Which of these security vendors' software provides better web and
email filtering for enterprises.

If you have a choice I would recommend Aladdin Knowledge Systems'
eSafe product for the Enterprise. It is one the most powerful
content-filtering products out there.

http://www.esafe.com/

Dear Apiary,

When comes to web filtering, we are looking at which vendor can
provide us with the largest database. Up to today, surf control gives
you the largest database which is more than 7 million and filters more
than 1 bilion of web pages. Every week add additional 35,000 new urls
to the database. Surf Control also using a technology called Adaptive
Reasoning Technology where it enables web filter to learn and grow
through use.
And as for web sense, they have the second largest database in the
market. And I believe you have to pay the same amount of money every
year if you are using web sense. Few years down the road, you will
find this product is more expensive compare to the rest.
As for the GUI, both are user friendly and easy to use.
Overall, I will highly reconmend surf control over websense.

Luke

Luke - 

Have you considered using the bundled solution from a Computer
Associates or similar?  My old firm is ditching Websense for CA's
bundled eTrust product.  Also, what about email filtering?  Here
Surfcontrol seems to excel relative to Websense and others...thanks
for any comments

First of all, Surf Control is the company that only do content
filtering (web and email). This is their bread and butter. As for CA,
their main focus is not in this area. For email filtering, the
strongest competitors are like brightmail, clearswift, ironport and
barracuda. Surf control doesn't even come out a competitive list to
compare between them and CA. May be do allow me to mention the few
main features and technology that are used by Surf Control.

Adaptive Reasoning Technology:
1. Neural Network- Virtual Learning Agent (VLA) features neural
network technology, providing contextual understanding
2. LexiMatch- Precise lexical scanning with advanced Boolean
3. Statistical Probabilities- specific words, with numerical weighting
(customizable) for each with threshold sensitive
4. Heuristic and Bayesian Analysis- 800 + rule parameter using
heuristics engine and comprehensive pattern match engine
5. Signature labelling- Engine is intelligent enough to identifies
labelled messages and handles accordingly to established policy
6. Block web mail- prohibits access to web mail communication
7. Block IM and P2P
8. Attachment stripping
9. With Spam Database
10. Denial of Service Protection

As for administration and monitoring part, Surf Control can do the following:
1. Preconfigured Rules
2. Footer attachment
3. Customizable isolate folders
4. Policy by group and user
5. Ability to delay messages
6. File attachment compression
7. Real time monitoring
8. More than 20 types of standard report
9. Customs reports

Since it is the software base, there is no issue in scaling up the
hardware and hence improve performace.

For web filtering, the closest competitors are like, websense,
symantec, 8e6 Technologies, N2H2, Secure Computing and NetIQ.

In conclusion, CA is not the direct competitor to Surf Control and for
best performance and breed, I think you should consider the leader in
the market.

Luke

Since I have worked for two companies that have both dealt with
content filtering I would say I have a little insight on the issue. I
will say that each solution has a advantage and disadvantage. If your
looking for the best Enterprise solution then its definately Websense
hands down. If your looking for the cheapest while still good solution
its Surf Control. If your looking for small company solution I would
go with a hardware device like iPrism or 8e6 type of a device. So it
just really depends on what your looking for. Also testing out the
products is also a good idea to see how easy it is to setup and
comparing features. Especially security related features do you prefer
security over other features?