# Best Cloud Edge Security Software for Medium-Sized Businesses *By [Lauren Worth](https://research.g2.com/insights/author/lauren-worth)* Products classified in the overall Cloud Edge Security category are similar in many regards and help companies of all sizes solve their business problems. However, medium-sized business features, pricing, setup, and installation differ from businesses of other sizes, which is why we match buyers to the right Medium-Sized Business Cloud Edge Security to fit their needs. Compare product ratings based on reviews from enterprise users or connect with one of G2's buying advisors to find the right solutions within the Medium-Sized Business Cloud Edge Security category. In addition to qualifying for inclusion in the Cloud Edge Security Software category, to qualify for inclusion in the Medium-Sized Business Cloud Edge Security Software category, a product must have at least 10 reviews left by a reviewer from a medium-sized business. --- **Sponsored** ### SecureW2 JoinNow SecureW2 is a cloud-native authentication solution designed to enhance security by eliminating credential compromise through its innovative JoinNow Platform. This platform combines Dynamic Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Cloud RADIUS to facilitate real-time trust validation and continuous authentication for users accessing networks and applications. Each access request initiates an identity-based risk assessment, which determines the issuance of certificates and the corresponding access privileges. Once access is granted, the system continuously validates the compliance of devices, ensuring that only verified entities maintain their authorization. The JoinNow Platform caters to a diverse range of users, including K-12 and higher education institutions, mid-market businesses, and global enterprises. By providing scalable and resilient authentication solutions, SecureW2 addresses the unique security needs of various sectors without placing an additional burden on IT teams. The platform's ability to seamlessly integrate with existing identity providers, such as Entra ID (formerly Azure AD), Okta, and Google Workspace, allows organizations to implement adaptive, passwordless authentication without the need for complex upgrades or disruptions. SecureW2 effectively tackles several prevalent security challenges. Credential compromise remains a significant concern, as traditional passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA) can be vulnerable. By utilizing certificate-based authentication, SecureW2 eliminates these risks entirely. Additionally, the platform addresses high operational overhead associated with managing legacy security systems by automating certificate issuance, revocation, and lifecycle management. This automation not only saves IT resources but also enhances visibility and control, providing real-time insights into authentication processes. Key features of SecureW2 include its agentless architecture, which eliminates software bloat while ensuring secure and frictionless authentication. The extensive policy engine allows organizations to create customized policies that are automatically enforced both before and after authentication. Continuous authentication adapts in real time, validating access dynamically based on evolving security conditions. Furthermore, the platform’s interoperability ensures compatibility with any identity provider, mobile device management (MDM) system, and security stack, making it a versatile choice for organizations looking to enhance their security posture. In summary, SecureW2 redefines authentication for modern businesses by ensuring that every access request is trust-validated. Its scalable, lightweight design enables rapid deployment and effortless scaling, allowing organizations to maintain robust security without the complexities and costs typically associated with traditional authentication solutions. [Visit company website](https://www.g2.com/external_clickthroughs/record?secure%5Bad_program%5D=ppc&secure%5Bad_slot%5D=category_product_list&secure%5Bcategory_id%5D=2634&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_id%5D=1497&secure%5Bdisplayable_resource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bmedium%5D=sponsored&secure%5Bplacement_reason%5D=neighbor_category&secure%5Bplacement_resource_ids%5D%5B%5D=1848&secure%5Bprioritized%5D=false&secure%5Bproduct_id%5D=146605&secure%5Bresource_id%5D=2634&secure%5Bresource_type%5D=Category&secure%5Bsource_type%5D=category_page&secure%5Bsource_url%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.g2.com%2Fcategories%2Fcloud-edge-security%2Fmid-market&secure%5Btoken%5D=293faf10d16c0ca25ab89e4ced07387250f531829ca8c21010f196c734aa613b&secure%5Burl%5D=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.securew2.com%2Fjoinnow-platform%3Futm_source%3Dg2%26utm_medium%3Dcpc%26utm_campaign%3Dcategory-listing&secure%5Burl_type%5D=custom_url) --- ## Top-Rated Products (Ranked by G2 Score) ### 1. [Check Point SASE](https://www.g2.com/products/check-point-sase/reviews) The internet is the new corporate network, leading organizations to transition to their network security to Secure Access Service Edge (SASE). However, current solutions break the user experience with slow connections and complex