Top Code42 Alternatives for Data Security and DLP in 2024

Code42 is a data security company offering insider risk management and data loss prevention (DLP) capabilities. While Code42 provides robust features for data protection, it may not be the ideal solution for every organization. In this article, we review Code42's limitations and compare it against top competitors in the market to help you make an informed decision about your data loss prevention solution.

Limitations of Code42

User-generated reviews help illustrate Code42's limitations:

• “Agent deployment not always straight forward, some hiccups. Devices disconnect from dashboard and difficulty to restore connection at times without agent removal and reinstall." (Gartner)
• “Some of our [users] complain that it can be disruptive while working.” (G2)
• “One drawback is the difficulty of learning how to implement and manage the platform. Configuring and fine-tuning [Incydr’s] settings to align with our specific organisational needs.” (Gartner)
  “The main thing I disliked about the software is that it sometimes wont work without high speed internet. If the internet speed is a little down it is difficult to perform any task in this software. Also, I feel it is a little bit difficult to setup at the initial stage.” (Gartner)
• “The solution has been designed for a different approach than the one followed by other DLP solutions in the market. Most of us who come from the mindset of filtering out incidents using a content-specific approach may find this solution limited. The next updates for the solution may benefit from using some of the features provided by older solutions in the market to allow for a deep dive. There is limited support for data at rest.” (PeerSpot)

Summary of limitations

Complex initial setup

• Many users find the initial setup and configuration challenging and time-consuming.

UI/UX challenges

• The user interface can be daunting and disruptive to work processes.

Limited integration options

• Some integrations require manual configuration, and Linux support is less robust.

Limited granularity in reports

• Report features offer limited options for user-specific organizational units.

Performance issues

• The software may struggle with low-speed internet connections.

Feature gaps

• The solution does not focus on robust content inspection, which is a pillar of effective DLP.

Alternatives to Code42

Nightfall AI

Nightfall AI is the comprehensive, AI-native data security platform that enables 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 deliver greater accuracy 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 across the SaaS ecosystem, and maintain continuous compliance with leading standards like HIPAA, PCI-DSS, SOC 2, and GDPR. 

You can get a demo of Nightfall here.

Forcepoint DLP

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 DLP

Proofpoint DLP secures sensitive data across various channels, including email, web, cloud applications, and endpoints. Customers might choose Proofpoint for its strong email security heritage and its comprehensive approach to information protection.

Proofpoint leverages advanced machine learning and sophisticated content inspection techniques to identify, monitor, and control data. Its user-friendly interface and detailed reporting capabilities allow security teams to manage policies, investigate incidents, and generate compliance reports with ease.

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.

Symantec DLP

Symantec DLP, now part of Broadcom, offers a comprehensive data protection solution across endpoints, networks, and cloud environments. Customers might choose Symantec DLP for its long-standing reputation in the security industry and its broad range of deployment options.

Symantec DLP provides features such as content-aware detection, user risk scoring, and automated incident response. It offers strong integration capabilities with other security tools and supports a wide range of data types and formats.

However, some users find Symantec DLP to be resource-intensive and complex to manage, especially in large, diverse environments. The solution may also require significant investment in other Broadcom security products to realize its full potential.

DTEX

DTEX integrates DLP, user behavior analytics (UBA), and user activity monitoring (UAM) into a unified, lightweight platform. This integration, powered by AI and machine learning, allows DTEX to detect and address insider risks proactively while preserving privacy and ensuring network performance.

However, DTEX's setup can be intricate and may require specific app allow-listing to avoid conflicts. Users also find the interface complex, as some of the platform's newer features are still evolving.

Final thoughts

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.

It's worth noting that Code42 was recently acquired by Mimecast, which may lead to a slowdown in innovation as they prioritize integration into the legacy Mimecast stack. This factor should be considered when evaluating long-term DLP strategies.

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.