Forcepoint DLP is a robust choice for enterprises that want all-encompassing data protection across diverse IT environments, including hybrid and multi-cloud setups.
On the other hand, Proofpoint DLP excels in email security and sophisticated threat detection, making it ideal for companies that need this type of specialized protection.
We will cover the use cases, features, pros, and cons of both platforms to help you better decide which tool to implement in your company. And for those of you who are searching for more comprehensive data security solutions, we’ll introduce Teramind as a viable alternative.
Forcepoint DLP and Proofpoint DLP Overview
While both tools protect sensitive information, Forcepoint DLP and Proofpoint DLP have very different approaches. Let’s break it down below:
Forcepoint DLP
Forcepoint DLP is a unified data and IP protection solution designed for hybrid and multi-cloud enterprises. It focuses on understanding user behavior and context to prevent data loss across various channels. Its core strength lies in its ability to analyze user activities and situational context, helping to prevent data breaches across multiple communication channels and storage locations.
Key features include:
- Centralized policy management: Forcepoint lets you set up and manage all your data protection rules from one dashboard, so you won’t have to manage different settings across various systems or locations.
- Optical Character Recognition (OCR) for data in images: The software can read text inside images, catching sensitive info hiding in screenshots, scanned documents, or even memes.
- Integration with cloud applications: Forcepoint hooks directly into popular cloud services like Office 365 or Salesforce, monitoring your data even when it’s living in someone else’s data center.
- Real-time analytics and reporting: Instead of discovering data breaches days later, Forcepoint shows you what’s happening right now, with live updates on potential risks and detailed reports you can pull up instantly.
Proofpoint DLP
Proofpoint DLP prioritizes a people-focused strategy for protecting sensitive information. Its focus is on securing email communications and maintaining regulatory compliance. The system incorporates sophisticated threat detection capabilities and provides robust protection against internal security risks.
Key features include:
- Email-focused data protection: Proofpoint DLP scans outgoing emails in real-time, using smart algorithms to spot and block sensitive data like credit card numbers or patient information before it leaves your company.
- Advanced threat intelligence: The system taps into a huge network of global threat data, constantly updating its defenses to catch new types of attacks and sneaky malware that traditional security might miss.
- Compliance and regulatory support: Proofpoint DLP comes with pre-built rules for major regulations like GDPR and HIPAA, automatically flagging potential violations and creating audit trails to keep your business compliant.
- User behavior analytics: By tracking normal patterns of data use, Proofpoint can spot when an employee’s actions seem suspicious – like suddenly downloading tons of files – helping catch insider threats early.
Read more: The 8 Best Proofpoint Alternatives.
Why Teramind is a Better Alternative to Forcepoint DLP and Proofpoint DLP
Unlike Forcepoint DLP and Proofpoint DLP, Teramind casts a much wider net when it comes to data security. Let’s check out just some of the reasons why Teramind may be a better alternative for your organization:
- Comprehensive insider threat detection and prevention: Teramind uses AI-powered behavior analysis to spot potential insider risks, from accidental data leaks to malicious acts, and can automatically block dangerous actions before they cause harm.
- Advanced user activity monitoring across all channels: The system tracks every click, keystroke, and file transfer across computers, emails, and even encrypted messaging apps, giving you a complete picture of how company data is being used.
- Customizable risk scoring and alerting system: Teramind lets you set up complex rules based on your specific security needs, assigning risk scores to different actions and sending instant alerts when suspicious behavior is detected.
- Forensic capabilities for incident investigation: When a security event occurs, Teramind provides detailed session recordings and audit trails, allowing security teams to replay incidents step-by-step and gather evidence for potential legal action.
