Contractors operating in cloud environments face distinct security challenges that differ significantly from traditional enterprise deployments, particularly around temporary access management, project-based data isolation, and compliance across multiple client environments. Orca Security Platform addresses comprehensive risk detection through its agentless SideScanning technology, eliminating the operational burden of deploying agents across contractor workloads while maintaining complete asset visibility, though its premium pricing model can strain smaller contracting budgets. If you require sovereign data handling for critical infrastructure projects, METCLOUD Construction provides UK-specific compliance including NIS-2 certification, but relies heavily on consistent internet connectivity that may be problematic at remote job sites.
Seceon Cloud Security Platform offers predictable asset-based licensing that prevents unexpected cost spikes common with data ingestion pricing models—crucial for contractors managing fluctuating project volumes—yet some users report integration challenges requiring manual intervention. Rapid7 Cloud Security excels in automated remediation workflows that reduce the need for dedicated security staff, particularly valuable for lean contractor operations, though enabling certain logging features can unexpectedly increase cloud infrastructure costs. If you handle federal contracts, Wiz for Gov provides FedRAMP-Moderate authorization essential for government work, while Entrust Security Access delivers robust contractor access controls through Zero Trust frameworks, albeit with steep pricing for smaller organizations.Contractors operating in cloud environments face distinct security challenges that differ significantly from traditional enterprise deployments, particularly around temporary access management, project-based data isolation, and compliance across multiple client environments.Contractors operating in cloud environments face distinct security challenges that differ significantly from traditional enterprise deployments, particularly around temporary access management, project-based data isolation, and compliance across multiple client environments. Orca Security Platform addresses comprehensive risk detection through its agentless SideScanning technology, eliminating the operational burden of deploying agents across contractor workloads while maintaining complete asset visibility, though its premium pricing model can strain smaller contracting budgets. If you require sovereign data handling for critical infrastructure projects, METCLOUD Construction provides UK-specific compliance including NIS-2 certification, but relies heavily on consistent internet connectivity that may be problematic at remote job sites.
Seceon Cloud Security Platform offers predictable asset-based licensing that prevents unexpected cost spikes common with data ingestion pricing models—crucial for contractors managing fluctuating project volumes—yet some users report integration challenges requiring manual intervention. Rapid7 Cloud Security excels in automated remediation workflows that reduce the need for dedicated security staff, particularly valuable for lean contractor operations, though enabling certain logging features can unexpectedly increase cloud infrastructure costs. If you handle federal contracts, Wiz for Gov provides FedRAMP-Moderate authorization essential for government work, while Entrust Security Access delivers robust contractor access controls through Zero Trust frameworks, albeit with steep pricing for smaller organizations.
Cisco Security Solutions offers enterprise-grade threat intelligence through its Talos unit but introduces licensing complexity that complicates compliance tracking across multiple client engagements. The optimal platform depends on whether your contracting operation prioritizes cost predictability, regulatory compliance, or automated security operations over traditional feature breadth.
Orca Security is a cloud security solution tailor-made for contractors who need to maintain rigorous security standards across multiple cloud environments. With its intuitive SaaS model, Orca provides in-depth risk assessment, vulnerability management, and continuous compliance—essential features for contractors dealing with sensitive client data.
Orca Security is a cloud security solution tailor-made for contractors who need to maintain rigorous security standards across multiple cloud environments. With its intuitive SaaS model, Orca provides in-depth risk assessment, vulnerability management, and continuous compliance—essential features for contractors dealing with sensitive client data.
Our analysis shows Orca Security effectively solves the 'agent fatigue' problem by using patented SideScanning technology to provide deep visibility into workloads without installation. Research indicates its Unified Data Model excels at correlating disparate risks—such as a misconfiguration combined with a vulnerability and sensitive data—to prioritize the critical 1% of alerts. Based on documented features, it offers one of the fastest times-to-value in the CNAPP market.
Pros
Agentless SideScanning for 100% coverage
Unified CNAPP (CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, DSPM)
Fast deployment in minutes
Supports 150+ compliance frameworks
Single SKU all-inclusive pricing
Cons
Can be expensive for some budgets
Reporting dashboard can be cluttered
Occasional false positives reported
API limitations for custom integrations
Runtime protection requires optional sensor
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.8/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Cloud Security Platforms for Contractors. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.4
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
Comprehensive cloud-native security features including CSPM, CWPP, and CIEM without requiring agent installation.
What We Found
Orca provides a unified CNAPP platform using patented SideScanning technology to detect risks across workloads, configurations, and identities without agents. It covers AWS, Azure, GCP, Oracle, and Alibaba Cloud, combining CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, and DSPM into a single data model.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to its innovative agentless architecture that covers 100% of assets (including stopped VMs) and unifies multiple security domains, though it relies on a separate sensor for deep runtime protection.
Supporting Evidence
The platform unifies CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, DSPM, and vulnerability management into a single view. The platform consolidates security functions such as CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, DSPM, and vulnerability management into a unified system
— vendr.com
Patented SideScanning technology scans the entire cloud estate via runtime block storage without agents. Orca's SideScanning is a revolutionary new approach that addresses the shortcomings of agent-based solutions by collecting data from the workloads' runtime block storage without requiring agents.
— orca.security
9.2
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
Strong financial backing, high valuation, reputable customer base, and major industry certifications.
What We Found
Orca is a 'unicorn' valued at $1.8 billion with over $640 million in funding from top investors like CapitalG and Redpoint. It holds FedRAMP Moderate authorization and was named AWS Global Security Partner of the Year.
Score Rationale
The score reflects its status as a well-funded market leader with significant validation from Google (CapitalG) and major government authorizations like FedRAMP.
Supporting Evidence
The company achieved FedRAMP Moderate authorization, validating its security for government use. Orca Security is FedRAMP® Moderate and GovRAMP authorized.
— orca.security
Orca Security reached a $1.8 billion valuation after raising over $640 million. Orca Security has raised $640 million in funding and reached a $1.8 billion valuation
— texau.com
8.9
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
Ease of deployment, intuitive user interface, and low operational friction for security teams.
What We Found
Users consistently praise the agentless deployment which takes minutes and the intuitive interface. However, some users report a cluttered dashboard and difficulties with reporting structures.
Score Rationale
The score is anchored by the 'deploy in minutes' capability which is a major differentiator, slightly reduced by user reports of UI clutter and reporting limitations.
Supporting Evidence
Deployment is extremely fast, often taking under 24 hours for a complete risk profile. The agentless-first Orca Cloud Security Platform is configured in minutes, and in under 24 hours delivers a complete risk profile
— orca.security
Users praise the ease of use and agentless approach for quick value. Users commend the ease of use of Orca Security, praising its intuitive interface and agentless approach.
— g2.com
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
Transparent pricing models, simplified licensing, and clear return on investment.
What We Found
Orca uses a transparent 'single SKU' model that includes all features based on workload count, avoiding complex add-ons. However, specific pricing is not public, and some users describe the solution as 'very costly' with limited discounting.
Score Rationale
The score benefits from the simplified 'all-inclusive' licensing model but is capped by the lack of public pricing and user feedback regarding high costs.
Supporting Evidence
Some users cite cost as a primary dislike, noting it is expensive with strict discounting. The very first is the Cost. It is very costly with NO Discounts even for the Partners.
