Palo Alto Networks Competitors & Alternatives

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Selecting the Right Network Security Solution:
Comparing Palo Alto Networks and Competitors

Network security solutions are a crucial component of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy. Firewalls define the boundaries of a corporate network and filter traffic attempting to enter and leave the corporate network.

When evaluating a network security solution, potential buyers consider a range of factors. These include the size of the organization that a solution is designed to protect. Additionally, buyers may compare competencies in categories such as evaluation and contracting, integration and deployment, service and support, and specific product capabilities.

When selecting a network security solution, companies have various offerings to choose from. While Palo Alto Networks is a major player in the space, it isn’t the only option or necessarily the best one for a business. This article explores some alternatives to Palo Alto Networks, including Check Point, Cisco, Juniper Networks, and Fortinet.

The Pros and Cons of Palo Alto Networks Solutions

Palo Alto Networks is one of the leaders in the network security space. However, their solutions also have their disadvantages, including:

• Reactive Protection: Palo Alto Networks’ solutions primarily provide post-threat detection and alerting. This can leave organizations vulnerable to real-time advanced threats.
• Vulnerability Concerns: From 2021 to 2024, Palo Alto Networks saw 10733 vulnerabilities in its products, roughly a third of which were of high or critical severity.
• Security Shortcuts: By default, the inspection queue is full, Palo Alto Networks firewalls will skip inspection, allowing threats through. Disabling this feature results in degraded performance and lost functionality.
• Complexity in Large Systems: These solutions can be cumbersome, particularly in large and complex IT environments, leading to inefficient operations. Additionally, the update procedure for Palo Alto Networks solutions is complex and requires multiple steps.
• Limited Visibility into High-Risk Applications: There’s a significant gap in monitoring high-risk applications, which can lead to undetected threats and create a false sense of security.

Top Palo Alto Networks Competitors & Alternatives

Palo Alto Networks offers network security solutions with various advantages and disadvantages. Several Palo Alto Networks alternatives exist that may offer better fits for companies shopping for a next-generation firewall (NGFW) or other network security solution.
 

Check Point offers security solutions for all parts of an organization’s IT environment, including networks, cloud, email, endpoints, and mobile devices. Some defining features of Check Point solutions include the following:

• Depth of Experience: Check Point has been a key player in the cybersecurity space since its firewalls were first introduced in 1997. This is a longer track record than any competitor.
• Streamlined Operations: Check Point’s platforms are designed with integration and usability front and center. By combining various security solutions into a single, integrated security platform, Check Point eliminates visibility gaps and silos, replaces manual processes with automated ones, and enhances operational efficiency.
• Security-Focused Design: Check Point solutions incorporate the principle of security by design. Security functionality is integrated into IT solutions from the start, enhancing efficiency and reducing the risks of security gaps created by “bolted-on security”.
• Prevention-Focused Security: Many firewalls and security solutions focus on threat detection and remediation. Check Point solutions are focused on real-time threat prevention, limiting attackers’ access to and impact on their targets.
• Simple Upgrades: Upgrading Pan-OS is a complex, multi-stage process. Check Point solutions offer one-click upgrades without loss of connectivity.
• Hyperscale Capabilities: Hyperscale capabilities are essential to supporting corporate growth and maximizing return on investment (ROI). Check Point has been a pioneer in implementing hyperscalability into security solutions.

Cisco is well known for its networking solutions but also has a range of security solutions as well. Some of the main considerations for Cisco solutions include the following:

• Questionable Security Effectiveness: In the CyberRatings 2021-2024 Cloud/Enterprise Firewall Reports, Cisco received less than a 40% effectiveness score. As a result, it was rated “Caution” by CyberRatings.
• Segmented Solutions: Cisco’s suite of security products, including ASA, FTD, and Umbrella, suffers from integration challenges. Each solution performs logging and policy management independently, making monitoring and management more difficult.
• Security Vulnerabilities: Between 2021 and 2024, 266vulnerabilities were disclosed in Cisco products. These vulnerabilities expose users to potential cyberattacks until the security gaps have been closed.
• Complex Management: The administration of Cisco’s security tools is intricate and time-consuming. This can create strain on lean security teams and consume time and resources that might better be used elsewhere.
• Post-Threat Protection: Cisco’s solutions mainly offer protection after an attack has occurred, giving attackers a window to inflict damage or steal data before the threat has been remediated.

