Competitive Comparison

Forward Networks
vs. RedSeal

Are you only getting half the picture or an end-to-end view?

Forward Networks:
Network Digital Twin for Security

When conducting a compromised host investigation or a network compliance audit, having 100% accurate data is essential. Forward Networks' Digital Twin provides this accuracy by examining the configuration and state of every device transmitting packets within your network, offering comprehensive visibility into its operations. This delivers a holistic view, rather than fragmented insights when tackling security issues.

Holistic Visibility Without Blind Spots

While other tools may claim to offer digital twin capabilities, they often lack critical functionalities. For instance, relying solely on network configuration for topology mapping can leave gaps in Layer 2 fabrics, SDN overlays, MPLS, and segment routing, leading to blind spots in attack surface and lateral movement analysis. Forward Networks fills these gaps by collecting detailed state data from L2-L4 network devices, providing a more complete network model.

Identify Vulnerabilities by Specific Configuration Lines

Consider vulnerability management as another example. Integrations with endpoint scanning tools are common, but what about the network devices themselves? These devices handle every packet traversing your network, making them potential hiding spots for adversaries. Unlike other vulnerability software, Forward Networks matches CVEs by vendor, hardware model, and version and identifies vulnerabilities based on specific configuration lines (See Figure 1) that enable a risky feature, saving security teams from exhaustive device-by-device reviews.

Figure 1: Forward Networks Identifies Specific Lines of Configuration Relevant to Vulnerabilities

Unrivaled Cloud Visibility

For multi-cloud environments, Forward Networks offers a streamlined cloud collection process. The Forward Enterprise platform presents cloud elements, connectivity, and filtering details, such as NACLs and security groups, clearly within path searches and analysis. Unlike other tools that simplify cloud filtering with “distributed firewall” concepts, Forward’s approach provides users with intuitive, easily understood information. (See Figures 2 and 3)

Figure 2: Global View of Forward Networks Cloud Path Search

Figure 3: Forward Networks Hop by Hop Cloud Path Search

Eliminate Config Drift

Forward Networks’ analysis capabilities also extend beyond Layer 4 constructs to app-ID, URL-ID, and user-ID. For example, if a PAN firewall policy restricts torrent traffic for specific users, the Forward Enterprise model allows for queries on this type of traffic, enabling intent checks. Regular intent verification checks help ensure network compliance by preventing configuration drift, with automated alerts sent to relevant team members if a non-compliant configuration is detected.

Forward Networks facilitates continuous compliance by automatically verifying device configuration against configuration benchmarks such as DISA STIGs. Unlike other tools, configuration verification checklists generated by Forward Networks are exported in DISA-native format together with the device-identifying information, which simplifies workflows and enables continuous ATO.

More than just a security tool, Forward Networks serves as a data platform designed for Security, Network, and Cloud teams, enhancing efficiency and improving network compliance through data collection, parsing, and analysis. Instead of introducing a tool for niche use cases, Forward Networks has seen widespread adoption across organizations. Its browser-based access and in-platform tutorials simplify onboarding, while enterprise features like RBAC, SSO, and integrations with ticketing, CMDB, endpoint discovery, and automation amplify the value of network data for your organization. (See Figure 4)

RedSeal Comparison Forward Networks STIG

Exclusive Forward Enterprise features:

Network Query Engine

Network snapshots for historical analysis and behavior diffs

Layer 2 to Layer 7 support

Auto-curated location-based
visualization

CLI Custom Commands for snapshots/data collection

Network device vulnerabilities

Figure 4: DISA STIG Viewer, showing STIG results from Forward

EXCEED BEYOND REDSEAL

See it all with Forward Enterprise

Mathematically Accurate Network Data

Forward Enterprise provides exceptional network behavior analysis that is based on a mathematical model. This model calculates all potential traffic paths, resulting in highly accurate results. Additionally, the software supports all major hardware vendors and standardizes provided data, thus offering detailed vendor-agnostic information and various path-filtering capabilities.

Comprehensive Compliance Reporting

STIG verifications are available from both Cisco and Juniper. Additionally, there are numerous custom verification checks written in natural language. By using NQE, users can leverage these capabilities to create custom checks and reports that are tailored to their specific environments. This provides limitless possibilities for users to monitor what is crucial to them.

Network Risk Assessment

Forward Enterprise offers a Risk Assessment service by utilizing Vulnerability and Exposure Analysis. Additionally, the Security Posture Analysis provides users with a clear and comprehensive overview of the connectivity status between zones, and it is visually presented in an easily understandable manner. The insights derived from these functionalities are essential for proactive threat mitigation

Your Perfect Multi-vendor Solution

industry solutions

Stronger Security Through Accurate Data

RedSeal's limited platform is not as useful as it might seem to NetOps or CloudOps teams. It provides security teams with limited data compared to Forward Enterprise. Forward Enterprise has proven to be extremely useful for SecOps, NetOps, and CloudOps, providing a single platform that can be shared across the entire IT organization, eliminating the fingerpointing between teams and reducing the number of tools needed.

Data accuracy you can trust

The RedSeal model is based on device configuration with limited insight into network state information which is insufficient to build an accurate view of the network behavior. Device configuration provides details about individual devices, but it may not capture the dynamic interactions, traffic patterns, or security incidents within the network. A comprehensive view requires state data and understanding the network's operational context that configuration alone cannot provide. The RedSeal model is based exclusively on device configuration (and optionally, limited state information) which is insufficient to build an accurate view of the network behavior. Device configuration provides details about individual devices, but it may not capture the dynamic interactions, traffic patterns, or security incidents within the network.