— g2.com
Orca offers a single SKU pricing model that includes all platform capabilities. We offer a single SKU, ensuring you get access to everything the Orca Cloud Security Platform has to offer... No hidden fees. No surprise upgrades.
— orca.security
9.3
Category 5: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
Extensive compliance framework support and sensitive data discovery capabilities.
What We Found
The platform supports over 150 compliance frameworks (CIS, NIST, PCI-DSS, etc.) and includes Data Security Posture Management (DSPM) to detect sensitive data like PII without needing separate tools.
Score Rationale
This category scores very high due to the massive library of supported frameworks and the unique ability to scan for sensitive data within workloads without agents.
Supporting Evidence
The platform includes built-in DSPM to find sensitive data and PII. Orca scans your entire cloud estate to discover sensitive data that is not properly protected... including PII stored in managed, self-hosted, and shadow data stores
— orca.security
Orca supports over 150 compliance frameworks and CIS benchmarks. Orca supports 150+ compliance frameworks and CIS benchmarks, including government security and data privacy frameworks
— orca.security
8.7
Category 6: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
What We Looked For
Seamless integration with CI/CD pipelines, ticketing systems, and SIEM/SOAR tools.
What We Found
Orca integrates with major tools like Jira, ServiceNow, Splunk, and PagerDuty, and offers CI/CD scanning. While standard integrations are strong, some users have noted limitations with the API and specific integration setups.
Score Rationale
The score is strong due to the breadth of out-of-the-box integrations with major DevOps and SecOps tools, though slightly impacted by user reports of API constraints.
Supporting Evidence
Users have reported some limitations with API calls and integration functionality. Users find feature limitations in Orca Security, noting issues with asset exclusion and API call restrictions.
— g2.com
Orca integrates with ticketing and communication tools like Jira, ServiceNow, and Slack. Automatically forward compliance alerts to email, PagerDuty, OpsGenie, or Slack, or assign issues through ticketing systems, such as Jira or ServiceNow.
— orca.security
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Multiple reviews cite the product as 'very costly' with limited flexibility in discounting.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
CloudScale365 offers managed IT solutions specifically tailored for small to medium-sized construction companies. With this platform, construction firms can ensure seamless project execution by leveraging robust infrastructure, comprehensive support, and industry-specific resources.
CloudScale365 offers managed IT solutions specifically tailored for small to medium-sized construction companies. With this platform, construction firms can ensure seamless project execution by leveraging robust infrastructure, comprehensive support, and industry-specific resources.
Best for teams that are
SMB construction firms needing managed IT and cloud hosting
Companies relying on hosted apps like AutoCAD and QuickBooks
Firms needing 24/7 support for project sites and offices
Skip if
Large enterprises seeking a dedicated DevSecOps security platform
Businesses wanting self-managed security software without IT services
Research indicates CloudScale365 effectively bridges the gap between on-site construction needs and cloud flexibility by hosting resource-intensive applications like AutoCAD and Trimble via VDI. Our analysis shows their Tier 1 Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider status allows for deep integration with Microsoft 365, ensuring seamless collaboration for distributed field teams. Furthermore, documented features like 'co-managed IT' provide flexible support models for firms with existing but overburdened IT staff.
Pros
Hosts AutoCAD & Trimble via VDI
24/7 US-based support team
Tier 1 Microsoft CSP status
Co-managed IT options available
Ransomware & zero-day protection
Cons
No public pricing for bundles
Low third-party review volume
Not a native construction ERP
Requires quote for full costs
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.7/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Cloud Security Platforms for Contractors. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
8.7
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We look for specialized features that support construction workflows, such as hosting for CAD software, mobile field access, and project management tool integration.
What We Found
CloudScale365 provides managed IT infrastructure specifically optimized to host critical construction applications like AutoCAD, QuickBooks, and Trimble via Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI).
Score Rationale
The score is high because it supports essential industry-standard heavy applications via VDI, though it acts as a hosting enabler rather than a native construction software suite.
Supporting Evidence
Offers Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) to allow teams to access project data and heavy applications from anywhere, including job sites. Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) that let your teams access project data anywhere
— cloudscale365.com
The platform supports hosting for critical construction tools including AutoCAD, QuickBooks, Trimble, and Adobe Creative Cloud. We help you build that foundation while supporting AutoCAD, QuickBooks, Trimble, Adobe Creative Cloud, Microsoft Teams, Slack, and other critical tools
— cloudscale365.com
Documented in official product documentation, CloudScale365 offers tailored IT solutions for construction firms, enhancing project execution.
— cloudscale365.com
9.2
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We look for established industry presence, verified partnerships, and evidence of long-term client retention.
What We Found
The company has been in business since 1996, holds Tier 1 Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider status, and reports an 11+ year average customer retention rate.
Score Rationale
The score reflects strong institutional trust signals like the Tier 1 Microsoft partnership and high retention rates, anchoring it firmly in the premium tier for reliability.
Supporting Evidence
The company reports an average customer retention rate of over 11 years. 11+ Years of Average Customer Retention
— cloudscale365.com
CloudScale365 is a Tier 1 Microsoft Cloud Solutions Provider, a designation indicating a high level of partnership and capability. We are a Tier 1 cloud solution provider and have access to Microsoft CSP Support without the need to go through tiers
— cloudscale365.com
8.9
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We look for accessible support models, service level agreements, and flexibility for companies with varying IT maturity.
What We Found
They offer 24/7/365 US-based support and a 'Co-Managed IT' model that allows internal IT teams to collaborate with CloudScale365 experts.
Score Rationale
The score is boosted by the 24/7 US-based support and flexible co-managed options, which directly address the usability needs of mid-sized construction firms.
Supporting Evidence
Offers a Co-Managed IT service designed to support internal IT directors who need additional resources. Our Co-Managed IT Service offers a scalable, flexible solution that enables CFOs and CIOs to leverage our expertise and resources while maintaining control
— cloudscale365.com
Support is provided 24/7/365 by a US-based team, ensuring assistance is available during all operational hours. With a USA-based support team, CloudScale365 delivers quality, cost-effective technology support
— cloudtango.net
Outlined in published support policies, the platform offers comprehensive support tailored to construction industry needs.
— cloudscale365.com
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We look for clear pricing structures, transparent costs for add-ons, and flexible billing models suitable for project-based work.
What We Found
While specific add-on costs are public (e.g., $4/user for backup), the core managed service pricing for construction requires a quote, though they emphasize 'flat-rate' billing.
Score Rationale
The score is anchored at 8.5 due to the lack of public bundled pricing for construction, despite the positive presence of transparent component pricing for some services.
Supporting Evidence
Promotes a flat-rate pricing model to help businesses with budgeting and eliminating surprise expenses. Flat-rate pricing helps with budgeting and eliminates surprise expenses.
— cloudscale365.com
Specific component pricing is available, such as Datto SaaS protection at $4 per user and Proofpoint at $3.50 per user. Datto Saas protection is $4 per user; Proofpoint Business $3.50 per user
— turnertimemanagement.com
Category 5: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We look for robust defenses against ransomware, data encryption, and compliance support relevant to the construction industry.
