Digital Guardian Alternatives for Data Security in 2024

Digital Guardian protects data across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. However, the solution can be complex to deploy and manage effectively. Some users report performance issues, especially on endpoints. Digital Guardian's pricing structure can also be confusing and potentially expensive for the full feature set. But if top-tier data protection is what you're looking for, there is indeed a better way.

In this article, we'll review Digital Guardian's capabilities and shortcomings, and compare them against top competitors in the marketplace today—all so you can make an informed decision about choosing the right data security solution for you.

Limitations of Fortra’s Digital Guardian

User-generated reviews help to distill Digital Guardian’s limitations:

• “Complex to learn and fully understand capabilities. Scaling reaches a point where more support is almost required.” (G2)
• “The platform is quite complex and requires the continuous involvement of qualified professionals to make full use of the opportunities it offers and adapt to a specific environment.” (G2)
• “Setting up Digital Guardian offe­rs various methods, but there is pote­ntial for improvement when it come­s to simplicity. Making it more user-friendly would e­ncourage businesses to adopt it more­ quickly and seamlessly.” (G2)
• “My biggest concern with Digital Guardian was the support that was offered. In some cases, I suggested a potential cause of an issue months before the agent acknowledged it and went down that path. In another instance, the issue went unresolved for months until the engineering team could review and provide a fix. Sometimes it was challenging to get the level of support required to resolve an issue promptly.” (G2)

Summary of limitations

These insights provide a comprehensive view of the challenges users face when implementing and using Digital Guardian, which are crucial for potential users to consider:

Steep learning curve

• Many users report a steep learning curve, particularly for newcomers.
• Onboarding can be challenging for less tech-savvy individuals.

Complex setup

• The setup and configuration process is often described as complicated and time-consuming.
• Users may require substantial technical expertise to effectively implement and manage the software.

Poor user interface (UI)

• Several reviews mention that the user interface could be more intuitive, particularly for new users.
• While some find it easy to navigate, others experience difficulties in finding and utilizing features.

Complex configurations

• Intricate configurations can be overwhelming, especially for organizations with limited IT resources.
• Users often express a desire for clearer instructions and better guidance during the setup phase.

Poor customer support

• Customer support is frequently criticized for being unhelpful.
• Users have reported difficulties in obtaining timely assistance during the implementation and ongoing usage of the software.

Alternatives to Fortra's Digital Guardian

Nightfall AI

Nightfall AI is the comprehensive, AI-native data security platform that helps organizations to discover and protect sensitive data where end-users work in the modern enterprise: across SaaS, email, AI apps, and endpoint devices. Whether you’re looking to prevent secret sprawl, stop data exfiltration, or secure AI usage, Nightfall’s industry-leading detection engine and flexible APIs cover a wide variety of use cases.

Powered by advanced AI and machine learning techniques, Nightfall’s PII, PCI, PHI, secret, and IP detectors have 2x greater precision and 4x fewer false positives than legacy DLP solutions, which are built on regular expressions (regexes) and heuristics. This increased accuracy means that security teams can respond to high-priority alerts in near-real time, and maintain continuous compliance with leading standards like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and GDPR. 

Get a demo of Nightfall here.

Forcepoint

Forcepoint DLP offers data protection across various channels, including cloud, network, and endpoint. Customers might choose Forcepoint for its strong focus on user behavior analytics and its ability to provide context-aware security policies.

Forcepoint's DLP solution includes features such as optical character recognition (OCR), machine learning-based classification, and robust policy management. It also offers flexible deployment options, including on-premises, cloud, and hybrid setups.

However, some users report that Forcepoint's DLP can have a steep learning curve and may require significant tuning to reduce false positives. The solution's pricing structure can also be complex, potentially leading to unexpected costs. Forcepoint users describe needing to stand up and run independent compute services, which can be time and cost intensive.

Proofpoint

Proofpoint DLP offers data protection across various channels, including email, web, cloud applications, and endpoints. Customers may choose Proofpoint due to its deep roots in email security, making it a reasonable choice for organizations prioritizing email-based data loss prevention.

However, Proofpoint can be complex to set up and manage, especially for smaller organizations. Some users report high false positive rates, requiring frequent fine-tuning. Pricing can be expensive, particularly for comprehensive coverage. Finally, Proofpoint has limited customization options for specific industry needs.

Symantec

Symantec DLP is part of a broader security ecosystem, offering data protection across multiple channels. Customers may choose Symantec due to Symantec’s comprehensive security suite. Organizations already using other Symantec products may benefit from the seamless integration and unified management console. Symantec’s roots are in endpoint security, which may translate to more robust endpoint DLP capabilities.

However, Symantec can be resource-intensive, potentially impacting system performance. Users report a steep learning curve and complex configuration process. Support quality has been inconsistent, with some users experiencing long response times. Finally, integration with non-Symantec products can be challenging.

Trellix

Trellix DLP (formerly McAfee) uses behavior analytics for data protection across cloud services, email, and endpoints. Customers may choose Trellix due to their focus on XDR, which can provide broader endpoint security.

However, some users report frequent false positives, requiring ongoing adjustment. The interface can be unintuitive, making policy management challenging. Updates and patches can be disruptive to operations. Trellix provides limited flexibility in customizing rules for specific business needs. McAfee has acquired a number of vendors over the years, posing a challenge from a product integration and seamlessness perspective.

TL;DR: Nightfall AI vs. Fortra's Digital Guardian

When choosing a data loss prevention solution, it's crucial to consider your organization's specific needs, budget, and existing infrastructure. While all the mentioned alternatives offer robust features, Nightfall AI stands out as the most innovative and effective option, particularly for organizations prioritizing cloud security and AI-driven protection.

Nightfall's use of advanced AI and machine learning techniques provides superior accuracy in detecting sensitive data, with significantly fewer false positives compared to traditional solutions. Its ability to secure both SaaS and AI applications, along with email and endpoints, makes it a versatile choice for modern enterprises.

We recommend thoroughly evaluating each solution, with particular attention to Nightfall AI's cutting-edge features, before making a final decision on your data loss prevention strategy. 

‍Sign up for a demo to see Nightfall in action for yourself.