Compare

How ShadowWatch Compares

DLP, CASBs, and written policies all have a role. None were built for the browser-prompt surface, especially personal-account AI sessions that bypass your proxy and identity layer. Here's the honest breakdown.

Capability
DLP
Symantec, Purview
CASB / SSE
Netskope, Zscaler
AI Gateways
Lakera, etc.
Secure Browsers
Island, Talon
ShadowWatch
Detect AI prompt activity
Partial
Partial
Yes
Partial
Yes
Discovers unknown / new AI tools automatically
No
Partial
No
Partial
Yes
Inspect prompt content
Limited
Limited
Yes
No
Yes
Real-time policy enforcement
Partial
Partial
Yes
No
Yes
Browser-level visibility
No
Limited
No
Yes
Yes
AI Presence Indicator (AI-impersonation / AI-phishing warning)
No
No
No
No
Yes
User warning & intervention
Limited
Limited
Partial
No
Yes
AI governance audit trail
Partial
Partial
Yes
Limited
Yes
Multi-tenant policy for MSPs
Limited
Yes
Limited
Partial
Yes
Deploys as a lightweight browser extension
No
No
No
No
Yes
Alerts to Slack, email, webhook, Splunk HEC, CEF/SIEM
Yes
Yes
Partial
Partial
Yes
Time to value
Weeks to months
Weeks to months
Days to weeks
Weeks
Minutes

"Limited" means the tool can partially address the capability with significant configuration or gaps. "Partial" means it captures some audit data but not a per-AI-interaction record. ShadowWatch runs alongside your existing DLP and CASB. It fills the browser-based AI blind spot they don't cover.

When to use what

Keep your DLP. It still owns email and endpoint data movement. Add ShadowWatch for the AI surface DLP can't see.

Keep your CASB. It governs sanctioned SaaS access. ShadowWatch governs what people do inside AI tools once they're there.

Replace manual policies with enforcement. 83% of organizations that allow AI already have a written AI policy (PYMNTS 2025), but a written policy only works if you can prove it's followed. ShadowWatch turns policy into evidence.