New Independent Reports Validate Websense Effectiveness and Leadership in Web Gateway and Unified Content Security
Announcement posted by Websense Australia 11 May 2010
Independent Test Shows Websense Superiority in Modern Web Security Protection: Websense Web Security Gateway Anywhere Blocks Nearly 30 Percent More Modern Malware and More than Three Times the Dynamic, Objectionable Content than McAfee, Blue Coat or Cisco
Websense, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBSN), a global leader in unified Web, data and email security solutions, today announced independent testing <http://www.websense.com/content/competitive-test-web-security-gateway-reg.aspx?cmpid=prnr> that confirms Websense Web Security Gateway Anywhere <http://www.websense.com/Content/SecurityGateway.aspx?cmpid=prnr> ™ provides the most comprehensive content security protection, besting all other security vendors in real-time detection of advanced modern malware, effectiveness and data loss prevention. Additionally, Websense was positioned as the leader in the Radicati Group Inc., “Corporate Web Security Market Quadrant 2010” <http://www.websense.com/content/radicati-top-web-security-quadrant-reg.aspx?cmpid=prnr> above vendors including Blue Coat and Cisco.
“As shown by the recent Google China hack, Aurora, modern Internet threats have evolved significantly with the goal of outpacing security protection available,” said Devin Redmond, vice president, product management, marketing, and business development, Websense. “In fact, in the second half of 2009 Websense found 225 percent year over year growth in malicious threats, with nearly 60 percent of data-stealing attacks done over the Web. Dealing with the new attacks, malware, and the threat of data theft or risk of data loss over the Web is central to the market dynamics and requirements of today. If a Web gateway technology isn’t adapting to these modern threat and risk dynamics, then it isn’t addressing the real needs of customers and businesses today.”
The Miercom test called “Miercom Secure Web Gateway Effectiveness Tests <http://www.websense.com/content/competitive-test-web-security-gateway-reg.aspx?cmpid=prnr> ” – tested Websense Web Security Gateway compared to McAfee’s Web Gateway, Blue Coat’s Proxy SG and Cisco’s IronPort S650. The testing included detection and blocking for multiple categories of real-world malware including attacks designed to exploit Rich Internet Applications and the recently discovered, complex “Aurora” types of blended threats <http://community.websense.com/blogs/websense-features/archive/2010/01/21/security-bulletin-aurora-internet-explorer-zero-day-attack.aspx?cmpid=prnr> . The test also evaluated the solutions’ abilities to correctly categorise and block objectionable content contained within Web 2.0 sites, such as blogs and social networking. Additionally, the test reviewed the solutions’ abilities to implement data loss prevention (DLP) policies, including compliance with health and financial regulations.
Key Findings
- Advanced Malware Protection – The Websense Web Security Gateway blocked nearly 99 percent of advanced modern malware threat types tested, including the complex “Aurora” type of blended threats, more than 27 percent better than the nearest competitor.
- Data Loss Prevention – The test covered the ease of configuration and usage, completeness of capabilities and accuracy of protecting sensitive and regulated data being transmitted over the Web. This is vital in dealing with today’s threats and the risks of leveraging the Web as a communication and collaboration channel. Websense surpassed the competition in this test. No other competitor had data awareness or full coverage of basic content like PCI or SSNs. Additionally, competitive products’ capabilities and accuracy were hard to implement and prone to missing data or triggering false positives. In contrast, Websense had full DLP capabilities for the Web with an intuitive management and reporting interface complete with an easy to use policy wizard for simple configuration of polices for regulations, regions, business focus, and data types. This usable front-end was backed by over 1200 native policies as well as the ability to add custom policies and data matching capabilities. The Websense system had full remediation and helpful end-user education capabilities. Also, the system could be easily expanded beyond the Web without losing any configurations, policies, reporting or reinstall of existing components.
- Dynamic Content Classification - Websense Web Security Gateway provided dynamic content categorisation not matched by other products in the test. It blocked more than three times the amount of dynamic, objectionable content and those found on Web 2.0 sites than other products tested.
