Top 7 Network Segmentation Tools & Software for 2023

Network segmentation tools empower organizations to enhance their network security by dividing their networks into smaller, more manageable segments. As a result, it becomes more difficult for attackers to gain access to sensitive data or disrupt critical systems.

Network segmentation software also improves network performance by reducing congestion and optimizing traffic flow. By segmenting networks, organizations can reduce the risk of data breaches and cyberattacks while maximizing the efficiency of their IT operations.

Here are our picks for the top network segmentation tools for 2023:

• Tufin: Best for organizations with complex network environments. (Read more)
• VMWare NSX: Best for implementing granular microsegmentation policies. (Read more)
• Illumio: Best for hybrid or multi-cloud environments. (Read more)
• AlgoSec: Best for organizations with very large data centers and a high volume of users and workloads. (Read more)
• Akamai Guardicore Segmentation: Best for supporting both legacy systems to modern OSs. (Read more)
• Cisco Secure Workload: Best for organizations looking for holistic workload protection for multi-cloud data centers. (Read more)
• Check Point CloudGuard Network Security: Best for enterprises with extensive cloud deployments. (Read more)

Top network segmentation software comparison

Below is a comparison table showing the key features and notable traits of top network segmentation tools. This table aims to provide you with a comprehensive overview of each tool’s capabilities, allowing you to make an informed decision based on your organization’s specific requirements.

	Microsegmentation	Traffic monitoring	Auditing	Unique features	Integration	Ease of use
Tufin	Advanced	Comprehensive	Robust	• Advanced policy analytics • Security change automation	Extensive	Moderate
VMware NSX	Integrated with VMWare ecosystem	Extensive	Integrated with VMware tools	• Distributed firewall management • Microsegmentation for containers	VMware Ecosystem. Limited third-party integrations	Moderate
Illumio	Robust, with real-time application dependency mapping	Detailed	Comprehensive	• Real-time application dependency mapping • Threat visualization	Extensive but does not integrate well with some SIEM and SOAR platforms	Easy
AlgoSec	Supported	Yes	Robust, with in-depth compliance reporting	• Application-centric policy management • Change impact analysis	Limited integrations with firewall vendors	Easy
Akamai Guardicore Segmentation	Strong, plus automation	In-depth	Comprehensive	• Automated microsegmentation • Threat intelligence integration	Extensive	Moderate
Cisco Secure Workload	Robust	Yes	Comprehensive	• Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) • Cisco Tetration analytics	Extensive	Easy
Check Point CloudGuard Network Security	Supported	Yes	Comprehensive	• Cloud-native threat prevention • Advanced threat intelligence	Limited third-party integrations	Moderate

Jump to:

• Key features of network segmentation software
• How to choose the best network segmentation software for your business
• How we evaluated network segmentation tools
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Tufin

Best for organizations with complex network environments.

Tufin provides an extensive array of automation and compliance capabilities aimed at simplifying network security management. It allows teams to successfully oversee both segmentation and microsegmentation. This is achieved by either utilizing predefined templates or crafting customized policies within a zone-to-zone matrix that spans their entire network infrastructure.

With Tufin, organizations can seamlessly enforce their corporate security policies, meet compliance mandates, and uphold industry best practices. It not only identifies and resolves existing security policy violations but also safeguards against the introduction of new violations. Tufin offers the flexibility to perform network segmentation across a spectrum of technologies, including legacy firewalls, next-generation firewalls, SDN, and public cloud, all through a centralized console.

Pricing

• Tufin’s pricing is based on the number of devices and applications and comes with unlimited 24/7 support. Reach out to their sales team for a quote.

Features

• Real-time access breach detection in both physical and cloud setups.
• Policy-driven network and cloud security automation for better business flexibility and security.
• Continuous compliance and audit preparedness in on-premises, hybrid cloud, and multi-cloud scenarios, covering everything from application connections to firewall oversight.
• Establishes controlled areas to streamline audit preparations and adhere to industry standards and best practice guidelines.

Pros

• User-friendly interface.
• End-to-end network security change automation feature saves time.
• Tufin dashboard shows duplicates, shadow rules, and no used items in one easy-to-understand format.
• Users can generate compliance reports with in-depth information on network security.

Cons

• Setting up the tool is tedious.
• Its set-up documentation can be confusing to some users.

VMWare NSX

Best for implementing granular microsegmentation policies.

VMWare NSX protects workloads and environments with stateful Layer 7 controls, granular microsegmentation protection, and simplified management. It utilizes a software-defined approach to networking that spans data centers, clouds, and application frameworks.

