Proofpoint Security Awareness Training vs. SANS Security Awareness Training

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Score 10.0 out of 10
N/A
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training (formerly ThreatSim from Wombat Security) is a cloud-based training platform that simulates threat scenarios (e.g. phishing) and also provides assessment testing developed by Wombat Technologies, which was acquired by Proofpoint in March 2018.N/A
SANS Security Awareness Training
Score 8.0 out of 10
N/A
SANS Institute offers a suite of security awareness training courses, and other specialized security learning, delivered via computer, featuring role-based dynamic training modules.N/A
Pricing
Proofpoint Security Awareness TrainingSANS Security Awareness Training
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Proofpoint Security Awareness TrainingSANS Security Awareness Training
Free Trial
YesNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeOptionalNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Proofpoint Security Awareness TrainingSANS Security Awareness Training
Considered Both Products
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Due to Proofpoint large experience on phishing/e-mail protection market. This analysis ran through financial decisions, but the product capabilities were a important aspect to the decision makers.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
We chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training because we already use their email gateway. The combination of these two are very powerful!
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
We felt Proofpoint product was easier to use and administer. Proofpoint also had better features like PhishAlarm button, VAP reports, TRAP etc.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Proofpoint is not on par with its competitors.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
We ultimately chose Proofpoint because it was the best fit for our company with regard to our internal technology, processes, and budget. However, the other products we reviewed all had their strengths.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
I think that Proofpoint Security Awareness Training pricing is one of the main reasons that we went with them. We only have the lowest tier, and it does a pretty good job for what we pay. We are using Proofpoint for our email security solution, so we ended up saving some money …
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Their support was what really drew us to them.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
I have used both and can say they are comparable. KnowBe4 has all the content out there for the admin to add but Proofpoint only had a limited number of courses available per the contract. Seems like KnowBe4 has more content or allows more per bundle.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
The decision was based on the ease of use and the better security awareness material at Proofpoint.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
We have not used other security training. Proofpoint Security Awareness Training has been our first selection. We have been happy with the purchase! We have also created some training in-house, but we like that Proofpoint gives us the flexibility to train our staff on other …
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
We have selected Proofpoint Security Awareness Traning to work on the major weakness of the cybersecurity chain (human factor). We believe that working on the human factor is fundamental to achieve our goals.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
We initially shopped two products: Proofpoint Security Awareness Training (at the time, it was called Wombat) and Cofense PhishMe. After some extensive internal testing in the IT department, we concluded that Proofpoint's robust reporting and pre-baked content (tests, guides, …
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
The "Managed Service" (a dedicated ProofPoint Account Rep c/w weekly status calls) significantly reduces the resource demand on the area within your company managing the program. The KnowBe4 Platform does all the same stuff (Training Modules, Reports, ThreatSim Tools), but you …
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Wombat is our first security awareness vendor
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Proofpoint was the only company we looked at. We had heard from other companies using the product how great it was and we were excited to implement it. I don't think there is another company that is in the market place that even comes close to what they offer. We are happy …
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Our team decided to go with Proofpoint prior to me being involved, so I was not involved in the assessment. However, I do believe that PhishMe was the tool that we used before. I am not sure of the exact reasons for the switch, but we are very happy with Proofpoint.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
I think Wombat beats most of its competitors by default by simply being another piece of the Proofpoint security platform. Other phishing platforms do not have this additional piece, so you will end up paying for a phishing awareness software and also an email security platform …
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
At the time we selected Proofpoint (Wombat) they appeared to have the best solution. They have a simple to use interface and the phishing platform was quite impressive. However, over time I have found that their training catalog is not as large as it could be. KnowBe4 has …
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
We selected Proofpoint, because originally Wombat was a local company to us and many people in the area were using the product. It got great reviews from others technology directors in our area, which made the decisions easy to make.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
We already used ProofPoint so we thought it would be a better fit. The other products may have looked better but pricing was good. Do not increase pricing.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
I think Proofpoint's design and training are the best in the bunch, but the other products certainly hold their own.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Peer input, piloting with a number of key users, previous positive experience with Wombat training and financials supported our choice for Wombat.
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training -- Wide offerings (training, simulated campaigns, report phish button, phish analyzer); invaluable integrations with TRAP & Phish Alarm/Analyzer; incredibly helpful and kind support, very quick to assist & knowledgeable. PSAT was and …
Chose Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
Proofpoint's platform is way ahead of that of Deloitte, has far more training modules and flexibility.