management. Check Point SASE is a game-changing solution that delivers 10x faster internet security, SaaS Security, and full mesh Zero Trust Access and optimized SD-WAN performance—all with an emphasis on streamlined management. Combining innovative on-device and cloud-delivered network protections, Check Point SASE offers a local browsing experience with tighter security and privacy, and an identity-centric zero trust access policy that accommodates everyone: employees, BYOD and third parties. Its SD-WAN solution unifies industry-leading threat prevention with optimized connectivity, automated steering for over 10,000 applications and seamless link failover for uninterrupted web conferencing. Using Check Point SASE, business can build a secure corporate network over a private global backbone in less than an hour. The service is managed from a unified console and is backed by an award-winning global support team that has you covered 24/7. **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 209 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Anomaly Detection:** 7.8/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Cloud Application Brokerage:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Policy Enforcement:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Use:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Check Point Software Technologies](https://www.g2.com/sellers/check-point-software-technologies) - **Company Website:** https://www.checkpoint.com/ - **Year Founded:** 1993 - **HQ Location:** Redwood City, CA - **Twitter:** @CheckPointSW (70,927 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/check-point-software-technologies/ (8,356 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Computer & Network Security - **Company Size:** 47% Mid-Market, 36% Small-Business #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Security (46 reviews) - Ease of Use (39 reviews) - Secure Access (34 reviews) - Protection (26 reviews) - Reliability (25 reviews) **Cons:** - Complex Implementation (28 reviews) - Complex Configuration (24 reviews) - Complex Setup (22 reviews) - Expensive (17 reviews) - Learning Curve (17 reviews) ### 2. [Forcepoint Data Security Cloud](https://www.g2.com/products/forcepoint-data-security-cloud/reviews) Forcepoint Data Security Cloud delivers unified visibility, control, and protection for data across endpoints, web, SaaS, and private applications, powered by Forcepoint’s AI Mesh and Data Security Everywhere architecture. The platform integrates Data Loss Prevention (DLP), Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB), Secure Web Gateway (SWG), and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) capabilities to help organizations prevent breaches, streamline compliance, and safely embrace AI and the cloud. Key capabilities include: • Unified data security across endpoints, web, cloud, and private apps • Distributed enforcement via endpoint, inline proxy, and API connectors • AI-driven data classification and adaptive risk protection • Industry-leading threat and data protection from one console • Seamless user experience with Zero Trust access and continuous monitoring Forcepoint Data Security Cloud simplifies and strengthens your security, delivering the freedom to work securely anywhere. **Average Rating:** 4.2/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 100 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Anomaly Detection:** 9.2/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Cloud Application Brokerage:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Policy Enforcement:** 9.3/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Use:** 8.6/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Forcepoint](https://www.g2.com/sellers/forcepoint) - **Year Founded:** 1994 - **HQ Location:** Austin, TX - **Twitter:** @Forcepointsec (65,465 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/forcepoint/ (1,658 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Computer & Network Security - **Company Size:** 50% Enterprise, 38% Mid-Market #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Features (7 reviews) - Ease of Use (6 reviews) - Security (6 reviews) - Customer Support (5 reviews) - Monitoring (5 reviews) **Cons:** - Complex Configuration (4 reviews) - Expensive (4 reviews) - Complexity (3 reviews) - Complex Setup (3 reviews) - Difficult Setup (3 reviews) ### 3. [Cisco Umbrella](https://www.g2.com/products/cisco-umbrella/reviews) Cisco Umbrella simplifies cybersecurity and compliance by providing a converged set of capabilities in a single, cloud-native solution. Its combination of DNS-layer security, secure web gateway, CASB, and more delivers an end-to-end experience that delights customers. Processing over 600 billion internet requests per day and leveraging the world’s largest cyber threat intelligence team in Cisco Talos, Umbrella has achieved AV-TEST’s #1 security efficacy ranking multiple times. Whether you need to strengthen your current security stack or want to transition to a more SASE-based architecture, Umbrella empowers you to confidently meet today’s cloud security goals and embrace tomorrow’s opportunities. **Average Rating:** 4.4/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 265 