Top 10 Network Security Audit Tools in 2024: Based on 4,000 Reviews

Network security statistics show that the average data breach cost was ~$4 million in 2023. With the cost of security threats increasing, securing your company from the most common cyber attack vectors has never been more important.¹

Network security audit tools help organizations identify threats, vulnerabilities, third-party cyber risks and follow compliance with regulations, however, with dozens of solutions available in the market selecting the right tool for your organization might be overwhelming.

Thus, this article examines the top 10 network security audit tools by highlighting their key features with review-based pros and cons.

Top 10 network security audit tools

Table 1: Comparison of top 10 network security audit tools

Table 2: Market presence of top 10 network security audit tools

*Based on the total number of reviews and average ratings on Capterra, Gartner, G2, and PeerSpot software review platforms as of 05/18/2023. 

Disclaimer: With Tufin (sponsored) placed at the top, other vendors are sorted by the total number of reviews in descending order.

Vendor selection criteria: Considering there are numerous network security audit tools, the list (above) is narrowed down based on the vendor criteria below.

• Number of reviews: 100+ total reviews on Capterra, Gartner, G2, and PeerSpot.
• Average rating: Above 4.0/5 on Capterra, Gartner, G2, and PeerSpot.

1- Tufin 

Tufin is a network security software specializing in network security policy management and microsegmentation to enable businesses to manage their network security rules. 

Tufin’s security management platform also provides network audit features by monitoring network traffic in real time. Tufin’s network security audit checklist evaluates numerous network components. With Tufin users can:

• Analyze firewall rules for weaknesses and verify that they are operating properly to protect your organization from cyber-attacks and unauthorized access.
• Scan for operating system viruses and assess the access points’ reliability.
• Evaluate the security of routers and other network equipment, seeking any necessary updates or security patches. 

Tufin’s network security audit capabilities include: 

• Firewall audit: Respond to audit requests in real-time using a single firewall audit interface that includes pre-built and configurable reports for standards and regulatory obligations including PCI DSS, HIPAA, SOX, NERC CIP, and more.
• Customizable audit reports: Automate network audit reporting by using parameters such as business locations, firewall vendors, cloud providers, time intervals, and geographic locations.
• Network rule audits: Track rule changes (who, what, and when), perform full cyber risk assessments, diagnose network misconfigurations, expedite remediation, tighten unnecessary rules, and more.
• Continuous compliance: Maintain continuous compliance by automating firewall rule adjustments from change requests to deployment. This might include scanning the source and destination for vulnerabilities before enabling a change.

Case study: Tufin claims that MONEXT, a financial service company, minimized the complexity of audit efforts and the number of firewall rules (by up to 20%) in three months after deploying Tufin.²

Figure: Tufin’s device and vendor support spectrum

Source: Tufin³

Pros

Network security auditing: Users compliment Tufin’s network security auditing function, claiming that it allows them to easily evaluate their company’s compliance, test web-based rules across secure web gateways, and install firewalls.⁴

Gateways and firewall rules: Users can efficiently examine and establish rules over different gateways and firewalls.⁵

Network visibility in multi-vendor settings: Users convey that Tufin provides high visibility in multi-vendor settings containing numerous firewalls, allowing them to have one perspective that gives valuable insights for auditing and troubleshooting⁶

Cons

Firewall management: Some customers claim that firewall management is complicated for new users.⁷

Initial setup: IT users find the initial setup complex.⁸

Customer support for API implementation: Tufin can provide customer support for integrating their APIs with specific hardware or applications.⁹

Pros 

Ease-of-use and customer onboarding: CTOs say that Sprinto is simple to use and has solid customer onboarding.¹⁰

Email communications for compliance: Marketing managers express that it is simple to implement and use email communications to enforce compliance across the entire organization.¹¹

Continuous customer support: Users appreciated the customer support follow-up for their unfinished tasks.¹²

Cons

Disconnections: Some customers address that the Sprinto desktop app occasionally disconnects from employees’ computers.¹³

Web application: Reviewers expect to see a full web application.¹⁴

Sync glitches: Customers address that there are occasionally sync glitches in Sprinto’s web interfaces.¹⁵

2- ManageEngine ADAudit Plus

ManageEngine ADAudit Plus is a web-based, real-time active directory change auditing application that allows users to:

• Monitor changes to Windows AD objects such as users, groups, and machines.
• Monitor each user’s login and logoff activities, including successful and failed access attempts across network workstations.
• Audit Windows file servers, failover clusters, NetApp, and EMC storage for changes to files and directories.
• Check system settings, application files, and folder modifications to guarantee file integrity.

