Cisco Web Security Appliance Reviews

Name: Cisco Web Security Appliance
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 3.9 (31 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

3.9 out of 5

31 reviews
90% willing to recommend

What is Cisco Web Security Appliance?

Cisco Web Security Appliance (WSA) is a web security solution provided by Cisco Systems. It is designed to protect organizations from web-based threats, enforce acceptable use policies, and provide secure access to the internet for users within the organization.

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Cisco Web Security Appliance is the #14 ranked solution in top Web Security Gateways. PeerSpot users give Cisco Web Security Appliance an average rating of 7.8 out of 10. Cisco Web Security Appliance is most commonly compared to Cisco Umbrella: Cisco Web Security Appliance vs Cisco Umbrella. Cisco Web Security Appliance is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 63% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a computer software company, accounting for 19% of all views.

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Cisco Web Security Appliance

June 2025

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Helped 856,873 peers since 2012

Featured Cisco Web Security Appliance reviews

Vusa Ndlovu

Security Solution Architect at a tech services company with 501-1,000 employees

The features I like most are the DLP functionality for web security and malware protection. The malware protection is especially impressive when it is integrated with other Cisco products like Cisco I and the firewall FTP. When I integrate these three products, it efficiently prevents malware, showing which endpoint is affected and providing a comprehensive view of the endpoint connections.

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BhanuSingh

Deputy Manager Infra & Security at a manufacturing company with 1,001-5,000 employees

With the in-house solution, scalability depends on the fixed hardware you purchase. You would have to choose a particular-sized hardware based on the department. You must choose the right hardware box whether you want 2,000, 5,000, or 10,000 users. If you use the solution in a virtual environment, you can scale up by increasing the virtual box size. There is no limitation on the product's scalability. I rate the in-house version a seven out of ten. When you move the same solution to a cloud, it scales properly because it's based on Umbrella. I rate the cloud solution's scalability a nine out of ten. Thousands of users use the solution in my organization.

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IgnitiusMolepo

Senior IP Network Defense at MTN

The Cisco Web Security Appliance provides DLP to organizations. It helps prevent the unauthorized transmission of sensitive information by blocking such attempts. Additionally, it safeguards against malware attacks, particularly on websites not authorized by our company. Its role in protecting us from malware is pivotal. The organization itself handles the configuration and management of Cisco Web Security Appliance. Cisco assists in deploying and configuring the appliance and managing all associated services. Integrating the Cisco Web Security Appliance with other solutions is quite challenging. For instance, when we tried to integrate Netscape KSP, we encountered difficulties retrieving logs. Additionally, our solution failed to interact with the Web Security Appliance. Overall, the integration process remains problematic, hindering the effectiveness of our security infrastructure. We have both the cloud version and the on-premises version. For clients who require data sovereignty, we offer the on-premises version, which includes a data sovereignty tool. This allows them to enforce policies that prevent the transfer of logs to third-party data centres, ensuring compliance with their country's regulations. Overall, I rate the solution a nine out of ten.

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Cisco Web Security Appliance mindshare

As of June 2025, the mindshare of Cisco Web Security Appliance in the Secure Web Gateways (SWG) category stands at 2.5%, down from 2.9% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Secure Web Gateways (SWG)

PeerResearch reports based on Cisco Web Security Appliance reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Secure Web Gateways (SWG)	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Web Security Appliance vs Cisco Umbrella	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Web Security Appliance vs Zscaler Internet Access	Jun 15, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Web Security Appliance vs Fortinet FortiGate SWG	Jun 15, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Cisco Umbrella	4.4	17.8%	97%	121 interviews Add to research
Zscaler Internet Access	4.1	15.1%	98%	53 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Cisco Web Security Appliance offers user-friendly convenience and strong web security. Its notable features include user activity visibility, integration capabilities, SSL decryption, malware protection with URL filtering, advanced policy settings, and DNS security. Users appreciate its scalability and stability alongside content filtering and bandwidth management. It integrates well with Cisco Email Security and Active Directory, supports policy framing, and provides comprehensive security support like AMP and DNS functionality. Its seamless operation and detailed user management ensure effective cybersecurity.

"The features I like most are the DLP functionality for web security and malware protection."
"The features I like most are the DLP functionality for web security and malware protection."
"The solution offers content filtering and micro-content controls, such as regulating the types of images and their resolution."

Room for Improvement

Cisco Web Security Appliance needs improved management automation and compatibility with other products. Users find the pricing excessive and desire a more flexible licensing model. The graphical interface lacks user-friendliness, and technical support needs enhancements. Users call for better integration with existing technologies and improved reporting. There are challenges with multi-instance features and automation. Seamless integration with other technologies and a more consolidated approach to feature sets could enhance user satisfaction.

"The support is good but slow. Generally, the response time for resolving issues is getting slower."
"With the WebAssign integration, it is not easy when I am integrating policies within the company, especially with NAND and wireless policies."
"The product is great, however, incorporating features offered by competitors would be beneficial."

ROI

Users found Cisco Web Security Appliance to be a valuable investment, particularly when part of an ELA, though the exact cost breakdown was unclear. Its ROI was considered positive over time, with high protection value during security threats. Despite the initial investment appearing minimal, users valued its enhancement of security layers, particularly when endpoints were already secured. The importance was highlighted by its effectiveness in scenarios of potential breaches or escalating threats.