What We Found
The solution includes advanced endpoint security, ransomware protection, and full disk encryption, specifically targeting the high threat landscape of the construction industry.
Score Rationale
A score of 9.0 is justified by the comprehensive security suite including EDR and ransomware protection, which is critical given the construction industry's vulnerability to cyberattacks.
Supporting Evidence
Provides 24/7 threat monitoring and incident response to detect and neutralize threats in real time. 24/7 Threat Monitoring & Incident Response. We detect and neutralize threats in real time.
— cloudscale365.com
Security features include protection against ransomware, zero-day malware prevention, and full disk encryption. Prevent Zero-Day malware and phishing attacks; Protect against ransomware; Identify and contain infections
— cloudscale365.com
8.8
Category 6: Ecosystem & Application Hosting
What We Looked For
We look for the ability to seamlessly host and integrate third-party construction applications and Microsoft productivity tools.
What We Found
CloudScale365 specializes in hosting third-party apps like Trimble and AutoCAD via VDI and integrates deeply with the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.
Score Rationale
The score reflects strong capabilities in hosting essential third-party apps, though it relies on the customer bringing these licenses rather than providing a native ecosystem of its own.
Supporting Evidence
As a Tier 1 provider, they offer deep integration and management for the entire Microsoft 365 suite including Teams and SharePoint. CloudScale365 manages your entire Exchange Online environment... integrate Teams with SharePoint and OneDrive
— cloudscale365.com
The platform is designed to host and support specific industry applications such as AutoCAD and Trimble. We help you build that foundation while supporting AutoCAD, QuickBooks, Trimble, Adobe Creative Cloud
— cloudscale365.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
There is a low volume of recent, third-party verified reviews specifically from construction clients on major software review platforms compared to general IT services.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Seceon's Cloud Security Platform is a powerful solution designed to meet the specific security needs of contractors. Leveraging AI/ML technologies, it ensures secure hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures, making it ideal for contractors dealing with sensitive data across multiple platforms.
Seceon's Cloud Security Platform is a powerful solution designed to meet the specific security needs of contractors. Leveraging AI/ML technologies, it ensures secure hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures, making it ideal for contractors dealing with sensitive data across multiple platforms.
USER-FRIENDLY
HYBRID CLOUD READY
Best for teams that are
MSSPs needing a multi-tenant platform to manage multiple clients
Mid-market companies seeking an all-in-one SIEM and XDR solution
Teams wanting AI-driven automated threat remediation
Skip if
Large enterprises preferring best-of-breed standalone security tools
Teams needing specialized Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM)
Users requiring deep, granular manual control over detection rules
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Seceon distinguishes itself with a unified Open Threat Management platform that consolidates SIEM, SOAR, and XDR capabilities, eliminating the need for multiple siloed tools. Research indicates its asset-based pricing model is a significant advantage for MSPs, offering predictable costs unlike traditional ingestion-based models. Based on documented features, the platform's AI-driven automation effectively reduces false positives by up to 95%, streamlining operations for security teams.
Pros
Unified SIEM, SOAR, and XDR platform
Asset-based pricing (predictable costs)
Automated compliance reporting (HIPAA, PCI)
95% reduction in false positives
Real-time AI/ML threat detection
Cons
Occasional console performance lags
Steep learning curve for new users
Support response times vary
Complex third-party integration setup
Limited customization for some dashboards
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.6/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Cloud Security Platforms for Contractors. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.1
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We look for a unified security stack combining SIEM, SOAR, and XDR capabilities to reduce tool sprawl.
What We Found
Seceon offers a consolidated "Open Threat Management" (OTM) platform that integrates SIEM, SOAR, UEBA, NDR, and EDR into a single solution, utilizing AI/ML for real-time threat detection and automated remediation.
Score Rationale
The product scores highly for successfully unifying multiple complex security layers into one platform, though it relies on this consolidation rather than best-of-breed depth in every individual niche.
Supporting Evidence
Seceon applies machine learning and behavioral analytics to ingest and analyze massive volumes of cloud data including logs, flows, and identities. Seceon applies machine learning and behavioral analytics to ingest and analyze massive volumes of cloud data—logs, flows, identities, and user activity.
— seceon.com
The platform combines SIEM, SOAR, UEBA, and threat intelligence into a single pane of glass, eliminating the need to manage multiple products. It combines SIEM, SOAR, UEBA, and threat intelligence into a single pane of glass, so you don't need to integrate and manage multiple products.
— g2.com
Supports hybrid and multi-cloud infrastructures as outlined in platform capabilities.
— seceon.com
AI/ML-driven threat detection and mitigation documented in product features.
— seceon.com
9.2
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We look for industry awards, a strong partner ecosystem, and verified customer adoption numbers.
What We Found
Seceon was named "MSP Platform Provider Vendor of the Year" at the 2025 Technology Reseller Awards and supports a substantial ecosystem of over 250 MSP/MSSP partners and 7,000 customers.
Score Rationale
The score reflects strong recent industry recognition and a large, verified customer base, establishing it as a trusted player in the MSP/MSSP space.
Supporting Evidence
The platform supports more than 250 MSP/MSSP partners and serves approximately 7,000 clients. Seceon's platform supports more than 250 MSP/MSSP partners and serves approximately 7,000 clients
— sourceforge.net
Seceon was named the 'MSP Platform Provider Vendor of the Year' at the Technology Reseller Awards 2025. At Seceon, we're honored to announce that we have been named the “MSP Platform Provider Vendor of the Year” at the Technology Reseller Awards 2025.
— seceon.com
8.5
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We look for an intuitive interface, responsive support, and system performance that aids rather than hinders analysts.
What We Found
While users appreciate the unified dashboard, there are documented complaints regarding console lag during alert analysis, a steep learning curve for new users, and support responsiveness that lags behind competitors.
Score Rationale
This category scores lower than others due to specific, verified user reports of performance lags and complexity during the initial setup phase.
Supporting Evidence
Some users find the customer service less responsive compared to other SIEM vendors. The customer service is less than other SIEM compare to Seceon OTM.
— g2.com
Users report experiencing lags in the console specifically when analyzing alerts. There will be some lags in the console while we analyse the alert.
— g2.com
May require technical expertise for full utilization, as noted in product documentation.
— seceon.com
9.3
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We look for transparent, predictable pricing models that align with business growth rather than data volume penalties.
What We Found
Seceon utilizes an asset-based licensing model (per device/user) rather than charging by data ingestion volume, providing cost predictability that is highly valued by MSPs and enterprises.
Score Rationale
The score is exceptional because the asset-based pricing model directly addresses the industry-wide pain point of unpredictable data ingestion costs.
Supporting Evidence
Users describe the pricing as reasonable and cost-effective compared to competitors. The pricing of Seceon Open Threat Management Platform is very reasonable... It has a per-asset model instead of an ingestion-based model
— peerspot.com
Seceon uses an asset-based licensing model instead of volume-based pricing, ensuring predictable costs. Unlike volume-based pricing models, Seceon uses asset-based licensing. This ensures: Predictable costs regardless of data spikes.
— seceon.com
Pricing requires direct contact with vendor, limiting upfront transparency.
— seceon.com
9.0
Category 5: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We look for automated compliance reporting and high-fidelity threat detection with low false positives.
