10 BEST Network Security Software [2023 TOP SELECTIVE ONLY]

Are You Looking For The Right Network Security Software To Protect Your System And Network? Select the Best Tool based on this Review that includes the Features, Pricing, and Comparison of the Top Network Security Tools.

Network security monitoring software refers to the tools designed to ensure the protection, usability, and integrity of a system’s data. There are various types of network security tools out there, with each one having a separate and specialized use-case.

These tools enable us to perform real-time network monitoring, advanced access control and prevent data leakage and other threats. The main focus of these tools is endpoint security i.e. a place where machines display their network information.

Network Security Software Review

Network Security Software is used to strengthen an organization’s internal security as threats can occur within the network itself. In this tutorial, we have listed down the 10 best network security management software available in the market.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q #1) How does Network Security Software work?

Answer: Network security software offers multiple layers of security to your devices as well as network. Each layer in your software has its own set of rules, controls, and policies. These rules, policies, and controls help the authorized users to access network resources.

Q #2) How can you benefit from Network Security Software?

Answer: Storing our sensitive and confidential data on machines and networks can expose it to various cybersecurity threats. With the right network security solution, you can prevent security threats and protect your system, network, and data from malicious attacks.

Q #3) What are the key features of Network Security Tools?

Answer: Network security tools come with a number of core features to ensure the safety and security of your system, data, and network. You can expect to receive a range of useful features, that include anti-malware, firewalls, intrusion prevention, email security, application security, and web security.

On the other hand, features like access control, network segmentation, data loss prevention, VPN, etc. are responsible for keeping your data secure by preventing unauthorized access.

List of the Best Network Security Tools

1. Solarwinds Threat Monitor
2. Acunetix
3. ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus
4. ManageEngine Log360
5. NordVPN
6. NordLayer
7. Perimeter 81
8. Webroot
9. Snort
10. Nessus vulnerability assessment solution
11. Norton Security
12. Kaspersky Endpoint Security
13. SaltStack
14. ESET Endpoint Security

Comparison of  Top Network Security Monitoring Software

#1) Solarwinds Threat Monitor

Best for Remote monitoring and threat protection software for IT professionals and MSP (managed service providers).

Price:

• 30-day free trial available
• Quote-based plan

SolarWinds RMM is a remote network security software that is perfect for MSPs (managed services providers) and IT professionals. It works as a network management solution that enables IT, service providers and professionals, to protect, maintain, and enhance their IT operations.

With the help of SolarWinds RMM, you can execute performance and security checks across different mobile devices, operating systems, servers, and other platforms.

Key Features:

• Threat intelligence
• SIEM security and monitoring
• Log correlation and analysis
• Network and host intrusion detection systems.
• Streamlined security monitoring

Cons

• Limited documentation
• Ideal for IT professionals

Verdict: An excellent multi-function monitoring tool that allows users to monitor their networks and computing resources remotely.

#2) Acunetix

Best for: Medium to high-level enterprises that require advanced network security features.

Price:

• No free trial
• (For up to five websites) Standard: $4495 | Enterprise: $6995 | Acunetix 360: Contact vendor

Acunetix is a market-leading automatic web security testing software that excels at scanning and auditing web applications. Enterprises can use this network security tool to analyze the weaknesses in their networks and detect hidden network vulnerabilities.

The tool is used by various Fortune 500 companies as well as governments, military establishments, banking companies, and other enterprises too. It’s available on Windows, Linux, and Online.

Key Features:

• Network scanning
• Risk management
• Vulnerability assessment
• Web scanning
• Advanced reporting features

Cons:

• No option for data encryption or VPN features.
• Features are too advanced for small businesses or personal use.

Verdict: Based on the customer reviews, it seems to be one of the most widely used tools for detecting vulnerabilities in networks. Advanced reporting features of the tool allow users to resolve system and network vulnerabilities.

#3) ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus

ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus is a prioritization-focused threat and vulnerability management software for enterprises offering built-in patch management.

It’s a strategic solution for delivering comprehensive visibility, assessment, remediation, and reporting of vulnerabilities, misconfigurations, and other security loopholes across the enterprise network from a centralized console.

Features:

• Assess & prioritize exploitable and impactful vulnerabilities with a risk-based vulnerability assessment.
• Automate & customize patches to Windows, macOS, Linux.
• Identify zero-days vulnerabilities and implement workarounds before fixes arrive.
• Continually detect & remediate misconfigurations with security configuration management.
• Gain security recommendations to set up web servers in a way that’s free from multiple attack variants.
• Audit end-of-life software, peer-to-peer & insecure remote desktop sharing software and active ports in your network.

Verdict: ManageEngine Vulnerability Manager Plus is a multi-OS solution that not only offers vulnerability detection but also provides built-in remediation for vulnerabilities.

Vulnerability Manager Plus offers a wide variety of security features such as security configuration management, automated patching, web server hardening, and high-risk software auditing to maintain a secure foundation for your endpoints.

#4) ManageEngine Log360

Best for Real-time threat detection.