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Anomaly Detection:** 9.0/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Cloud Application Brokerage:** 8.8/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Policy Enforcement:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Use:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Cisco](https://www.g2.com/sellers/cisco) - **Year Founded:** 1984 - **HQ Location:** San Jose, CA - **Twitter:** @Cisco (720,884 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/cisco/ (95,742 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Ownership:** NASDAQ:CSCO **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Who Uses This:** Network Engineer, Software Developer - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Computer & Network Security - **Company Size:** 47% Mid-Market, 30% Enterprise ### 4. [Prisma Access](https://www.g2.com/products/prisma-access/reviews) Palo Alto Networks Prisma® Access protects the hybrid workforce with the superior security of ZTNA while providing exceptional user experiences from a simple, unified security product. Purpose-built in the cloud to secure at cloud scale, only Prisma Access protects all application traffic with best-in-class capabilities while securing both access and data to dramatically reduce the risk of a data breach. With a common policy framework and single-pane-of-glass management, Prisma Access secures today’s hybrid workforce without compromising performance, backed by industry-leading SLAs to ensure exceptional user experiences. **Average Rating:** 4.3/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 72 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Anomaly Detection:** 8.3/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Cloud Application Brokerage:** 8.4/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Policy Enforcement:** 8.5/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Use:** 8.2/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Palo Alto Networks](https://www.g2.com/sellers/palo-alto-networks) - **Year Founded:** 2005 - **HQ Location:** Santa Clara, CA - **Twitter:** @PaloAltoNtwks (128,510 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/30086/ (21,355 employees on LinkedIn®) - **Ownership:** NYSE: PANW **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Computer Software - **Company Size:** 45% Enterprise, 27% Mid-Market #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Security (34 reviews) - Protection (23 reviews) - Secure Access (22 reviews) - Internet Security (21 reviews) - Threat Protection (21 reviews) **Cons:** - Complex Setup (20 reviews) - Complex Implementation (19 reviews) - Complex Configuration (17 reviews) - Expensive (15 reviews) - Difficult Learning Curve (11 reviews) ### 5. [Twingate](https://www.g2.com/products/twingate/reviews) Twingate is a secure remote access solution for an organization’s private applications, data, and environments, whether they are on-premise or in the cloud. Built to make the lives of DevOps teams, IT/infrastructure teams, and end users easier, it replaces outdated business VPNs which were not built to handle a world in which "work from anywhere" and cloud-based assets are increasingly the norm. Twingate’s modern zero trust-based approach to securing remote access focuses on improving security, while not compromising on usability and maintainability. Twingate distinguishes itself from other solutions in the following ways: - Software-only solution can be deployed alongside existing solutions in minutes, without requiring changes to existing infrastructure. - Enables least privilege access at the application level without requiring networks to be re-architected. - Centralized admin console, coupled with extensive logging capabilities, provides control and visibility over an enterprise’s entire network. - Scales up to support more users and resources without burdening IT teams with network segmentation projects or buying new hardware. - Client agents can be set up by users without IT support, are always on, and do not require user interaction once enabled. - User internet connectivity is improved due to split tunneling, no backhauling, and an intelligent client agent that handles authorization and routing activities on device. **Average Rating:** 4.7/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 73 **User Satisfaction Scores:** - **Anomaly Detection:** 7.1/10 (Category avg: 8.4/10) - **Cloud Application Brokerage:** 10.0/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Policy Enforcement:** 9.1/10 (Category avg: 8.6/10) - **Ease of Use:** 9.7/10 (Category avg: 8.7/10) **Seller Details:** - **Seller:** [Twingate Inc.](https://www.g2.com/sellers/twingate-inc) - **Company Website:** https://www.twingate.com - **HQ Location:** Redwood City, California - **Twitter:** @TwingateHQ (2,386 Twitter followers) - **LinkedIn® Page:** https://www.linkedin.com/company/twingate/about (78 employees on LinkedIn®) **Reviewer Demographics:** - **Top Industries:** Information Technology and Services, Computer Software - **Company Size:** 53% Mid-Market, 42% Small-Business #### Pros & Cons **Pros:** - Security (9 reviews) - Ease of Use (8 reviews) - Secure Access (7 reviews) - Access Management (6 reviews) - Implementation Ease (6 