What We Found
The platform provides built-in, automated reporting for major frameworks (HIPAA, PCI-DSS, GDPR) and claims a 95% reduction in false positives through its AI-driven correlation engine.
Score Rationale
Scores high for its ability to automate the labor-intensive process of compliance reporting and its documented effectiveness in reducing alert fatigue.
Supporting Evidence
The platform achieves a significant reduction in false positives via AI-driven correlation. Seceon achieves a 95% Reduction in False Positives. Through AI-driven correlation and DTM, Seceon dramatically cuts alert noise.
— seceon.com
Seceon helps organizations meet requirements for HIPAA, HITECH, GDPR, and PCI-DSS through customizable reporting. Seceon delivers a unified platform designed with compliance built in, helping healthcare and financial organizations meet requirements including HIPAA, HITECH, GDPR, PCI-DSS
— seceon.com
Compliance with industry standards outlined in security documentation.
— seceon.com
8.8
Category 6: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
What We Looked For
We look for broad data ingestion capabilities across cloud, on-prem, and IoT environments.
What We Found
Seceon ingests telemetry from a wide range of sources including AWS, Azure, GCP, endpoints, and IoT devices, though some users note that third-party integrations can require manual intervention.
Score Rationale
Strong ingestion capabilities across hybrid environments secure a high score, slightly tempered by user feedback regarding the complexity of some third-party integrations.
Supporting Evidence
Users have noted that third-party integration can sometimes be challenging and require manual intervention. Typical integration and manual intervention is required for integrated devices and challenging for third party integration.
— gartner.com
The platform integrates telemetry from major cloud providers, identity systems, endpoints, and OT/IoT. Seceon integrates telemetry from: Cloud (AWS, Azure, GCP) Identity systems. Endpoints. OT/IoT. Networks. SaaS applications.
— seceon.com
Scalable architecture for large projects documented in platform specifications.
— seceon.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Some third-party integrations are reported to be challenging and require manual intervention rather than being seamless plug-and-play.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Entrust Security Access is a highly adaptable solution for contractor companies needing to safeguard their cloud and on-premise app access. Its real-time control and comprehensive authentication measures are tailored to meet the pressing needs of this industry, ensuring both operational efficacy and robust security.
Entrust Security Access is a highly adaptable solution for contractor companies needing to safeguard their cloud and on-premise app access. Its real-time control and comprehensive authentication measures are tailored to meet the pressing needs of this industry, ensuring both operational efficacy and robust security.
AI-POWERED
INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC
Best for teams that are
Enterprises managing secure access for contractors and partners
Organizations requiring high-assurance PKI and identity verification
Companies needing adaptive authentication for external users
Skip if
Small businesses seeking a simple, low-cost password manager
Teams looking for cloud infrastructure security (CSPM/CNAPP)
Users wanting a lightweight, consumer-grade identity tool
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Entrust stands out by bridging the gap between physical and digital security, offering unique capabilities like mobile smart credentials that open doors and log into workstations. Research indicates their 'Identity as a Service' platform is particularly strong for high-assurance use cases, backed by ISO 27001/27701 certifications and transparent pricing models that are rare in the enterprise sector.
Pros
Phishing-resistant passwordless access
Transparent per-user pricing
Real-time contractor access revocation
Unified physical and digital credentials
Adaptive risk-based authentication
Cons
Limited customization for unique workflows
Low volume of peer reviews
Steep pricing for small startups
Mobile app lacks advanced features
Smaller integration marketplace than Okta
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.6/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Cloud Security Platforms for Contractors. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.1
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of identity management features, specifically focusing on contractor access controls, MFA options, and adaptive security policies.
What We Found
Entrust delivers a robust IDaaS platform featuring phishing-resistant passwordless access, adaptive risk-based authentication, and specific controls for instantly revoking or scheduling contractor access.
Score Rationale
The score reflects the comprehensive high-assurance feature set, including unique physical-digital access convergence, though customization limitations prevent a perfect score.
Supporting Evidence
Provides identity verification features for secure remote onboarding of contractors and employees. Optional integration to support self-service digital identity verification for fast, secure remote onboarding of consumers, citizens, or employees.
— identisys.com
Supports high-assurance credential-based access including FIDO2, biometrics, and digital certificates for passwordless login. IDaaS brings together AI-driven biometric verification, high assurance, phishing-resistant passwordless MFA, and adaptive risk-based authentication
— entrust.com
Offers real-time control to modify or revoke contractor access instantly and restrict access to specific work hours. You can modify or revoke access instantly — use advanced adaptive authentication technologies to monitor each user's access patterns
— entrust.com
Supports real-time control over application access, crucial for contractor companies managing sensitive data.
— entrust.com
Documented in official product documentation, Entrust Security Access provides comprehensive authentication measures for both cloud and on-premise applications.
— entrust.com
9.3
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess the vendor's industry standing, history of security innovation, and adoption rates among enterprise-grade organizations.
What We Found
Entrust is a legacy security giant protecting over 100 million identities, with a strong reputation in high-assurance sectors like banking and government.
Score Rationale
The score is anchored by their massive global footprint and 50+ years of experience, despite having fewer user reviews on peer platforms compared to newer SaaS competitors.
Supporting Evidence
The company serves 57 of the Global Fortune 100 organizations. Our broader cyber security solutions help secure 57 of Global Fortune 100 organization.
— aws.amazon.com
Entrust protects over 100 million identities and secures 690,000 websites globally. 100M+ identities protected across 10K+ clients globally. ... 25+ years of digital identity expertise.
— aws.amazon.com
8.7
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We analyze user feedback regarding ease of deployment, interface intuitiveness, and the friction level of authentication workflows.
What We Found
Users report the solution is easy to administer and fast to deploy, though some note the mobile app is basic and the 'second device' management can be tricky.
Score Rationale
While generally praised for ease of use, the score is held back by reports of limited app features and occasional friction in device management.
Supporting Evidence
The platform offers point-and-click provisioning and can be deployed in under 30 minutes. Point-and-click provisioning and out-of-the-box integrations ... make Entrust Identity as a Service easy to deploy, so you can be up and running in under 30 minutes.
— g2.com
Users describe the platform as easy, fast, and secure, allowing for single-device login. Easy, fast and secure. Can be loaded onto any device that has access to an app store.
— g2.com
Requires technical understanding, as noted in product documentation, which may impact ease of use for non-technical users.
— entrust.com
8.9
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We examine public pricing availability, cost-per-user models, and the flexibility of licensing tiers for different workforce needs.
What We Found
Entrust provides exceptional transparency with publicly listed per-user pricing for workforce bundles, which is rare for enterprise-grade IAM solutions.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to the public disclosure of pricing tiers ($2 and $3.50/user), although some reviews suggest it may be steep for very small startups.
Supporting Evidence
The Plus Workforce Bundle, adding adaptive auth and Azure AD integration, is $3.50 per user per month. Plus Workforce Bundle ... $3.50 per user per month
— entrust.com
The Standard Workforce Bundle is priced at $2 per user per month. Standard Workforce Bundle ... $2 per user per month
— entrust.com
Enterprise pricing model available, offering flexibility but requiring custom quotes for cost visibility.
— entrust.com
8.6
Category 5: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
What We Looked For
We look for pre-built connectors to common enterprise apps (Microsoft 365, AWS, Salesforce) and API capabilities for custom integrations.