Figure: Audit console

Source:ManageEngine¹⁶

Pros

Ease-of-use (reports): Users express that it is simple to configure and administer. This software delivers reports and notifications.¹⁷

Network visibility: Customers note that ManageEngine ADAudit Plus gives them a total view of users and service accounts, increasing network visibility.¹⁸

Behavioral analytics: Customers appreciate the machine learning-powered user behavior analytics (UBA) feature, which helps to identify users differently from a standard profile.¹⁹

Cons

Links between engine system connections: IT specialists say that going back and forth between different managed engine systems is difficult with ManageEngine ADAudit Plus. There should be connections to different programs that users can quickly switch between.²⁰

Installation process: Users state that the installation might be improved since there were 44 pages of notes about the installation procedure.²¹

User interface: Customers think that the product could have a more advanced user interface design. ²²

3- Tenable Nessus

Tenable Nessus is a network audit tool focusing on vulnerability management and assessment. 

Tenable Nessus provides point-in-time assessments to assist security experts in identifying and resolving vulnerabilities such as software defects, missing patches, malware, and misconfigurations across devices, operating systems, and applications. Tenable Nessus’ features include pre-built network security policy management templates, customized reporting, compliance testing, perimeter scanning, and configuration monitoring.

Coverage: 

• Operating systems: Cisco iOS, IBM iSeries, Solaris, FreeBSD, Linux, Windows, and OS X
• Databases: Informix/DRDA, PostgreSQL, MongoDB, MySQL, Oracle, SQL Server, DB2, o Web applications: Web servers, web services, OWASP vulnerabilities
• Cloud: Examines the setup of cloud instances such as Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, and Rackspace, plus cloud apps such as Salesforce.

Pros 

Ease-of-use: Security analysts state that Tenable Nessus scanner is user-friendly, and the tool’s interface is so simple that anyone can comprehend and use it productively.²³

Vulnerability scanning: IT specialists note that Tenable Nessus is always up to date with its vulnerability database, which efficiently checks for the most recent errors.²⁴

Reporting: Users argue that Tenable Nessus’s reporting provides relevant information that is easy to interpret.²⁵

Cons

Single login password: Users say that the main drawback of Tenable Nessus is that it only allows for a single login password.²⁶

Vulnerability recommendations: Some users assert that vulnerability recommendations are out of date and do not align with industry norms.²⁷

Customized reporting: The reporting tool should include more advanced customizations, such as pivot or formula-based choices.²⁸

4- Sprinto

Sprinto is a security audit platform that automates security compliance for digital companies. Sprinto assists tech companies in gaining compliance and completing security audits.

The key features of Sprinto include automated evidence collection, continuous control monitoring, and out-of-the-box security programs.

Sprinto supports 20+ security compliance standards, such as SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS.

5- Check Point Endpoint Security

Check Point Endpoint Security is a network security audit platform with data security, advanced threat prevention (ATP), VPN, and endpoint detection and response (EDR) capabilities.

Key features: 

• Deployment options: On-premises, cloud, and MSSP management.
• OS Support: Windows, Mac, Linux, servers, VDI, browsers, and mobile devices.
• Cyber threat intelligence: Check Point’s ThreatCloud Al uses over 60 AI engines to help mitigate potential attacks and harmful events.

Pros 

Disk encryption: Customers highlight that disk encryption ensures that the data is highly encrypted and operates smoothly.²⁹

Integrations: Reviews show that the product is simple to integrate.³⁰

Intrusion prevention: Some reviewers conclude that real-time intrusion prevention capabilities stand out as a defensive wall against the most common cyber attack vectors (e.g. malware, ransomware, and evolving cyber threats).³¹

Cons

Technical support: Users claim that technical help is often delayed, and users occasionally do not receive a precise resolution to the problem.³²

Add-on feature costs: IT professionals say that a few features are only available in the advanced version, which is relatively expensive.³³

Application control module: Some managers expect to see the application control module developed in future versions to include applications that Check Point commonly uses so that blocking policies can be configured more quickly.³⁴

6- AlgoSec

AlgoSec is a network security tool with network audit capabilities that helps organizations apply network security rules in on-premises, cloud, and hybrid settings.

AlgoSec aims to increase network visibility by monitoring the network, integrating firewall rules into business applications, and identifying compliance concerns.

Pros

Firewall assessment: Some users claim that AlgoSec has accelerated the implementation of firewall rules in their company.³⁵

Network mapping: IT specialists conclude that inspecting the network map and applying topology updates with AlgoSec is simple.³⁶

Firewall log reports: Users say that this product offers easy report generation for all firewall logs.³⁷

Cons

Network audit: Engineers state that some of the auditing functionality needs improvement since performing some of the auditing procedures requires manual work. ³⁸

Customized reporting: Reviewers believe that reporting for firewall rule change administration requires enhancements and customization.³⁹

Integration guidelines: A manual page might be added to the dashboard to provide detailed product integration guidance.⁴⁰

Read more: AlgoSec alternatives.

7- Wireshark

Wireshark is an open-source network analyzer that detects and audits network traffic in real-time. It can be used to troubleshoot network problems, analyze network protocols, and maintain network security.

Wireshark can examine traffic details at various levels, from connection-level information to the bits that make up a single packet.