- Integration with third-party security tools and SIEM solutions: Teramind can easily integrate with other security systems and SIEM tools.
| Tool | Summary | Best For |
| Forcepoint DLP | A unified data protection solution for hybrid and multi-cloud environments, focusing on user behavior and context-aware policies. | Organizations with complex IT infrastructures seeking comprehensive data protection across various channels. |
| Proofpoint DLP | A human-centric DLP solution emphasizing email security, compliance, and advanced threat detection. | Businesses prioritizing email security and protection against sophisticated cyber threats. |
| Teramind | A comprehensive insider threat and data loss prevention solution offering advanced user activity monitoring, customizable risk scoring, and forensic capabilities. | Organizations seeking a versatile DLP solution with robust insider threat detection, detailed user activity insights, and advanced security features. |
Forcepoint DLP and Proofpoint DLP Feature Comparison
While they offer similar features, these two platforms specialize in different areas of data security. Let’s go through a detailed table of comparison below:
| Feature | Forcepoint DLP | Proofpoint DLP |
| Data Discovery | Comprehensive data discovery across on-premises and cloud environments | Focused on email and cloud-based data discovery |
| Policy Management | Centralized policy management with granular controls | Policy management centered around email and cloud applications |
| User Behavior Analytics | Advanced user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) | Basic user behavior analysis focused on email interactions |
| Incident Response | Automated incident response workflows | Incident response primarily for email-related threats |
| Cloud Integration | Native integration with major cloud platforms | Strong integration with email and cloud-based collaboration tools |
| Optical Character Recognition (OCR) | Advanced OCR capabilities for data in images | Limited OCR capabilities |
| Regulatory Compliance | Comprehensive compliance support for various regulations | Strong focus on email-related compliance requirements |
| Reporting and Analytics | Detailed analytics and customizable reporting | Email-centric reporting and analytics |
Data Discovery
Forcepoint DLP provides extensive data discovery tools for both on-premises and cloud systems. This broad approach enables companies to locate and categorize confidential information across their entire network.
In contrast, Proofpoint DLP mainly covers email and cloud-based data discovery, which is ideal if these are the channels you’re most worried about.
Policy Management
Forcepoint DLP offers a holistic approach to policy administration, allowing businesses to implement and maintain intricate data safety protocols across multiple communication channels.
On the other hand, Proofpoint DLP’s policy management focuses on email and cloud-based apps. This means you get robust protection in these channels, but the software may leave gaps in other systems.
User Behavior Analytics
Forcepoint DLP’s system leverages sophisticated behavioral profiling and analytics to spot unusual patterns and potential internal security risks in the organization. Proofpoint DLP provides user activity monitoring, mainly focusing on tracking interactions within email systems and clouds.
Incident Response
Forcepoint DLP incorporates configurable, automated response mechanisms that can be tailored to address a wide range of potential data breach scenarios, adapting to each organization’s unique requirements. Proofpoint’s DLP system focuses its incident handling primarily on email-related risks, which may not fully meet the needs of businesses seeking a more holistic protection strategy across multiple data channels.
Use Cases
Both platforms have unique strengths that suit different business needs, from protecting data in complex environments to improving email security. Let’s look at the specific situations where each one shines.
Forcepoint DLP Use Cases
Protecting sensitive data across hybrid cloud environments: Forcepoint DLP uses advanced content analysis algorithms and contextual awareness systems to protect critical information across hybrid cloud setups.
Preventing insider threats through user behavior analysis: By leveraging machine learning-driven behavioral baselines and real-time analytics, Forcepoint DLP can spot subtle anomalies in user activities and quickly mitigate any issues.
Proofpoint DLP Use Cases
Securing email communications and preventing data leaks: Proofpoint DLP uses natural language processing and pattern-matching techniques to scan outbound emails, attachments, and cloud-based file sharing, blocking or encrypting messages containing sensitive data to prevent data exposure.
Ensuring compliance with email-related regulations: To ensure regulatory compliance, Proofpoint DLP automatically applies predefined policy templates aligned with standards like GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS to email communications.
Pros Compared
Comparing the strengths of Forcepoint DLP and Proofpoint DLP helps highlight what each platform does best. Below, we’ll break down the key advantages of both platforms side by side.