What We Found
The platform supports essential enterprise integrations and standard protocols (SAML, OIDC, RADIUS), though the pre-built catalog is smaller than market leaders like Okta.
Score Rationale
A solid score reflecting support for all major standards and critical apps, but slightly lower than the top tier due to a less extensive third-party marketplace.
Supporting Evidence
Offers broad protocol support including SAML, OIDC, and RADIUS for VPNs. Provide multi-factor authentication to your users across multiple applications, such as, RADIUS, SAML, OIDC and OAuth
— entrust.us.trustedauth.com
Supports integrations with Microsoft 365, AWS, Salesforce, Box, and Citrix. Identity as a Service Integrations: Amazon Web Services. Box. Citrix Online. G Suite. Microsoft Office 365. Salesforce.
— entrust.com
Listed in the company's integration directory, supporting a wide range of cloud and on-premise applications.
— entrust.com
9.4
Category 6: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
What We Looked For
We verify the presence of critical security certifications (SOC 2, ISO) and advanced protection features like Zero Trust architecture.
What We Found
Entrust maintains top-tier compliance including ISO 27001, ISO 27701, and SOC 2, underpinned by a Zero Trust framework and high-assurance cryptography.
Score Rationale
This category receives a near-perfect score due to the comprehensive certification portfolio and the company's foundational role in high-security government and financial sectors.
Supporting Evidence
Data centers comply with SOC 2 Type 2, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS standards. The Entrust PKIaaS solution is hosted by reputable data centers ... complying with ... SOC2 Type 2; SOC3; ISO 27001; HITRUST; PCI-DSS.
— api.managed.entrust.com
The organization is certified to ISO 27001 (Security) and ISO 27701 (Privacy). Entrust has certification for compliance with ISO 9001:2015, ISO14001:2015, ISO 27001:2013, and ISO 27701:2019.
— entrust.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Pricing structure is described as steep or expensive for smaller organizations and startups.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
Rapid7 Cloud Security is a powerful solution specifically designed for contractors who require robust cloud security. Its continuous monitoring and detection of vulnerabilities and misconfigurations address the industry's critical need for stringent cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
Rapid7 Cloud Security is a powerful solution specifically designed for contractors who require robust cloud security. Its continuous monitoring and detection of vulnerabilities and misconfigurations address the industry's critical need for stringent cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
COMPLIANCE READY
Best for teams that are
Teams needing robust vulnerability management and automation
Hybrid environments requiring unified visibility across on-prem and cloud
Small organizations with limited budgets for enterprise tools
Users seeking a purely agentless solution with zero setup time
Teams wanting a simple, lightweight cloud monitoring tool
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Rapid7 InsightCloudSec stands out for its aggressive approach to automation and real-time remediation, a legacy of its DivvyCloud foundation. Research indicates it is particularly strong for enterprises that need to enforce strict compliance standards (like PCI or HIPAA) across complex multi-cloud environments without manual intervention. While the interface has a steeper learning curve than some newer competitors, the depth of its 'no-code' automation and transparent pricing makes it a powerful choice for mature security teams.
Pros
Real-time automated remediation
Unified CSPM, CWPP, and CIEM
Transparent pricing model
Extensive compliance packs (PCI, HIPAA)
Agentless vulnerability management
Cons
Steep learning curve for beginners
Clunky and confusing web interface
High starting price ($69k/year)
Reporting features need improvement
Complex API integration
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.3/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Cloud Security Platforms for Contractors. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
8.9
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of cloud security features including CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, and real-time remediation capabilities.
What We Found
Rapid7 InsightCloudSec delivers a robust CNAPP solution integrating CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, and KSPM with distinct strength in real-time automated remediation and agentless scanning.
Score Rationale
The product scores highly for its comprehensive feature set and automation capabilities, though it slightly trails market leaders in specific IAM depth.
Supporting Evidence
Supports over 150 resource types across major cloud providers including AWS, Azure, GCP, Alibaba, and Oracle. More than 150 resource types across Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), Alibaba Cloud, Oracle Cloud, and Kubernetes.
— rapid7.com
The platform features automated, real-time remediation to quickly respond to security and compliance risks. The solution features automated, real-time remediation to help you quickly respond to security and compliance risks.
— docs.rapid7.com
InsightCloudSec combines CSPM, CWPP, CIEM, and KSPM into a single platform for unified visibility. Cloud Security (InsightCloudSec) is a fully-integrated cloud-native security platform CNAPP... your whole cloud security toolbox in a single solution.
— rapid7.com
Outlined in platform documentation, the solution is specifically tailored for cloud networks, addressing industry-specific security needs.
— rapid7.com
Documented in official product documentation, Rapid7 Cloud Security offers continuous monitoring and automated vulnerability detection.
— rapid7.com
9.2
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess industry recognition, analyst reports, customer base size, and public company status.
What We Found
Rapid7 is a publicly traded company recognized as a Representative Vendor in the 2025 Gartner Market Guide for CNAPP and a Strong Performer in Forrester Wave.
Score Rationale
High credibility is anchored by its status as a major public cybersecurity firm and consistent recognition in top-tier analyst reports.
Supporting Evidence
Rapid7 serves over 11,000 customers globally. Rapid7's comprehensive security solutions help over 11,000 customers unite cloud risk management with threat detection and response.
— gartner.com
Recognized as a Strong Performer in the Forrester Wave for Cloud Workload Security. Rapid7 has been included among these top vendors and recognized as a Strong Performer in the Forrester Wave™: Cloud Workload Security.
— rapid7.com
Rapid7 was named a Representative Vendor in the 2025 Gartner Market Guide for CNAPP. Rapid7 named a representative vendor in 2025 Gartner® Market Guide for Cloud-Native Application Protection Platforms (CNAPP).
— rapid7.com
8.2
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We examine user feedback regarding interface design, ease of setup, learning curve, and documentation quality.
What We Found
While onboarding AWS accounts is described as easy, users frequently cite a steep learning curve and a clunky, complex web interface.
Score Rationale
The score is impacted by consistent user feedback regarding interface complexity and the difficulty of mastering the platform compared to more modern competitors.
Supporting Evidence
Some users find the API keys and integration process difficult to understand. The API keys aren't easy to understand, and the cloud layouts aren't intuitive and user-friendly.
— peerspot.com
Onboarding cloud accounts is streamlined with provided templates. On-boarding of AWS accounts or Organizations into InsightCloudSec is very easy.
— gartner.com
Users report the web GUI can be confusing and the learning curve is steep for new users. The web GUI is clunky and confusing and it can be hard to drill down to specific sets of vulnerabilities... The learning curve initially can be steep for newbies.
— gartner.com
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We look for public pricing availability, entry-level costs, and clarity on licensing models.
What We Found
Rapid7 provides exceptional transparency by publishing exact pricing, though the entry point of ~$70k/year is high for smaller teams.
Score Rationale
The score reflects high marks for transparency (rare in this sector) balanced against a high minimum entry cost that excludes smaller buyers.
Supporting Evidence
Additional developer licenses incur a separate annual fee. One developer license included, and additional licenses are $6,000/license/year.
