The Top 4 Alternatives to SoSafe for Security Awareness Training

Your organization is evaluating SoSafe for security awareness training, but you're starting to wonder if there's something better out there. Maybe you're looking for more comprehensive features, better pricing, or a solution that aligns more closely with your specific security goals. You're not alone - many businesses regularly evaluate their current cybersecurity tools to ensure they're getting the best value and protection possible.

While SoSafe has established itself as a solid player in the security awareness training space, the cybersecurity landscape is rich with alternatives that might better serve your organization's unique needs. Whether you're seeking more advanced phishing simulations, broader threat intelligence integration, or a more partner-focused approach, exploring SoSafe alternatives can unlock new possibilities for strengthening your human firewall.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll dive deep into the top 4 alternatives to SoSafe that are making waves in the security awareness training industry. Let’s dive in.

Quick Comparison: Top SoSafe Alternatives at a Glance

1. Symbol Security

Symbol Security stands out as a forward-thinking security platform that goes beyond traditional security awareness training to offer a complete human cyber risk reduction solution. What makes the platform particularly exciting is its ability to service all kinds of customers, including those that want managed security awareness training services, Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), virtual Chief Information Security Officers (vCISOs) and customers who want proactive threat monitoring and intelligence.  Symbol’s platform also scales to encompass training on IT Security Policies, which is an often ignored but critical component to IT Security Risk Reduction.

Key Features of Symbol Security

• Comprehensive Security Awareness Training: A suite of training modules covering a wide range of cybersecurity topics, including phishing, password security, and industry compliance. The training utilizes interactive videos, gamification, and real-world scenarios to enhance learning and retention.
• Interactive Phishing Simulations: The platform delivers realistic phishing simulations that test your employees' susceptibility to attacks while providing engaging, interactive training modules that cover the full spectrum of cybersecurity topics.
• Proactive Cyber Threat Surveillance: One of Symbol Security's most impressive and unique features is its cyber threat surveillance capability, which actively monitors the dark web for stolen credentials and potential domain squatting, giving your organization a proactive stance against emerging threats.
• Policy Management Tools: The platform includes comprehensive tools for distributing, tracking, and capturing signatures on IT security policies, streamlining your cybersecurity compliance processes.
• White-Label Partner Solutions: Built specifically for channel partners, Symbol Security allows MSPs and vCISOs to brand and white-label the solution, creating seamless integration with their existing service offerings.

Strengths: Where Symbol Security Shines

• Holistic Security Approach: Symbol Security's greatest strength lies in its comprehensive risk management strategy. By bundling multiple security services into one platform, you get more complete protection than standalone training solutions can provide. This means you're not just training employees - you're actively monitoring and mitigating risks across multiple vectors.
• Professionally Managed Programs: The platform's focus on working with cybersecurity professionals means you can access highly tailored and expertly managed awareness programs. This takes the burden off your internal IT team while ensuring your program is optimized for maximum effectiveness.
• Engaging Learning Experience: Symbol Security utilizes real-world scenarios and video trainings to enhance learning and retention. This approach transforms cybersecurity training from a mundane compliance task into an engaging educational experience that actually changes behavior.
• Proactive Intelligence Integration: The inclusion of cyber threat surveillance sets Symbol Security apart by offering proactive threat mitigation rather than purely reactive training. You're not just preparing for potential threats - you're actively identifying and addressing them as they emerge.

Limitations to Consider

• Partner Dependency: Organizations without existing relationships with MSPs or vCISOs might find accessing and managing Symbol Security's services less straightforward than direct-purchase platforms.
• Market Recognition: As a newer player in the security awareness training space, Symbol Security may have less brand recognition compared to established industry giants, though this also means you're getting access to cutting-edge innovations.
• Limited Public Reviews: Detailed public reviews and direct comparisons are less readily available compared to more established competitors, making it important to conduct thorough due diligence.

Best Use Cases: Symbol Security is ideal for organizations that work with managed service providers, value comprehensive risk management over single-point solutions, and want professionally managed security awareness programs with proactive threat intelligence.

2. KnowBe4

KnowBe4 has earned its reputation as one of the most recognized names in security awareness training, and for good reason. This platform has built its success on offering the most extensive library of training content available in the market, making it a go-to choice for organizations that value variety and comprehensive educational resources.