Wireshark’s packet capture (PCAP) can provide network administrators with information about individual packets, such as transmit time, destination, and source protocol type. This information can help administrators to evaluate security audits and troubleshoot network security device issues.

Figure: The Wireshark program presents full protocol details for local network traffic.

Source: TechTarget⁴¹

Pros

Network audit: Customers express that Wireshark provides reliable automated network audits that produce clear reports.⁴²

Network visibility: Customers admire the product’s network data visibility.⁴³

Network traffic monitoring (granular access): Consultants convey that one of the most useful features of the product is receiving a granular division of the logs to see where it drops the connection.

Cons

Slow performance: Reviews show that when analyzing and capturing large amounts of data, the system may become slow or even crash. It can also increase security.⁴⁴

Requires extensive network protocol knowledge: Some customers claim that it is difficult to use the software because it requires a high level of knowledge of network protocols.⁴⁵

Packet downloads: Some IT users state that with Wireshark, they cannot download and use the packet in automation.⁴⁶

8- Intruder

Intruder is a cloud-based vulnerability scanner that detects and prioritizes cybersecurity drawbacks allowing businesses to avoid the most serious security threats. 

Pros

Vulnerability scanning integrations: Analysts appreciate that Intruder provides efficient integrations. For example, Vanta integration enables them to scan completed tasks on Intruder’s platform directly to a ‘Vulnerability scan’ document, where auditors may view extra proof confirming that our infrastructure is free of all vulnerabilities.⁴⁷

Server configuration: IT users emphasize that it is simple to configure servers, and organize endpoints to see which users relate to different geographic regions.⁴⁸

Customer service: Reviews indicate that Intruder’s customer service is efficient.⁴⁹

Cons

Notifications: Security analysts expect to receive notifications of customers who have been inactive for a long period.⁵⁰

Scope of features: Some users express that the Intruder is a limited-scope product.⁵¹

Unauthenticated website scan duration: Customer reviews present that unauthenticated website scans can take a long time to finish.⁵²

9- SolarWind Network Configuration Manager

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is a network security audit solution that automates network configuration management.

SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is useful for managing configurations on heterogeneous, multi-vendor networks. The product combines routers, switches, firewalls, load balancers, and wireless access points into a single management console. 

Vendors supported include Cisco, Dell, Adtran, Arris, Aruba, Nortel, Nortel BayStack, Extreme, Marconi, Radware, Netscreen, Motorola, HP, Netscaler, Juniper, Foundry, and F5.

Key Features:

• Network compliance and automation.
• Configuration backup.
• vulnerability assessment.
• Network insights for Cisco and Palo Alto.
• Integration with Network Performance Monitor.

Pros

Network security auditing: Users think that SolarWinds Network Configuration Manager is a powerful tool for network compliance, automation, and configuration management.⁵³

Usability: Engineers specify that getting devices connected to SolarWinds is manageable.⁵⁴

Customer support: Users say that customer service was quick and knowledgeable.⁵⁵

Cons

User interface: Customers belive that the interface is slow and unsteady, causing them to spend most of their time waiting for Solarwinds to refresh or figuring out why their graphs aren’t working properly.⁵⁶

Learning curve: Reviewers indicate that the learning curve for network administrators is challenging.⁵⁷

Up-to-date templates and devices supported: Users claim that rhe software  lacks up-to-date templates and type of devices supported.⁵⁸

10- Astra Pentest

Astra Pentest is a network security audit platform that includes an automated vulnerability scanner, penetration testing features, and a vulnerability management dashboard. The platform can simulate hacker behavior to identify critical vulnerabilities in business applications. The integrations include GitLab, GitHub, Bitbucket, Slack, and Jira integration.

Pros

Usability: Customers note that Astra Pentest is simple and easy to use. The range of assessments performed is extremely detailed.⁵⁹

Network security automation: Users state that Astra Pentest helped them to build automation and eliminate manual work in their AWS infrastructure testing.⁶⁰

Customer support: Marketing professionals say that the guidance they received from Astra’s specialists and the customer success team was accurate and timely.⁶¹

Cons

User interface functionality: Some actions are not available through the user interface and require contact by a service representative.⁶²

Poor web application performance: Some users claim that the web application is experiencing performance issues.⁶³

Penetration testing duration: Customers express that some of the penetration testing can take a long time.⁶⁴

Read more: Pentesting tools.

For guidance on choosing the right tool or service, check out our data-driven sources: network security policy management (NSPM) tools and incident response tools.

Further reading

• Top 10 Microsegmentation Tools
• Intrusion Prevention: How does it work? & 3 Methods
• Role-based access control (RBAC)  
• Network Segmentation: 6 Benefits & 8 Best Practices
• 80+ Network Security Statistics
• Network Security Policy Management Solutions (NSPM)
• Cybersecurity Risk Management

AIMultiple can assist your organization in finding the right vendor. 

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