So, Gartner dropped their 2019 Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness, and it’s got some interesting stuff in it. If you’re trying to figure out who’s who in the security awareness game, this report is usually the place to look. We’re going to break down the leaders and talk about what’s new and what’s coming up in the world of keeping people safe online. Think of this as your quick rundown of the gartner magic quadrant security awareness 2019 report.
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft and Tableau are still the big dogs in the leaders quadrant, pretty much running the show.
- Qlik is holding its ground as a leader, showing they’ve got a solid plan and know the market well, even if they’re not quite at the top.
- ThoughtSpot has officially landed in the Leaders quadrant, which is a big deal, showing they’re shaking things up with their pricing and new ideas.
- The trend is towards newer tech like machine learning and natural language processing, and making sure everyone can actually use the data they have.
- There are fewer companies in the ‘Visionaries’ section, suggesting the security awareness market is getting more mature, with big names finding their place.
Gartner Magic Quadrant Security Awareness 2019: Leaders Identified
Alright, let’s talk about who’s really making waves in the security awareness space according to Gartner’s 2019 Magic Quadrant report. It’s always interesting to see who’s at the top and why. This year, the landscape is pretty clear, with a couple of big names really dominating the Leaders quadrant.
Microsoft and Tableau: The Dominant Duopoly
It’s no surprise to see Microsoft and Tableau holding strong positions. They’ve been at the forefront for a while now, and it seems like they’re not letting go of that top spot anytime soon. Gartner points out that these two are really leading the pack, showing strong execution and a clear vision for where the market is headed. While they might lean more towards what Gartner calls ‘Mode 2’ – the more exploratory, self-service side of things – Microsoft is making moves to bring in ‘Mode 1’ capabilities too. This combination is what many are looking for, and their ability to execute is just top-notch. Tableau, in particular, is practically everywhere, from small startups to huge corporations, and their visualization tools are a big reason why.
Qlik’s Enduring Leadership Position
Qlik is another name that’s been a consistent player in the Leaders quadrant. They’ve been there since Gartner started these reports, which is no small feat. While they might not have the same market presence as Microsoft or Tableau, Gartner still sees them as having a very complete vision. Their product roadmap looks solid, they’ve got a good global reach, and they seem to really get what the market needs. However, the report suggests they might be feeling the heat from newer players like ThoughtSpot, and could potentially lose some ground. Still, staying in the Leaders circle for this long is a serious accomplishment.
Thoughtspot’s Ascent to the Leaders Quadrant
Now, this is exciting – ThoughtSpot has officially made its way into the Leaders quadrant! This is a big deal, especially since it’s been a while since a new vendor joined this elite group. Gartner recognized ThoughtSpot for its strong performance, happy customers, and quick innovation. One of their standout features is their pricing model, which is based on servers and data volume, offering more flexibility than the typical per-user pricing. They’re also making insights accessible to people who aren’t data experts. Gartner did note some areas for improvement, like global partnerships and some gaps in visualization and data prep, but their move to the Leaders quadrant signals they’re a serious contender to watch.
Key Trends Shaping The Security Awareness Landscape
So, what’s actually changing in the world of security awareness? It’s not just about those yearly training videos anymore, thankfully. Things are getting smarter, and frankly, more useful.
The Rise of Modern Analytics and BI
This is a big one. Companies are moving beyond just basic reporting. They want to actually understand their data, not just look at it. This means using tools that can crunch numbers in new ways and show patterns that weren’t obvious before. Think of it like going from a simple bar chart to a dynamic, interactive map that lets you zoom in on specific areas. This shift towards more powerful analytics is helping businesses spot potential security risks much earlier. It’s all about making data work harder for you, not just sit there.
Integration of Machine Learning and NLP
This is where things get really interesting. Machine learning (ML) and Natural Language Processing (NLP) are starting to pop up everywhere. ML can help spot unusual activity that might signal a breach, learning what’s normal for your network so it can flag what’s not. NLP, on the other hand, is like giving computers the ability to understand human language. This means you could potentially ask your data questions in plain English, like "Show me all the login attempts from outside the country last night," and get a clear answer. It makes getting insights much faster and easier for everyone.
