Bigleaf vs. Forcepoint NGFW

Bigleaf is great for getting good performance out of two mediocre ISPs. Bigleaf is great for getting the combined bandwidth of two or more ISPs without having to subscribe to higher tiers with the ISP. I can't imagine Bigleaf would do much good for a business with only one ISP. Reporting with Bigleaf is helpful in documenting any issues with an ISP - I can show an ISP performance history if we experience a problem.

Incentivized

If you are looking for a smaller network/security team, the ease and low complexity create an easy to manage environment. One engineer can easily manage 100 nodes/locations. If you are just starting to get security conscious and predict regular adjustments to policy, routing, and access, this is a very good system for making easy to understand and low impact changes on a regular basis without operations interruption.

Incentivized

• Does not add a security layer - We have our own security layer and did not want an additional one.
• Combines bandwidth from multiple ISPs to provide a bigger pipe.

Incentivized

• Easy to manage and make changes on - ACL's are done with ease.
• Easy USB initial configuration - The easy initial setup of a new location and firewall saves massive time. Settings are automatically pushed to new nodes upon contact with the controller.
• Low Complexity - This system does not have a lot of complexity requiring extra hours, training, or personnel to manage.

Incentivized

• I can't think of anything to add here. It perfectly meets our needs!

Incentivized

• Poor Reporting - It exists but even when calling in to support for assistance, they have no idea how to tackle customizing reports or searching for specific data.

Incentivized

The Graphical User Interface is very easy to read, understand and work with. The usability of this product is very high.

Incentivized

Any time we've had a problem, Bigleaf support has been readily available in English. Support seems competent, and when one hardware device failed we were quickly provided with a replacement

Incentivized

Support has varied over the history of the company. Terro is a name that comes up often with the best of service from this company.

Incentivized

Bigleaf doesn't add a security layer. Competitors we looked at all bundled in security from Cisco or Fortinet, and we didn't want to learn another product and have a competing security layer. With Bigleaf we are able to leverage our existing security solution.

Incentivized

There are similar hardware and license costs between the two products. The Forcepoint NGFW product is by far easier to use and manage.

Incentivized

• Bigleaf has dramatically improved our internet uptime and provides metrics to track that.
• Bigleaf protects our internet performance by balancing ISPs so we don't experience poor performance when one ISP has a problem.

Incentivized

• Efficiency/Productivity increase. The company moved from Cisco firewall and routing hardware to Forcepoint NGFW. It now takes fewer people and fewer hours to manage the new product. This has allowed the company to put the man-hours to use on other projects and tasks.
• Long term viability. This has been a concern in the past when the company started as Stonegate, merged to become Stonesoft then got purchased by McAfee, then McAfee got purchased by Intel. However, with Forcepoint the product seems to have found a stable home.
• Low complexity. The Web GUI based system for management has reduced the cost of personnel and training required. There is no longer a need for the company to have higher trained and higher salary cost employees to manage the system. Mid-level admins at lower salaries are capable of managing the GUI based system with ease.

Incentivized