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Barracuda Web Security Gateway

Score8.3 out of 10

29 Reviews and Ratings

What is Barracuda Web Security Gateway?

Barracuda Web Security Gateways now available in the 200 through 1000 series provide web content filtering as well as access and advanced threat protection, and are available as physical appliances, virtual appliances, or as a SaaS.

Media

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Ideal for tracking network usage to improve security.

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

The Barracuda Web Security Gateway is a reliable and easy-to-use web security option for any organization. It is equipped with a series of tools that allow you to view web traffic and analyze it to determine usage and risks. I am a Software Engineer, in my case, The Barracuda Web Security Gateway allows me to control and manage web traffic efficiently. It also helps protect our applications, social media platforms including Instagram and Twitter against threats and detect untrustworthy content in real time. We also easily connect the Barracuda Web Security Gateway with other Barracuda products, including the Barracuda Web Application Firewall and the Barracuda Email Security Gateway, to provide maximum end-to-end protection.

Pros

  • Integrates with other Barracuda products, including the Barracuda Web Application Firewall and the Barracuda Email Security Gateway.
  • Helps manage bandwidth to improve network performance.
  • Easy to use.
  • Allows you to perform SSL inspections to view content on social networks.
  • Help prevent data loss.
  • Protect our privacy.

Cons

  • My experience with the Barracuda Web Security Gateway is exceptional, it is easy to use, affordable, and offers a variety of security features, including the ability to check SSL content.

Most Important Features

  • User authentication.
  • SSL content verification.
  • Block harmful content.
  • Integration with other Barracuda systems.
  • Maximum protection of applications and social media platforms.

Return on Investment

  • Barracuda Web Security Gateway is of great benefit for our organization, it is an excellent robust protection solution without having to make a large investment. Barracuda Web Security Gateway services are affordable, allowing us to save time and money when securing our systems. In addition, it offers a wide list of security features, such as threat detection, content analysis, user authentication to control network access, ect, help increase productivity while offering excellent security. This, in turn, saves time and money securing our network, resulting in a positive return on investment.

Other Software Used

Barracuda Content Shield

Barracuda Web Security Gateway Review

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Barracuda Web Security Gateway is employed by our IT team for all network users who have company email. It blocks email messages that may be insecure. The system is very sensitive in what it holds back from delivery, so it is important to check regularly. Anytime you start using a new site, the registration emails will get caught in the filter. Additionally, verification code emails will get caught.

Pros

  • Security
  • Compliance
  • Safety

Cons

  • Too strict
  • Captures safe emails

Most Important Features

  • Safety
  • Security
  • Compliance

Return on Investment

  • Allows phishing emails to get through, in my opinion.

Barracuda WSG Rescued Us!

Pros

  • Control of domains/sites allowed for access. We can be sure our users are not using their online activity to accidentally, or intentionally, to go to malicious, threatening, intolerance, hate, or pornography.
  • Reporting is easy and informative. Reports allow you to summarize for specific time periods, and then drill down to see time spent, or bandwidth used.
  • Blocking and/or allowing instantly for a specific user or groups is easily done and takes effect immediately.

Cons

  • I don't think I have anything to mention here. The Barracuda Web Security Gateway does everything we need it to do.

Return on Investment

  • We had several of our divisions that we thought needed to increase their internet bandwidth, due to decreased speed and productivity. After installing the Barracuda Web Security Gateway, we realized we had some abusive behavior going on with online activity. We set some controls and the bandwidth usage decreased by at least 30%, allowing us to maintain the current bandwidth and not spending more money.

Barracuda Web Filter - the "Cadillac" of Content Filtering and Reporting of Website Usage

Pros

  • Extremely detailed Content Filtering allows for customized access based on Username or Security Group within Active Directory or simple IP Address filtering.
  • Reporting features to review website usage, duration, and frequency. Executives love to review these reports to determine employee productivity.
  • Useful categories of websites to blanket stop access to social media, shopping, gaming, etc.

Cons

  • As a web filtering appliance, it truly does not have any flaws. There are multiple appliances based on throughout and storage space. As long as the appliance is adequately sized it works very well.
  • Pricing could be a consideration. There are many products that perform thorough Content Filtering, but this is the "Cadillac" of Content Filtering for companies that want thorough reporting.

Return on Investment

  • Positive: extremely thorough reporting for executives to determine employee productivity.
  • Positive: individual users or security groups can be implemented to specialize website access.
  • Negative: very populated industry of options, pricey in comparison.

Alternatives Considered

SonicWall Web Content Filtering Services, WatchGuard NGFW and Barracuda NG Firewall

Barracuda Web Filter Review

Pros

  • Easy reporting.
  • Allows customization down to the individual level.

Cons

  • Setting up specific rules for a website or user can be confusing.
  • Would like to be able to create a rule from the usage log. Example: Find a site that should not be allowed, right click on it, and have the option to create a rule from the information already found.

Return on Investment

  • Has made it very easy to see what sites are being accessed.
  • Blocks a lot more of the pop up advertisements than our primary firewall does.
  • Easy for user to request a bypass if they get blocked.