CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Forcepoint vs WatchGuard Technologies

Forcepoint sells data security products covering DLP, DSPM, Secure Web Gateway and AI Data Security, with the same data classification, analytics and reporting across them. WatchGuard Technologies sells a Unified Security Platform that combines network, endpoint, identity and cloud protection, purpose-built for MSPs servicing midsize companies and SMBs. CISO Tribune files both under Firewalls and NGFW. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

Change the companies

Up to four companies side by side.

  • Forcepoint
  • WatchGuard Technologies
Forcepoint vs WatchGuard Technologies: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
ForcepointForcepoint sells data security products covering DLP, DSPM, Secure Web Gateway and AI Data Security, with the same data classification, analytics and reporting across them.forcepoint.comWatchGuard TechnologiesWatchGuard Technologies sells a Unified Security Platform that combines network, endpoint, identity and cloud protection, purpose-built for MSPs servicing midsize companies and SMBs.watchguard.com
What it sells
  • Forcepoint Data Security CloudA single control plane for the Forcepoint security suite.
  • Forcepoint ARIAAn intelligence layer in Forcepoint Data Security Cloud.
  • Unified Security Platform[1][5]WatchGuard unifies network, endpoint, identity and cloud protection under one agent, one console and one AI intelligence layer.
  • Firebox M Series[9]Firebox M Series rackmount appliances provide NGFW features.
  • Endpoint Security 360[11]WatchGuard Endpoint Security 360 is an autonomous zero trust endpoint detection and response solution.
  • AuthPoint[7][12][13]WatchGuard AuthPoint provides cloud-based authentication and access to applications.
  • Total Identity Security[13]Total Identity Security combines AuthPoint MFA with Dark Web Credential Monitoring.
  • WatchGuard Cloud[1][5][7][9][13]WatchGuard Cloud is built for MSPs and gives one place to deploy, standardize, monitor and report across all customers.
  • Compliance Reporting[15]WatchGuard Compliance Reporting offers configurable compliance controls and reports for regulatory needs.
Categories
Headquarters
Not stated on its pagesSeattle, United States[4]
Founded
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Ownership and funding
Not stated on its pagesOwned by Vector Capital since 2022[6]
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
  • July 22, 2026Forcepoint launched AI Data Security, a cloud platform that follows sensitive data across autonomous agents, shadow AI and sanctioned AI applications.[10]
  • July 7, 2026WatchGuard Technologies appointed Vincent Hwang as Chief Product Officer, reporting to CEO Joe Smolarski.[16]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: listed, seen November 10, 2026[11]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: listed, seen October 30, 2026[6]
Who it fits
Not written yetWatchGuard delivers its security to businesses exclusively through managed service provider and reseller partners. Businesses receive protection configured and managed for them by a local WatchGuard partner. WatchGuard describes its devices as suited to securing branch offices, distributed networks and large data centers. WatchGuard secure access points are described for small offices, retail locations, schools, warehouses and outdoor deployments. WatchGuard Endpoint Security 360 is described as suited to organizations and MSPs.
Last verified
November 3, 2026September 27, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Forcepoint and WatchGuard Technologies are both filed under Firewalls and NGFW.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Forcepoint's primary category is Data loss prevention; WatchGuard Technologies's is Firewalls and NGFW.
  • Forcepoint is also filed under SASE and SSE and Data security posture management. WatchGuard Technologies is also filed under Identity threat detection and response, EDR and XDR and Workforce IAM and SSO.
  • Forcepoint lists Forcepoint Data Security Cloud and Forcepoint ARIA. WatchGuard Technologies lists Unified Security Platform, Firebox M Series, Endpoint Security 360, AuthPoint, Total Identity Security and 2 more.
  • WatchGuard Technologies is headquartered in Seattle, United States.
  • WatchGuard Technologies is owned by Vector Capital, since 2022.

What it sells: Forcepoint

What Forcepoint Data Security Cloud does
Forcepoint Data Security Cloud serves as a single control plane for the Forcepoint security suite, including Data Loss Prevention, Data Security Posture Management and Data Detection and Response. Forcepoint Data Security Cloud has a cloud-native architecture that supports both cloud and hybrid environments. Policy is configured once and enforced across AI, web, cloud, endpoint, network and email.
What Forcepoint ARIA does
Forcepoint ARIA is an intelligence layer in Forcepoint Data Security Cloud that correlates cross-solution risk signals and behavioral insights. Forcepoint ARIA analyzes signals across the platform to surface insights, identify protection gaps and activate enforcement using natural language. ARIA is an always-on integrated AI assistant that deploys policies directly from the chat interface.

