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reviewer2507559 - PeerSpot reviewer
Consultant at a tech services company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Reseller
Top 5Leaderboard
Simplifies security by enabling partners with straightforward implementation
Pros and Cons
  • "Everything is handled on the backend side. Users don't need to have any proxy on-premises. The solution handles all the dirty or initial traffic from their network, managing it on the backend itself."
  • "The technical support needs to be improved."

What is our primary use case?

The use case is that they don't want a proxy on-premises. They want everything to be on the cloud, with all processing happening before it reaches the firewall. Typically, in a traditional scenario, when I try to access a website like gmail.com, the request goes through the firewall. The router, and is cached, with multiple security measures applied on-premises. Forcepoint handles all these processes on the backend, so the customer doesn't need to worry about on-premises infrastructure. 

What is most valuable?

Everything is handled on the backend side. Users don't need to have any proxy on-premises. The solution handles all the dirty or initial traffic from their network, managing it on the backend itself.

What needs improvement?

The technical support needs to be improved.

It simplifies security by enabling partners to implement it straightforwardly. DLP is essential and requires capable engineers for effective deployment. Currently, opportunities may involve high implementation costs, handled either by distributors or directly by Forcepoint.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway as a reseller. We are selling Forcepoint V5000 appliances.

Buyer's Guide
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway
July 2025
Learn what your peers think about Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: July 2025.
861,803 professionals have used our research since 2012.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Stability depends upon connectivity. If your connectivity is good, you get the best stability.

I rate the solution’s stability a nine out of ten.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

You need to add the number of users and configure them. 5000 users are using this solution. It is suitable for enterprise customers.

I rate the solution’s scalability an eight out of ten.

How are customer service and support?

Forcepoint offers two levels of support: standard support and premium support. With standard support, you can open a ticket, but you may need to wait up to 24 hours for a response, and sometimes the engineers might not be available promptly. Premium support, which comes at a higher price, promises quicker response times. There is a lack of qualified engineers and partners to implement the Secure Web Gateway.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is difficult. Integrating it involves connecting with multiple parameters such as data servers, file servers, and email management systems. This integration process can be pretty complex and challenging.

Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway can typically be installed within one day for a hundred users. However, for larger deployments, such as 1,000 or 5,000 users, the installation process may require at least a month.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The product has average pricing.

I rate the product’s pricing a seven out of ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive.

What other advice do I have?

If you want to deploy Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway on-premises, you'll need a server, a switch, and a firewall, among other components. This setup involves significant initial investment, which affects ROI and total cost of ownership. While a proxy can handle some aspects, it doesn't provide the comprehensive security features that Forcepoint offers.

Overall, I rate the solution an eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Microsoft Azure
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. reseller
PeerSpot user
reviewer1946076 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Manager IT at a computer software company with 201-500 employees
Real User
Scalable and lets you restrict attachments and allow or disallow users to access templates within the organization, but it has some stability issues, and setting it up is challenging
Pros and Cons
  • "Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway does most of its job well, but I especially like its data security feature."
  • "What's missing in Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is a specific level of micro-control on protocols or devices, for example, where you can control a particular user or user device."

What is our primary use case?

I'm using Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway for web security, particularly DLP. It's mainly to control internet usage for users in terms of what's allowed and what's not. It's also a DLP solution that I use to monitor the data, including information about any data transfers within the organization.

What is most valuable?

Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway does most of its job well, but I especially like its data security feature. It also is beneficial that it lets you restrict attachments and allow or disallow users to access templates within the organization.

What needs improvement?

What's missing in Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is a specific level of micro-control on protocols or devices, for example, where you can control a particular user or user device. This is what should be improved in the solution.

I want a micro-level management feature added in the next release of Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway for more than five years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

My organization had some issues with Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway, where sometimes it behaves differently, though it could be version related. The solution has some stability issues, though not very severe so I would rate its stability as seven out of ten. It had minor issues that didn't cause a massive breakdown.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is scalable because it works well even with ten thousand to fifty thousand employees. You can scale it up or down, so the solution is a ten out of ten in terms of scalability.

