Zscaler Alternatives for Data Security and DLP in 2024

Zscaler is a cloud security company that offers a range of services including data loss prevention (DLP), cloud access security broker (CASB), and secure web gateway (SWG) capabilities. While Zscaler provides robust features for cloud security and data protection, it may not be the ideal solution for every organization. In this article, we review Zscaler's limitations and compare it against top competitors in the market to help you make an informed decision about your cloud security and DLP solution.

Limitations of Zscaler DLP

User-generated reviews help illustrate Zscaler's limitations:

• “1. Learning curve: Some users find Zscaler to be complex and suggest that it can have a quite steep learning curve, especially for non-technical users. 2. Reporting capabilities: Some users have reported that Zscaler's reporting capabilities can be limited and may not always provide the detail needed for in-depth analysis. 3. Technical support: There have been occasional complaints about the quality and speed of Zscaler's technical support. 4. No physical infrastructure: Since Zscaler is a cloud-based solution, for those companies that prefer an on-premises solution, Zscaler might not be a good fit. 5. Incompatibility issues: Some users have reported compatibility issues with certain operating systems or environments, implying the platform cannot always be used universally across all systems.” (G2)
• “There has been gaps in the UI feeling a bit laggy.” (G2)
• “It is unstable. We always have to move the proxy to another location. Reporting is so limited.” (G2)
• “We are currently leveraging the DLP functionality within ZIA to detect possible data exfiltration. We are currently receiving over 500 DLP alerts a month. Majority of them flagging on SSN numbers, but [also] on elements of webpages.” (Reddit)
• “There could be additional ways to define proximity. Additionally, they should provide some exclusion options for specific policies and an ability to control the DLP engine.” (PeerSpot)

Summary of limitations

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

High volume of alerts

• Users report receiving numerous DLP alerts, many of which may be non-critical.

Limited visibility

• Lack of insight into ZENs or cloud nodes, with heavy reliance on support for advanced configuration.

Lack of granular controls

• Users desire more options for defining proximity and controlling the DLP engine.

Performance issues

• Latency and stability problems affect user experience. Internet speed can also impact performance. 
• Primarily deployed inline, which limits visibility and introduces single point of failure risks.

Complex user interface

• The UI can be difficult to navigate.

Alternatives to Zscaler DLP

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 and generative AI (GenAI) apps as well as email and endpoints. 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.

Netskope DLP

Netskope is favored for data security due to its robust cloud-native framework and seamless integration with cloud services like SaaS, IaaS, and web environments. It offers in-depth visibility and control over data, providing real-time threat protection and DLP. This helps organizations maintain compliance with regulatory standards while ensuring robust security against advanced threats.

However, Netskope has its drawbacks. Its complex and time-consuming deployment can be challenging for larger organizations. Users often face issues with the Netskope Agent failing to stay active, thereby risking exposure to malicious websites. The logging dashboard can fall short, providing inaccurate and incomplete information. Performance issues, including bandwidth degradation, also impact user experience.

Palo Alto Networks Enterprise DLP

Palo Alto Networks offers Enterprise DLP as part of its broader security platform. Customers might choose Palo Alto Networks for its comprehensive security ecosystem and strong network security heritage.

Palo Alto's DLP solution provides content inspection, policy management, and incident response capabilities across networks, clouds, and endpoints. It leverages machine learning for accurate data classification and offers integration with other Palo Alto security services.

However, some users find that the full implementation of Palo Alto's DLP can be complex and resource-intensive. The solution may also be more suited to larger enterprises with substantial security budgets.

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.

Final thoughts

When choosing a data security and 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 GenAI 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.