Pricing

Cisco Web Security Appliance is perceived as expensive, with annual costs around $10,000 and licensing based on user count. While not the cheapest, it is considered worth the investment by many users. Pricing is competitive and varies, favoring public sector clients. Smaller businesses might find the cost challenging, and options start at a 100-user threshold. Licensing includes technical support and can be one-year, three-year, or five-year durations, requiring subscription fees.

"I rate the product price a ten on a scale of one to ten, where one is low price and ten is high price."
"The tool's licensing is yearly."
"I rate Cisco WSA a seven out of ten since it is costly."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Cisco Web Security Appliance for web security, proxy functions, URL filtering, and access control. It helps secure network traffic, verifies user identity, and checks system compliance. The appliance can be deployed both on-premise and in the cloud, providing protection against internet threats and supporting remote work by enforcing security policies and centralized management. It integrates with various platforms and offers advanced features like threat defense, anti-malware, and security orchestration.

Service and Support

Technical support from Cisco Web Security Appliance is considered effective but sometimes slow to respond, especially in certain regions. Users appreciate the comprehensive and specific documentation, although there's frustration with ticket ownership and feedback delays. The quality of support seems to depend on the technician's level, with higher levels offering better assistance. Some users report excellent experiences with Cisco's support, rating it highly, while others find room for improvement, especially with response times.

Deployment

Many found Cisco Web Security Appliance's initial setup straightforward and easy, particularly with basic configurations and proper preparation. Complexity varied with customization and integration needs, with some setups taking days or weeks due to policy creation and other technical requirements. Groups that followed Cisco's best practices experienced ease, while those requiring high customization faced challenges. Adequate expertise and familiarity with the software helped in smoother transitions and deployments across various environments.

Scalability

Cisco Web Security Appliance offers significant scalability, with many users highlighting its ability to handle large user volumes through horizontal scaling and integration with existing systems. Some users mention hardware limitations requiring upgrades, while others prefer virtual environments for better flexibility. Despite minor challenges in clustering and load balance, scalability is praised with ratings from seven to ten. The appliance is considered stable, reliable, and capable of meeting long-term organizational needs through subscription-based scaling.

Stability

Cisco Web Security Appliance is widely praised for its stability. Many users report smooth, reliable performance without issues. However, stability can depend on the infrastructure and configuration. While most experience no disruptions, some highlight potential problems during power outages due to encrypted hard disks. There are recommendations for proper setup to ensure optimal reliability. Cisco Web Security Appliance is often rated highly for stability, with frequent mentions of its seamless operation across various environments.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Cisco Web Security Appliance Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

19%

Financial Services Firm

18%

Non Profit

Healthcare Company

Government

Manufacturing Company

Comms Service Provider

Educational Organization

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Media Company

Energy/Utilities Company

Hospitality Company

University

Retailer

Real Estate/Law Firm

Consumer Goods Company

Transportation Company

Legal Firm

Recruiting/Hr Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Pharma/Biotech Company

Outsourcing Company

Performing Arts

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Compare Cisco Web Security Appliance with alternative products

Learn more about Cisco Web Security Appliance

Cisco Web Security Appliance Benefits:

Easy to use
Comprehensive security features
Blocks malicious websites and prevents data loss
Efficient reporting and analytics capabilities
Scalable and integrates with other Cisco security products

Cisco Web Security Appliance Features:

Web Filtering: WSA offers web filtering capabilities to control and enforce policies for web access.
Malware Protection: The solution incorporates advanced threat intelligence and security technologies to detect and block web-based malware, viruses, spyware, and other malicious content.
URL Filtering and Reputation: WSA leverages URL filtering and reputation services to categorize and assess the reputation of web domains and URLs in real-time.
SSL/TLS Inspection: The appliance supports SSL/TLS decryption and inspection, allowing organizations to examine encrypted web traffic for threats and enforce security policies.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP): WSA includes DLP capabilities to prevent the exfiltration of sensitive data through web channels.
Application Control: The solution enables organizations to control and manage web applications and protocols.
User Authentication and Access Control: WSA integrates with existing identity providers and authentication mechanisms to enforce user-based policies and provide secure access to the internet.
Reporting and Analytics: The appliance provides comprehensive reporting and analytics capabilities, allowing organizations to gain insights into web traffic, user activities, security events, and compliance violations.

Cisco Web Security Appliance is typically deployed as a physical or virtual appliance within an organization's network infrastructure. It can be integrated with other Cisco security products and solutions to provide a layered approach to web security and network protection.

Reviews from Real Users

Below are some reviews and helpful feedback written by Cisco Web Security Appliance users.

Md Manirul Islam, Deputy General Manager Pre-Sales at Beximcocomputers, states that "The most valuable feature of Cisco Web Security Appliance is the provided anti-malware functionality and URL categorization. I can block access to malicious websites. 99 percent of the cases are related to a malicious website. If I cannot browse those malicious websites, then we are 99 percent protected."

Surendar Ganesan, Technical Lead, writes that "The best feature of Cisco Web Security Appliance is its policy framing. It also has a good UI and it can handle traffic well. Cisco Web Security Appliance is a good product."

Atdhe Zyhranaj, Network Security Consultant at NSCON Network Services & Consulting GmbH, says that Cisco Web Security Appliance is "Easy to set up with scalable virtual machines and good reliability."

Cisco Web Security Appliance was previously known as Cisco WSA, Cisco Web Security.