Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform vs Zscaler Deception (Smokescreen): Side-by-Side Comparison (2026)

Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform: Agentless network defense platform using deception to preemptively disrupt threats. built by Ridgeback Network Defense. Core capabilities include Agentless deployment with no endpoint agents required, deployable in under 15 minutes, Real-time network visibility across OSI Layers 2-4 covering all VLANs, IT, OT, IoT, and unmanaged devices, Phantom asset presentation to engage and detect adversary lateral movement on-demand..

Zscaler Deception (Smokescreen): Deception platform using decoys to detect lateral movement & identity attacks. built by Smokescreen. Core capabilities include Endpoint deception with decoy files, credentials, and processes, Application deception with decoy SSH servers, databases, and file shares, Cloud deception with decoy web servers, file servers, and databases..

Both serve the Honeypots & Deception market but differ in approach, feature depth, and target audience.

Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform differentiates with Agentless deployment with no endpoint agents required, deployable in under 15 minutes, Real-time network visibility across OSI Layers 2-4 covering all VLANs, IT, OT, IoT, and unmanaged devices, Phantom asset presentation to engage and detect adversary lateral movement on-demand. Zscaler Deception (Smokescreen) differentiates with Endpoint deception with decoy files, credentials, and processes, Application deception with decoy SSH servers, databases, and file shares, Cloud deception with decoy web servers, file servers, and databases.

Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform is developed by Ridgeback Network Defense. Zscaler Deception (Smokescreen) is developed by Smokescreen. Vendor maturity, funding stage, and team size can be important factors when evaluating long-term viability and support quality.

Ridgeback Preemptive Security Platform and Zscaler Deception (Smokescreen) serve similar Honeypots & Deception use cases: both are Honeypots & Deception tools, both cover Lateral Movement. Review the feature comparison above to determine which fits your requirements.