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Head-to-head · Secure Web Gateway Software

Forcepoint Web Security vs Cisco Secure Web Gateway

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 3 checks side by side
Higher score Forcepoint Web Security #4 in Secure Web Gateway Software 9.1/10 Pricing on request ✓ 3 of 4 features Visit Forcepoint
Cisco Secure Web Gateway #6 in Secure Web Gateway Software 8.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 4 features Visit Cisco

Forcepoint Web Security leads on 2 checks, Cisco Secure Web Gateway on 0, and 1 is even. Who comes out ahead on the 3 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreForcepoint Web Security · 9.1/10
  • Most featuresForcepoint Web Security · 3 of 4

Forcepoint Web Security scores higher on our rubric for secure web gateway software: 9.1 against 8.9 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #6.

On deployment, Forcepoint Web Security gives you Hybrid where Cisco Secure Web Gateway offers Cloud. Forcepoint Web Security offers malware scanning; Cisco Secure Web Gateway doesn't publish it. Forcepoint Web Security offers data loss controls; Cisco Secure Web Gateway doesn't publish it.

Forcepoint Web Security is the better fit for mid-market and enterprise hybrid deployments. Cisco Secure Web Gateway is the better fit for organizations needing conventional proxy-based SWG.

  • Forcepoint Web Security fits best

    Mid-market and enterprise hybrid deployments

  • Cisco Secure Web Gateway fits best

    Organizations needing conventional proxy-based SWG

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Forcepoint Web Security 9.1/10 Visit ↗ Cisco Secure Web Gateway 8.9/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.1 8.9
Ranking #4 in Secure Web Gateway Software #6 in Secure Web Gateway Software
Best for Mid-market and enterprise hybrid deployments Organizations needing conventional proxy-based SWG
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan Not published Not published
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted Cloud
Platforms Web, Windows, Linux Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Docs Phone, Docs · 24/7
Integrations 4 integrations 3 integrations
Built for Mid-market, Enterprise Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Forcepoint Web Security 3/4 · Cisco Secure Web Gateway 1/4
TLS inspection ✓ ✓
Malware scanning ✓ (best) Not published
Data loss controls ✓ (best) Not published
Managed service Not published Not published
Specs
Deployment Hybrid Cloud
Policy controls All three Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Inspects web content and files for malware, phishing and web exploits
  • Applies inline DLP to uploads, forms and cloud storage traffic
  • Combines cloud and on-premises policy enforcement
  • Inspects HTTP/HTTPS traffic with TLS decryption and URL filtering
  • Scans downloaded files and sandboxes unknown files
  • Supports SAML authentication, IPsec tunnels, PAC files and proxy chaining
Cons
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Support channels listed are limited to documentation
  • SSL inspection may require bypass options for some encrypted traffic
  • Umbrella SIG capabilities are transitioning to Cisco Secure Access
  • Proxy-based traffic forwarding may not suit every network architecture
  • Pricing requires contacting sales
Our verdict

Forcepoint Web Security is a secure web gateway for organizations that need to control web access while reducing exposure to online threats and data loss. Its fit is strongest for mid-market and enterprise teams managing users across cloud…

Read the review →

Cisco Secure Web Gateway is a cloud-delivered secure web gateway built around a full proxy for inspecting and controlling internet traffic. It is aimed at mid-market and enterprise organizations that need conventional proxy-based…

Read the review →
  1. Forcepoint Web SecuritySecure Web Gateway Software 9.1Pricing on request
  2. Cisco Secure Web GatewaySecure Web Gateway Software 8.9Pricing on request

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Forcepoint Web Security — where it wins

    • Inspects web content and files for malware, phishing and web exploits
    • Applies inline DLP to uploads, forms and cloud storage traffic
    • Combines cloud and on-premises policy enforcement

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contacting sales
    • Support channels listed are limited to documentation
    • SSL inspection may require bypass options for some encrypted traffic

  • Cisco Secure Web Gateway — where it wins

    • Inspects HTTP/HTTPS traffic with TLS decryption and URL filtering
    • Scans downloaded files and sandboxes unknown files
    • Supports SAML authentication, IPsec tunnels, PAC files and proxy chaining

    Where it doesn't

    • Umbrella SIG capabilities are transitioning to Cisco Secure Access
    • Proxy-based traffic forwarding may not suit every network architecture
    • Pricing requires contacting sales
  • Forcepoint Web Security9.1/10 · Pricing on request

    Hybrid web security combines threat inspection, access policies and inline DLP.

    Visit ForcepointFull verdict →
  • Cisco Secure Web Gateway8.9/10 · Pricing on request

    A proxy-based SWG with HTTP/HTTPS inspection, filtering, malware scanning and sandboxing.

    Visit CiscoFull verdict →

More comparisons

All secure web gateway software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update