We use Imperva Data Security for API security and to protect data from various threats. It plays a crucial role in application security, bot protection, and safeguarding our database. It is used for both application and database security, leveraging machine learning for automation and providing flexible implementation options.
BDM at a comms service provider with 51-200 employees
Enhanced data and application security with advanced automation features
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features include a great level of automation, machine learning for attack validation, and a very flexible and comfortable management console."
- "One area for improvement is the inclusion of a load balancer in on-premises solutions."
What is our primary use case?
How has it helped my organization?
Imperva Data Security has significantly advanced our database and application security, automated many processes, and reduced the human error risk. It offers a stable, scalable solution that simplifies management and enhances data and application protection. Our clients have experienced improved API security and overall data threat protection.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features include a great level of automation, machine learning for attack validation, and a very flexible and comfortable management console. It is very useful for both application and data security. Additionally, it has the nearest false positive rate, ensuring that good traffic is not blocked while protecting against attacks.
What needs improvement?
One area for improvement is the inclusion of a load balancer in on-premises solutions. Some customers have found the pricing to be high, although the subscription model has made it more flexible. Also, better integration of load balancers for application security could be an added advantage.
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For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Imperva Data Security to distribute and manage database and application security for approximately ten years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable. We have had no issues with the hardware devices breaking down, indicating its robustness and reliability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Imperva Data Security offers excellent scalability. It is very flexible and can handle different sizes and requirements efficiently, scaling from smaller implementations to larger, more complex deployments.
How are customer service and support?
Customer support from Imperva is very good, rated nine to ten points. They provide first-line support for the Russian-speaking region and a big team of security experts who are available twenty-four-seven to assist customers.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We have knowledge of IBM Guardium but are primarily focused on Imperva Data Security. Other solutions do not offer the comprehensive functionality that Imperva Data Security provides.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Imperva Data Security is generally straightforward but may take some effort. For most deployments, it takes about one to two weeks, with involvement from various departments to tune and switch the traffic.
What about the implementation team?
Implementation is usually managed internally, with two engineers supporting all solutions in countries with hundreds of installations. Assistant by partner firms is also commonplace based on customer requirements.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
Pricing can be considered high by some customers, but the subscription model helps in making it more flexible. Imperva offers value for its price because it invests significantly in research and development.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
IBM Guardium is a competitor, particularly for data activity monitoring and Data Security. However, it doesn't match the comprehensive functionality of Imperva Data Security.
What other advice do I have?
The solution scales very flexibly and is generally easy to maintain. It is a very automated system, making it less complex to manage. The reporting and compliance tools are very powerful and flexible. The solution's stability and reliability are exceptional.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller
DBA at a manufacturing company with 10,001+ employees
Serves as a data lake for database activity and helps to centralize and normalize data
Pros and Cons
- "It allows us to run models against it and do reports against it without understanding the different database technologies."
- "It can be simplified as it is a little complicated."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case for the solution is as a data lake for database activity, so it centralizes and normalizes all the data.
What is most valuable?
All the data in different databases and activities are centralized and normalized, making reporting easy. Additionally, it allows us to run models against it and do reports against it without understanding the different database technologies. We find all these features and capabilities valuable.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using the solution for approximately three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable, but currently, we only have three people supporting the entire platform for maintenance which is not ideal.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I cannot comment on scalability as we are yet to scale and have not had issues with it. Approximately 100 different users on application teams are utilizing the solution for database activities, audit-related data and reports.
How are customer service and support?
We have had a good experience with technical support, and we don't have any complaints. We have contacted them through IBM because they're the reseller and also directly. The technical support team is solid.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward. I rate it a nine out of ten.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I cannot comment on the overall pricing of the solution because we purchased it through IBM, but IBM is quite expensive, so we are considering moving to another solution.
What other advice do I have?
I rate the solution an eight out of ten. It can be simplified as it is a little complicated. However, it has a lot of flexibility and capability. My advice to users considering the solution is to look at their requirements and see if they align with their needs. Ensure that some use cases are tested on the solution before purchasing because it is important to ensure the monitoring works.
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Buyer's Guide
Imperva Data Security Fabric
August 2026
Learn what your peers think about Imperva Data Security Fabric. Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: August 2026.
908,834 professionals have used our research since 2012.
CEO at CyberApp
Beneficial enrichment security policy, good support, and suitable for all business sizes
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable features of Imperva SecureSphere Database Security are vulnerability assessment, enrichment security policy, and security."
- "Imperva SecureSphere Database Security can improve something in all the versions I have used."
What is our primary use case?
We are using Imperva SecureSphere Database Security for database protection.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable features of Imperva SecureSphere Database Security are vulnerability assessment, enrichment security policy, and security
What needs improvement?
Imperva SecureSphere Database Security can improve something in all the versions I have used.