How are customer service and support?

I'm not fully satisfied with Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway support. Though the response time is good, the resolution takes too much time sometimes.

My rating for technical support is six out of ten.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway, setup-wise, is complex unless you get some support. It's challenging to set up using an internal ID.

I'd rate its setup as three out of ten.

What about the implementation team?

We implemented Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway with the help of Forcepoint support and a third party.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The pricing for Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is expensive. You pay per user and functionality. I'd rate it a four on a scale of one to ten. Compared to the competition, Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is one of the most expensive products.

What other advice do I have?

My company uses firewalls, such as Fortigate, and web security products, such as Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway.

My rating for Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway is seven out of ten.

My company is a Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway customer.

Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway
July 2025
Learn what your peers think about Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: July 2025.
861,803 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Director at Foresight Software Solutions Pvt Ltd
Reseller
Offers great visibility and controls can easily be put in place
Pros and Cons
  • "Provides good visibility and good filtering features."
  • "Managing the endpoint for both DLP and web security should be simplified."

What is our primary use case?

Our primary use case is to control internet access based on security profiles. Users are restricted to legitimate sites and then, based on the business use case, we provide access to streaming sites and the like. We are customers and resellers of Secure Web Gateway and I'm a company director.

What is most valuable?

All the secure gateways are more or less the same. The value of Secure Web Gateway is the visibility it offers and the ease by which we can put controls in place. We enabled the cloud DLP so we can see what's happening to the data. The solution also provides good filtering features. 

What needs improvement?

One improvement I'd like to see would be to simplify managing the endpoint for both DLP and web security, so that endpoint management becomes easier. The dashboard is a little old so a new GUI would be helpful as well as updated reporting tools. It currently lacks some features that other solutions have. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using this solution for over eight years. 

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It's reasonably stable but sometimes there are issues in the cloud. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The scalability is good, our entire organization uses this product including engineers, marketing and administration. 

How are customer service and support?

I'd say that customer service is above average.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is straightforward, we deployed in-house and implementation required one person. The initial setup takes two or three days, but rolling it out and making sure that everybody has the required access, and that business applications are accessible, can take a month or so. 

What was our ROI?

The ROI is like insurance, it's the knowledge that you're protected. The fact that it's taking care of my security needs, is a return.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I'm unaware of licensing costs but there is an extra cost for additional reporting.

What other advice do I have?

It's important to test any solution before making a decision to purchase it. Evaluate your needs and expectations, and carry out a POC. 

I rate this solution eight out of 10. 

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud

If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?

Other
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Customer
PeerSpot user
Nikunj Godawat - PeerSpot reviewer
Deputy Manager at a energy/utilities company with 10,001+ employees
Real User
Excellent firewall blocking and anti-malware scanning
Pros and Cons
  • "Secure Web Gateway's most valuable features are firewall blocking and anti-malware scanning."
  • "The automation lifecycle, integration, and export functionality could all be improved."

What is most valuable?

Secure Web Gateway's most valuable features are firewall blocking and anti-malware scanning.

What needs improvement?

The automation lifecycle, integration, and export functionality could all be improved.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been using Secure Web Gateway for over three years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Secure Web Gateway is a stable solution.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

This solution is scalable.

How are customer service and support?

Forcepoint's technical support is good, but in the future, I'd like them to provide more tutorial documentation.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was simple.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution eight out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Director at Foresight Software Solutions Pvt Ltd
Reseller
Easy to set up with well-integrated web security and decent technical support
Pros and Cons
  • "The initial setup is easy. It's not difficult."
  • "It takes 20 to 30 minutes for policy replication."

What is our primary use case?

We are the implementation partner for Forcepoint, and then we configure and integrate Forcepoint into the customer enrollment.