Focus on Data Literacy and Scalability
Having all these fancy tools is great, but they’re no good if people can’t use them. That’s where data literacy comes in. It’s about making sure employees, not just the tech wizards, can understand and work with data. This means better training and tools that are easier to use. On top of that, companies need solutions that can grow with them. What works for a small team today might not cut it when you have hundreds or thousands of employees. Scalability is key to making sure security awareness efforts can keep up with a company’s growth.
Visionaries and Niche Players: Emerging Contenders
So, what’s happening outside the top tier? Well, the Visionaries quadrant is getting smaller, which Gartner suggests means the business intelligence market is maturing. It’s kind of like when a hobby gets really popular – a lot of people try it, but only a few stick with it and really get good. This year, we’re seeing fewer companies in that ‘visionary’ space, with only five remaining. Interestingly, three of these are big names you’d recognize: Salesforce, SAP, and TIBCO. Sisense and SAS are also hanging out in this group.
The Shrinking Visionaries Quadrant
It’s a notable shift from just a few years ago. Back in 2016, there were ten companies Gartner labeled as Visionaries. Now, with only five left, it really points to how much the landscape has changed. Established players like Oracle and IBM have moved into the Niche Players quadrant. This often happens when a company’s BI tools aren’t their main focus, even if they’re still good at what they do.
Notable Niche Players to Monitor
One of the most talked-about companies in the Niche Players quadrant is Looker. They’ve been growing fast and recently pulled in a lot of funding. Gartner notes that a big chunk of Looker’s customers use it as their go-to analytics tool. However, Gartner also points out some areas where Looker could improve, like its reach across different countries, its reliance on coding, and its product development plans. These are common growing pains for fast-moving companies, and it’ll be interesting to see how they address them. Looker’s momentum makes it a serious contender to watch, potentially challenging the top players.
Established Companies in Niche Positions
Companies like Oracle and IBM, while giants in their own right, find themselves in the Niche Players quadrant. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; it just means their BI solutions might not be the core of their business. They still offer solid tools, but they aren’t pushing the boundaries in the same way some of the more focused companies are. It’s a different strategy, and for some businesses, that might be exactly what they need. Understanding the Gartner Magic Quadrant framework helps clarify these distinctions.
Gartner’s Bimodal Approach to BI
So, Gartner has this way of looking at analytics and business intelligence tools, and they call it a ‘bimodal approach.’ Basically, they split vendors into two camps, or ‘modes.’
Understanding Mode One and Mode Two
Mode One is all about the tried-and-true stuff. Think of it as the reliable workhorse. It’s for when you know exactly what you need to do, like generating regular reports, pulling data from well-defined sources, and making sure everything is secure. It’s the predictable, stable part of BI.
Mode Two, on the other hand, is the experimental side. This is where you’re exploring new problems, trying out different ways to visualize data, and letting users explore on their own without a rigid structure. It’s about agility and finding new insights.
The Quest for the ‘Holy Grail’ Combination
What’s really interesting is that Gartner believes the best BI setup for most companies today needs a bit of both. They even call the combination of Mode One and Mode Two capabilities the ‘holy grail’ of BI. It’s like wanting a car that’s both super reliable for your daily commute and also a blast to take on a winding road.
Vendor Performance Across Modes
When Gartner looks at the vendors, they see how well each one handles these two modes. Some vendors are really strong in one mode but not so much in the other. For example, some tools are great for self-service exploration (Mode Two) but might not be as robust for traditional, scheduled reporting (Mode One). Gartner’s 2019 Magic Quadrant shows that while many vendors excel in one area, very few have truly mastered blending both Mode One and Mode Two into a single, cohesive platform. This is a big deal because companies need both stability and flexibility from their BI tools.
Vendor Strengths and Weaknesses in 2019
Thoughtspot’s Pricing and Innovation Strengths
Thoughtspot is making waves, landing in the Leaders quadrant for the first time. Gartner noticed their strong performance, happy customers, and quick development. A big plus for Thoughtspot is their pricing model, which is based on servers and data volume. This is different from most others who charge per user, giving customers more flexibility. They’re also good at helping people who aren’t data experts get insights from their data. However, like many fast-growing companies, they have some areas to work on. They don’t have many global partners yet, and their tools for creating visualizations and preparing data aren’t fully developed. Gartner also pointed out that a good chunk of their customers use other tools alongside Thoughtspot, meaning it can’t handle every single analytics need on its own. Still, getting into the Leaders quadrant shows Gartner sees them as a real contender against the big two.