- Management - Websense Web Security Gateway offered better management capabilities and was easier and less time consuming for setting up policies. For example, Blue Coat required five times as many configuration steps and six times more time to set up a policy than Websense. Additionally, the Websense policy-based interface also required less time to find meaningful data, reports and to modify or create new policies than competitors. The test found that competitive products often required repetitive tasks as well as complicated configuration and management of systems which could require additional staff and resources to manage.
- Reporting - The Websense Web Security Gateway offered the ability to quickly drill down from dashboard views, create policies and produce detailed investigative and customisable reports while other products tested required additional add-on reporting products.
“Today organisations are looking for a secure Web gateway solution that protects them from advanced modern malware like the recent ‘Aurora’ blended threat; but also provides dynamic content classification so that they can safely use new communication and collaboration technology like cloud-based applications and social Web tools,” said Rob Smithers, chief executive officer of Miercom. “Only Websense Web Security Gateway was able to categorise dynamic content with real accuracy, provide comprehensive built-in data loss prevention and block advanced malware. Additionally, we found that the management of the appliance was much easier and it required less time to set up policies and create custom reports, something that is important to every organisation.”
Radicati Group, Inc. report, “Corporate Web Security Market Quadrant 2010” – further validates Websense leadership
The 2010 Radicati “Corporate Web Security Market Quadrant” report covers software, appliance and hosted services that protect corporate users and networks from Web-based malware, helps prevent data loss and enables organisations to manage employee use of the Web. Of the 11 Web security vendors evaluated, Radicati placed Websense as the clear leader in the “Top Players” quadrant.
In the report Radicati notes that, “Websense offers one of the most comprehensive suites or Web security solutions for companies of all sizes. It covers all aspects of Web security – from employee productivity to protection from malicious traffic to full data loss prevention.” Additionally they add that, “Websense is keeping up with emerging Web threats by ensuring that Web 2.0 based sites and applications are used safely.”
“Websense is unique in that it offers unified Web, email and data security, which helps organisations block advanced blended attacks, secure the use of Web 2.0 tools, as well as ensure data doesn’t leak out through the Web channel ,” said Sara Radicati, CEO of the Radicati Group. “Websense is currently setting the pace in the Corporate Web Security market with new innovations in content security.”
“We were pleased with the overall performance of Websense Web Security Gateway, particularly its malware blocking and dynamic content categorisation effectiveness, as well as the comprehensive and practical nature of its DLP policy implementation,” said Rob Smithers, chief executive officer, Miercom. “Detailed test results demonstrate a clear advantage for the Websense Web Security Gateway in virtually every metric measured.”
Download the Meircom independent test: Miercom Secure Web Gateway Effectiveness Tests <http://www.websense.com/content/competitive-test-web-security-gateway-reg.aspx?cmpid=prnr>
Download the 2010 Radicati Group, Inc., “Corporate Web Security Market Quadrant 2010” <http://www.websense.com/content/radicati-top-web-security-quadrant-reg.aspx?cmpid=prnr> report
The Websense Web Security Gateway is part of the TRITON ™system <http://www.websense.com/TRITON?cmpid=prnr> , the first and only unified content security architecture.
About Miercom
Miercom is a privately held network consultancy, specialising in networking and communications-related product testing and analysis. Our highly-skilled engineers, many with over 21 years of experience in the networking industry, have developed methodologies for testing products as diverse as IP-PBXs, UTM, UC, SAN switches, SIP phones, IPS and IDS systems. Founded in 1988, Miercom has pioneered the comparative assessment of networking hardware and software. We co-sponsored with NetworkWorld the first public display of VoIP Interoperablity across H.323 v2 platforms. The results of VoIP, VPN testing and other technology research articles continue to appear in many prestigious industry journals.
About The Radicati Group, Inc.
The Radicati Group is a leading technology research and advisory firm focused on all aspects of email, security, email archiving, regulatory compliance, wireless technologies, web services, instant messaging, unified communications, social networking, and more. The company provides both quantitative and qualitative information, including detailed market size, installed base and forecast information on a worldwide basis, as well as detailed country breakouts.
The Radicati Group works with corporate organisations to assist in the selection of the right products and technologies to support their business needs, as well as with vendors to define the best strategic direction for their products. We also work with investment firms on a worldwide basis to help identify new investment opportunities. The Radicati Group, Inc. is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, with offices in London, UK.
About Websense, Inc.
