Prisma Access vs SafeSquid Secure Web Gateway

Prisma Access is a cloud-delivered security solution for users, applications, devices, and data across office, branch, and remote locations. It provides least-privileged application access and is designed to reduce reliance on traditional VPNs. Secure Web Gateway protection addresses web threats, while CASB capabilities provide SaaS visibility, inline and API-based controls, and contextual policies for sensitive data. Firewall as a Service adds threat prevention, application control, and Zero Trust policies. Prisma Agent connects users to organizational networks, SaaS applications, and the internet while extending security policies to their devices. The agent supports Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, with requirements varying by platform. Authentication integrations include Cloud Identity Engine, SAML, TACACS+, RADIUS, LDAP, Kerberos, MFA, and local database authentication. Administrators use Panorama or Strata Cloud Manager, but must select the interface before setup because it cannot later be changed. Insights APIs monitor deployment health and performance. The service is paid, has no free plan, and pricing is on request.

SafeSquid Secure Web Gateway is an HTTP proxy and secure web gateway for controlling web access and protecting web applications in reverse-proxy mode. It categorizes websites, identifies applications and applies user-access policies. HTTPS inspection can use an enterprise root certificate or a SafeSquid self-signed certificate. Malware scanning options include a built-in scanner, ClamAV and ICAP or other third-party systems. Data-loss prevention detects configured keyword patterns in uploads and can restrict them. SafeSquid supports Active Directory, OpenLDAP, Kerberos single sign-on and Linux-PAM authentication. It can use DNSBL services and stream logs to remote aggregators or SIEM systems. Deployment can use standard server hardware, a virtual appliance or private cloud, with multiple nodes in load-balanced or failover clusters. Cloud-backed configuration backup keeps version history for up to 365 days. The vendor says it supports Linux and Microsoft Windows. It is sold as an annual subscription with pricing on request, and the FAQ says the product stops working when an annual subscription is not renewed.