In an upcoming release, there should be a more simplistic way to learn the policy. The security policies can be complex, you need to know the attacks in order to give the portal a security policy. They should be more user-friendly to a level you do not need an expert.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Imperva SecureSphere Database Security for approximately 10 years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Imperva SecureSphere Database Security is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
Imperva SecureSphere Database Security is suitable for small, medium, and enterprise companies.
How are customer service and support?
The support of Imperva SecureSphere Database Security has good support.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup of Imperva SecureSphere Database Security is straightforward if you have the experience. If you are able to configure the solution well it can be implemented in one day.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The price of the solution is reasonable. The cost of the solution depends on the customer, they have the flex protect licensing which can vary in price.
What other advice do I have?
My advice to others is before they go and implement a database security device, you need to know exactly what you need. You need to do the right review on your network and see what is the case study that you will need in order to protect the database in the best way.
I rate Imperva SecureSphere Database Security a nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Partner
Cyber Security Engineer at Isolutions Associates Ltd (ISOLS)
Has an efficient real-time alert functionality and a valuable data masking capability
Pros and Cons
- "The solution provides significant benefits such as compliance and security. Its data risk analytics tool helps reduce numerous events to more manageable incidents."
- "The platform doesn’t support some newer databases."
How has it helped my organization?
The solution provides significant benefits such as compliance and security. Its data risk analytics tool helps reduce numerous events to more manageable incidents.
What is most valuable?
The product's most valuable features are PPA auditing and database assessments. It has an efficient real-time alert functionality as well.
What needs improvement?
The platform doesn’t support some newer databases, such as Oracle on Ubuntu or databases running on Gatsby. Coverage for certain banking databases, like T24, needs enhancement as well.
Additionally, its encryption capabilities need improvement.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using Imperva SecureSphere Database Security for four years.
How are customer service and support?
The technical support services could improve in terms of response times. It often takes too long to get issues resolved. They could provide live support sessions as well.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The pricing is reasonable and competitive. It is affordable for most enterprises, although costs can vary depending on the modules. There are additional costs for support services.
What other advice do I have?
The solution's data masking feature is excellent and works very well. It effectively supports compliance needs. It has improved visibility and real-time alerting, making it easier to identify and respond to malicious activity.
It uses database profiling to learn normal behavior and detect anomalies. It creates a baseline for detecting unusual activities.
The interface has remained the same for years, and an update would be beneficial.
I rate it a nine out of ten.
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Reseller
Security Engineer at Globus Bank
Comes with flexible and affordable pricing that suits small and medium enterprises
Pros and Cons
- "The tool's pricing is flexible and affordable for small and medium enterprises."
- "I have worked with IBM before, and I prefer its ease of deployment and management. Imperva SecureSphere Database Security has tricky deployment, whereas IBM's deployment is straightforward because of the UI."
What needs improvement?
I have worked with IBM before, and I prefer its ease of deployment and management. Imperva SecureSphere Database Security has tricky deployment, whereas IBM's deployment is straightforward because of the UI.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using the solution for three years.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The tool's pricing is flexible and affordable for small and medium enterprises.
What other advice do I have?
I rate the product an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Technical Director at a consultancy with 11-50 employees
Comprehensive database security solution and easy initial setup process
Pros and Cons
- "We use it for database security, vulnerability analysis, discovery, and handling requests from applications and users."
- "Improvements can be made in data enrichment and enhancing the GUI (Graphical User Interface) for a better user experience."
What is our primary use case?
We are system integrators, so we mostly work on implementing projects. We don't handle maintenance or administration. Our focus is on implementation.
We use it for database security, vulnerability analysis, discovery, and handling requests from applications and users.
What is most valuable?
It's not just one feature because the whole process is important, starting from discovery to protection and prevention. If we use agent-based functionality instead of a gateway, the solution becomes more feature-rich.
What needs improvement?
Mostly in areas like data masking since they previously had a product called "camouflage," but it was dropped. It would be better to have something similar to that.
Additionally, improvements can be made in data enrichment, aggregation of data from different perspectives, and enhancing the GUI (Graphical User Interface) for a better user experience.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have experience in implementing the solution. It has been almost four years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I would rate the stability of this solution a seven out of ten. There's some room for improvement in terms of stability.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
I would rate the scalability of this solution as seven out of ten. It's scalable, but further implementation and development would make it even better.
How are customer service and support?
We have been able to handle everything on our own. As partners, we are technical savvy.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is actually quite easy. It's not something hard to do, but having some experience with the product is helpful.
If it's only the deployment, it takes around two to three days. But if we consider tuning and ongoing processes, the time for deployment varies.
What was our ROI?
ROI depends on the use case. Most companies use it for security and compliance. So, it varies based on the specific use cases.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
It's not a cheap solution.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend considering Imperva. It's important to conduct a proof of concept (POC), include a list of potential different vendors or products, and make an informed decision.
