Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps and Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform are two leading solutions in the cloud security and zero trust markets. Each product has distinct strengths, with Microsoft Defender being more seamless in integration with the Microsoft ecosystem, while Zscaler offers robust VPN-like connectivity.
Features: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps offers extensive integration with Microsoft's ecosystem, ease of management, and detailed security posture views. It excels in seamless integration, threat detection, and comprehensive reporting. Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform stands out with VPN-like connectivity, data monitoring, and inspection features. It's noted for ease of deployment in cloud environments and robust private access capabilities.
Room for Improvement: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps needs better integration with Apple products, streamlined reporting, and faster response to alerts for a lighter, more user-friendly experience. Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform could enhance SCMP network layers, reduce latency, and refine licensing costs. Both products should optimize pricing models and improve integration across multiple ecosystems.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is tailored for Microsoft-centric organizations with strong cloud integration but has support consistency issues, effective only with Premier tiers. Zscaler demonstrates high scalability and seamless cloud-on-premises deployment but faces latency challenges in larger environments. Customer service is satisfactory for both, although Microsoft's efficiency often requires escalation.
Pricing and ROI: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps, bundled with E3 and E5 licenses, offers good value for existing Microsoft users, despite higher costs for small enterprises. Its ROI is seen in integration and enhanced security features. Zscaler is perceived as expensive but offers competitive user-based pricing with ROI through secure connectivity and protective features, appealing to diverse IT setups.
The biggest return on investment so far has been visibility, knowing what we have in our environment.
As a small team, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps allowed us to manage systems with just one or two people.
We have at least saved the costs we had from the Netskope solution this year.
We don't have to purchase many components such as load balancers and proxy servers that were necessary in traditional setups.
Their customer service is pretty good, but it's frustrating to go through three or four channels before reaching the right person.
The support is excellent, and the speed of response is commendable.
There were instances where the engineers were knowledgeable and helpful, but at other times it felt like a ping pong game, with unnecessary transfers until the right person was found.
Sometimes, support takes time since the solution has some bugs that need fixing.
For what I know about the log collector and how much data it can take in, it is super scalable and capable of handling high workloads.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is very scalable, provided you have the right subscription.
In my experience, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is good enough for small to medium businesses.
I would rate it a ten because I have not experienced any stability issues so far with Defender for Cloud Apps.
I would assess the stability and reliability of Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps as stable
My impression on the stability and reliability of Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is that it is very stable.
For data loss prevention, it would be useful to be able to drill down into the kind of data being transferred over CloudApp.
Defender typically connects to Entra ID, but we have local users on the cloud for database access, SSH, or RDS, and there is nothing produced by Defender regarding those local IAM users.
A significant improvement I would like to see is the integration into a single pane of glass.
They might be able to identify if something is missing with Zscaler.
The pricing for Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is acceptable.
My organization is currently revisiting pricing, but previously, the cost was a bit expensive, yet comparable to other solutions with similar functionalities and features.
It's not the cheapest, but also not the most expensive, placing it in the mid-level range.
The ability to sanction unsanctioned apps using Secure Score benchmarking, included in Cloud, is also beneficial.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is very comprehensive, providing a complete 360-degree view of applications within an organization.
The most valuable features of Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps include live, up-to-date information, which provided real-time alerts.
The solution is cloud-based with the latest inspection engines, which I find to be amazing.
Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is a comprehensive security solution that provides protection for cloud-based applications and services. It offers real-time threat detection and response, as well as advanced analytics and reporting capabilities. With Defender for Cloud Apps, organizations can ensure the security of their cloud environments and safeguard against cyber threats. Whether you're running SaaS applications, IaaS workloads, or PaaS services, Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps can help you secure your cloud environment and protect your business from cyber threats.
Reviews from Real Users
Ram-Krish, Cloud Security & Governance at a financial services firm, says that Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps "Integrates well and helps us in protecting sensitive information, but takes time to scan and apply the policies and cannot detect everything we need".
PeerSpot user, Senior Cloud & Security Consultant at a tech services, writes that Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps "Great for monitoring user activity and protecting data while integrating well with other applications".
Simon Burgess,Infrastructure Engineer at SBITSC, states that Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps is "A fluid, intelligent product for great visibility, centralized management, and increased uptime".
Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform acts as a VPN alternative for secure remote access, cloud protection, and zero-trust strategies. It enables secure data transmission, supports remote work, and enhances compliance through a cloud-based architecture, offering improved performance and simplified management.
Designed for organizations seeking secure application access and robust data protection, Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform delivers a comprehensive solution through seamless VPN connectivity, data loss prevention, and SSL inspection. Its cloud integration ensures scalability and reliability, while its interface provides intuitive management. Companies benefit from automatic secure access, minimizing constant authentication needs, and safeguarding sensitive data. The platform allows easy deployment and integration with diverse identity providers, granting granular control for access and application segmentation. Despite powerful capabilities, enhancements are needed in speed, bandwidth, and legacy support, with users noting interface and configuration challenges.
What are the key features of Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange Platform?In specific industries, Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange has been implemented to enhance security protocols in fields like finance and healthcare. By prioritizing data protection and compliance, it assists companies in safely managing sensitive information and meeting regulatory requirements. Organizations leverage its features to ensure secure operations across remote and cloud environments, adapting to industry-specific needs with customizable access and security controls.
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