Forward Enterprise collects both configuration and extensive state data, which provides a more comprehensive view and greater understanding of the network's operational context. The network behavior is based on a mathematical model that computes all possible traffic paths, thus delivering unparalleled accuracy. Moreover, by supporting all major hardware vendors and normalizing provided data, it provides detailed vendor-agnostic information and many more path-filtering capabilities.

Detailed network topology

RedSeal builds network topologies from device configuration plus some state files. No CDP/LLDP information is used. Cisco Discovery Protocol and Linked Layer Discovery Protocol provide valuable information about neighboring network devices, like device type, capabilities, and network connections. CDP/LLDP aids in network visualization, troubleshooting, and decision-making. Unfortunately for RedSeal customers, the device configuration used within their platform is insufficient for building an accurate enterprise network topology. Furthermore, ongoing RedSeal topology management involves a significant manual level of effort, which makes it challenging to use in large organizations.

Forward Enterprise builds the network topology using device configuration, state, CDP/LLDP, and some proprietary algorithms for the most detailed and accurate network topology available. Forward Enterprise users can view the global network and drill down to a single location or device in a few clicks. Forward auto-curated location-based visualization scales to any network size.

No Client Installation

The RedSeal platform depends on a Java client installed on a host. The client needs to be updated every time the RedSeal application is upgraded. There is a web-based interface, but it provides very limited capabilities.

Forward Enterprise provides a more modern web-based interface. No need to install or update clients. Forward customers experience improved security, simplified deployment and enhanced user experience. Without relying on Java, which has had security concerns in the past, the software reduces vulnerability risks. Users can access Forward Enterprise more easily

Easy to Deploy

A steep learning curve is necessary to deploy and begin using RedSeal. Maintaining the platform can also be challenging, resulting in many companies dedicating a single person to run and manage the platform. This leads to knowledge gaps and prevents cross-team collaboration and sharing helpful network data beyond a single individual. Software that is difficult to learn and maintain limits scalability and creates knowledge bottlenecks.

Forward Enterprise can be deployed on premises and network collection configured within a day. Product release updates are simple and there is no need for a dedicated person to maintain the platform.

Fast and scalable

RedSeal customers list slowness and inability to scale as downsides to using the product. In enterprise networking and cybersecurity, every device matters and every second counts.

What sets Forward Enterprise apart from all other network verification, network modeling, and digital twin platforms is its ability to scale. Forward is proven to be fast and reliable at scale, with deployments exceeding 50,000 network devices in a single instance.

Better usability = more users

A quick search of software review sites will reveal how few individuals actually use RedSeal. And those that do use the platform, are those who are responsible for updating the map, managing inventory and managing rules. Their dedicated role is to generate reports for others, perpetuating the knowledge gap.

Forward Enterprise is a platform that fosters regular engagement across network operations, network security and cloud networking teams. Individuals seeking essential data, conducting network research, troubleshooting issues, generating intent check alerts, and addressing compliance and reporting needs all use Forward as their network's single-source-of-truth.

WEBINAR RECORDING

How to Achieve Stress Free STIG Compliance

There are nearly 500 complex specifications in the DISA STIG compliance checklists. Most of us don’t have time to read them, let alone check our complex networks to ensure total adherence. Unfortunately in addition to creating risk on the network, non-compliance can result in extremely expensive fines and a painful level of scrutiny for government agencies.

Many agencies are trying to achieve compliance manually, or through a combination of tools but this is expensive and error prone. Join our Federal Technical Solutions Engineers, Arica Beckstead and Sean Deveci to learn how a digital twin can streamline your compliance efforts and give you full confidence heading into an audit.

Watch on BrightTALK

Forward Enterprise Integrations

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testimonials

Don’t take our word, see what our customers say

Forward Networks Customer

Global 50 Telecommunications Company

"This is incredibly powerful for us, we can see every possible path. I spend 80% of my time in this platform and can solve problems multiple times faster."

Forward Networks Customer

Fortune 50 Financial Institution

"Our network is so complex no one person could understand it until we installed Forward Networks. Now everyone does."

Forward Networks Customer

Fortune 50 Media Company

"I've been doing this a long time, and Forward is one of the very few transformational products I’ve seen over the many years."

Forward Networks Customer

Multiple U.S. Government Agencies

"Using NQE, we were able to pinpoint the exact devices that were affected by a hardware vendor field notice. It took us about three minutes."

Forward Networks Customer

Fortune 50 Energy Company

"I don't know if Forward is making me smart or lazy, but it's the first place I go when I need information. I wish I had this 20 years ago!"

Forward Networks Customer

Fortune 100 Pharmaceuticals Company

“Honestly, I can't even count how much time my team has saved by using Forward. We can literally find info in 5 minutes that used to take weeks. It's amazing.”

Forward Networks Customer

Global 500 Service Provider

"The application is fast and snappy which makes it an enjoyable experience. The search is easy to use and is great for understanding how the network is routing/denying traffic."

Forward Networks Customer

Fortune 500 Communications Company

“Great product not just for networking, but for cyber as well. Forward Networks has provided great customer service and quick functionality changes to meet our needs."