Overall, I would rate the solution an eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Consultant at Btechc
Easy to use and configure with helpful reporting
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is very stable."
- "It is very easy to use, and it helps us to discover the databases."
- "I'd like to see some sort of solution for storage."
What is most valuable?
Reporting is the most valuable aspect. It's very fast, even versus IBM. IBM could take three, or four days to get a report. In Imperva, everything is online, and you get the reports very fast.
It is very easy to configure the new dashboards, and reporting is easy to do. It takes maybe an hour to do it.
The solution is very stable.
What needs improvement?
We'd like better compliance with cyber security and legal as well as other areas.
I'd like to see some sort of solution for storage. For example, if someone in the company is doing some backup, I cannot reach that information in the discovery and in the protection. I only can protect the information, the databases that I use that are in developer or Q&A, and not those databases that are in the backups. It's a limitation.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
This is a stable, reliable product. It never fails. There are no bugs or glitches.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
There are six areas that are using the solution, and each area has maybe three or four users, at least. Risk, compliance, operations, and internal security, for example, are some areas that use it and get reports.
I'm not sure if we have plans to increase usage. I am covering all the databases right now. I have no other space to do it. Of course, if we are going to grow and use more databases, I'm going to use this solution. That said, right now, all the databases are covered.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
We pay for the solution on a yearly basis. There are no additional costs or extra fees beyond the license itself.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Have compared the solution to IBM. Previously, I was an IBM customer, and IBM would take maybe a week to have a good configuration.
With Imperva, it's very easy to configure. It's very easy to get the reports. The reports are coming fast, and you are saving a lot of money if you send the logs to Splunk since Splunk charges per alert. In the Imperva solution, instead of sending tons of alerts, it is consolidating everything. It helps me save money with Splunk.
What other advice do I have?
I am a consultant.
I have been working with the previous version of the product. Right now, the latest one is the Data Security Fabric.
It is very easy to use, and it helps us to discover the databases. In some cases, the shadow IP or the business areas are not reporting that they are using other databases. With the Imperva solution, I can find the other databases that are not reported to IT, and it's very easy to know where they are, where the information is, and what kind of information it is, if we are talking about the personal data or if we are talking about a financial data, et cetera. It's very easy to find the databases, and to know what kind of information is in each one of those databases. It's so helpful.
It helps a lot to have a consultant as they have the knowledge and experience a company can use. Even if a solution is very easy to implement, it helps to have the knowledge and experience of partners.
I'd rate the solution ten out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Public Cloud
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer. Consultant
Tech Lead at a financial services firm with 1,001-5,000 employees
Great data discovery and sensitive data scanning with helpful activity monitoring
Pros and Cons
- "The integration is great."
- "I like almost everything about the solution, including sensitive data scanning, which is the most important, the data discovery is great as well, and I like the activity monitoring, which was the main reason we purchased the tool."
- "The solution needs local support."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution just to monitor database activity on all the in-house databases.
What is most valuable?
I like almost everything about the solution. That includes sensitive data scanning, which is what is the most important. The data discovery is great as well.
I like the activity monitoring. That was the main reason we purchased the tool.
The integration is great.
They do quite a lot of feature updates.
What needs improvement?
The solution needs local support.
They need to do a little bit more knowledge-sharing with the tool. Knowledge-sharing is not what you normally get with Microsoft, Symantec, or any other tools that are leaders in their respective spaces. This is more of a closed-group type of solution only, whereby the information is only accessible to certain groups, or maybe in certain countries. It needs a broader, more accessible knowledge base.
There could be more on the monitoring side of things. They need more monitoring tools within the tool itself. Although it does a good job monitoring databases, in terms of the health of its agent gateways to verify communication and all that, there are basically no utilities available within the tool.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used the solution for a little over three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The stability is average. I'd rate it three and a half out of five in terms of stability. It's not too bad.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This is a highly scalable product. I'd rate it four out of five in terms of its ability to scale.
We have 15 people using the solution.
How are customer service and support?
Local companies have limited exposure to the tool There's professional support and support from the providers, however, if they don't know too much about it, they cannot provide adequate help.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Positive
How was the initial setup?
While I didn't handle the initial deployment myself, from the training I have done, it is my understanding that the implementation process would not be that hard.
I'm not sure how many people were involved in the deployment.
I handle any maintenance myself with the sales provider. There might be six people available to maintain the product. There would be about three from the customer side and two from the service provider's side.
What about the implementation team?
We did have a third party assist with the initial setup. They were from the vendor.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I am not sure how much the licensing is exactly. that said, my understanding is that it is expensive.
What other advice do I have?
We're customers and end-users.
We are using the latest version of the solution.