Forcepoint DLP Pros
- Comprehensive data protection across multiple channels: Forcepoint DLP monitors and secures data across a variety of communication channels, including email, web, cloud applications, and endpoint devices, using advanced content inspection and contextual analysis to catch subtle data exfiltration attempts.
- Strong user behavior analytics capabilities: Leveraging advanced AI and pattern recognition, Forcepoint DLP builds dynamic profiles of user activities, enabling it to flag subtle deviations from normal behavior that could signal potential data theft, accidental leaks, or compromised credentials
- Flexible deployment options for hybrid environments: Forcepoint DLP offers versatile implementation choices, allowing organizations to seamlessly protect data whether it resides on-premises, in the cloud, or in complex hybrid infrastructures.
Proofpoint DLP Pros
- Excellent email security and advanced threat detection: Proofpoint DLP uses advanced machine learning algorithms and real-time threat intelligence to find and block email-based threats, including phishing attempts, malware, and business email compromise attacks.
- Strong integration with cloud-based collaboration tools: Proofpoint DLP connects with popular cloud platforms like Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and Slack, extending its data protection capabilities to these environments and providing better visibility.
- Focused compliance features for email-related regulations: Proofpoint DLP offers pre-built policy templates and automated workflows specifically designed to address email-centric compliance requirements.
Cons Compared
While both Forcepoint DLP and Proofpoint DLP offer powerful features, it’s also important to consider their drawbacks.
Let’s compare their cons below:
Forcepoint DLP Cons
- May be complex to implement and manage: Forcepoint DLP’s detailed feature set and granular controls can lead to a steep initial setup process, which requires careful planning and potentially specialized expertise.
- Potentially higher cost for full feature set: Forcepoint DLP’s comprehensive nature may result in a higher total cost, especially for organizations looking for advanced analytics and cross-channel protection features.
- Learning curve for utilizing all advanced features: Mastering Forcepoint DLP’s sophisticated tools, such as its behavioral analytics and custom policy creation, demand a time investment from security teams to extract maximum value from the platform.
Proofpoint DLP Cons
- Limited focus beyond email and cloud applications: Proofpoint DLP’s strength in email security can be a double-edged sword, as its capabilities for protecting data in other channels like endpoints or on-premises file servers may not match its email and cloud toolset.
- May require additional solutions for comprehensive data protection: Organizations looking for all-encompassing data security might need to supplement Proofpoint DLP with other tools to cover gaps in areas like printer monitoring, removable media control, or network traffic analysis.
- Less robust user behavior analytics compared to some competitors: While Proofpoint offers user behavior monitoring, its capabilities in this area may not be as advanced as solutions specializing in insider threat detection and user entity behavior analytics (UEBA).
When to Use Forcepoint DLP or Proofpoint DLP
Deciding when to use Forcepoint DLP or Proofpoint DLP depends on your specific security needs and business environment. Below, we’ll discuss the scenarios where one might be more effective than the other.
When to Use Forcepoint DLP
- When requiring comprehensive data protection across multiple channels and environments: Forcepoint DLP is ideal for companies that want to protect data across a diverse ecosystem, as it offers unified policy enforcement and threat detection capabilities that span email, web, cloud services, and on-premises systems.
- For organizations with complex hybrid cloud infrastructures: Businesses with intricate multi-cloud and on-premises setups can benefit from Forcepoint DLP’s flexible deployment options and centralized management.
When to Use Proofpoint DLP
- When email security and compliance are the primary concerns: Proofpoint DLP is the best option for protecting against email-based threats and meeting regulatory requirements, as it offers advanced email content analysis, threat detection, and compliance-focused features.
- For businesses heavily reliant on cloud-based collaboration tools: Organizations that extensively use platforms like Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace can leverage Proofpoint DLP’s strong integrations with these services to gain deep visibility into data movement and user activities.