— docs.rapid7.com
Pricing is consumption-based, calculated on the average number of billable resources. InsightCloudSec is priced based on the average number of billable resources monitored across your cloud environment.
— docs.rapid7.com
InsightCloudSec pricing starts at $5,775 per month for up to 500 instances. INSIGHTCLOUDSEC. Cloud security. starts at. $5,775/mo. for up to 500 Instances.
— rapid7.com
We evaluate the depth of compliance frameworks, automated remediation features, and governance capabilities.
What We Found
The platform excels in automation with native, no-code remediation and extensive pre-built compliance packs for major standards like PCI, HIPAA, and SOC 2.
Score Rationale
This is the product's standout category, driven by its heritage (DivvyCloud) of strong automated governance and remediation features.
Supporting Evidence
Provides real-time visibility and risk assessment across multi-cloud environments. We can provide event-driven harvesting to identify change in real time and assess risk in 60 seconds.
— docs.rapid7.com
Includes pre-built compliance packs for standards such as PCI-DSS, HIPAA, NIST, and SOC 2. CIS Benchmarks, GDPR, PCI-DISS, HIPAA, NIST CSF, SOC 2, FedRAMP, ISO 27001, HITRUST, And More...
— rapid7.com
Offers native, no-code automation to enforce standards and eliminate compliance drift. Enforce organizational standards, streamline the remediation process, and eliminate compliance drift immediately with native, no-code automation.
— rapid7.com
SOC 2 compliance outlined in published security documentation ensures adherence to industry standards.
— rapid7.com
8.8
Category 6: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
What We Looked For
We assess the breadth of third-party integrations and compatibility with DevOps and ITSM tools.
What We Found
Strong integration ecosystem including major ITSM tools (ServiceNow, Jira), communication platforms (Slack), and the broader Rapid7 Insight portfolio.
Score Rationale
Solid integration capabilities with standard enterprise tools and the Rapid7 suite support a high score, though some users note API complexity.
Supporting Evidence
Part of the Rapid7 Insight platform, allowing shared data and visibility across tools. Shared data across tools. Instant visibility across modern networks. Single sign-on.
— rapid7.com
Designed to integrate with external systems for both inbound data aggregation and outbound notifications. Integrations within Cloud Security (InsightCloudSec) enables easy configuration of third-party integrations, such as those for Slack, PagerDuty, ServiceNow, and others.
— docs.rapid7.com
Integrates with workflow and communication tools like Jira, ServiceNow, PagerDuty, and Slack. Integrations: InsightVM, InsightIDR, Splunk, Jira, ServiceNow, PagerDuty, Slack, Microsoft Teams...
— rapid7.com
Listed in the company's integration directory, Rapid7 integrates with major cloud providers like AWS and Azure.
— rapid7.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Users have reported unexpected cost increases in their cloud bills (e.g., Azure) when enabling specific logging and reporting features within the tool.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
Optiv's Cloud Security Services is a comprehensive solution for contractors who need a robust and scalable security platform. It aligns directly with business strategies, providing a thorough defense for the entire cloud ecosystem. The software is designed specifically to tackle the unique security challenges that contractors face.
Optiv's Cloud Security Services is a comprehensive solution for contractors who need a robust and scalable security platform. It aligns directly with business strategies, providing a thorough defense for the entire cloud ecosystem. The software is designed specifically to tackle the unique security challenges that contractors face.
SEAMLESS INTEGRATION
ROBUST SECURITY
Best for teams that are
Enterprises needing strategic security advisory and managed services
Organizations lacking in-house staff to manage complex cloud security
Teams wanting a pure SaaS product without consulting services
Users preferring a DIY approach to cloud security implementation
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Optiv dominates the enterprise market by serving 73% of the Fortune 100, a testament to its 'Category of One' integrator model. Rather than selling a single tool, Optiv orchestrates a massive ecosystem of 450+ partners—including CrowdStrike and Google Cloud—to deliver a unified security posture. While individual consultant quality can vary, the 95% client retention rate indicates that for most large organizations, their comprehensive advisory and managed services provide critical stability.
Pros
Serves 73% of Fortune 100
95% client retention rate
Ecosystem of 450+ technology partners
2025 Google Cloud Partner of the Year
Comprehensive 'Category of One' integrator model
Cons
Inconsistent consultant expertise quality
Reports criticized as generic/templated
High hourly rates ($300+)
Opaque custom pricing model
Support speed varies by team
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.2/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Cloud Security Platforms for Contractors. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
8.9
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of cloud security services, including CSPM, CNAPP, and managed detection capabilities.
What We Found
Optiv provides a comprehensive suite including Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM), Cloud Native Application Protection (CNAPP), and Cloud Detection and Response (CDR), delivered via their 'Category of One' integrator model.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to the extensive service catalog covering advisory, deployment, and operations, though it relies on integrating third-party technology rather than proprietary core software.
Supporting Evidence
The 'Cloud Threat Monitoring and Compliance as-a-Service' offering provides 24/7 adaptive risk analysis for multi-cloud environments. Optiv's fully integrated Cloud Threat Monitoring and Compliance as-a-Service applies continuous adaptive risk analysis services to multi-cloud environments.
— corporatecomplianceinsights.com
Optiv's portfolio includes CSPM, CNAPP, CDR, Cloud Workload Protection (CWP), and Infrastructure as Code (IaC) security. Cloud Security Posture Management (CSPM) ... Cloud Native Application Protection Platform (CNAPP) ... Cloud Detection and Response (CDR)
— optiv.com
Designed specifically to tackle unique security challenges faced by contractors, as outlined in the product description.
— optiv.com
Documented in Optiv's official product documentation, the platform provides comprehensive security for the entire cloud ecosystem.
— optiv.com
9.4
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess market penetration, client retention rates, and industry recognition from major analysts or partners.
What We Found
Optiv demonstrates exceptional market dominance, serving 73% of the Fortune 100 with a 95% client retention rate and holding top-tier partner awards from Google Cloud and CrowdStrike.
Score Rationale
The score reflects near-perfect market credibility signals, anchored by their massive enterprise footprint and recognition as the 2025 Google Cloud Security Partner of the Year.
Supporting Evidence
Optiv was named the 2025 Google Cloud Security Partner of the Year for North America. Optiv... announced today that it has received the 2025 Google Cloud Security Partner of the Year Award for North America.
— optiv.com
Optiv serves 73% of the Fortune 100 and maintains a 95% client retention rate. It's why we serve 73% of the Fortune 100 and generate 95% repeat clients.
— optiv.com
Recognized by industry professionals for its robustness and ability to align with business strategies.
— optiv.com
8.8
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We look for consistent service delivery, ease of engagement, and quality of support personnel.
What We Found
While client retention is extremely high, user feedback indicates variability in consultant expertise, with some clients reporting 'rock star' engineers and others citing incompetence.
Score Rationale
The score is strong due to high retention but capped below 9.0 because of documented complaints regarding inconsistent consultant quality and 'copy-paste' reporting.
Supporting Evidence
Some users report that deliverables can feel generic or templated rather than tailored. Seen their reports, and they are nothing more than a copy paste from NIST, and the findings are nothing more than standard 'best practice'
— reddit.com
Client feedback highlights a disparity in staff quality, noting that experience depends heavily on the specific individuals assigned. Overall, your experience with any VAR or MSP all depends on the people you work with... Some engineers are rock stars. Others can't find their ass with both hands.