Websense, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBSN), a global leader in unified Web, data and email content security solutions, delivers the best security for modern threats at the lowest total cost of ownership to tens of thousands of enterprise, mid-market and small organisations around the world. Distributed through a global network of channel partners and delivered as software, appliance and software-as a service (SaaS), Websense content security solutions help organisations leverage new communication, collaboration and Web 2.0 business tools while protecting from advanced persistent threats, preventing the loss of confidential information and enforcing Internet use and security policies. Websense is headquartered in San Diego, Calif. with offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.websense.com
“As shown by the recent Google China hack, Aurora, modern Internet threats have evolved significantly with the goal of outpacing security protection available,” said Devin Redmond, vice president, product management, marketing, and business development, Websense. “In fact, in the second half of 2009 Websense found 225 percent year over year growth in malicious threats, with nearly 60 percent of data-stealing attacks done over the Web. Dealing with the new attacks, malware, and the threat of data theft or risk of data loss over the Web is central to the market dynamics and requirements of today. If a Web gateway technology isn’t adapting to these modern threat and risk dynamics, then it isn’t addressing the real needs of customers and businesses today.”
The Miercom test called “Miercom Secure Web Gateway Effectiveness Tests <http://www.websense.com/content/competitive-test-web-security-gateway-reg.aspx?cmpid=prnr> ” – tested Websense Web Security Gateway compared to McAfee’s Web Gateway, Blue Coat’s Proxy SG and Cisco’s IronPort S650. The testing included detection and blocking for multiple categories of real-world malware including attacks designed to exploit Rich Internet Applications and the recently discovered, complex “Aurora” types of blended threats <http://community.websense.com/blogs/websense-features/archive/2010/01/21/security-bulletin-aurora-internet-explorer-zero-day-attack.aspx?cmpid=prnr> . The test also evaluated the solutions’ abilities to correctly categorise and block objectionable content contained within Web 2.0 sites, such as blogs and social networking. Additionally, the test reviewed the solutions’ abilities to implement data loss prevention (DLP) policies, including compliance with health and financial regulations.
Key Findings
- Advanced Malware Protection – The Websense Web Security Gateway blocked nearly 99 percent of advanced modern malware threat types tested, including the complex “Aurora” type of blended threats, more than 27 percent better than the nearest competitor.
- Data Loss Prevention – The test covered the ease of configuration and usage, completeness of capabilities and accuracy of protecting sensitive and regulated data being transmitted over the Web. This is vital in dealing with today’s threats and the risks of leveraging the Web as a communication and collaboration channel. Websense surpassed the competition in this test. No other competitor had data awareness or full coverage of basic content like PCI or SSNs. Additionally, competitive products’ capabilities and accuracy were hard to implement and prone to missing data or triggering false positives. In contrast, Websense had full DLP capabilities for the Web with an intuitive management and reporting interface complete with an easy to use policy wizard for simple configuration of polices for regulations, regions, business focus, and data types. This usable front-end was backed by over 1200 native policies as well as the ability to add custom policies and data matching capabilities. The Websense system had full remediation and helpful end-user education capabilities. Also, the system could be easily expanded beyond the Web without losing any configurations, policies, reporting or reinstall of existing components.
- Dynamic Content Classification - Websense Web Security Gateway provided dynamic content categorisation not matched by other products in the test. It blocked more than three times the amount of dynamic, objectionable content and those found on Web 2.0 sites than other products tested.
- Management - Websense Web Security Gateway offered better management capabilities and was easier and less time consuming for setting up policies. For example, Blue Coat required five times as many configuration steps and six times more time to set up a policy than Websense. Additionally, the Websense policy-based interface also required less time to find meaningful data, reports and to modify or create new policies than competitors. The test found that competitive products often required repetitive tasks as well as complicated configuration and management of systems which could require additional staff and resources to manage.
- Reporting - The Websense Web Security Gateway offered the ability to quickly drill down from dashboard views, create policies and produce detailed investigative and customisable reports while other products tested required additional add-on reporting products.