It's pretty good in terms of capabilities. I'd rate it eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Network Engineer at CBN
Up-to-date inventory management and compliance
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is the automatic reports on new databases, which gives us up-to-date inventory management."
- "In terms of regulatory compliance, one of the key requirements is to ensure that our core databases are monitored, and SecureSphere allows us to generate details to prove that we're compliant with all requirements."
- "Sometimes the reports are cumbersome, and you have to drill down to get more information."
What is our primary use case?
I use SecureSphere to monitor our core databases and privilege operations by administrators, and to provide compliance reports.
How has it helped my organization?
In terms of regulatory compliance, one of the key requirements is to ensure that our core databases are monitored. SecureSphere allows us to generate details to prove that we're compliant with all requirements.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the automatic reports on new databases, which gives us up-to-date inventory management.
What needs improvement?
Sometimes the reports are cumbersome, and you have to drill down to get more information. SecureSphere also sometimes needs a lot of maintenance to keep the agents running on the database. In the next release, Imperva should include a preventative solution that will stop an attack before it happens or read the behavior of particular accounts and act on it. They should also make SecureSphere available on mobile so that if an administrator isn't on-prem, he can access the solution via the internet wherever he may be.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using this solution for almost three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
SecureSphere has been very stable until recently, due to the addition of new source databases causing performance issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
SecureSphere is very scalable.
How are customer service and support?
Imperva's technical support has been good. In the past, it sometimes took a long time to resolve an issue, but more recently, the responsiveness has been very impressive.
How would you rate customer service and support?
Neutral
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously, we used Oracle Audit Vault, but its reports were a little complex, and their support was not so impressive.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward, and the deployment took between one and two weeks.
What about the implementation team?
Our deployment was done in-house.
What was our ROI?
SecureSphere has resulted in us receiving audit exceptions, especially from the final details, which is a big deal to my organization since we have to be compliant.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend SecureSphere to other users and advise making a dedicated team available to work on the solution and configure the correct set of policies so they can get value for their money. I'd give SecureSphere a rating of eight out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Senior Network Security Engineer at SNSIN
Easy to set up with good audit features and good performance
Pros and Cons
- "The audit feature is great. It is totally encrypted."
- "If an organization wants to do both the cases like I have a database, I have a web server, I want to secure both the infrastructures, I know I can strictly go for the Imperva, and Imperva will give management of two gateways for two different solutions, and that's it."
- "Some cloud versions are not supported by the agent."
- "Some cloud versions are not supported by the agent. For example, we had a client that wanted to move to the cloud and wanted to use AWS, however, it was not possible."
What is our primary use case?
The use case is for database services, security purposes, and access capabilities. In DAM, we cannot use inline mode due to the blocking that is there. Details can be shared and accessed to see, for example, information about the DB, who's using it, its applications, et cetera. There are all kinds of reporting that can be accessed. We submit reports to the customer.
What is most valuable?
The audit feature is great. It is totally encrypted. Nobody can tamper with the details. For example, a DB admin can change the audit, however, if they are using the DAM product, that is totally different infrastructure so that the log, since it is an agent-based solution, whatever the activity will be done in the server regarding the database audit will be captured by the audit and that agent. The communication is totally encrypted and nobody can tamper with that data.
The initial setup is not overly complex.
What needs improvement?
Some cloud versions are not supported by the agent. For example, we had a client that wanted to move to the cloud and wanted to use AWS, however, it was not possible. Imperva should have every kind of agent.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've used the solution for around three years. I've used it for a while now.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable. It's very reliable and the performance is good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It's a scalable solution. It's good. If we can just change the gateway or if it is a VM right now, we can upgrade the resources, or we can install many more agents in the server, in other servers, and we can take more servers behind it so that we can capture all the data for any of the server.
How are customer service and support?
Technical support is good. Sometimes we have to raise a ticket and we get good, proper support. There's no issue.
How was the initial setup?
The the setup itself is not too complex, it's conceptual. You have to understand at least the basics of the database. That's it. You don't have to be a DB admin, however, as a security engineer, you just need some small knowledge of a database, for example, what the database is, what the table is, et cetera.
What other advice do I have?
We are partners.
I'd recommend the solution. If a company has a plan for the Imperva DAM solution, it can, while still not using the Imperva WAF solution. The WAF solution is also good. We can use the WAF as well as DAM. We have a box, a gateway, or management that is used for both cases.
If an organization wants to do both the cases like I have a database, I have a web server, I want to secure both the infrastructures, I know I can strictly go for the Imperva, and Imperva will give management of two gateways for two different solutions, and that's it. It can be a complete package.
I'd rate the solution nine out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company does not have a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer.
Buyer's Guide
Download our free Imperva Data Security Fabric Report and get advice and tips from experienced pros
sharing their opinions.
Updated: August 2026
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