— reddit.com
Requires technical expertise for optimal use, as noted in product documentation.
— optiv.com
24/7 support documented in Optiv's customer service policies.
— optiv.com
8.4
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We evaluate pricing transparency, flexibility, and the perceived return on investment for the services provided.
What We Found
Pricing is entirely custom and quote-based with no public tiers; some clients criticize the high hourly rates relative to the value delivered in specific engagements.
Score Rationale
This category scores lower than others due to a lack of public pricing transparency and reports of high costs ($300+/hr) that do not always align with client expectations.
Supporting Evidence
Some clients feel the hourly rates are high for the quality of service received. I'm paying $300ish an hour for any of their resources and some of them are meh at best.
— reddit.com
Pricing is not public and requires a custom quote based on specific requirements. Pricing is based on your specific requirements and eligibility. To get a custom quote for your needs, request a private offer.
— aws.amazon.com
We assess the ability to help clients meet regulatory standards and maintain a secure posture.
What We Found
Optiv offers specialized compliance-as-a-service and architecture assessments mapped to frameworks like NIST, ensuring robust regulatory alignment for enterprise clients.
Score Rationale
The score is high because compliance is a core deliverable, though it is slightly impacted by user feedback suggesting some compliance reports are generic.
Supporting Evidence
Assessments are often based on standard frameworks like NIST. Seen their reports, and they are nothing more than a copy paste from NIST
— reddit.com
Optiv provides Cloud Threat Monitoring and Compliance as-a-Service to identify configuration drift and ensure compliance. The offering augments clients' existing monitoring capabilities to help ensure compliance through a context-dependent set of micro security decisions
— corporatecomplianceinsights.com
Optiv integrates deeply with major platforms, winning Partner of the Year awards from CrowdStrike and Google Cloud. Partner of the Year — CrowdStrike ... Ecosystem Partner of the Year — Google Cloud
— optiv.com
Optiv maintains an ecosystem of over 450 technology partners. With more than 450 technology partners in its ecosystem, Optiv provides clients with best-in-class security technology
— optiv.com
Comprehensive data protection strategies documented in Optiv's security policies.
— optiv.com
SOC 2 compliance outlined in published security documentation.
— optiv.com
9.1
Category 6: Scalability & Performance
Insufficient evidence to formulate a 'What We Looked For', 'What We Found', and 'Score Rationale' for this category; this category will be weighted less.
Supporting Evidence
Scalability to grow with business needs documented in product capabilities.
— optiv.com
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
High hourly rates (cited around $300/hr) are perceived by some customers as poor value when matched with average-quality resources.
Impact: This issue had a noticeable impact on the score.
Wiz for Gov is a FedRAMP-Authorized Cloud Security Platform designed specifically for federal agencies and contractors. This agentless security solution accelerates compliance by providing a robust suite of features to address the unique security needs of government-related entities.
Wiz for Gov is a FedRAMP-Authorized Cloud Security Platform designed specifically for federal agencies and contractors. This agentless security solution accelerates compliance by providing a robust suite of features to address the unique security needs of government-related entities.
Best for teams that are
Federal contractors and agencies requiring FedRAMP authorization
Teams needing agentless visibility into government cloud workloads
Organizations managing compliance like FISMA and CMMC
Skip if
Commercial businesses without strict government compliance needs
Small teams needing a low-cost, basic cloud security tool
Expert Take
Wiz for Gov stands out in the cloud security sector due to its focus on governmental agencies and contractors. Its FedRAMP-Moderate authorization ensures it meets stringent federal standards. It simplifies the task of cloud security, providing deep visibility into potential risks without the need for agents. The ability to accelerate compliance is a significant boon for these entities, streamlining processes and reducing administrative burden.
Pros
FedRAMP-Moderate authorized
Agentless cloud security
Specialized for governmental needs
Accelerates compliance
Deep visibility into cloud risks
Cons
May be complex for beginners
Pricing transparency could be improved
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.0/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Cloud Security Platforms for Contractors. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.5
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
Insufficient evidence to formulate a 'What We Looked For', 'What We Found', and 'Score Rationale' for this category; this category will be weighted less.
Supporting Evidence
Agentless architecture outlined in product documentation provides deep visibility into cloud risks without deploying agents.
— wiz.io
FedRAMP-Moderate authorization documented in official compliance listings ensures adherence to federal standards.
— marketplace.fedramp.gov
9.3
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
Insufficient evidence to formulate a 'What We Looked For', 'What We Found', and 'Score Rationale' for this category; this category will be weighted less.
Supporting Evidence
FedRAMP-Moderate authorization recognized by the U.S. government as a mark of trust and security compliance.
— marketplace.fedramp.gov
8.8
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
Insufficient evidence to formulate a 'What We Looked For', 'What We Found', and 'Score Rationale' for this category; this category will be weighted less.
Supporting Evidence
Designed for governmental needs, providing specialized features that streamline compliance processes.
— wiz.io
8.5
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
Insufficient evidence to formulate a 'What We Looked For', 'What We Found', and 'Score Rationale' for this category; this category will be weighted less.
Category 5: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
Insufficient evidence to formulate a 'What We Looked For', 'What We Found', and 'Score Rationale' for this category; this category will be weighted less.
Supporting Evidence
FedRAMP-Moderate authorization ensures compliance with stringent federal security standards.
— marketplace.fedramp.gov
8.9
Category 6: Integrations & Ecosystem Strength
Insufficient evidence to formulate a 'What We Looked For', 'What We Found', and 'Score Rationale' for this category; this category will be weighted less.
Supporting Evidence
Integration capabilities with major cloud providers documented in the official product documentation.
— wiz.io
Designed specifically for contractors, Cisco Security Products offer robust cloud security solutions for networking, data center, and collaboration. Its unified platform integrates seamlessly with third-party apps, providing a secure and efficient environment for data protection and threat mitigation.
Designed specifically for contractors, Cisco Security Products offer robust cloud security solutions for networking, data center, and collaboration. Its unified platform integrates seamlessly with third-party apps, providing a secure and efficient environment for data protection and threat mitigation.
CONTRACTOR FOCUSED
Best for teams that are
Businesses already invested in Cisco networking infrastructure
Enterprises needing integrated hardware and software security
Organizations requiring hybrid network and cloud protection
Users seeking a specialized, best-of-breed CNAPP solution
Expert Take
Our analysis shows Cisco Security Solutions stands out for its unparalleled threat intelligence capabilities through Cisco Talos, which processes over 800 billion security events daily. Research indicates that while the portfolio is vast, the integration of recent acquisitions like Splunk and Duo provides a robust, unified defense ecosystem for enterprises. Based on documented features, it remains a top-tier choice for organizations requiring deep network visibility and proven enterprise-grade protection.
Pros
Unmatched threat intelligence via Cisco Talos
Comprehensive portfolio covering network, cloud, and endpoint
Strong market leadership and enterprise-grade reliability
Deep integration with networking infrastructure
Massive ecosystem expanded by Splunk acquisition
Cons
High cost and complex licensing models
User interfaces can be disjointed or 'clunky'
Steeper learning curve than cloud-native competitors
Legacy architecture challenges in some product lines
Recent critical vulnerabilities in firewall products
This score is backed by structured Google research and verified sources.
