CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Forte Technologies vs Guardz

Forte Technologies sells managed IT, cybersecurity, private and public cloud, and compliance services. Guardz sells an MSP-ready security platform that brings identity, endpoint, email, data, awareness, and exposure protection together. CISO Tribune files both under MDR and managed SOC. 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.

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  • Forte Technologies
  • Guardz
Forte Technologies vs Guardz: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
Forte TechnologiesForte Technologies sells managed IT, cybersecurity, private and public cloud, and compliance services.fortetechnologies.comGuardzGuardz sells an MSP-ready security platform that brings identity, endpoint, email, data, awareness, and exposure protection together.guardz.com
What it sells
  • Compliance[1][2][9]Audit-ready support for frameworks like CMMC, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, PCI, and SOC 2 Type I and II.
  • Cyber Assurance[1][7][8]A separate Forte team that reviews and signs off on security and compliance work.
  • vCISO[1][9]A dedicated virtual CISO who owns security and compliance posture.
  • Managed IT[2][4]Day-to-day IT operations, monitoring, and support.
  • Email Security[2][8]An API-based and AI-native engine to prevent credential theft, ransomware, and impersonation threats.
  • Security Awareness Training[2][4][10]Pre-scheduled security awareness training that alters behavior.
  • Phishing Simulation[14]AI-generated phishing attacks tailored by tone, industry, and language.
Categories
Headquarters
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Founded
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Ownership and funding
Not stated on its pagesPrivately held[4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
Not stated on its pages
  • November 2, 2026Guardz added browser protection from Palo Alto Networks' Prisma Browser for Business to its security platform for managed service providers serving small businesses.[17]
  • March 3, 2026Guardz announced a strategic partnership with FoxPointe Solutions, a cybersecurity advisory firm focused on governance, risk management and virtual CISO services.[18]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: listed, seen November 3, 2026[13]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
Who it fits
Growing organizations with multiple locations are the stated audience for the Secure tier, and complex regulated environments are the audience for the Comply tier. The virtual CISO service speaks to mid-sized businesses, for which a full-time CISO is a hire most cannot justify. Cloud hosting ranges from private cloud on infrastructure Forte Technologies operates to hybrid arrangements with public cloud.From its own pages, Guardz sells mainly to MSPs, and describes its platform as built for them. Guardz says small businesses find it difficult to keep up with their external posture. Guardz says MSPs can use a prospecting tool to attract new clients by showing the extent of SMEs' exposure. Guardz says even non-security experts can respond to cyber events. Guardz says it gives clients visibility and control with configurable admin roles.
Last verified
October 26, 2026September 30, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Forte Technologies and Guardz are both filed under MDR and managed SOC.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Forte Technologies's primary category is Managed security service providers; Guardz's is MDR and managed SOC.
  • Forte Technologies is also filed under Security awareness training and Compliance automation. Guardz is also filed under Identity threat detection and response, EDR and XDR and Email security.
  • Forte Technologies lists Compliance, Cyber Assurance, vCISO and Managed IT. Guardz lists Email Security, Security Awareness Training and Phishing Simulation.
  • Guardz is privately held.

What it sells: Forte Technologies

What Compliance does[1][2][9]
Framework alignment covers CMMC and NIST 800-171, HIPAA/HITECH, SOC 2 Type I and II, GDPR, PCI, FINRA, and more. Controls are documented and reporting is automated as systems run.
What Cyber Assurance does[1][7][8]
The Forte Cyber Assurance Team evaluates security and compliance posture separately from those who implement and operate the controls. Cyber Assurance stands on its own and reviews whoever runs the IT.
What vCISO does[1][9]
The service provides a named vCISO who knows the client environment, framework, and risk tolerance, through Comply or a standalone vCISO agreement. The vCISO leads, backed by certified ethical hackers, auditors, and information security experts.
What Managed IT does[2][4]
Device and user management covers onboarding, offboarding, patching, backup, and endpoint management. Support is remote-first, with field technicians dispatched when hands-on work is needed.

What it sells: Guardz

What Email Security does[2][8]
Guardz email protection uses an API-based and AI-native engine to prevent credential theft, ransomware, and impersonation threats. Check Point Harmony powers Guardz Email Security.
What Security Awareness Training does[2][4][10]
Guardz helps teams plan, launch and track automated training campaigns. Campaign frequency can be set monthly, bi-monthly, or quarterly.
What Phishing Simulation does[14]
Simulations can be generated in English, French, German, Hebrew, Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, Italian. Failed simulations trigger an awareness issue.

Questions about Forte Technologies and Guardz

What do Forte Technologies and Guardz sell?
Forte Technologies sells Compliance, Cyber Assurance, vCISO and Managed IT. Guardz sells Email Security, Security Awareness Training and Phishing Simulation.
Are Forte Technologies and Guardz in the same category?
They share MDR and managed SOC. Forte Technologies's primary category is Managed security service providers and Guardz's is MDR and managed SOC.
Who owns Forte Technologies and Guardz?
Guardz is privately held.
Who are Forte Technologies and Guardz sold to?
Growing organizations with multiple locations are the stated audience for the Secure tier, and complex regulated environments are the audience for the Comply tier. From its own pages, Guardz sells mainly to MSPs, and describes its platform as built for them.
What have Forte Technologies and Guardz announced recently?
November 2, 2026: Guardz added browser protection from Palo Alto Networks' Prisma Browser for Business to its security platform for managed service providers serving small businesses.