Price:

• 30 day free trial
• Quote-Based

ManageEngine Log360 is a powerful SIEM platform that can be used to stop security threats in their tracks before they have a chance of infiltrating the network. What makes Log360 such a good network security tool is its comprehensive auditing component. This component collects logs from all network devices and applications.

This log data is then analysed and a report is prepared out of it. This makes the solution ideal for organizations who have numerous network devices installed in their premises. Log360 also benefits from a fantastic correlation engine that can validate the existence of a potential threat to your network in real time.

Features:

• Network Device Auditing
• Real-Time Event Correlation
• Forensic Analysis
• User Monitoring
• Threat Intelligence

Cons:

• Learning curve involved initially.

Verdict: ManageEngine Log360 is a SIEM platform and we would recommend to both small and large organizations who wish to protect their network from all types of threats 24/7. Its use of an integrated threat intelligence database and a powerful correlation engine makes it worth every penny spent.

#5) NordVPN

Best for Personal use and small to mid-sized businesses.

Price:

• No free trial available.
• Simple: $11.95/month | Best Offer: $3.29/month (2 years plan) | Standard: $5.75/month (1-year plan) | NordVPN for Business: By quote.

NordVPN is a flexible virtual private network solution that allows you to benefit from military-grade network encryption features. With the help of its DNS leak protection, you can protect your identity and stay anonymous on the web.

Key Features:

• Military-grade encryption
• Automatic kill switch
• DNS leak protection
• Onion Over VPN
• Vulnerability protection

Cons

• Lacks a threat response system.
• Lacks real-time monitoring and virus detection.

Verdict: NordVPN is an ideal solution for those who want to leverage advanced data encryption features and access the internet securely.

#6) NordLayer

Best for real-time network visibility and robust threat prevention.

NordLayer combines the best of network and security features to ensure optimal protection of business data, resources, and data on one’s network. NordLayer distinguishes itself from other tools of its kind by offering a relatively more adaptable solution. This solution does a good job isolating threats when they occur to minimize damage to the network as much as possible.

Features:

• Network Segmentation
• Compliance Assurance
• Identity and Access Management
• Secure Access Management
• Remote Access VPN

Verdict: As a robust network security tool, NordLayer is quite effective in reducing threat exposure and delivering comprehensive network protection. Being both cost-effective and scalable, this is one of the best network administrators currently out there.

Price: NordLayer comes with 3 plans, which are as follows:

• Basic: $7/user per month
• Advanced: $9/user per month
• Custom pricing plan

#8) Perimeter 81

Best for Small to Large enterprises who need an easy-to-use and scalable tool with robust network security monitoring and managing capabilities.

Price:

• Essentials Plan: $8 per user per month
• Premium Plan: $12 per user per month
• Premium Plus: $16 per user per month
• Custom enterprise plans are also available.

Perimeter 81 makes it to the top of our list because of its sheer simplicity and unified network security stack. Its single management panel is what makes the tool so compelling to organizations. Users get one management panel, which they can use to view endpoints, connect to network infrastructure, deploy regional gateways, and easily create and access management policies.

Perimeter 81 further cements its mettle as a robust network security tool by offering full VPN encryption. With encryption always on, no device will be able to access sensitive or valuable corporate resources without first connecting through Perimeter 81.

Features:

• Single Sign-on integration
• Multi-factor authentication
• Automatic Wi-Fi Protection
• Complete VPN Encryption
• Integrate directly with several SIEM platforms.

Cons:

• A few users have reported issues with performance scalability.

Verdict: Perimeter 81 software facilitates multi-layered network security. The software arms users with multiple security tools, which makes the job of IT security managers easier by preventing any sort of access from happening without express authorization. As such, this software has our highest recommendation.

#9) Webroot

Best for: Mid-sized and small businesses, as well as personal usage.

Price:

• Free trial available
• One-year $150.00/five endpoints.

Webroot SecureAnywhere Business Endpoint Protection is an endpoint protection software that leverages predictive analytics, cloud computing, and machine learning to limit network security threats. The tool doesn’t need to update its security definitions as it uses real-time threat detection.

Key Features:

• Real-time activity monitoring
• Identity and privacy shields
• Anti-phishing technology
• Outbound firewall
• Heuristics

Cons:

• Lacks firewall security for inbound requests.
• Lacks VPN, intrusion detection system, vulnerability scanning, and threat response.

Verdict: An excellent cloud-based network security solution that is equipped with protection systems and DNS networks.

Website: Webroot

#10) Snort

Best for: Businesses of all sizes as well as personal use, however, it requires the users to have advanced technical knowledge for implementation.

Price:

• Open-source – free version available.
• Personal (available only online): $29.99/sensor | Business (available via Credit Card or Purchase Order): $399/sensor.

Snort is an advanced network intrusion prevention system that can perform packet logging on IP networks as well as real-time traffic analysis. Businesses of all sizes can use this open-source tool for content searching or matching and protocol analysis.

At the same time, it offers several options to identify attacks and probes, such as OS fingerprinting attempts, stealth port scans, SMB probes, buffer overflows, CGI attacks, and much more.