Like the others, Juniper Networks have firewalls with advantages and downsides, including:

• High Stability: Juniper Networks solutions are a very stable security solution that offers great networking capacity.
• Poor Customer Support: Customer support and service is lacking, increasing the difficulty of fixing problems that customers experience.
• Buggy Devices: Customers have reported multiple issues with vSRX devices primarily due to configuration errors and software bugs.

Barracuda Networks offers firewalls with both pros and cons. Some things to keep in mind include:

• Reliable Stability: Barracuda is known for its stable firewall performance, which helps prevent errors and security lapses.
• Feature Set Limitations: Despite its stability, Barracuda’s firewalls lack certain features, such as reliable VPNs, when compared to other solutions.
• Demanding Management: Administrators may find Barracuda Firewalls less user-friendly, increasing operational workload.

SonicWall has a range of security-focused products, including VPNs and firewalls. Some important factors to consider for SonicWall security solutions include:

• Adaptable Scaling: SonicWall’s firewalls are noted for their scalability, suitable for various business sizes and the expanding needs of a growing company.
• Efficient Customer Support: The company is praised for its hassle-free customer support and reliable service representatives.
• Insufficient Risk Detection: The limited visibility into high-risk applications increases the chances of advanced attacks going unnoticed.
• Security and Configuration Concerns: There have been instances of security issues, including source code theft, that undermine the security of SonicWall firewalls and other security products.
• Difficult Configuration: The configuration process for SonicWall firewalls is generally more complex than for other solutions.
• Reporting Limitations: SonicWall’s lack of predefined reports and access to comprehensive security data complicates compliance and post-incident analysis.

WatchGuard Network Security produces firewalls and other network security solutions. Some key advantages and disadvantages of these include:

• Ideal for Small Businesses: WatchGuard’s solutions are particularly effective for small businesses; however, they may not meet the needs of larger enterprises and branch locations.
• Risk Visibility Gaps: The solutions provide limited insight into the risks of the protected applications, potentially leading to a misleading sense of security.
• Underperforming VPN Features: Compared to other SMB-oriented solutions, WatchGuard’s VPN performance is notably weaker, which can be problematic for hybrid or remote workforce setups.
• Absence of Ready-Made Security Policies: Organizations need to develop and implement their own security policies from scratch, adding complexity to the initial setup.
• Basic Logging Functionality: The limited logging features provided by WatchGuard make it harder to identify and address issues with the solution.

Fortinet is renowned for offering solutions that promise high performance without a hefty price tag. Yet, there are times when Fortinet’s Next-Generation Firewalls (NGFWs) don’t fully meet these expectations. Some of their potential downsides include:

• Challenging Management: Setting up and maintaining Fortinet systems in enterprise environments is often a complex task for administrators, which can lead to less efficient operations and potential security loopholes.
• Limited Application Control and Visibility: By default, Fortinet is cutting corners by scanning only parts of the traffic for threats using a “feature” called intelligent mode. As a result, it might miss some threats.
• Targeted Towards SMBs: These firewalls are mainly designed for small to medium-sized businesses and might not suffice for the intricate needs of large-scale enterprise environments.
• Notable Security Flaws: In the period from 2016 to 2021, a total of 372 vulnerabilities were discovered in Fortinet products, many of which were deemed high-risk. These vulnerabilities resulted in warnings from the FBI and CISA.

Selecting the Right Network Security Solution

Companies need to keep various factors in mind when selecting a network security solution. Ideally, an NGFW or other solution offers enterprise-grade security, integrates with your security architecture, can grow with the business, and offers a positive user experience. Learn more about what to look for in this buyer’s guide to cybersecurity.

Check Point’s security solutions are designed to meet the needs of any organization and provide coverage for all aspects of the corporate network. To learn more about how Check Point Quantum NGFW can help protect your organization, register for a free demo.