Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Reviews

Name: Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 4.1 (142 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

4.1 out of 5

142 reviews
87% willing to recommend

2,478 followers

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What is Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)?

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) offers comprehensive network access control and visibility, supporting features like 802.1X authentication, profiling, and posturing. It integrates with Microsoft and other Cisco products, facilitating robust security policies across distributed networks.

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Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is the #1 ranked solution in top Network Access Control (NAC) solutions and top Cisco Security Portfolio solutions. PeerSpot users give Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is most commonly compared to Aruba ClearPass: Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Aruba ClearPass. Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 50% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 24% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

April 2025

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Featured Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) reviews

SunilkumarNaganuri

Service Line Manager (Service Operations Expert) - Network Access Control at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is very good at device administration. This is one of the best features. Other than that, for the wireless authentication and network access control (NAC) use cases, it is not a solid product because there are better products for NAC than Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).

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Brad Lossing

Manager Network Operations at RAND Corporation

We've become more secure. We see devices that lose certificates, and then they get denied. Before, we would only get to know that the network was down. Now, with the help of the solution, we can pull up reports, go through them and understand that the certificate has expired. So, the person who raised the ticket takes the certificate, and everything gets resolved. We can also understand if posturing fails because the user doesn't have the current version of the software on. The product provides us with one place to look for all of these noncompliance issues. If a port keeps locking down, we can send somebody to check the devices and remove a bad device if needed. The issue doesn’t get on the network because the product ties in and locks the network down for us on that port.

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Wayne Cross

Director of cyber security at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

One of the things that we found most valuable over the years is the ability for it to provide information to the help desk that allows them to troubleshoot issues. We still use a lot of that today and we're going over to DNA soon. We're adopting some of the DNA technologies now, however, ISE has been the mainstay for us for quite a few years now. The solution is great for establishing trust for every access request no matter where it comes from. That was one of the biggest use cases for us, as one of the problems that we had was to secure a specific VLAN. If a help desk person had a laptop, and they plugged it into a network cable port somewhere, it would automatically put them on a secure network. If a lawyer uses their laptop, it would put them on a separate network. If a phone is plugged in, it will know it's a phone and put it on a phone network. ISE is the only way we have been able to do that. We've streamlined a lot of our provisioning and de-provisioning processes through Cisco ISE. It has certainly made it easier to secure our devices. For example, we have offices across the entire country. We are a large law firm and have huge offices in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Calgary, and Vancouver. We also have ISO 27001 and 27017 certified as well and I run that program. One of the big things for us is when auditors come for a visit. All of our locations have a conference floor, a whole floor that's dedicated to conference rooms. There are tons of large conference rooms. When we get audited, conference floors are usually floors that auditors are allowed to go to, as they're publicly accessible floors. We'll get asked, "How do you secure the port?" When we go into the conference room, they can see the network ports." They will ask, "Well, how do you secure these ports? What if somebody came and plugged their machine in?" We then say, "We use Cisco ISE. Cisco ISE identifies that it doesn't belong to our corporate network. It does a check and then puts them right onto the internet, so we don't need to worry about strangers on our closed network.”

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Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) video interviews

Watch video interviews with real Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) users to learn how the Network Access Control (NAC) solution helped improve their organization. The videos include info about the challenges and benefits of implementing Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).

Aug 3, 2023

Brad Davenport

VP of Technical Architecture at Logicalis

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Aug 3, 2023

Vergin Mansour

Network Engineer at Northrop Grumman

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Aug 3, 2023

Ty Awoderu

Network Analyst at a healthcare company with 10,001+ employees

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Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) mindshare

Product category:

As of May 2025, the mindshare of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) in the Network Access Control (NAC) category stands at 25.8%, down from 31.3% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Access Control (NAC)

PeerResearch reports based on Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) reviews

Type	Title	Date
Category	Network Access Control (NAC)	May 1, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Aruba ClearPass	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Fortinet FortiNAC	May 1, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs ThreatLocker Zero Trust Endpoint Protection Platform	May 1, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Aruba ClearPass	4.3	24.5%	94%	85 interviews Add to research
Fortinet FortiNAC	3.8	18.8%	87%	55 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) stands out for its integration with Cisco products, enhanced security via 802.1X, RADIUS, TACACS features. Its user-friendly interface supports scalability, profiling, guest access, BYOD, device visibility. ISE excels in posture assessment, policy management, network access control. It facilitates zero-trust environments, automates security operations, ensures compliance, and offers strong granular control of access, thereby providing detailed user authentication and network management capabilities essential for large enterprise environments.

"Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is very stable."
"The solution offers automation and real-time visibility, which aids in monitoring and troubleshooting issues with endpoints."
"Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is very good at device administration."

Room for Improvement

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) requires improved integration and support for non-Cisco devices, easier setup, more user-friendly interfaces, and enhanced reporting. Its upgrade process is complex, with stability issues and limited third-party integration. Users find the learning curve and initial configuration challenging, and documentation is inadequate. Frequent bugs and a heavy graphical user interface add to usability concerns. Troubleshooting is difficult, and there is a need for better visibility and automation features.