NSX brings networking and security closer to the application, regardless of where it is running, from virtual machines (VMs) to containers to physical servers. This allows organizations to enforce consistent network security policies on any workload hosted anywhere. NSX does this by delivering a software-defined networking (SDN) platform that abstracts the underlying physical infrastructure from the applications. This lets organizations create and manage networks more flexibly.

NSX also provides several security features, such as microsegmentation and network access control, that help organizations protect their applications and data.

Pricing

• VMWare NSX doesn’t display exact pricing on their official site but has four pricing tiers, namely: Professional, Advanced, Enterprise Plus, and Remote Office Branch Office (ROBO). More pricing details are available on the VMWare Store.

Features

• VMware distributed firewall.
• Automated policy recommendation and API-driven, object-based policy model that automates policy mobility with workloads.
• Distributed Intrusion Detection/Protection (IDPS).
• URL analysis and FQDN filtering.
• Context-aware microsegmentation.

Pros

• Organizations can secure network segments and create security zones without re-architecting their network, changing IP addresses, or re-creating security policies.
• VMware distributed firewall consistently strengthens security over time, starting from virtual security zones and expanding to all the workloads in the data center.
• It accelerates firewall policy generation and microsegmentation planning with automated application discovery and recommendations for groups and segmentation rules.
• It has security built-in to the hypervisor and is immune to malware that can subvert host agents.

Cons

• The tool is resource-intensive and network-heavy. 
• VMWare NSX supports fewer integrations compared to its competitors.

Illumio

Best for hybrid or multi-cloud environments.

Illumio is a zero trust segmentation platform that helps organizations protect their data and applications from cyberattacks by using a microsegmentation approach to segment workloads down to the individual VM or container level. Through this strategy, it gives a much finer-grained level of control than traditional network segmentation methods.

Illumio is a cloud-native platform that differs from its competitors in several ways. First, it is designed to be easy to use and manage, even for non-security professionals. Second, it offers precise network traffic management, which helps to mitigate data breaches. Third, it is scalable and can be deployed in a variety of environments, including on-premises, in the cloud, or in a hybrid environment.

Pricing

• Illumio doesn’t display pricing information on their website. Contact their sales department for pricing details.

Features

• Role-based access control (RBAC).
• Audit logging.
• Microsegmentation for Kubernetes environments.
• Policy generator.

Pros

• The interface is user-friendly.
• The tool is relatively easier to set up compared to the competition.
• Illumio’s customer support is fast and responsive.
• It promotes visibility that ensures all activity on the network is tracked and recorded.
• The software continually visualizes how workloads and devices are communicating.

Cons

• Illumio may have a detrimental impact on the performance of some workloads, particularly those that are heavily reliant on network traffic.
• Does not integrate well with some other security tools, such as SIEM and SOAR platforms. 

AlgoSec

Best for organizations with very large data centers and a high volume of users and workloads.

The AlgoSec platform uses intelligent automation to deploy network security policies that support business application connectivity across the entire hybrid network, including the cloud, SDN, and on-premises network. It uses its unique IP technology to complete the security picture by listening to the network, associating firewall rules with specific applications, and preventing compliance violations.

AlgoSec also connects with many traditional and next-generation firewalls and cloud security controls, as well as routers, load balancers, and web proxies. It offers a number of exclusive features that set it apart from its competitors, such as intent-based segmentation, continuous compliance, and automated policy enforcement.

Pricing

• AlgoSec products are sold through a worldwide network of its channel partners. Get in touch with them for full pricing details and to locate a partner.

Features

• Traffic flow mapping.
• AutoDiscovery for complete visualization of network traffic.
• Streamlined enforcement.
• Intelligent automation to prevent manual errors and refine network segmentation.
• Proactive strategy alignment means.

Pros

• Its automatic policy changes and removals optimize policy revisions, reducing the time they take from 10 days to within hours or even instant results.
• It comes with real-time data feeds for risk management, audit, and compliance partners that ease policy recertification processes. 
• The application discovery functionality simplifies the segmentation zone design process by automatically generating an inventory of applications and their connectivity patterns, even without prior information.
• It supports software-defined microsegmentation by integrating with leading SDN platforms such as Cisco ACI and VMWare NSX, enhancing interoperability and flexibility across the entire environment.

Cons

• AlgoSec has a steep learning curve.
• It supports limited integrations with firewall vendors.

Akamai Guardicore Segmentation

Best for supporting both legacy systems to modern OSs.

Akamai Guardicore Segmentation is a software-based microsegmentation solution that employs precise segmentation policies, activity visualization, and network security alerts. It is compatible with data centers, multi-cloud environments, and endpoints, offering a faster deployment compared to traditional infrastructure segmentation methods while delivering extensive network visibility and control.