What it sells: WatchGuard Technologies

What Firebox M Series does[9]
Firebox M Series rackmount appliances provide NGFW features. Firebox rackmount appliances integrate with WatchGuard Cloud and ThreatSync and offer centralized management and AI-powered XDR correlation.
What Endpoint Security 360 does[11]
WatchGuard Endpoint Security 360 is an autonomous zero trust endpoint detection and response solution that blocks unknown applications automatically and continuously monitors trusted applications for signs of compromise. WatchGuard Endpoint Security 360 provides visibility into blocked executions, compromised trusted applications and the progression of attacks across endpoints.
What AuthPoint does[7][12][13]
WatchGuard AuthPoint provides cloud-based authentication and access to applications. AuthPoint MFA supports push, passkeys, TOTP, QR codes, hardware tokens and zero trust policies. AuthPoint is managed in WatchGuard Cloud, which configures policies, synchronizes users and enforces controls from one interface.
What Total Identity Security does[13]
Total Identity Security combines AuthPoint MFA with Dark Web Credential Monitoring. WatchGuard continuously monitors workforce user credentials across dark web, deep web and breach databases using AI-driven intelligence, and can alert affected end users directly. WatchGuard Cloud lets MSPs manage MFA and credential monitoring across customer accounts.
What WatchGuard Cloud does[1][5][7][9][13]
WatchGuard Cloud is built for MSPs and gives one place to deploy, standardize, monitor and report across all customers. ThreatSync XDR is part of WatchGuard Cloud and correlates activity across WatchGuard security layers. WatchGuard Cloud provides visibility, configuration control and real-time threat monitoring so MSPs can manage network security from anywhere with an Internet connection.
What Compliance Reporting does[15]
WatchGuard Compliance Reporting offers configurable compliance controls and reports for regulatory needs. WatchGuard Compliance Reporting is integrated with WatchGuard NDR and WatchGuard SaaS, delivering over 100 AI-refined network cybersecurity controls. WatchGuard Compliance Reporting includes configurable compliance report templates for ISO-27001, NIST 800-53, NIST 171/CMMC, UK Cyber Essentials, FFIEC, CISA Ransomware Defense, Cyber Insurance Compliance and Supply Chain Compliance.

Questions about Forcepoint and WatchGuard Technologies

What do Forcepoint and WatchGuard Technologies sell?
Forcepoint sells Forcepoint Data Security Cloud and Forcepoint ARIA. WatchGuard Technologies sells Unified Security Platform, Firebox M Series, Endpoint Security 360, AuthPoint, Total Identity Security and 2 more.
Are Forcepoint and WatchGuard Technologies in the same category?
They share Firewalls and NGFW. Forcepoint's primary category is Data loss prevention and WatchGuard Technologies's is Firewalls and NGFW.
Where are Forcepoint and WatchGuard Technologies headquartered?
WatchGuard Technologies is headquartered in Seattle, United States.
Who owns Forcepoint and WatchGuard Technologies?
WatchGuard Technologies is owned by Vector Capital, since 2022.
Who are Forcepoint and WatchGuard Technologies sold to?
WatchGuard delivers its security to businesses exclusively through managed service provider and reseller partners.
What have Forcepoint and WatchGuard Technologies announced recently?
July 22, 2026: Forcepoint launched AI Data Security, a cloud platform that follows sensitive data across autonomous agents, shadow AI and sanctioned AI applications. July 7, 2026: WatchGuard Technologies appointed Vincent Hwang as Chief Product Officer, reporting to CEO Joe Smolarski.

About Forcepoint

Forcepoint sells data security products covering DLP, DSPM, Secure Web Gateway and AI Data Security, with the same data classification, analytics and reporting across them. Forcepoint AI Data Security discovers, classifies and enforces data security for every AI interaction, from sanctioned applications and shadow AI to cloud- and endpoint-resident agents.[1][4]

Forcepoint AI Data Security detects when AI accesses sensitive data and enforces controls in real time to stop it from leaving. Forcepoint AI Data Security discovers AI applications an organization does not know about, scores their risk and enforces usage policies. Forcepoint AI Data Security inspects prompts and file uploads in real time. Forcepoint discovers and classifies data across cloud, endpoint and SaaS, reclassifies it when AI transforms it, and inventories AI touchpoints including sanctioned apps, shadow tools, browser extensions and OAuth grants.[1][4]

For autonomous agents, Forcepoint restricts agent sprawl with MCP-based enforcement, human-in-the-loop approvals and an immutable audit trail. Forcepoint ensures autonomous agents and AI applications can only access the sensitive information they need. Forcepoint AI Data Security discovers agents, helps understand their goals and permissions, and enforces guardrails.[1][4][8]

