Symantec Endpoint Security vs. Watchguard Endpoint Security

We have found that Symantec Endpoint Security is better suited to newer systems running faster processors and more than 8GB RAM otherwise the client agent takes up too many resources and slows the system down. However, if you have a reasonably modern fleet of systems it does everything you would expect from an Endpoint Protection solution and works well as part of a multi-layered cybersecurity policy.

Incentivized

We offer Watchguard Endpoint Security as a low cost alternative to Sophos Endpoint. As such, I would recommend this product to anyone with a customer with that same sort of mindset. It would also be appropriate for customers with a more 'basic' environment as configuring profiles is far less in depth compared to Sophos.

Incentivized

• The virus and spyware protection has worked well for us, catching several things and quarantining the items or cleaning them.
• The virus definitions very rarely fail to update for the users, so I feel confident that my client machines are kept up to date.
• I like the report I get daily telling me about threats found and action taken without having to login to the console to look it up myself.

Incentivized

• It does an excellent job of detecting and preventing threats
• It uses global intelligence to reduce the time and effort I need to spend performing security operations
• It is lightweight and easy to deploy to client computers using a single agent for all modules

Incentivized

• Removing dead clients from the console. This is nearly impossible to do, and makes keeping the console clean a very difficult task.
• Poorly tested versions are sometimes released that cause serious issues for users. This ranges from browsers malfunctioning to BSOD errors.
• Malware detection is good but not great. We are not confident in SEP by itself to neutralize malware threats. It's detection rate just isn't high enough for next generation and zero day threats.

• As with any application of this nature, it can block processes or other suspected security risks that are actually safe.
• While easy to use, it sometimes provides less learning opportunities for less experienced staff who are not as well-versed in these applications.

Incentivized

Continued satisfied support. The saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it..." comes to mind. It works, and we'll continue to use it and support Symantec.

Incentivized

I will definitely renew the software licenses on all our clients when they expire.Again, I have never worked so well with antivirus software before today. Watchguard is an extremely adaptable software to our business needs and I don't think I want to try other solutions that the market offers

Incentivized

The rating reflects Symantec Endpoint Security's ability to balance enterprise grade security with user-friendly workflows or advanced configurations require extra effort. For most organizations, the streamlined management and robust automation justify the high score. Management GUI is old fashined and need to be improve. Older devices may experience slowdowns during full scans without careful configuration.

Incentivized

Easy and intuitive MSP management portal to manage all of your clients from a single pane of glass. Policies can be pushed down globally or individually based on needs. The client portal allows access to their tenant information and installs only which is nice if you are working with clients who might have an internal person or an IT team that also wants access to things to manage themself.

Incentivized

We've used it for years and the software is easy to use. The dashboard is easy to read, and you can easily figure out where to go to troubleshoot or deploy software. Symantec is there for emergencies like backup restoration or file retrieval. It's pretty low maintenance. Symantec is there when your IT infrastructure needs it

Incentivized

The software is 100% managed on a cloud platform that can be managed via an account even if they are not present within the company network where the software is installed, I even always opened the control panel on the browser of my smartphone to monitor the situation.I have never experienced any abnormal software crashes

Incentivized

The only annoyance I complain, if we want to be picky, is the fact of the constant disconnections from the control panel.Every about 4 hours the account logs out even if I set the "remember this device" flag; having said that I have not noticed neither slowdowns nor conflicts with other software

Incentivized

Support is completely awful! You can never get anyone to help if you can even find a number to call. The support web portal is a joke and their response time if you're even able to submit a ticket is ridiculously slow.

Incentivized

I gave it a 10 because I compare it to air conditioning. I need it to work every day, 24/7. I need it to be reliable and not something that requires a ton of interaction from staff to make sure it works every day. In addition, I should be able to run other things at my house when the AC is on. Panda fits that description.

Trainer was excellent, knew this product in-depth.

Incentivized

The training was very helpful. It demonstrated how to configure the service for initial install, items to monitor, and how to set up for ongoing protection. Hands on training is more helpful but this is a good starting point

Incentivized

Use a third party deployment tool and not the deployment option within the SEP Manager itself.

Incentivized

Implementation shouldn't present any problems in standard office environments. In environments with development teams, however, caution is needed. If zero trust is enabled, mechanisms must be in place to ensure that internal software isn't classified as a false positive (software certificate, exception folder, etc.)

Incentivized

Symantec Endpoint Security seems to be a more mature solution compared with CrowdStrike, particularly when CS was just recently getting their USB blocking functionality rolled out for macOS endpoints this year. Another differentiator with CrowdStrike is that Symantec ES still provides both on-demand scanning & real-time signature-based detection in addition to solely real-time machine learning detection whereas on-demand scanning and signatures are not available on CrowdStrike. This means there is a doubt as to whether we can use CS to comply with some of our PCI DSS obligations which specifically require the use of signature-based antivirus solutions.

Incentivized

Way back in the day, I have used Norton end point security and really did not like the speed at which it tried to do its job. I know I am dating myself here. WatchGuard Endpoint Security, I feel, is light years ahead of Norton's product. WatchGuard Endpoint Security is FAST, ACCURATE, and truly an enterprise product.

Incentivized

With the implementation of watchguard (at the beginning Panda Endpoint, but it is the same) I was able to insert in the control panel all the unauthorized software previously installed by colleagues without any authorization from the various department heads.Now any licensed software goes into lockdown and can be unlocked from the control panel

Incentivized

• Symantec [Endpoint Security] cost 50k less than other options while providing similar benefits over the last year
• Cylance conflicted with Symantec [Endpoint Security] and Cisco Umbrella Client (All 3 at the same time) causing us to rebuild many desktops
• Symantec [Endpoint Security] made it easy to detect where issues were and repair them

Incentivized

• By committing to go all in on Watchguard Advanced EPDR across our whole client base, we maximized our price position - enabling us to offer the best endpoint security at a price better than what lesser competitive products cost.
• Leveraging Watchguard Endpoint Security as part of our unified platform strategy provides better integrated security, managed through Watchguard's cloud architecture. This significantly reduces our cost to deploy, manage, and support our client's. Our improved security offering, better delivery, and stronger price position has helped us achieve 56% growth in our managed services business over the past 18-months.
• Organizations that have disparate cyber security products often require specialists for each solution in their stack. Watchguard provides outstanding training resources that equip our entire technical staff - significantly improving our service delivery while lowering our overall cost of business.

Incentivized