We personally use cloud Websecurity and cloud Email security of Forcepoint.

What is most valuable?

The initial setup is easy. It's not difficult. 

They have well-integrated web security. They have the enterprise DLP included in the cloud as well.

Technical support has been okay.

What needs improvement?

The Bitglass part, right now, we are trying to learn it, and then trying to acquire skillsets around it. 

For cloud web security, there are definitely areas where it requires improvement, Policy changes take 20 to 30 minutes for enforcement.

Granular control based on applications can be further enhanced.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've been dealing with the solution for six or seven years and Websense for the last 15 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

It is stable. That said, at times we do get complaints from customers. Some of the government and banking sites not being accessible via cloud proxy. At times it is required to bypass them or route it through different data centers. Though Forcepoint has no say in some websites restricting the access if they can out with a solution to detect and bypass or redirect the traffic through a working data center it will add further value. 

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

We are integrators. We are supporting from 1,000 systems to somewhere around a 10,000 to 20,000 user base.

How are customer service and support?

We have used technical support in the past. There are two aspects. How quickly they respond is one aspect. Then, whatever the answer that they provide, is it of any use. In terms of the response, it varies. Sometimes they will be able to solve it, and then sometimes it may have to be internally taken up to the next level.

How would you rate customer service and support?

Neutral

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup is very simple and not overly difficult. 

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

I cannot speak to the exact pricing of the solution.

What other advice do I have?

We are integrators. While we typically do cloud deployments off-late, for on-premises, we have deployed Hybrid and on-premises Websecurity deployments.

I'd advise users, if they want to make use of it, to learn the technology and then the approach the product is trying to take. I'd advise users only proceed once they understand it. That way, they'll be in a good position to manage it. As with any technology, learn the basics and building blocks of it.

I'd rate the solution a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. partner
PeerSpot user
reviewer1471029 - PeerSpot reviewer
Chief Information Officer at a computer software company with 5,001-10,000 employees
MSP
URL filtering plays a critical security role, but we have had problems with downtime and support
Pros and Cons
  • "The critical role is web URL filtering."
  • "I have been in contact with technical support several times, and I am not happy with them."

What is our primary use case?

The critical role is web URL filtering.

What needs improvement?

The functionality of this product in the current version is not up to our expectations.

This product does not have an integrated strategy for securing your web gateway with DLP.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been working with Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway for approximately 15 years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

We have had issues with downtime, where the service was out one time for 48 hours and nobody knew what was happening.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

I don't know of any issues with scalability.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have been in contact with technical support several times, and I am not happy with them.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

We recently stopped using this product and migrated to Zscaler.

How was the initial setup?

Setting up the solution for our clients can be difficult because we are dealing with different timezones and different geography. It also depends on their data center.

The clients sometimes depend heavily on the partners, rather than take time to understand the product themselves.

What other advice do I have?

I would rate this solution a seven out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
reviewer1433466 - PeerSpot reviewer
Infrastructure Support Officer at a government with 1,001-5,000 employees
Real User
Good URL categorization database, intuitive, and easy to use
Pros and Cons
  • "It has got a really good URL categorization database. It is simple to set up. It is also easy to use and quite intuitive. It has got a nice utility for troubleshooting."
  • "We are using a V10000 G3 appliance. It is just a proxy. It is just HTTP, FTP, and HTTPS. Now, as our website has developed and we are using rich time-connectivity protocols, the proxy doesn't have the ability to work with these protocols. It would be nice if the UDP feature was there for it to filter UDP traffic. It needs firewall capabilities for UDP filtering. Its upgrades can be quite complex, and they don't always go as per the plan. Its reporting could be a bit more granular."

What is our primary use case?

We use it for internal monitoring of internet access as well as for controlling internet access.

What is most valuable?

It has got a really good URL categorization database. It is simple to set up. It is also easy to use and quite intuitive. It has got a nice utility for troubleshooting.