About Forte Technologies

Forte Technologies sells managed IT, cybersecurity, private and public cloud, and compliance services. Forte Technologies arranges its services in three connected tiers, each building on the one below. Foundational security is included in Core, while the fully managed security operation defines Secure and Comply.[1][3][4]

Managed IT covers day-to-day IT operations, monitoring, and support. Forte Technologies provides proactive maintenance and security monitoring across the client environment. Device and user management covers onboarding, offboarding, patching, backup, and endpoint management. Support is remote-first, with field technicians dispatched when hands-on work is needed.[3][4]

Forte Technologies hosts private cloud on infrastructure it owns and operates. Private cloud environments run across three US data centers in Atlanta, Richmond, and Dallas. Hosted and hybrid options let Forte Technologies manage private and public cloud, including Azure, as one environment. Forte Technologies offers a migration from VMware to open-cloud architecture. Specialized hosting workloads include healthcare imaging (PACS) and regulated data environments. Forte Technologies offers a Microsoft service covering Microsoft 365, Azure, and GCC High. Forte Technologies can supply licenses itself and carries out an annual license audit. GCC High is the government-community cloud that defense contractors need for CUI and CMMC alignment.[6]

Managed cybersecurity from Forte Technologies covers managed detection and response, security awareness training, and identity protection. Managed detection and response provides around-the-clock triage of every alert, with real threats escalated and shut down. Forte Technologies provides continuous monitoring of logs, devices, cloud, and network, either as the full security operation or in partnership with an internal team. Forte Technologies provides multi-layered anti-malware across every workstation and server. Email security protects against phishing, spoofing, and email-borne threats. Identity protection provides detection and response for compromised credentials and risky sign-ins. Password management provides encrypted vaults for every user, not just shared IT credentials.[1][3][10]

Forte Technologies provides audit-ready support for frameworks like CMMC, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, PCI, and SOC 2 Type I and II. Framework alignment covers CMMC and NIST 800-171, HIPAA/HITECH, SOC 2 Type I and II, GDPR, PCI, FINRA, and more. Forte Technologies documents controls and automates reporting as systems run. The Forte Cyber Assurance Team is a separate group that reviews controls and evidence and signs the attestations that go to auditors and insurers. Cyber Assurance stands on its own and reviews whoever runs the IT. Organizations that need ongoing assurance without a fully managed compliance program can pair Secure with Assure. The Forte vCISO service provides a dedicated virtual CISO who owns the client security and compliance posture. The vCISO is included in Comply and is available as an add-on at other tiers. A vCISO leads, backed by certified ethical hackers, auditors, and information security experts.[1][7][8][9]

Recovery runs on infrastructure Forte Technologies operates, with the team that knows the client environment handling the restore. Retention schedules are mapped to the frameworks and records rules of the client industry.[10]

Forte Technologies brings together CloudScale365, Valeo Networks, and PCS International. Forte Technologies has field technicians and regional teams coast to coast. Forte Technologies security operation supports clients whose regulators expect evidence that their defenses are working. Forte Technologies names defense contractors, physician groups, and financial firms as clients whose regulators verify. Forte Technologies lists HIPAA, SOC 2 Type I and II, SEC Regulation S-P, PCI, CMMC, ISO 27001, ISO 42001, and GDPR among its compliance expertise.[1][3][4][7][9][10]

Forte Technologies on the record

Sources

Forte Technologies full record

  1. [1]fortetechnologies.comForte Technologies · fortetechnologies.com · undated page, accessed October 26, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Run Your Business. We've got IT. - Forte TechnologiesForte Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Forte Cybersecurity: We're Watching so you Don't Have to. - Forte TechnologiesForte Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Managed IT Services and Support - Forte TechnologiesForte Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Cloud Hosting Without the Lock-In - Forte TechnologiesForte Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Your Microsoft 365 Environment, Run Right. - Forte TechnologiesForte Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Compliance, Built Into How Your IT Runs. - Forte TechnologiesForte Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Cyber Assurance That Isn't Grading Its Own Work. - Forte TechnologiesForte Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Forte vCISO: A Security Executive on Your Side of the Table. - Forte TechnologiesForte Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Forte BCDR: When It Matters Most, You’re Already Back - Forte TechnologiesForte Technologies · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A

Guardz full record

  1. [1]guardz.comGuardz · guardz.com · undated page, accessed September 30, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Msp business plan the ultimate blueprint for growthGuardz · guardz.com · published June 12, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]About usGuardz · guardz.com · undated page, accessed September 30, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Guardz: Unified Cybersecurity Platform Built for MSPGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Security Awareness Training for MSPs and EmployeesGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]All-In-One Cloud App Security Solution | GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Protect Your Business from External Cyber Threats | GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Guardz Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features - G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 31, 2026 · Tier C
  14. [14]Adaptive Phishing Simulation Platform for MSP SecurityGuardz · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]AI-Native Security Platform Built for MSPs by GuardzGuardz · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]Cyber Risk Prospecting report - Thank-you | Guardz.comGuardz · undated page, accessed November 3, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]Exclusive: Guardz brings Palo Alto Networks browser protection to MSPs serving small businessesSiliconANGLE · published November 2, 2026 · Tier B
  18. [18]Guardz Partners with Foxpointe Solutions to Deliver Strategic, Scalable Cybersecurity for MSPs and Their ClientsGuardz · published March 3, 2026 · Tier A

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