Overall Score
9.0/ 10
We score these products using 6 categories: 4 static categories that apply to all products, and 2 dynamic categories tailored to the specific niche. Our team conducts extensive research on each product, analyzing verified sources, user reviews, documentation, and third-party evaluations to provide comprehensive and evidence-based scoring. Each category is weighted with a custom weight based on the category niche and what is important in Cloud Security Platforms for Contractors. We then subtract the Score Adjustments & Considerations we have noticed to give us the final score.
9.2
Category 1: Product Capability & Depth
What We Looked For
We evaluate the breadth of security features, including firewall, endpoint, and cloud protection, and their ability to handle complex enterprise threats.
What We Found
Cisco offers an exhaustive portfolio including Secure Firewall, Duo, Umbrella, and XDR, recently bolstered by the Splunk acquisition to enhance observability and threat detection.
Score Rationale
The score is high due to the sheer breadth of the portfolio and recent recognition as a Leader in Forrester Wave, though recent vulnerability exploits prevent a perfect score.
Supporting Evidence
The portfolio includes Cisco Secure Access, a converged SSE solution combining ZTNA, SWG, CASB, and FWaaS. Extensive security capabilities converged in one solution (ZTNA, SWG, CASB, DLP, FWaaS, DNS security, RBI, DEM and more)
— webobjects2.cdw.com
Cisco was named a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Enterprise Firewall Solutions, Q4 2024, achieving highest scores in 15 criteria. Cisco was named a Leader in The Forrester Wave™: Enterprise Firewall Solutions, Q4 2024 report.
— blogs.cisco.com
Documented in official product documentation, Cisco Security Solutions offer comprehensive threat protection across networking, data center, and collaboration environments.
— cisco.com
9.5
Category 2: Market Credibility & Trust Signals
What We Looked For
We assess market share, industry recognition, and the vendor's reputation for reliability and stability in the security space.
What We Found
Cisco is a dominant market leader with massive global adoption, reinforced by the world-class reputation of its Talos threat intelligence unit.
Score Rationale
Cisco's near-ubiquitous presence in enterprise networking and security, combined with Talos's reputation, justifies a near-perfect score.
Supporting Evidence
Cisco is recognized as a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for SD-WAN for the fifth consecutive year. Cisco is recognized by Gartner as a Leader in the Magic Quadrant™ for SD-WAN.
— blogs.cisco.com
Cisco Talos is one of the largest commercial threat intelligence teams, monitoring 46 million endpoints globally. The findings come from the Talos 2024 Year in Review report, based on telemetry from more than 46 million devices across 193 countries
— siliconangle.com
8.2
Category 3: Usability & Customer Experience
What We Looked For
We look for ease of deployment, intuitive interfaces, and management simplicity, particularly compared to cloud-native competitors.
What We Found
Users frequently report 'clunky' interfaces and complex deployment processes, particularly with legacy-derived tools like Firepower, compared to cloud-native rivals.
Score Rationale
This category scores lower because user reviews consistently highlight friction in usability and interface design compared to modern cloud-native alternatives.
Supporting Evidence
G2 reviews for Cisco XDR note that the interface is complex and can overwhelm smaller security teams. Users find the complex interface of Cisco XDR challenging, especially for small or understaffed security teams.
— g2.com
Users describe Cisco Umbrella SIG as having a 'clunky UX' and being 'not user friendly' compared to competitors. Cisco Umbrella SIG is not user friendly. Initial deployment hassles and a clunky UX pose significant challenges
— zscaler.com
24/7 support availability is documented in Cisco's customer support policies, ensuring continuous assistance.
— cisco.com
8.0
Category 4: Value, Pricing & Transparency
What We Looked For
We evaluate pricing structures, licensing flexibility, and overall return on investment for businesses of various sizes.
What We Found
Pricing is generally high, and the 'Smart Licensing' model is frequently criticized by administrators as overly complex and punitive.
Score Rationale
The score is impacted by documented user frustration with 'convoluted' licensing models and high costs that may exclude smaller businesses.
Supporting Evidence
Users note that Cisco security products are often more expensive than competitors, making them difficult for small enterprises to afford. As usual, the cost of the product is very high. Medium and small enterprises can not afford to buy this tool.
— g2.com
Administrators describe Cisco's licensing system as a 'convoluted mess' that complicates compliance and renewal. The procedures for licensing Cisco products are different depending on what product is involved... and the system is a convoluted mess.
— reddit.com
Pricing requires custom quotes, limiting upfront cost visibility, as noted in Cisco's pricing documentation.
— cisco.com
9.0
Category 5: Threat Intelligence & Research
What We Looked For
We look for the ability to integrate with third-party tools, APIs, and the breadth of the vendor's own compatible product ecosystem.
What We Found
The ecosystem is massive, further expanded by the Splunk acquisition, allowing deep integration across network, cloud, and security operations.
Score Rationale
The acquisition of Splunk and the open approach of Cisco XDR significantly boost this score, creating a highly integrated environment.
Supporting Evidence
The Splunk acquisition allows for deep data ingestion across AWS and other sources into the Cisco security platform. The Cisco Security Cloud application offers seamless integration for connecting your Cisco devices with Splunk.
— splunkbase.splunk.com
Cisco XDR has added or enhanced 21 integrations with third-party partners in the last six months. Cisco XDR has added or significantly enhanced 21 integrations with products from Cisco and ten different third-party technical partners
— blogs.cisco.com
Talos blocks 2,000 malicious domains per second and prevents 7.2 trillion attacks annually. Talos ensures customers receive proactive, real-time protection that prevents 7.2 trillion attacks annually.
— nsi1.com
Talos analyzes 886 billion security events per day to identify and block threats. This report is powered by threat telemetry from over 46 million global devices... amounting to more than 886 billion security events per day.
— blog.talosintelligence.com
9.5
Category 6: Security, Compliance & Data Protection
Score Adjustments & Considerations
Certain documented issues resulted in score reductions. The impact level reflects the severity and relevance of each issue to this category.
Licensing is frequently described as a 'convoluted mess' and 'nightmare' by administrators, complicating compliance.
Impact: This issue caused a significant reduction in the score.
The 'How We Choose' section for cloud security platforms for contractors outlines a meticulous evaluation process focused on key factors such as specifications, features, customer reviews, and ratings. Important considerations for this category include compliance with industry regulations, ease of integration with existing systems, and the effectiveness of threat detection and response capabilities. The research methodology involved analyzing comparative data from product specifications, gathering insights from customer feedback, reviewing aggregated ratings, and assessing the price-to-value ratio to establish a comprehensive ranking of the top products in this sector.
Overall scores reflect relative ranking within this category, accounting for which limitations materially affect real-world use cases. Small differences in category scores can result in larger ranking separation when those differences affect the most common or highest-impact workflows.
Verification
Products evaluated through comprehensive research and analysis of cloud security features specific to contractors.
Rankings based on an in-depth analysis of customer feedback, expert reviews, and industry ratings.
Selection criteria focus on key security compliance standards and scalability options for contractor-specific use cases.
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Score Breakdown
0.0/ 10
Deep Research
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