Key Features of KnowBe4

• World's Largest Content Library: KnowBe4 boasts an impressive collection of security awareness training materials, including interactive modules, videos, games, posters, and newsletters. With content available in over 30 languages, this platform can serve global organizations with diverse workforce needs.
• Advanced Multi-Channel Simulations: Beyond traditional email phishing simulations, KnowBe4 supports sophisticated vishing (voice phishing) and smishing (SMS phishing) campaigns. This multi-channel approach ensures your employees are prepared for threats across all communication vectors.
• AI-Powered Personalization: The platform leverages artificial intelligence to analyze phishing simulation results and provide personalized training recommendations for each user. This smart approach ensures that learning paths are tailored to individual risk profiles and knowledge gaps.
• Comprehensive Analytics Dashboard: KnowBe4 offers robust reporting features that provide deep insights into employee performance, track progress over time, and help identify users who may need additional attention or training.

Strengths: Where KnowBe4 Shines

• Unmatched Content Variety: The sheer volume and diversity of KnowBe4's training materials means you can cater to different learning styles, organizational cultures, and specific industry requirements. Whether your employees prefer video content, interactive modules, or gamified experiences, you'll find options that resonate.
• Highly Realistic Simulations: KnowBe4's ability to create sophisticated, customized phishing attacks provides hands-on learning experiences that closely mirror real-world threats. This practical approach helps employees develop genuine threat recognition skills rather than just theoretical knowledge.
• Powerful ROI Measurement: The platform's detailed metrics and reporting capabilities make it easy to demonstrate the value and effectiveness of your security awareness program to stakeholders. You can track measurable improvements in employee behavior and quantify risk reduction.
• User-Friendly Experience: Many administrators appreciate KnowBe4's intuitive interface, which makes setting up campaigns, managing users, and analyzing results relatively straightforward, even for those without extensive technical backgrounds.

Limitations to Consider

• Risk of Compliance-Focused Mentality: With such an extensive library, some organizations fall into the trap of focusing on training completion rates rather than genuine behavior change. The abundance of content can sometimes lead to a "check-the-box" approach to security awareness.
• Investment Considerations: KnowBe4 represents a significant investment, particularly for larger organizations. The per-user, per-year pricing model can add up quickly, making budget planning important for long-term implementation.
• Content Repetition Concerns: Some users have noted that despite the large library, content can begin to feel repetitive over time, potentially leading to decreased employee engagement if not carefully managed.
• Administrative Requirements: While user-friendly, managing large-scale programs with customized campaigns across diverse user groups can still require dedicated administrative resources and ongoing attention.

Best Use Cases: KnowBe4 is perfect for organizations that need extensive content variety, want proven industry-standard solutions, require multi-language support, and have the budget for comprehensive enterprise-grade security awareness training.

3. Proofpoint 

Proofpoint brings a unique advantage to the security awareness training space through its deep integration with one of the industry's most comprehensive threat intelligence platforms. This data-driven approach ensures that your training content is not just educational, but directly relevant to the actual threats targeting your organization.

Key Features of Proofpoint

• Real-World Threat Intelligence Integration: What sets Proofpoint apart is how it leverages vast amounts of threat data collected from its email and web security solutions. This means your training content is continuously updated based on the latest attack trends and techniques actually being used against organizations like yours.
• Dynamic Personalized Learning: The platform automatically creates customized learning paths based on user roles, the specific threats they face, and their performance in simulations. This intelligent approach ensures that training time is used efficiently and effectively.
• Multi-Format Training Options: Proofpoint offers diverse training materials including interactive modules, engaging videos, and gamified learning experiences to keep employees interested and involved in their cybersecurity education.
• Closed-Loop Email Protection: The integrated "PhishAlarm" reporting button empowers employees to report suspicious emails, while the "CLEAR" (Closed-Loop Email Analysis and Response) solution can automatically analyze and remove malicious messages from all employee inboxes.

Strengths: Where Proofpoint Shines

• Highly Relevant Content: Because training content is informed by real threat intelligence, employees learn about attacks that are actually targeting organizations, making the education immediately applicable and valuable. This relevance significantly improves engagement and retention.
• Efficient Targeted Training: The platform's ability to personalize training based on individual risk profiles means employees receive education that's specifically relevant to their roles and threat exposure. This targeted approach maximizes learning efficiency while minimizing time investment.
• Actionable Security Insights: Proofpoint provides clear, practical reporting that not only shows training progress but also offers specific recommendations for improving your organization's security posture based on real-world threat data.
• Seamless Ecosystem Integration: For organizations already using other Proofpoint security solutions, the awareness training platform integrates seamlessly, creating a unified security management experience that amplifies the effectiveness of all components.