This network segmentation tool uses different methods to gather detailed information about an organization’s IT infrastructure, including agent-based sensors, network-based data collectors, virtual private cloud flow logs from cloud providers, and integrations supporting agentless functionality. This data is then enriched through a flexible and highly automated labeling process, which includes connecting with existing data sources such as orchestration systems and configuration management databases.

Akamai Guardicore Segmentation supports a wide range of systems, from legacy systems like Windows 7, 2000, and 8, to modern operating systems like Kubernetes (K8s).

Pricing

• Akamai Guardicore Segmentation does not publish pricing details. Reach out to their sales support for complete pricing information.

Features

• Granular segmentation capabilities down to individual processes and services.
• Near-real-time and historical visibility to support forensic analysis.
• Broad platform coverage for both legacy tech and the latest systems.
• Custom threat-hunting services provided by Akamai Security Research.

Pros

• Using AI, its microsegmentation solution recommends policies through intuitive templates and workflows. These policies are customizable to meet different business needs.
• Its Osquery-powered insights detect high-risk platforms and devices.
• The flexible asset labeling integrates with orchestration systems and CMDB.
• It identifies and tracks how applications, users, and processes interact with each other in real-time or historically.
• Guardicore Segmentation’s policy enforcement is completely separated from the underlying infrastructure, allowing security policies to be created or modified without complex network changes or downtime.

Cons

• Akamai doesn’t offer a free trial for Guardicore Segmentation.
• The solution has a complex setup.

Cisco Secure Workload

Best for organizations looking for holistic workload protection for multi-cloud data centers.

Cisco Secure Workload (formerly Tetration) is a zero-trust microsegmentation solution that protects workloads across any environment from a single console. With comprehensive visibility and AI/ML-driven automation, it reduces the attack surface by preventing lateral movement, identifying workload behavior anomalies, helping to rapidly remediate threats, and continuously monitoring compliance.

Secure Workload helps organizations secure their application landscape by creating a micro-perimeter at the workload level across the entire infrastructure, whether applications are deployed on bare-metal servers, VMs, or containers. It also enables businesses to maintain compliance with regulations such as PCI DSS and HIPAA by giving visibility into and control over access to sensitive data.

Pricing

• The licensing of Cisco Secure Workload depends on the number of workload equivalents or devices (endpoints), which is determined by the type of agent or sensor being used. For more information, reach out to Cisco partners.

Features

• Extended policy definitions based on additional context. 
• One-click policy enforcement across a multi-cloud data center.
• Software vulnerability detection.
• Identification of workload behavior deviations.

Pros

• The tool collects data from all workloads in a multi-cloud data center, ensuring that no critical information is overlooked and providing a holistic view of the infrastructure, thereby enhancing security by covering all potential points of vulnerability.
• It eliminates the need for manual resource list creation when segmenting applications, saving valuable time and reducing the risk of human error. 
• Cisco Secure Workload maintains a context-rich inventory of all workloads and endpoints, including associated metadata, expediting informed decision-making for security and management purposes.
• It quickly identifies vulnerable workloads and applies dynamic policies to protect them, reducing the window of vulnerability and bolstering the network’s resilience.

Cons

• The server requirements for this solution are demanding.
• The platform can be difficult to deploy and manage, especially for organizations with a large IT infrastructure. Moreover, its documentation is not always clear or up-to-date, making it more difficult to get started.

Check Point CloudGuard Network Security

Best for enterprises with extensive cloud deployments.

CloudGuard Cloud Network Security is a main component of the CloudGuard Cloud Native Security platform. It performs advanced threat prevention and automated cloud network security via a virtual security gateway. This tool enables administrators to enforce network segmentation policies, which strengthens security and compliance by managing traffic within cloud infrastructures.

CloudGuard goes beyond the native microsegmentation and elastic networking features of cloud environments. It dynamically provides advanced security and consistent policy enforcement that seamlessly adapts to the scaling needs of the cloud. With CloudGuard, organizations can protect their workloads and applications in both hybrid and public cloud setups, effectively reducing risks associated with breaches, data leaks, and zero-day threats.

Pricing

• Check Point CloudGuard Network Security doesn’t disclose pricing details on their page. Contact their sales department for a comprehensive pricing overview.

Features

• Unified security for multi-cloud deployments.
• Automated DevSecOp.
• Web App and API protection.
• Advanced, multi-layered security for virtual data center and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) environments.