Forcepoint Data Security Cloud serves as a single control plane for the Forcepoint security suite, including Data Loss Prevention, Data Security Posture Management and Data Detection and Response. Forcepoint Data Security Cloud discovers new data sets across the digital estate continuously. Forcepoint Data Security Cloud tags structured and unstructured data with AI Mesh, a classification architecture. Forcepoint ARIA is an intelligence layer in Forcepoint Data Security Cloud that correlates cross-solution risk signals and behavioral insights. Forcepoint ARIA, the Adaptive Risk Intelligence Assistant, analyzes signals across the platform to surface insights, identify protection gaps and activate enforcement using natural language. Forcepoint Data Security Cloud synchronizes users and groups across on-prem and cloud directories for identity-driven policy enforcement. Forcepoint Data Security Cloud has a cloud-native architecture that supports both cloud and hybrid environments. An executive-level dashboard in Forcepoint Data Security Cloud shows data risk insights, trends and performance.[5]

Forcepoint DLP keeps data sovereign where regulations demand it and runs cloud-native everywhere else. Forcepoint DLP protects data in motion, at rest and in use. Forcepoint DLP enforces one policy everywhere data goes, in the cloud, on the web, within AI, through email, at the endpoint and in the network. Forcepoint DLP includes 2,000+ classifiers and policy templates to identify and secure PII and other types of sensitive data. Forcepoint DLP enforces data loss prevention policies in outbound emails. ARIA, the Adaptive Risk Intelligence Assistant, is an always-on integrated AI assistant that surfaces insights, recommends protection and deploys policies directly from the chat interface. Forcepoint DLP can be deployed in the cloud (SaaS) or on premises.[1][6]

Medicover Group scaled the capabilities of Forcepoint DLP from Romania to the rest of the world to protect data across 80 different companies. Medicover provides diagnostic and healthcare services and operates primarily in Central and Eastern Europe and India. Globaltek Security is a partner of Forcepoint and uses DLP to help companies across South America protect their most sensitive data. For healthcare, Forcepoint AI Data Security discovers and classifies patient data across cloud and on-premises systems.[4][6][7]

Existing Forcepoint CASB customers are being migrated to Forcepoint ONE.[1][2][4][5][7][9]

Forcepoint on the record

Sources

Forcepoint full record

  1. [1]Forcepoint: AI Data Security | Secure Agents, Stop Shadow AIForcepoint · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Fortune 50 oil and gas companyForcepoint · forcepoint.com · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]NewsroomForcepoint · forcepoint.com · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Forcepoint AI Data Security Platform: Unify Data Security for AIForcepoint · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Forcepoint Data Security Cloud | AI-Native, Real-Time SecurityForcepoint · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention SoftwareForcepoint · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Medicover Group | ForcepointForcepoint · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Guy Shamilov : Chief Information Security Officer | ForcepointForcepoint · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Product Support Life CycleForcepoint · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Forcepoint Defines How Agentic Enterprises Control Data with AI Data Security Launch | ForcepointForcepoint · published July 22, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Forcepoint Data Loss Prevention (DLP) Reviews 2026G2 · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier C

WatchGuard Technologies full record

  1. [1]watchguard.comWatchGuard Technologies · watchguard.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Watchguard launches new high performance firebox appliances secure modernWatchGuard Technologies · watchguard.com · published June 2, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]vectorcapital.comVector Capital · vectorcapital.com · published July 5, 2022 · Tier A
  4. [4]Dex991WatchGuard Technologies via SEC EDGAR · sec.gov · published July 25, 2006 · Tier A
  5. [5]WatchGuard | Comprehensive Cybersecurity SolutionsWatchGuard Technologies · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]WatchGuard Reviews, Ratings & Features 2026 | Gartner Peer InsightsGartner Peer Insights · undated page, accessed October 30, 2026 · Tier C
  7. [7]Centralized Management & Visibility | WatchGuard CloudWatchGuard Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Managed Security Services for MSPs | WatchGuardWatchGuard Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Rackmount Firewall Appliances | WatchGuardWatchGuard Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]WatchGuard Endpoint Security | AI-Powered ProtectionWatchGuard Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]WatchGuard Endpoint Security 360 - Zero Trust EDRWatchGuard Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]AuthPoint 30-Day Free Trial | WatchGuard Free AuthPointWatchGuard Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]AuthPoint Total Identity Security | WatchGuardWatchGuard Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]Secure Wireless APs for Your Business | WatchGuardWatchGuard Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]Compliance Reporting | WatchGuardWatchGuard Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]WatchGuard Appoints Vincent Hwang as Chief Product OfficerWatchGuard Technologies · published July 7, 2026 · Tier A

Spot a factual error? Request a correction.