SANS Security Awareness Training
Chose SANS Security Awareness Training
We actually are currently migrating to Proofpoint Security Awareness Training because of its integration with the Proofpoint email filter. This will allow us to target specific users who are clicking on bad emails with specific training material. We have used KnowBe4 in the …
Features
Proofpoint Security Awareness TrainingSANS Security Awareness Training
Security
Comparison of Security features of Product A and Product B
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
9.0
Ratings
4% above category average
SANS Security Awareness Training
9.0
Ratings
4% above category average
Single sign-on capability9.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Role-based user permissions9.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Security Awareness Training
Comparison of Security Awareness Training features of Product A and Product B
Proofpoint Security Awareness Training
9.4
Ratings
10% above category average
SANS Security Awareness Training
8.5
Ratings
0% below category average
Training Content Library10.00 Ratings10.00 Ratings
Multilingual Training Content9.00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Training Gamification9.00 Ratings8.00 Ratings
Industry-Specific Security Training9.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Individualized Security Training Plans9.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Phishing Simulations10.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Security Reporting10.00 Ratings9.00 Ratings
Integration with Security Tech Stack00 Ratings6.00 Ratings
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Proofpoint Security Awareness TrainingSANS Security Awareness Training
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User Ratings
Proofpoint Security Awareness TrainingSANS Security Awareness Training
Likelihood to Recommend
9.0
(0 ratings)
7.0
(0 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
7.3
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Usability
8.6
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
Support Rating
8.3
(0 ratings)
-
(0 ratings)
User Testimonials
Proofpoint Security Awareness TrainingSANS Security Awareness Training
Likelihood to Recommend
I think that Proofpoint is the best product on the market for Security Awareness Training. They make it easy, they have taken all the guess work out of it. You are supplied with everything you need to have a successful program and you don't have to be a "teacher" to do this. They have taken all of the guess work out of it.
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SANS Security Awareness Training program would be well suited for a large organization that needs to develop multiple training programs with different courses based on the roles of the end users. It seemed a bit difficult at times to achieve simple setup processes because of the configurations tailored to larger, more complex organizations.
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Pros
  • The report phish Outlook add-in button has had a positive influence on our users. We have many users regularly reporting suspect phish emails.
  • The templates for the phish campaigns are very up to date, using real life recent phishing attacks. This makes our phishing campaigns much more realistic.
  • The training modules from PSAT are very effective and useful with our LMS system.
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  • Variety of cyber threat videos and presentations
  • Web based and mobile access to the platform
  • Easy to manage administrator access to configure the training sessions
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Cons
  • The platform provides options for many different reports (with some customization options), however, there are reports that I would want that are not available.
  • Adding new staff (we have a lot of turn-over) into an existing training plan can be cumbersome for the system administrator. Although End-User Sync can be set-up to "add" new users to the system, the new users still need to manually be added to the assignments and sent past assignments to complete. (NOTE: this was made more difficult because of our decision to implement a training plan the way we did).
  • Some of the ThreatSim campaigns (simulated phishing or malicious attachment emails) will only work if you are using their PhishAlarm plug-in (add-on button for Outlook, etc. for users to easily report suspected threats). Our users access email by iPhones, Android, iPads, PCs, and Macs. PhishAlarm cannot be used for all of these platforms.
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  • Mass import of users was a bit confusing
  • User interface was sometimes not intuitive
  • Ability to upload custom content was difficult to use
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Likelihood to Renew
  • The product is great for what we use it for
  • We have a good relationship with our vendor/Proofpoint, which I believe is needed to be successful in Security Awareness and using tools like this
  • The package/service as a whole is incredibly helpful
  • The integrations with Proofpoint's Trap is one of the most valuable things we could do. It turns your entire email user base into members of IT security, to be on the look out to report cyber attacks, and have them pulled out of everyone's email if the email is condemed/found malicious.
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Usability
Overall, PSAT is integral to what we do. PSAT is a helpful tool to help us improve our employees ability to recognize, report, and respond to phishing. It works for us to use a longterm partner, who is incredibly helpful/supportive, and also bringing Proofpoint's greater cybersecurity & attack intelligence into PSAT. Honestly, we are pretty happy and would make the choice to go with PSAT again (we evaluated the major players in the space via Gartner's Magic Quadrant). The team behind the products are excellent and the product of itself is both intuitive and expansive. This combination allows us to reach our 10k+ employees who are located in over 20 countries
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No answers on this topic
Support Rating
I have never had any issues with receiving support and have always had my questions answered in a timely manner. When we do have suggestions, the support has been ready to step in and provide advice or take our suggestions seriously. But normally, there aren't any issues that come up when using this product.
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Alternatives Considered
The "Managed Service" (a dedicated ProofPoint Account Rep c/w weekly status calls) significantly reduces the resource demand on the area within your company managing the program. The KnowBe4 Platform does all the same stuff (Training Modules, Reports, ThreatSim Tools), but you (or your staff) need to do considerably more work to manage the Overall Program. The uplift in cost for this service is minimal.
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We actually are currently migrating to Proofpoint Security Awareness Training because of its integration with the Proofpoint email filter. This will allow us to target specific users who are clicking on bad emails with specific training material. We have used KnowBe4 in the past as well, but it was rather costly compared to SANS Security Awareness Training and Proofpoint. SANS Security Awareness Training seems to be the least easy-to-use interface from an administrative perspective compared to the other two.
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Return on Investment
  • I don't think there are hard and fast numbers when it comes to Security Awareness ROI, as it would be next to impossible to come up with any defined metrics.
  • Phishing campaigns vary in their effectiveness, what I've found is that there is always something that will trigger your employees to click. Finding what that is for your company can help you train everyone to see the red flags.
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  • Positive impact knowing we are educating our staff from phishing and potential cyber criminals
  • Considering the potential for bad actors infiltrating our network, this is a small expense
  • Pricing based on actual end users, worth the investment
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