Cyber threats aren’t showing any signs of slowing down, and neither is your team’s need to work anywhere. Between all the apps, remote logins, and constant internet access from different geographic locations, businesses have a tricky balancing act to perform; keeping teams productive while keeping data safe.
This is where a Secure Web Gateway (SWG) comes in. Think of it as your company’s safety net for the web. It enables you to block dangerous traffic, enforce browsing policies, and prevent sensitive data from leaking out, all without being disruptive to how people work, unlike VPNs typically are.
In this article, we’ll highlight a few of the key factors you should consider when evaluating an SWG solution. Additionally, since it’s just as essential to assess and select the right vendor as it is to understand the features included in any solution, we will also provide a comparison of the leading SWG vendors at the end.
Table of Contents
Key Considerations When Selecting an SWG Solution
First off, let’s take a look at the main things you should be focusing on when choosing the right solution for your company.
Security Capabilities
The primary role of an SWG is protection. So, reasonable SWG solutions should have:
- Malware detection and sandboxing.
- Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
- SSL/TLS inspections to analyze encrypted traffic.
If your organization doesn’t have these tools, you have left security potholes on the attackers’ path.
Cloud Or On-Prem Deployments
One of the most significant decisions will be whether to deploy a cloud-delivered SWG or opt for an appliance-based on-premise offering.
For most organizations, a cloud SWG is the right choice. These modern solutions offer a high-quality service while allowing for scalability. They also roll out automatic updates and are designed to accommodate remote and hybrid workers.
With that said, appliance-based SWGs can still be effective for companies with strict data residency rules or highly controlled environments, but they’re more challenging to maintain and scale.
Be sure to consider your requirements upfront when searching for an AWG provider, so you know which type to look for.
User Experience and Performance
Security really should not be slowing your people down. In worst-case scenarios, delays, poor performance, and friction in accessing your organization’s data and applications will drive employees to find alternative ways, resulting in glaring security gaps that you may not be aware of. Always test real-world performance before fully rolling out a solution.
Compatibility With Existing Solutions
Look for interoperability with identity providers (e.g., Okta, Azure AD), firewalls, SIEM tools, etc. The simpler it is to establish integrations, the more time you will save for your IT team while ensuring smoother, round-the-clock security management.
Top 5 SWG Solutions
Now let’s take a look at a comparison of the top five SWG vendors on the market, breaking down their top features, pros, and cons.
Check Point
Check Point has a long-standing pedigree in the cybersecurity space, particularly with its firewalls and enterprise security solutions. The Check Point SWG points towards those same areas of efficiency through advanced threat prevention and centralized access. Check Point also adds on extra value with its compliance capabilities and real-time updates, creating a business case for organizations that require serious compliance and an overall certified, multi-functional solution.
Key Features
- Real-time threat intelligence
- Advanced threat detection and sandboxing
- SSL/TLS traffic inspection
- Holistic policy control
Pros
- Very trustworthy enterprise security brand
- Excellent compliance and reporting capabilities
- Unified management across the security stack
Cons
- Potential complexity for a small IT team
- Costs may be barriers for SMB
Best For: Organizations seeking proven, enterprise-grade security with comprehensive threat prevention capabilities
Zscaler
Zscaler is one of the leaders in the SWG market and is famously one of the early pioneers of the Zero Trust security model. The Zscaler cloud platform is designed for speed, scale, and protective coverage for remote or hybrid workers. Zscaler operates at scale and with no hardware to manage, making it a natural option for organisations seeking digital transformation through cloud-first solutions.
Key Features
- 100% cloud-native architecture
- Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA)
- SSL inspection at scale
- Advanced threat detection and sandboxing
Pros
- Excellent for distributed, remote teams
- Simple scaling
- Aligns well with Zero Trust frameworks
Cons
- It may be overkill for small businesses
- Less granular on-premises control compared to appliance-based solutions
Best For: Organizations that are committed to a cloud-first service model and support mostly remote teams.
Palo Alto Networks
Palo Alto’s Prisma Access offers SWG services as part of a comprehensive SASE (Secure Access Service Edge) architecture. It includes AI-based analytics, cloud-scale infrastructure, and its usual capabilities as a firewall provider. This makes it an ideal choice for organizations seeking greater visibility, multi-layered security, and simplified deployment.
Key Features
- AI-based threat detection
- SWG as part of SASE
- Granular visibility into applications and traffic
- Cloud-based architecture
Pros
- Sophisticated analytics and reporting
- Easy integration with Palo Alto firewalls
- Trustworthy name in enterprise security
Cons
- It can be cumbersome to deploy and manage.
- More enterprise-focused pricing
Best For: Larger organizations looking for multi-layered security utilizing AI that also want an accurate SASE model.
Cisco
Umbrella by Cisco provides a SWG service, including DNS-layer protection, a firewall, and a CASB. Cisco is a trusted name in security, offering scalable and fast-deploying solutions suitable for any organization, particularly those leveraging Cisco’s products.
Key Features
- DNS-layer security
- Firewall and SWG combined
- Intelligence from Cisco Talos for threat detection
- All as cloud-delivered architecture
Pros
- Fast and easy deployment
- Strong analytics and strong global footprint
- Trusted Cisco support and ecosystem
Cons
- Not as granular as some competition
- Can add up in cost when fully integrated
Best For: Organizations that are already using Cisco products or companies looking for a simple, trusted, reliable, and global solution.
Netskope
Netskope is a cloud-native security leader with a focus on data protection. Their SWG product can be integrated with DLP and CASB products, providing organizations with a very granular level of visibility into cloud and web usage. Netskope has a strong data-centric focus, making it well-suited to heavily regulated industries.
Key Features
- Possesses strong DLP and CASB integrations
- Offers a cloud-native SWG with inline capabilities
- Real-time risk assessments
- Exceptional integrity features
Pros
- Excellent at protecting sensitive data
- Deep integrations with SaaS applications
- A recognized leader in cloud security
Cons
- It may be cumbersome for smaller IT teams
- Pricing is usually more enterprise-focused
Best For: Cloud-first or cloud-native organizations that are dealing with sensitive or regulated data
Final Thoughts
Choosing the correct SWG solution isn’t just about checking boxes off a feature list, it is about balancing security, performance, integration, and budget.
The five vendors in this comparison – Check Point, Zscaler, Palo Alto, Cisco, and Netskope – are leaders in the SWG space, each approaching the market from different angles, ranging from Check Point’s compliance capabilities and real-time threat intelligence to Netskope’s data-centric focus.
If you’ve decided an SWG is what your business needs, start by assessing your priorities, and then map them to strengths of (or gaps in) each vendor. This should highlight one or two vendors that are likely going to be the best fit for your needs, both now and in the future as your company scales.
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