Key Features:

• Threat intelligence
• Enhanced security visibility
• Whitelisting or blacklisting
• Configurable source fire appliance/firewall with Sourcefire on-board.
• Advanced network protection

Cons:

• Highly technical: Requires extensive knowledge for configuration.
• No interactive interface.

Verdict: It’s an excellent option for any user or business that requires advanced network protection, but can be daunting and overwhelming to use for those with limited technical knowledge.

Website: Snort

Also Read => List of the TOP NSPM Tools

#11) Nessus Vulnerability Assessment Solution

Best for: IT service providers and mid to large-sized companies.

Price:

• 7-day free trial available
• $2390.00/year

Nessus Vulnerability Assessment Solution is a specialized tool for security practitioners and is regarded as the industry standard for vulnerability assessment.

The tool allows users to execute point-in-time security checks so that they can detect and resolve vulnerabilities caused by misconfigurations, malware, missing patches, and software flaws.

Key Features:

• Asset discovery
• Network scanning
• Policy management
• Prioritization
• Vulnerability assessment
• Web scanning

Cons

• Difficult to automate security checks.
• Needs more diagrams in the final results.

Verdict: A powerful network security tool that provides organizations with high-level network security checks for detecting possible vulnerabilities.

Website: Nessus

#12) Norton Security

Best for: Personal use and small businesses.

Price:

• Free trial available
• Starts from $59.99/year (Deluxe)

Norton Security is known for being a multi-device and multi-OS antivirus software. Therefore, it offers various features for real-time protection against malware, viruses, spyware, and other digital threats that can infiltrate your system through your network.

Key Features:

• Cloud backup
• Secure VPN
• Password manager
• Parental control (Deluxe and 360 Premium)
• Threat response

Cons

• Not specialized for network security.

Verdict: Norton Security is the perfect anti-malware tool for those who want adequate protection from malware, spyware, keylogging, identity theft, and other cyber threats.

Website: Norton

#13) Kaspersky Endpoint Security

Best for: Offers excellent network security features for small to mid-sized businesses.

Price:

• 30-day free trial available.
• Starts from $59.95 per user per year.

Kaspersky Endpoint Security is a network security solution that provides protection in the cloud and on-premise. It is an effective tool for small and medium-sized businesses and gives the users a ton of valuable features, such as central administration control, anti-malware capabilities and a robust firewall.

Key Features:

• Access control
• Activity monitoring
• Firewalls
• Intrusion detection system
• Threat response

Cons

• Expensive
• Utilizes a black-box approach for network protection.

Verdict: Kaspersky Endpoint Security is an effective solution that can protect your system through its highly advanced threat detection capabilities enabled by machine learning.

Website: Kaspersky

#14) SaltStack

Best for: Mid to large-sized enterprises.

Price:

• 30-day free trial available.
• Quote-based pricing

SaltStack Enterprise is an automation platform that aims to protect and optimize the IT infrastructure of an organization. The tool provides event-driven automation so that companies can streamline the control, security, and configuration of complex systems, regardless of the scale of these solutions.

Key Features:

• Access controls/permissions
• Patch management
• Remote access/control
• Endpoint management
• Vulnerability scanning

Cons

• Lacks behavioral analytics and issue auditing.
• Not recommended for small businesses or personal users.

Verdict: SaltStack Enterprise is a specialized tool for IT or network operations professionals so that they can automate the existing procedures and ensure the security of their IT infrastructure.

Website: SaltStack

#15) ESET Endpoint Security

Best for: Endpoint protection for small to mid-sized businesses.

Price:

• 30-day free trial
• On-premise: $190.00/year/five devices | On cloud: $239.00/year/five devices.

ESET Endpoint Protection Standard is a high-level network security tool designed for providing endpoint protection to businesses. It allows you to implement security features via a remote administrator feature and is a great option from the threat detection standpoint.

Key Features:

• Access control
• Activity monitoring
• Firewalls
• Intrusion detection system
• Threat response

Cons

• Startups and small businesses may find it expensive.
• It needs better phishing detection capabilities.

Verdict: ESET Endpoint Protection offers a number of security solutions for small to mid-sized businesses.

Website: ESET

Conclusion

Every Network Security Software listed in this tutorial offers a range of features that can protect your network and data. However, not every product will suit your specific needs.

For example, for a large-scale enterprise, Acunetix is the best security tool for these organizations. Similarly, if you are looking for advanced network security features but at a reasonable price and an intuitive interface, then Webroot is the ideal choice.

Lastly, if you want to implement high-level network security features for a server or your own Linux-based environment, then you can use the open-source Snort and access those features for free.

Further Reading => Exclusive list of Top Software Supply Chain Security Solutions

However, the decision to select the best network security software is not as straightforward as it seems and it is advisable to test the solution yourself. Thus, consider using the trial versions of the solution first before buying it.

Research process:

• Time Taken To Research And Write This Article: 8 hours
• Total Tools Researched Online: 15
• Top Tools Shortlisted For Review: 10