As cybersecurity becomes increasingly important in today's digital landscape, businesses are actively seeking robust solutions to protect their networks and data. Cisco Umbrella is a popular cloud-based security platform that offers DNS filtering, secure web gateway, and cloud-delivered firewall services. However, there are several alternatives and competitors to Cisco Umbrella that provide similar functionalities and cater to the needs of different organizations. In this article, we will explore the 10 best Cisco Umbrella alternatives and competitors in 2024.

1. Zscaler

Zscaler is a leading cloud security provider that offers a comprehensive suite of services to protect organizations from cyber threats. It provides secure web gateway, advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and remote browser isolation capabilities. Zscaler operates a global network of data centers, enabling fast and secure access to the internet and cloud applications for users across the globe. With its robust security features and scalability, Zscaler is an excellent alternative to Cisco Umbrella.

Advantages:

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  • Comprehensive suite of security services.
  • Global network for fast and secure access.
  • Scalable architecture.
  • Advanced threat protection capabilities.

Disadvantages:

  • Higher cost compared to some alternatives.
  • Learning curve for administrators.

2. Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is a cloud-delivered security platform designed to provide consistent protection for remote users and branch offices. It offers secure web gateway, firewall-as-a-service, and cloud-based sandboxing capabilities. Prisma Access integrates with Palo Alto Networks' Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) to provide a unified security solution for organizations. With its focus on remote user protection and seamless integration with NGFWs, Prisma Access is a strong competitor to Cisco Umbrella.

Advantages:

  • Comprehensive security for remote users and branch offices.
  • Integration with Palo Alto Networks' NGFWs.
  • Cloud-delivered firewall capabilities.
  • Centralized management and visibility.

Disadvantages:

  • Higher cost compared to some alternatives.
  • Limited customization options.

3. Akamai Enterprise Threat Protector

Akamai Enterprise Threat Protector is a cloud-based security solution that offers DNS filtering, secure web gateway, and threat intelligence services. It uses real-time data from Akamai's global network to identify and block malicious traffic. Enterprise Threat Protector provides granular control over web access policies and supports integration with existing security infrastructure. With its strong emphasis on DNS security and threat intelligence, Akamai Enterprise Threat Protector is a reliable alternative to Cisco Umbrella.

Advantages:

  • DNS filtering and threat intelligence capabilities.
  • Granular control over web access policies.
  • Integration with existing security infrastructure.
  • Global network for real-time data analysis.

Disadvantages:

  • Higher cost compared to some alternatives.
  • Limited reporting and analytics features.

4. Fortinet FortiGate

Fortinet FortiGate is a comprehensive network security platform that offers firewall, virtual private network (VPN), intrusion prevention system (IPS), and web filtering capabilities. It provides centralized management and visibility across the entire network infrastructure, allowing organizations to enforce consistent security policies. FortiGate supports integration with other Fortinet security products, creating a unified ecosystem for network security. With its extensive feature set and centralized management capabilities, FortiGate is a strong competitor to Cisco Umbrella.

Advantages:

  • Comprehensive network security capabilities.
  • Centralized management and visibility.
  • Integration with other Fortinet security products.
  • Scalable architecture.

Disadvantages:

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  • Higher cost compared to some alternatives.
  • Steeper learning curve for administrators.

5. Symantec Web Security Service

Symantec Web Security Service is a cloud-based security platform that provides web filtering, advanced threat protection, data loss prevention, and cloud application control capabilities. It offers granular policy controls and real-time threat intelligence to protect organizations from web-based threats. Symantec Web Security Service integrates with Symantec's Endpoint Protection solution, providing a unified approach to endpoint and web security. With its strong focus on web security and integration capabilities, Symantec Web Security Service is a reliable alternative to Cisco Umbrella.

Advantages:

  • Comprehensive web security capabilities.
  • Granular policy controls.
  • Real-time threat intelligence.
  • Integration with Symantec's Endpoint Protection.

Disadvantages:

  • Higher cost compared to some alternatives.
  • Limited customization options.