Pros

• The platform’s cloud intelligence and threat-hunting functionalities give a real-time context of threats and anomalies across multi-cloud infrastructure, enabling organizations to detect anomalies, activate alerts, quarantine threats, and remediate threats automatically.
• Its security blueprint delivers architectural guidelines for designing secure public cloud deployments to protect north-south and east-west traffic.
• It provides a single pane of glass for managing on-premises and multi-cloud environments.
• It presents consolidated and consistent visibility and management across all clouds.

Cons

• The tool has limited documentation.
• CloudGuard Cloud Network Security’s customer support team has been slow to respond to inquiries.

Key features of network segmentation software

When evaluating network segmentation tools, there are a variety of features that should be considered, including policy management, traffic monitoring, automation, microsegmentation, and auditing.

Policy management or control

Having policy management control features allows network administrators to define and enforce precise rules governing communication between network segments. This is crucial because it helps to minimize the attack surface by permitting only necessary traffic and blocking unauthorized or potentially malicious communication. It also ensures compliance with security policies and regulatory requirements.

Traffic monitoring and analysis

Network segmentation software should show real-time visibility into network traffic, facilitating quick detection and response to anomalies and security incidents. This visibility lets administrators identify potential threats, such as unauthorized access or unusual behavior, that may signal an attack or breach. With traffic monitoring and analysis capabilities, network segmentation software supports organizations in protecting their networks from a variety of threats.

Automation

Automation is another essential feature because it enhances the security and efficiency of network segmentation. It can fine-tune policy management and enforcement, reduce the risk of human error, and guarantee consistent enforcement. In addition, it enables IT security teams to respond faster to security incidents and changing network demands.

Microsegmentation

Modern network segmentation tools consider microsegmentation a pivotal feature. This capability brings granular control over network traffic flows and empowers administrators to define precise policies governing communication, port access, and protocol permissions, all under specific conditions. This heightened level of control increases visibility into network traffic behaviors and expedites the identification of anomalies and unauthorized access attempts.

Microsegmentation elevates security measures, aligns seamlessly with the zero-trust model, ensures compliance adherence, and prioritizes application-centric security. For organizations seeking to fortify their network security in the face of ever-evolving cyber threats, this feature is invaluable.

Auditing

Auditing functionality forms a fundamental layer within network segmentation implementations. It contributes significantly to reinforcing both security and accountability, ultimately upgrading the overall effectiveness of network segmentation strategies.

This feature serves multiple functions:

• Guarantees compliance with regulatory mandates.
• Aids in traceability and accountability during security incidents.
• Validates the enforcement of policies.
• Assesses the network’s security posture.
• Diligently tracks configuration changes. 
• Simplifies the generation of reports and documentation for compliance-related requirements.

How to choose the best network segmentation tool for your business

Selecting the best-suited network segmentation tool for your business involves a thorough evaluation process, where various factors like features, scalability, and integration need careful consideration.

Features

First and foremost, you should begin with business-specific requirements. Understanding the unique needs of your organization is essential.

For example, if you operate in the healthcare industry with a wide array of networked medical devices, you may want to seek network segmentation tools with microsegmentation capabilities. This enables you to isolate these devices into their secure network segments, preventing unauthorized access or tampering.

Also consider software with reliable auditing and reporting capabilities to demonstrate compliance with HIPAA regulations.

Scalability and flexibility

Businesses in every industry require scalability and flexibility. As your organization grows, your network segmentation tools should grow with it. Look for cloud-based solutions with scalability advantages, allowing you to easily expand or contract your network segmentation as needed.

In industries like manufacturing, where IoT devices are common, ensure that the software can securely accommodate a growing number of endpoints. Additionally, seek tools that support dynamic segmentation, allowing you to adjust access policies based on changing network conditions and user requirements.

Integrations

Ensure that your chosen solution seamlessly integrates with your existing IT infrastructure. For example, businesses in the financial services field should choose a network segmentation tool that integrates with SIEM platforms. This centralizes log data and security alerts, allowing quick detection and response to financial cyber threats.

Retail businesses should look for software with POS systems integration to secure transactions and prevent retail payment fraud.

Cost

Although cost should never be your primary factor in selecting software for your company, it nevertheless cannot be ignored. Unfortunately, most network segmentation companies do not provide transparent pricing for their tools, so it can be hard to know how to include it in your calculations.

Our recommendation is to narrow your choices down to your top three choices based on other factors, and then reach out to their sales teams for quotes. You can then compare — and, in some cases, negotiate — total costs for each solution.

How we evaluated network segmentation tools

We created six key categories with specific sub-criteria to assess the top network segmentation software of 2023. These criteria include cost, core features, customer support, ease of use, integrations, and deployment options. Each of these aspects has its own set of subcriteria to get a more comprehensive view of how each software performs.