Limitations To Consider

• Email-Centric Focus: While comprehensive, Proofpoint's training content may emphasize email-based threats more heavily than other security domains, which could leave gaps in broader cybersecurity awareness.
• Integration Dependencies: The full value of Proofpoint's threat intelligence integration may be less compelling for organizations not already invested in the broader Proofpoint security ecosystem.
• Interface Modernization: Some users have found the user interface less intuitive or modern compared to newer competitors, though this doesn't impact the quality of the underlying training content.
• Enterprise Investment Level: Like other comprehensive enterprise solutions, Proofpoint's security awareness training requires a significant financial commitment that may be challenging for smaller organizations.

Best Use Cases: Proofpoint is ideal for organizations already using Proofpoint security products, those prioritizing threat intelligence-driven training, enterprises with complex security needs, and companies wanting integrated security awareness and incident response capabilities.

4. Cofense

Cofense has built its reputation as the go-to specialist for organizations that want to excel specifically at phishing defense. Formerly known as PhishMe, this platform focuses intensively on conditioning employees not just to recognize phishing attacks, but more importantly, to report them - turning your workforce into an active part of your security detection system.

Key Features of Cofense

• Ultra-Realistic Phishing Simulations: Cofense is renowned throughout the industry for creating highly sophisticated, customizable phishing simulations that closely mirror the latest real-world attack techniques. These simulations are so realistic that they provide authentic learning experiences without putting your organization at risk.
• Report-Centric Philosophy: At the heart of Cofense's approach is the "Cofense Reporter" button, which makes it incredibly easy for employees to report suspicious emails. This focus on reporting transforms passive training recipients into active security participants.
• Continuous Threat Intelligence Loop: The platform creates a powerful feedback loop by using threat intelligence gathered from reported phishing emails to continuously improve and update its simulations and training content, ensuring relevance to current attack trends.
• Professional Managed Services: Cofense offers comprehensive managed services to help organizations run effective phishing simulation programs, plus their "Triage" platform helps security teams efficiently analyze and respond to reported threats.

Strengths: Why Cofense Shines

• Proven Behavior Change Results: Cofense's focus on realistic simulations combined with easy reporting mechanisms has demonstrated exceptional effectiveness in actually changing employee behavior and significantly reducing organizational susceptibility to phishing attacks.
• Real-Time Security Intelligence: By encouraging and facilitating the reporting of suspicious emails, Cofense provides your security operations center with valuable, actionable threat intelligence as attacks are happening, not after the fact.
• Deep Specialized Expertise: With years of focus specifically on phishing defense, Cofense brings unmatched expertise and proven methodologies to this critical area of cybersecurity awareness training.
• Security Operations Integration: The platform is designed to enhance and integrate with your existing security incident response processes, making reported threats immediately actionable for your security team.

Limitations to Consider

• Specialized Focus Area: While Cofense excels at phishing awareness, organizations needing broader cybersecurity training covering topics like physical security, social engineering beyond phishing, or compliance training may need to supplement with additional solutions.
• Technical Complexity: The Cofense Triage platform, while powerful for security teams, can be complex to implement and manage effectively, requiring dedicated security personnel with appropriate technical skills.
• Enterprise-Level Investment: The sophisticated features and managed services that make Cofense effective also make it a more expensive option, particularly for smaller organizations with limited security budgets.
• Simulation Fatigue Risk: The continuous and highly realistic nature of Cofense's phishing simulations could potentially lead to user fatigue or desensitization if not carefully balanced and managed over time.

Best Use Cases: Cofense is perfect for organizations with high phishing risk exposure, companies wanting to turn employees into active threat reporters, enterprises with dedicated security operations centers, and businesses prioritizing specialized phishing defense over general security awareness.

Unlock Your Organization's Security Potential Today

Each of these SoSafe alternatives brings powerful capabilities that can enhance your organization's security awareness program. Symbol Security offers comprehensive risk reduction through professional partnerships, KnowBe4 provides unmatched content variety and industry credibility, Proofpoint delivers intelligence-driven personalization, and Cofense specializes in transforming employees into active phishing defenders.

The cybersecurity landscape continues to evolve, and your security awareness training should evolve with it. By exploring these alternatives, you're taking a proactive step toward building a stronger, more resilient human firewall that can adapt to emerging threats and protect your organization's valuable assets.

Remember, the best security awareness training platform is the one that aligns with your specific goals, integrates well with your existing processes, and genuinely engages your employees in becoming active participants in your cybersecurity strategy. Take the time to evaluate these options thoroughly - your organization's security future depends on making informed decisions that unlock your team's potential to become your strongest defense against cyber threats.

Ready to transform your security awareness program? Start by reaching out to these providers to schedule demos and see firsthand how each platform could strengthen your organization's cybersecurity posture.