"I would say they need to expand the hardware compatibility. The whole setup works well with Cisco access points and Cisco switches, but when you have multiple vendors in the environment, such as HP switches or access points like Aruba, you'll find they will not work well with Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)."
"The licensing scheme is complex and could use enhancement to provide more options."
"Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) needs to improve the profiling preauthentication. They are very poor in asset classification and should focus on improving the preauthentication profiling, especially for NAC use cases."

ROI

Cisco Identity Services Engine offers good ROI by enhancing security and mobility. Customers appreciate its long-term support, seamless integration with security solutions, and cost-saving abilities by consolidating products. It aids compliance, minimizes threats, is indispensable for secure access, and reduces IT workload. Many find it cost-effective compared to alternatives, improving their cybersecurity posture and protecting their environment from potential threats, making it a valued investment.

Pricing

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) has three pricing tiers: Basic, Plus, and Apex. Users find licensing complex, with frequent changes and a shift towards subscriptions. While Cisco offers robust features and value, many users cite high costs compared to competitors like Forescout and Fortinet. Setup expenses vary, with cloud solutions being pricier than on-premises. Large enterprises often benefit from discounts due to strategic partnerships, but smaller organizations may struggle with affordability.

"If you consider money only, Cisco ISE is not a cheap solution."
"The solution is not that cheap."
"I would rate the pricing an eight out of ten, one being cheap and ten being expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily utilize Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for network access control, user authentication, and device administration. It is commonly employed for wireless and wired access management, implementing policies for segmentation and security, and ensuring compliance with corporate network requirements. Cisco ISE helps protect networks by enforcing authorization credentials, providing secure access to internal systems, managing guest access, and facilitating integration with Active Directory and other network infrastructure components.

Service and Support

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) receives mixed feedback on customer service and support. Many find technical support knowledgeable and responsive, rating it highly. However, some note delays, especially in complex cases, and the need for better integration with other Cisco devices. Users appreciate the exceptional service from Cisco partners but encounter issues with lengthy problem resolutions. Many highlight the strong technical community and the availability of extensive documentation, yet there are calls for more knowledgeable international support.

Deployment

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) initial setup varies in complexity. Users often find it daunting due to its many configurations and prerequisites. While some report a straightforward experience, many encounter challenges related to the environment, network devices, and integration with systems like Active Directory. The setup's duration fluctuates based on technical expertise and infrastructure, ranging from hours to several months. Employing knowledgeable professionals often eases the process, ensuring more efficient deployment.

Scalability

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) handles scalability effectively across various environments, ensuring ease of scale with sufficient licenses and hardware. It's widely adaptable for small to large organizations, while certain design limitations may arise for non-Cisco integrations and virtualization. Users report successful scaling from small to large deployments efficiently and mention its applicability across diverse infrastructures, highlighting its robust capability to manage numerous users and devices without significant challenges.

Stability

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) generally demonstrates strong stability. Users report that while it sometimes faces issues, particularly during upgrades or specific use cases like authentication, it's usually very reliable. Many users praise its robustness, citing few bugs or crashes. Stability often improves with proper configuration and routine maintenance. While some experience challenges, ISE is highly regarded for its operational soundness, especially when properly managed and updated.

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

Download our Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

By visitors reading reviews

Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

24%

Computer Software Company

15%

Financial Services Firm

Government

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Comms Service Provider

University

Energy/Utilities Company

Retailer

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Non Profit

Media Company

Hospitality Company

Legal Firm

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Outsourcing Company

Transportation Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Performing Arts

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Compare Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) with alternative products

Learn more about Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

Cisco Identity Services Engine is a key player in network access control, offering centralized management and a user-friendly interface. It supports zero trust principles and provides strong authentication for wired and wireless networks. ISE's capabilities include granular security policies, enhanced device posturing, and seamless integration, bolstering security infrastructure. Users benefit from its dual authentication through EAP, simplifying access management across networks.

What are the key features of Cisco ISE?

802.1X Authentication: Supports network security for authorized device access.
Profiling: Identifies devices for accurate policy enforcement.
Posturing: Evaluates device compliance for access decisions.
TACACS: Streamlines network device authentication and authorization.
Guest Access: Provides secure access to visitors.
Microsoft Compatibility: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft environments.

What benefits and ROI should be considered?

Security Enhancement: Offers strong network security policies.
Operational Efficiency: Centralized management improves operational aspects.
Improved Compliance: Ensures adherence to industry standards.
Scalability: Supports growing network demands effectively.

In industries like finance, healthcare, and education, Cisco ISE is pivotal for securing wired and wireless networks, implementing BYOD policies, and managing user access. Organizations leverage ISE for effective authentication and authorization, while maintaining compliance with industry security standards.

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) was previously known as Cisco ISE.

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) customers

Aegean Motorway, BC Hydro, Beachbody, Bucks County Intermediate Unit , Cisco IT, Derby City Council, Global Banking Customer, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, Houston Methodist, Linz AG, London Hydro, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Molina Healthcare, MST Systems, New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Reykjavik University, Wildau University