We then scored each category to calculate the total scores of each solution, and selected the ones that scored the highest.

To ensure the accuracy of our data, we employed a multi-pronged approach:

1. First, we collected primary information directly from the providers’ official websites. This gave us a comprehensive understanding of the features and benefits of each product.
2. Next, we assessed the vendors’ reputations in the industry. This helped us to identify providers with a history of providing high-quality products and services.
3. Finally, we analyzed user feedback on various review platforms. This gave us a glimpse into the real-world experiences of customers who have used these products.

By taking this approach, we were able to compile a dataset that is both comprehensive, objective, and accurate.

Cost – 20%

We assessed cost based on subscription options, multiple billing tiers, other pricing options, monthly cost, and availability of free trial and free version.

Core features – 25%

We evaluated core features offered by each vendor, including microsegmentation, traffic monitoring, automation, policy management, and auditing. Additional features were analyzed as well, like firewalls, VLAN and SDN segmentation, cloud security, network scanning,vulnerability management, and network mapping.

Customer support – 10%

Customer support scores involve available customer support channels, such as live chat, phone, email, active community, comprehensive and updated documentation or knowledge base. The response times were also factored in for this criterion.

Ease of use – 20%

We gathered feedback on numerous review platforms to gauge how easy the software is to set up and manage for users of different skill levels.

Integrations – 15%

We thoroughly evaluated each tool’s integration capabilities, focusing on two key aspects: quality and quantity. Regarding quality, we assessed how effectively the tool integrated with essential software categories, such as firewalls, SIEM systems, and SOAR platforms.

We also quantified the number of third-party software solutions each tool integrated with to measure their versatility in accommodating various external systems.

This analysis aimed to determine the tools’ capacity to work with critical software types, so organizations get a glimpse of the most scalable network segmentation solutions.

Deployment options – 10%

We conducted a meticulous assessment of each vendor’s deployment options, emphasizing two core dimensions: flexibility and comprehensiveness.

When evaluating flexibility, we examined how well each vendor accommodated a range of deployment preferences, including on-premises, cloud-based, and hybrid solutions. Our focus was on the adaptability of these options to meet diverse organizational needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is network segmentation?

Network segmentation is a security strategy that divides a network into smaller, more manageable segments. This can help to protect sensitive data and infrastructure by limiting the access that attackers have to the network.

By segmenting a network, attackers are only able to access the data and systems within the segment they have penetrated. This can make it much more difficult for them to gain access to sensitive data or critical infrastructure.

Network segmentation can be implemented using a variety of methods, including firewalls, routers, and switches. It is an essential part of any organization’s cybersecurity strategy.

Why is network segmentation important?

Network segmentation is important because it substantially enhances security, optimizes network performance, aids in regulatory compliance, simplifies network management, and provides scalability for future growth and technology advancements.

• Enhances security by protecting sensitive data, containing threats, and enabling granular access control.
• Boosts network performance by isolating traffic and modifying bandwidth allocation.
• Ensures compliance by helping organizations meet regulatory requirements and implementing reliable data loss prevention measures.
• Simplifies network management by streamlining troubleshooting and change control processes.
• Provides scalability for future growth and future-proofing against evolving cybersecurity challenges and technology advancements

Do virtual private networks (VPNs) segment networks?

The short answer is no — a virtual private network (VPN) does not segment networks. VPNs create a secure connection between two devices over an unsecured network, such as the internet. This can be used to access private networks or to protect your data from being intercepted by third parties.

VPNs and network segmentation are both vital security practices, but they serve different purposes. VPNs are primarily focused on securing communication between two endpoints, while network segmentation is focused on controlling access to a network.

Bottom line: Choosing the best network segmentation software for your business

Choosing the best network segmentation tool can have a significant impact on your business by boosting security, reducing the risk of breaches, promoting operational efficiency, and maintaining compliance with regulatory requirements. This important decision directly affects your organization’s ability to protect sensitive data, ensure uninterrupted operations, and uphold customer and stakeholder trust.

To select the most appropriate network segmentation tool for your business, prioritize solutions that meet your specific security and operational requirements, offer robust scalability, integrate seamlessly with existing infrastructure, and fit within your budget. Thoroughly test and evaluate each solution for compatibility, performance, and ease of management. 

The right tool, combined with best practices, should improve network security, refine operations, and effectively support your business goals — that’s why businesses today use network segmentation tools for different purposes.

One other approach to cloaking network activity and keeping out attackers is network virtualization. Here are the best network virtualization solutions.

The post Top 7 Network Segmentation Tools & Software for 2023 appeared first on Enterprise Networking Planet.