Imperva SecureSphere Database Security and IBM Security Guardium Data Protection compete in the database security category, offering comprehensive protection features. Imperva seems to have an advantage in ease of deployment and strong database activity monitoring, while IBM Guardium shines with its heterogeneous environment support and integration capabilities.
Features: Imperva SecureSphere offers a robust web application firewall, detailed security alerts, and rich database activity monitoring that enhances compliance and security by auditing logs and blocking unauthorized connections. Users highlight ease of deployment and a rich set of default policies as additional strengths. IBM Guardium provides powerful database activity monitoring across various environments, robust integration capabilities, and focuses significantly on vulnerability assessments. It supports heterogeneous data systems, making it suitable for larger enterprises requiring extensive monitoring tools.
Room for Improvement: Imperva SecureSphere could enhance its user experience by improving the user interface, optimizing the GUI, and expanding local support. Further, integration between cloud and on-premises tools could be more seamless. In contrast, IBM Guardium would benefit from stronger support and better performance under heavy loads, along with streamlined reporting and enhanced automation, scalability, and predictive analytics capabilities. Both products face challenges with user-friendliness and integration.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Imperva SecureSphere generally provides a straightforward deployment process in both on-premises and cloud environments, although users have expressed a desire for easier integrations. While its customer service is responsive, quality can vary. IBM Guardium supports a hybrid deployment model but is often viewed as complex, with users noting less favorable support experiences. While IBM offers broad support options, setup complexity and delayed response times are noted as challenges.
Pricing and ROI: Imperva SecureSphere is considered a high-cost solution, justified by its features and security capabilities, offering good ROI for large enterprises but less feasible pricing for small to medium businesses. Licensing is somewhat flexible, with subscription plan options. IBM Guardium, although seen as costly, provides value for enterprises with substantial database activity needs. Its licensing model, now simplified to server counts, is still seen as expensive by some organizations. Both solutions report positive ROI, particularly in compliance and security.