“Today organisations are looking for a secure Web gateway solution that protects them from advanced modern malware like the recent ‘Aurora’ blended threat; but also provides dynamic content classification so that they can safely use new communication and collaboration technology like cloud-based applications and social Web tools,” said Rob Smithers, chief executive officer of Miercom. “Only Websense Web Security Gateway was able to categorise dynamic content with real accuracy, provide comprehensive built-in data loss prevention and block advanced malware. Additionally, we found that the management of the appliance was much easier and it required less time to set up policies and create custom reports, something that is important to every organisation.”
Radicati Group, Inc. report, “Corporate Web Security Market Quadrant 2010” – further validates Websense leadership
The 2010 Radicati “Corporate Web Security Market Quadrant” report covers software, appliance and hosted services that protect corporate users and networks from Web-based malware, helps prevent data loss and enables organisations to manage employee use of the Web. Of the 11 Web security vendors evaluated, Radicati placed Websense as the clear leader in the “Top Players” quadrant.
In the report Radicati notes that, “Websense offers one of the most comprehensive suites or Web security solutions for companies of all sizes. It covers all aspects of Web security – from employee productivity to protection from malicious traffic to full data loss prevention.” Additionally they add that, “Websense is keeping up with emerging Web threats by ensuring that Web 2.0 based sites and applications are used safely.”
“Websense is unique in that it offers unified Web, email and data security, which helps organisations block advanced blended attacks, secure the use of Web 2.0 tools, as well as ensure data doesn’t leak out through the Web channel ,” said Sara Radicati, CEO of the Radicati Group. “Websense is currently setting the pace in the Corporate Web Security market with new innovations in content security.”
“We were pleased with the overall performance of Websense Web Security Gateway, particularly its malware blocking and dynamic content categorisation effectiveness, as well as the comprehensive and practical nature of its DLP policy implementation,” said Rob Smithers, chief executive officer, Miercom. “Detailed test results demonstrate a clear advantage for the Websense Web Security Gateway in virtually every metric measured.”
Download the Meircom independent test: Miercom Secure Web Gateway Effectiveness Tests <http://www.websense.com/content/competitive-test-web-security-gateway-reg.aspx?cmpid=prnr>
Download the 2010 Radicati Group, Inc., “Corporate Web Security Market Quadrant 2010” <http://www.websense.com/content/radicati-top-web-security-quadrant-reg.aspx?cmpid=prnr> report
The Websense Web Security Gateway is part of the TRITON ™system <http://www.websense.com/TRITON?cmpid=prnr> , the first and only unified content security architecture.
About Miercom
Miercom is a privately held network consultancy, specialising in networking and communications-related product testing and analysis. Our highly-skilled engineers, many with over 21 years of experience in the networking industry, have developed methodologies for testing products as diverse as IP-PBXs, UTM, UC, SAN switches, SIP phones, IPS and IDS systems. Founded in 1988, Miercom has pioneered the comparative assessment of networking hardware and software. We co-sponsored with NetworkWorld the first public display of VoIP Interoperablity across H.323 v2 platforms. The results of VoIP, VPN testing and other technology research articles continue to appear in many prestigious industry journals.
About The Radicati Group, Inc.
The Radicati Group is a leading technology research and advisory firm focused on all aspects of email, security, email archiving, regulatory compliance, wireless technologies, web services, instant messaging, unified communications, social networking, and more. The company provides both quantitative and qualitative information, including detailed market size, installed base and forecast information on a worldwide basis, as well as detailed country breakouts.
The Radicati Group works with corporate organisations to assist in the selection of the right products and technologies to support their business needs, as well as with vendors to define the best strategic direction for their products. We also work with investment firms on a worldwide basis to help identify new investment opportunities. The Radicati Group, Inc. is headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, with offices in London, UK.
About Websense, Inc.
Websense, Inc. (NASDAQ: WBSN), a global leader in unified Web, data and email content security solutions, delivers the best security for modern threats at the lowest total cost of ownership to tens of thousands of enterprise, mid-market and small organisations around the world. Distributed through a global network of channel partners and delivered as software, appliance and software-as a service (SaaS), Websense content security solutions help organisations leverage new communication, collaboration and Web 2.0 business tools while protecting from advanced persistent threats, preventing the loss of confidential information and enforcing Internet use and security policies. Websense is headquartered in San Diego, Calif. with offices around the world. For more information, visit http://www.websense.com