6. OpenDNS

OpenDNS, now part of Cisco, is a cloud-based security platform that provides DNS filtering and threat intelligence services. It offers protection against malware, botnets, and phishing attacks by blocking access to malicious domains. OpenDNS provides easy-to-use web-based management and reporting tools, making it suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. With its focus on DNS security and simplicity, OpenDNS is a viable alternative for organizations seeking a cost-effective solution.

Advantages:

  • DNS filtering and threat intelligence capabilities.
  • Cost-effective for small to medium-sized businesses.
  • Easy-to-use management and reporting tools.
  • Integration with other Cisco security products.

Disadvantages:

  • Limited advanced security features compared to some alternatives.
  • Support limitations due to being part of Cisco's portfolio.

7. McAfee Web Gateway

McAfee Web Gateway is a secure web gateway solution that provides web filtering, anti-malware, and data loss prevention capabilities. It offers granular control over web access policies and uses advanced threat intelligence to protect organizations from web-based threats. McAfee Web Gateway integrates with other McAfee security products, allowing for centralized management and visibility. With its strong focus on web security and integration capabilities, McAfee Web Gateway is a reliable alternative to Cisco Umbrella.

Advantages:

  • Comprehensive web security capabilities.
  • Granular control over web access policies.
  • Integration with other McAfee security products.
  • Advanced threat intelligence.

Disadvantages:

  • Higher cost compared to some alternatives.
  • Limited reporting and analytics features.

8. Forcepoint Web Security

Forcepoint Web Security is a cloud-based security platform that provides web filtering, advanced threat protection, and data loss prevention capabilities. It offers granular control over web access policies and uses behavior-based analytics to identify and block malicious activity. Forcepoint Web Security integrates with other Forcepoint security products, enabling organizations to create a unified approach to security. With its focus on web security and behavior-based analytics, Forcepoint Web Security is a strong competitor to Cisco Umbrella.

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Advantages:

  • Comprehensive web security capabilities.
  • Granular control over web access policies.
  • Integration with other Forcepoint security products.
  • Behavior-based analytics.

Disadvantages:

  • Higher cost compared to some alternatives.
  • Limited customization options.

9. Barracuda CloudGen Firewall

Barracuda CloudGen Firewall is a comprehensive network security solution that offers firewall-as-a-service, secure web gateway, and advanced threat protection capabilities. It provides centralized management and visibility across the entire network infrastructure, allowing organizations to enforce consistent security policies. Barracuda CloudGen Firewall supports integration with other Barracuda security products, creating a unified ecosystem for network security. With its extensive feature set and centralized management capabilities, Barracuda CloudGen Firewall is a strong competitor to Cisco Umbrella.

Advantages:

  • Comprehensive network security capabilities.
  • Centralized management and visibility.
  • Integration with other Barracuda security products.
  • Scalable architecture.

Disadvantages:

  • Higher cost compared to some alternatives.
  • Steeper learning curve for administrators.

10. SonicWall Capture Cloud Platform

SonicWall Capture Cloud Platform is a cloud-native security platform that provides advanced threat protection, secure web gateway, and remote access capabilities. It uses real-time threat intelligence to identify and block emerging threats. SonicWall Capture Cloud Platform supports integration with other SonicWall security products, enabling organizations to create a unified approach to security. With its focus on advanced threat protection and integration capabilities, SonicWall Capture Cloud Platform is a reliable alternative to Cisco Umbrella.

Advantages:

  • Advanced threat protection capabilities.
  • Secure web gateway and remote access features.
  • Integration with other SonicWall security products.
  • Real-time threat intelligence.

Disadvantages:

  • Higher cost compared to some alternatives.
  • Limited customization options.

In conclusion, while Cisco Umbrella is a popular choice for cloud-based security services, there are several alternatives and competitors available in the market that provide similar functionalities. When choosing the best Cisco Umbrella alternative or competitor for your organization's cybersecurity needs, consider factors such as comprehensive security capabilities, integration options, scalability, cost, and ease of use.