

11%

Computer Software Company

11%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Government

11%

Manufacturing Company

No data available

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	6
Midsize Enterprise	6
Large Enterprise	5

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	5
Large Enterprise	10

No data available

Questions from the Community

What needs improvement with iboss?

For zero trust implementation, we encountered complexity issues, especially with a large infrastructure company Exxon...

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What is your primary use case for iboss?

Previously when I used iboss, we did the POC for iboss for ExxonMobil. Four or five people wanted to move from our ol...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for iboss?

Regarding pricing, setup costs, and licensing, iboss is not cheap, and that's my only concern. There are cheaper alte...

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What do you like most about Forcepoint ONE?

The platform's feature that has been most beneficial for our web security is its capability to replicate rules.

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Forcepoint ONE?

The licensing and pricing were fine with no issues. I took over from somebody else, and it stayed as it was until we ...

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What needs improvement with Forcepoint ONE?

There is room for improvement in making the reporting closer to real-time, ideally around five or ten minutes instead...

See all answers

What do you like most about Symantec Web Security Service?

I would rate my experience with the initial setup an eight out of ten, where one is difficult, and ten is easy to set...

See all answers

What needs improvement with Symantec Web Security Service?

Most products in this space are still maturing. Organizations rushing toward implementing zero-trust models often enc...

See all answers

What is your primary use case for Symantec Web Security Service?

It's just a bit proxy. That's the use case.

See all answers

Comparisons

Netskope vs iboss

Compared 14% of the time

Zscaler Internet Access vs iboss

Compared 13% of the time

Cisco Umbrella vs iboss

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Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs iboss

Compared 13% of the time

Check Point Harmony SASE (formerly Perimeter 81) vs iboss

Compared 8% of the time

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Netskope vs Forcepoint ONE

Compared 19% of the time

Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps vs Forcepoint ONE

Compared 16% of the time

Zscaler Internet Access vs Forcepoint ONE

Compared 15% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Forcepoint ONE

Compared 10% of the time

Cisco Umbrella vs Forcepoint ONE

Compared 6% of the time

More Forcepoint ONE Competitors

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway

Compared 44% of the time

Fortinet FortiProxy vs Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway

Compared 20% of the time

Zscaler Internet Access vs Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway

Compared 19% of the time

Cisco Umbrella vs Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway

Compared 17% of the time

More Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

iboss

September 2025

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Buyer's Guide

Forcepoint ONE

October 2025

Download Forcepoint ONE product report

Buyer's Guide

Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

October 2025

Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway report

Download Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway product report

Also Known As

iBoss Cloud Platform

Bitglass

Symantec Web Security Service

Overview

iboss offers a comprehensive security platform designed for diverse use cases such as web filtering, data loss protection, corporate proxy services, and URL filtering.

iboss integrates advanced features to address dynamic security needs, leveraging its strength in SASE, ZTNA, AI initiatives, and cloud integration, while ensuring seamless operations for remote work. It excels in historical forensics, malware protection, and flexible cloud deployments. Users benefit from comprehensive traffic scanning, robust malware detection, and PaaS capabilities that reduce hardware management. An intuitive admin console ensures efficient management with content filtering and low false positives. SSL decryption enhances security, while DLP protects data in AI conversations. Deployment is rapid and scalable, allowing effortless integration with emerging technologies.

What features does iboss offer?

Granular Web Filtering: Provides precise control over web content access.
Traffic Scanning: Monitors data through multiple ports for security breaches.
Malware Detection: Ensures superior protection against malware threats.
PaaS Capabilities: Eliminates need for hardware management.
SSL Decryption: Enhances data protection by decrypting secure connections.
DLP Capabilities: Safeguards data during AI interactions.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Scalability: Adapts quickly to growing demands and emerging tech integration.
Rapid Deployment: Reduces time to implement security measures.
User-Friendly Admin Console: Facilitates efficient operations management.
Low False Positives: Increases accuracy of threat detection systems.

iboss finds significant application in sectors such as education, where web filtering for K-12 is crucial, and in corporate environments requiring robust proxy services and URL filtering for network security. Its adaptability is essential in scenarios demanding flexible, decentralized security frameworks, particularly for remote work setups.

iboss

Forcepoint ONE is a comprehensive cybersecurity platform that provides organizations with a unified approach to protecting their critical data and assets. It offers a range of solutions that cover everything from network security and cloud security to data protection and insider threat prevention.

With Forcepoint ONE, organizations can gain complete visibility into their security posture, identify potential threats, and take proactive measures to mitigate risks.

One of the key features of Forcepoint ONE is its ability to provide real-time visibility into user behavior across all endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. This allows organizations to quickly identify and respond to potential threats, such as insider threats or malicious activity from external actors. Additionally, Forcepoint ONE offers advanced threat intelligence capabilities that leverage machine learning and AI to detect and respond to emerging threats. Another important aspect of Forcepoint ONE is its data protection capabilities.

The platform offers a range of solutions for protecting sensitive data, including data loss prevention (DLP), encryption, and secure web gateways. These solutions help organizations ensure that their critical data is protected both at rest and in transit, regardless of where it is stored or accessed.

Forcepoint ONE is a powerful cybersecurity platform that offers a comprehensive set of solutions for protecting organizations against a wide range of threats. With its advanced threat intelligence capabilities, real-time visibility into user behavior, and robust data protection features, Forcepoint ONE is an ideal choice for organizations looking to take a proactive approach to cybersecurity.

Forcepoint

Increasing web use, rapid cloud adoption, and greater numbers of remote users are exposing your network to additional risk. Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway (formerly Web Security Service) is an indispensable line of defense against modern-day cyber threats. A critical capability of Symantec Web Protection, it enables enterprises to control access, protects users from threats, and secures their sensitive data.

Broadcom

Sample Customers

More than 4,000 global enterprises trust the iboss Cloud Platform to support their modern workforces, including a large number of Fortune 50 companies.

UNC-Charlotte

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Forcepoint ONE vs. Symantec Cloud Secure Web Gateway

September 2025

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