reviews) **Cons:** - Performance Issues (9 reviews) - Complex Configuration (3 reviews) - Complex Implementation (3 reviews) - Limited Customization (3 reviews) - Update Issues (3 reviews) ## Parent Category [Cloud Security Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-security) ## Related Categories - [Zero Trust Networking Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/zero-trust-networking) - [Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB) Software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-access-security-broker-casb) - [Secure Service Edge (SSE) Solutions](https://www.g2.com/categories/secure-service-edge-sse-solutions) --- ## Buyer Guide ### What You Should Know About Cloud Edge Security Software ### What is Cloud Edge Security Software? Cloud edge security software provides enterprises with a cloud-delivered solution to securely access the internet and cloud-based applications that run at the cloud edge or where compute capabilities are run closer to end devices. The software is delivered using software-defined wide area network (SD-WAN) technology. This allows cloud edge security solutions to operate anywhere and combine security functions to protect all network activity. ### What Are the Common Features of Cloud Edge Security? To address the need for cloud edge security software, many organizations are turning to [secure access service edge (SASE) platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/secure-access-service-edge-sase-platforms), which converge SD-WAN capabilities with network security functions as a cloud-delivered service. **SASE framework:** The SASE framework includes capabilities such as [cloud access security broker (CASB) software](https://www.g2.com/categories/cloud-access-security-broker-casb), [zero-trust networking software](https://www.g2.com/categories/zero-trust-networking), and firewall as a service (FWaaS) —all available in a single cloud-delivered service model that simplifies IT. **SASE architecture:** SASE architecture also enables companies to return networking and security to the cloud where the applications and data are located. It helps ensure secure access regardless of device location. It provides a set of best practices to secure applications and data in an era where work happens everywhere, and users are the new network perimeter. ### What are the Benefits of Cloud Edge Security Software? There are several benefits to using cloud edge security software, as mentioned below. **Secures data:** A major advantage of cloud edge security platforms is that it helps secure the data already being processed at the cloud edge. The sheer volume of data produced by devices at the edge connecting to the internet requires vastly more processing.  **Secures real-time transactions:** Edge computing moves processing and storage resources closer to the source of cloud data to manage loads. However, the movement of data from the cloud to the edge makes it very vulnerable to attacks. Cloud edge security software helps secure real-time edge data transactions that might take place in the Internet of Things (IoT), such as smart applications in retail or manufacturing. These tools make these transactions more secure and reliable. **Secures endpoints:** Examples of cloud edge security software capabilities include web filtering, anti-malware, intrusion prevention systems (IPS), and next-generation firewalls that permit or deny traffic based on IP addresses. These functionalities are often built into the organization's SD-WAN. Effective cloud edge security software enables IT to secure all edge endpoints or devices easily.  ### Who Uses Cloud Edge Security Software? **IT and cybersecurity staff:** IT and cybersecurity staff use cloud edge security tools to securely monitor the data traffic at the cloud edge, ensuring safe B2C and B2B transactions. Securing these transactions keeps intruders from attacking these otherwise vulnerable internet transactions, which may be numerous in volume. **Industries** : As enterprises move cloud capabilities across the WAN to users at the edge, industries such as healthcare and finance have more burden to protect sensitive data that comes with strict compliance requirements. Cloud edge security software can prioritize important security fundamentals such as encryption for data stored locally and in transit between the network core and edge computing devices. ### Challenges with Cloud Edge Security Software? There are some challenges IT teams can encounter with cloud edge security software. **Potential design flaws:** With edge computing comes devices that can take virtually any form, from micro-data centers at remote locations, or a vast array of IoT devices. An example is the rapid shift to hybrid work models in response to the global pandemic, where millions of distributed remote offices and BYOD devices suddenly had to be managed simultaneously. However, the design of these edge devices prioritizes functionality and connectivity over security. A poorly designed cloud edge security software approach by buyers does not secure the edge and makes it vulnerable to zero-day threats. **Increased cybersecurity risks:** Edge computing increases the risk of cybersecurity threats entering the corporate network. Deploying hundreds of edge computing devices creates hundreds of potential entry points for security attacks and breaches. Cloud edge security solutions must have a 360-degree view of the attack surface and provide a built-in security stack to protect against zero-day threats, malware, and other vulnerabilities at the point of access.  ### How to Buy Cloud Edge Security Software #### Requirements Gathering (RFI/RFP) for Cloud Edge Security Software If an organization is just starting and looking to purchase cloud edge security software, g2.com can help select the best one. Most business pain points might be related to all the manual work that must be completed. If the company is large and has a lot of networks, data, or devices in its organization, it may need to shop for cloud edge security platforms that can grow with its organization. Users should think about the pain points in security to help create a checklist of criteria. Additionally, the buyer must determine the number of employees who will need to use the cloud edge security software and if they currently have the skills to administer it.  Taking a holistic overview of the business and identifying pain points can help the team springboard into creating a checklist of criteria. The checklist serves as a detailed guide that includes both necessary and nice-to-have features, including budget features, number of users, integrations, security staff skills, cloud or on-premises solutions, and more. Depending on the deployment scope, it might be helpful to produce an RFI, a one-page list with a few bullet points describing what is needed from cloud edge security software. #### Compare Cloud Edge Security Software Products **Create a long list** Vendor evaluations are essential to the software buying process, from meeting the business functionality needs to implementation. For ease of comparison, after all demos are complete, it helps to prepare a consistent list of questions regarding specific needs and concerns to ask each vendor. **Create a short list** From the long list of vendors, it is helpful to narrow down the list of vendors and come up with a shorter list of contenders, preferably no more than three to five. With this list, businesses can produce a matrix to compare the features and pricing of the various solutions. **Conduct demos** To ensure the comparison is comprehensive, the user should demo each solution on the short list with the same use cases. This will allow the business to evaluate like for like and see how each vendor stacks up against the competition.  #### Selection of Cloud Edge Security Software **Choose a selection team** Before getting started, creating a winning team that will work together throughout the entire process, from identifying pain points to implementation, is crucial. The software selection team should consist of organization members with the right interest, skills, and time to participate in this process. A good starting point is to aim for three to five people who fill roles such as the main decision maker, project manager, process owner, system owner, or staffing subject matter expert, as well as a technical lead, head administrator, or security administrator. The vendor selection team may be smaller in smaller companies, with fewer participants multitasking and taking on more responsibilities. **Compare notes** The selection team should compare notes, facts, and figures noted during the process, such as costs, security capabilities, and alert and incident response times. **Negotiation** Just because something is written on a company’s pricing page does not mean it's final. It is crucial to open up a conversation regarding pricing and licensing. For example, the vendor may be willing to give a discount for multi-year contracts or for recommending the product to others. **Final decision** After this stage, and before going all in, it is recommended to roll out a test run or pilot program to test adoption with a small sample size of users. If the tool is well used and well received, the buyer can be confident that the selection was correct. If not, it might be time to go back to the drawing board. ### What does Cloud Edge Security Software cost? Cloud edge security software is considered a long-term investment. This means there must be a careful evaluation of vendors, and the software should be tailored to each organization's specific requirements. Once cloud edge security software is purchased, deployed, and integrated into an organization’s security system, the cost could be high, so the evaluation stage of selecting the right tool is crucial. The notion of rip-and-replace cost can be high. The cloud edge security software vendor chosen should continue to provide support for the platform with flexibility and open integration. Pricing can be pay-as-you-go, and costs may also vary depending if cloud edge security is self-managed or fully managed. #### Return on Investment (ROI) Organizations decide to purchase cloud edge security software with some type of return on investment (ROI). As they want to recoup the money spent on the software, it is critical to understand the costs that will be saved in terms of efficiency. In the long run, the investment must be worth preventing the downtime and loss of revenue that would be caused by a security breach.