Qlik’s Market Position and Roadmap
Qlik has been a consistent player in the Leaders quadrant for a while now. They’ve got a solid product plan and understand the market well, which keeps them in the running. Gartner even ranks their vision as the second best among the leaders. They’re doing well in many parts of the world. But, when you look at how much they’re actually used compared to Microsoft and Tableau, they’re not as prominent. This is based on what Gartner’s clients are saying and what’s happening on social media. While staying in the Leaders quadrant for years is impressive, it doesn’t look like they’re going to overtake the top two anytime soon. There’s also a chance that newer companies could start taking market share from them.
Looker’s Growth and Geographic Limitations
Looker is an interesting company in the Niche Players section. They’ve grown really fast and recently got a lot of new funding. Gartner sees this momentum and notes that most of their customers use Looker as their only analytics tool. But, Gartner has some concerns. Looker’s reach isn’t global yet, and it requires coding, which might be a hurdle for some. Their product plans are also a bit limited. These issues are pretty typical for a company that’s growing quickly, similar to what Gartner said about ThoughtSpot. Despite these points, Looker’s rapid growth makes them a company to watch closely in the business intelligence space, potentially challenging the established leaders. If you’re looking to get the most out of your BI tools, check out AtScale.
Wrapping It Up
So, looking back at the 2019 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness, it’s clear that Microsoft and Tableau are still the big players, holding onto their top spots. They’re not really budging, and it doesn’t seem like anyone’s going to knock them off their thrones anytime soon. But, there are some newer companies making waves, like ThoughtSpot and Looker. It’ll be interesting to see if these up-and-comers can really shake things up and challenge the established giants. The market is always changing, and keeping an eye on these vendors is definitely a good idea if you’re trying to figure out the best security awareness tools for your business.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the top companies in the Business Intelligence (BI) world for 2019, according to Gartner?
Gartner’s 2019 report names Microsoft and Tableau as the leading companies. Qlik and ThoughtSpot are also considered leaders, though they follow closely behind. These companies are recognized for their strong abilities in providing tools that help businesses understand their data.
What are the main trends changing the way businesses use BI tools?
Several key trends are shaping the BI landscape. Companies are increasingly using modern tools that make it easier to see and understand data. Also, new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and language understanding are being added to these tools. Finally, there’s a big push to help more people in a company learn how to use data effectively and to make sure the tools can handle lots of information.
What does Gartner mean by ‘bimodal’ approach to BI?
Gartner uses a ‘bimodal’ idea to describe how BI tools work. ‘Mode One’ is about using BI in a steady, predictable way, like getting regular reports. ‘Mode Two’ is more about exploring and experimenting with data to find new answers. Gartner believes the best BI solutions will combine both of these approaches.
Why is ThoughtSpot considered a leader, and what are its strengths and weaknesses?
ThoughtSpot has moved into the leaders’ group because it’s doing well and customers are happy. A big plus is its pricing, which is different from most others and offers more flexibility. It’s also great at helping people who aren’t tech experts get insights from data. However, it’s still growing, so it has fewer worldwide partners and might not be as strong in some areas like making fancy charts or getting data ready.
What’s happening with companies in the ‘Visionaries’ and ‘Niche Players’ sections?
The ‘Visionaries’ section is getting smaller, meaning fewer companies are seen as just dreaming up new ideas. Many of the remaining visionaries are big, established companies. In the ‘Niche Players’ section, you find companies that are good at specific things but might not be leaders overall. Some large companies are here because BI isn’t their main focus.
Is Looker a company to watch, even though it’s not in the Leaders quadrant?
Yes, Looker is definitely a company to keep an eye on. It’s growing very fast and has received a lot of investment. Many customers use it as their main tool for understanding data. Gartner notes its rapid growth but also points out that it’s not available everywhere globally and might require some coding, which could be a hurdle for some.