Teramind: A Better Alternative to Forcepoint DLP and Proofpoint DLP
Forcepoint is great for multi-channel protection, and Proofpoint focuses on email security, but Teramind combines robust DLP capabilities with advanced user activity monitoring and insider risk detection.
Teramind’s solution provides real-time visibility into user behavior across all applications and websites, allowing for more proactive threat prevention and detailed forensic analysis.
Below, we’ll go through a more in-depth comparison:
| Feature | Forcepoint DLP | Proofpoint DLP | Teramind |
| Data Discovery | Comprehensive data discovery across on-premises and cloud environments | Focused on email and cloud-based data discovery | Advanced data discovery across all channels, including endpoints, networks, and cloud environments |
| Policy Management | Centralized policy management with granular controls | Policy management centered around email and cloud applications | Highly customizable policy management with AI-assisted policy creation |
| User Behavior Analytics | Advanced user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA) | Basic user behavior analysis focused on email interactions | Comprehensive user behavior analytics with machine learning-driven anomaly detection |
| Incident Response | Automated incident response workflows | Incident response primarily for email-related threats | Real-time incident response with automated alerting and customizable workflows |
| Cloud Integration | Native integration with major cloud platforms | Strong integration with email and cloud-based collaboration tools | Seamless integration with cloud platforms and on-premises systems |
| Optical Character Recognition (OCR) | Advanced OCR capabilities for data in images | Limited OCR capabilities | Advanced OCR with support for multiple languages and formats |
| Regulatory Compliance | Comprehensive compliance support for various regulations | Strong focus on email-related compliance requirements | Extensive compliance features with pre-built templates for major regulations |
| Reporting and Analytics | Detailed analytics and customizable reporting | Email-centric reporting and analytics | Advanced analytics with customizable dashboards and AI-driven insights |
| Forensic Investigation | Basic forensic capabilities | Limited forensic features | Advanced forensic investigation tools with session recordings and user activity timelines |
| Risk Scoring | Limited risk scoring capabilities | Basic risk scoring for email threats | Customizable risk scoring system with machine learning-driven risk assessment |
| Third-party Integrations | Limited third-party integrations | Integrations focused on email security tools | Extensive third-party integrations with SIEM, SOAR, and other security solutions |
How Teramind Stands Apart
Advanced User Activity Monitoring
Teramind’s cutting-edge platform delivers exceptional visibility into employee activities, offering granular tracking of user interactions across various digital touchpoints, including workstations, network resources, and cloud security services. This holistic monitoring approach helps businesses to mitigate internal security risks more efficiently than conventional data loss prevention tools.
AI-Driven Risk Assessment
Teramind leverages advanced AI technology to perform risk evaluations that surpass simple rule-based detection methods. By analyzing complex patterns in user activities and incorporating contextual data, the system can flag potential security threats in their early stages, before they become policy breaches.
Customizable Alerting and Response
Teramind features a highly adaptable notification and action framework, helping businesses to fine-tune their security measures based on their unique requirements. The system’s instant alert mechanisms, coupled with configurable automated response sequences, enable cybersecurity personnel to quickly address potential data breaches or suspicious activities.
Forensic Investigation Tools
Teramind’s sophisticated forensics suite, featuring comprehensive session playback and detailed user activity chronologies, provides security professionals with granular insights necessary for conducting data investigations and pinpointing the origins of security events. This depth of analytical capability, positions Teramind as an exceptional option for enterprises that need robust incident investigation tools.
Which Software Wins?
Proofpoint DLP specializes in email security and cloud application protection, offering strong compliance features for companies primarily concerned with these areas. Forcepoint DLP provides a more holistic approach, covering multiple channels and environments with advanced user behavior analytics.
Teramind, however, surpasses both by combining robust DLP capabilities with cutting-edge user activity monitoring and AI-driven risk assessment. Its real-time visibility, customizable alerts, and advanced forensic tools make it a more versatile solution for companies seeking comprehensive data protection and insider threat prevention.