What needs improvement?

We are using a V10000 G3 appliance. It is just a proxy. It is just HTTP, FTP, and HTTPS. Now, as our website has developed and we are using rich time-connectivity protocols, the proxy doesn't have the ability to work with these protocols. It would be nice if the UDP feature was there for it to filter UDP traffic. It needs firewall capabilities for UDP filtering.

Its upgrades can be quite complex, and they don't always go as per the plan. Its reporting could be a bit more granular. 

For how long have I used the solution?

I have used it for quite some time.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

I am satisfied with its stability. We have got a good network infrastructure.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is easy to scale. You can just add another box to scale it up. 

We are using it for about 3000 users, but it can take a lot more. You have to look at the box you choose and use it as you require.

How are customer service and technical support?

I have interacted with them. Nine out of ten times, their support is really good. There are different packages you can buy for support. The one we have is really good. We usually get a response within four hours, and they are available seven days a week. They have been helpful, and they do point you in the right direction. If they don't have a solution, they will go back and solve it through another team member.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

I can't remember, but I think we used Blue Coat. We switched because at the time, most of the technology modules were embedded into one appliance in Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway, which is how you can reduce the number of boxes you would have in your server, which is really good. In terms of cost also, it was working out better for us.

How was the initial setup?

The initial setup was straightforward. The upgrades, however, are not straightforward, and they don't always go as per the plan. It also depends on your environment and the configuration. The advantage of going for a cloud solution is that you don't have the overhead of managing upgrades and downtime. The advantage of an on-premises solution is that you have more control, which is really nice. You have ownership, and you have the chance to develop your own solution, which is fantastic.

What about the implementation team?

We got help from a third-party vendor.

What other advice do I have?

I would not recommend the version that we have, that is, V10000 G3. I would recommend the later versions. 

Its implementation depends on your working environment. You might want to go for a hybrid version where it is partly on the cloud and partly on-premises. You also have to look at deploying agents on your systems. So, it just depends on how you are planning on working. Are you working from an office or are you going to be working remotely? That would dictate how you implement the solution. It is a fine product for what it does. Going forward, it would need firewall capabilities for UDP filtering.

I would rate Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway an eight out of ten. It needs UDP support and a bit more granular filtering of reports, but all in all, it ticks most of the boxes.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
IT Manager at cmc
Real User
Effective spam filter, blocks ransomware links, and is easy to configure
Pros and Cons
  • "The spam filter is very effective."
  • "We have a lot of false positives, which is one area that can be improved."

What is our primary use case?

I use this product for email filtering.

What is most valuable?

The spam filter is very effective.

It does a good job of detecting ransomware links in email and then blocking them.

What needs improvement?

We have a lot of false positives, which is one area that can be improved. At the same time, there is a lot of spam that still gets by the filter.

The engine should be enhanced because some malware still gets by the filter.

The login for emails should be more advanced.

For how long have I used the solution?

I have been using Forcepoint Web Security for four years.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

This service is very stable.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

It is easy to scale. I can set up more than one Exchange server and more than one domain. We have about 600 users in the company and we do not plan on increasing at this time.

How are customer service and technical support?

We obtain support from the local partner, rather than from Forcepoint directly.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Prior to this, I was working with Websense. 

How was the initial setup?

It is a cloud-based deployment so the initial setup is not complex. There are a couple of things to configure, pointing them to your mail servers, but it is easy and straightforward. 

What about the implementation team?

We only require a single person for maintenance.

What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?

The price of this product should be reduced to make it more competitive.

What other advice do I have?

In summary, this is a good product and I highly recommend it. However, it is important to remember that suitability will vary depending on the environment.

I would rate this solution a nine out of ten.

Which deployment model are you using for this solution?

Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
PeerSpot user
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.
Updated: July 2025
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Forcepoint Secure Web Gateway Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions.