

Find out in this report how the two Domain Name System (DNS) Security solutions compare in terms of features, pricing, service and support, easy of deployment, and ROI.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Cisco Secure Access | 4.7% |
| Akamai Edge DNS | 3.7% |
| Other | 91.6% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 29 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 13 |
| Large Enterprise | 36 |
Akamai Edge DNS provides organizations with independent protocol-driven security, ease of record updates, and global distribution. It ensures 100% availability, low latency, and intelligent traffic management, serving diverse industries with enhanced DNS zone performance.
Akamai Edge DNS stands out for its independent protocol which enhances security and provides global distribution to thwart DDoS attacks. The solution offers reliable 100% availability and low latency responses, crucial for domain management in industries like finance, healthcare, and education. Intelligent routing and load balancing optimize traffic management, while numerous POPs contribute to high availability and scalability. Despite its strengths, Akamai could benefit from CNAME flattening and improved cloud vendor setup. The pricing model and absence of notes for DNS records are areas for enhancement. Nevertheless, it remains integral for secure and seamless DNS operations across small and large enterprises.
What are the key features of Akamai Edge DNS?Akamai Edge DNS is implemented across sectors like finance, healthcare, and education where maintaining control and security over DNS operations is paramount. Resellers benefit from its global distribution to prevent DDoS, while enterprises ensure performance with managed DNS zones. Akamai facilitates domain management, enabling records like MX and CNAME, and accommodates diverse industry needs. Challenges like complex cloud vendor setup and the absence of CNAME flattening reflect industry-specific demands for improved DNS management features.
Cisco Secure Access is a comprehensive Security Service Edge (SSE) solution (a key component of a SASE solution) that addresses the complexities of securing a hybrid enterprise. Cloud-delivered and grounded in zero trust, it delivers a unique blend of user simplicity and IT efficiency for frictionless, secure access to all applications—SaaS (with gen AI), private apps, and the internet—regardless of user location or device. Secure Access protects users, data, and devices against relentless, sophisticated, and constantly evolving threats including AI-driven attacks and identity breaches.
Provides all core SSE components (ZTNA, SWG, CASB, and FWaaS) plus extended capabilities.
Includes VPN-as-a-Service (VPNaaS), data loss prevention (DLP), AI Assistant, visibility/control/guardrails for generative AI use, digital experience monitoring (DEM), reserved IP, remote browser isolation (RBI), DNS-layer security, flexible security enforcement (in cloud or on-premises), policy verification, and more.
Protects users as they seamlessly access resources and apps with no extra steps needed, regardless of protocol, port, or level of customization
Simplifies IT operations through a single client, single dashboard, single license, and unified policies.
Lowers risk with least privilege, granular controls backed with unmatched threat intelligence of Cisco Talos.
Eases interoperability with other products from Cisco and third-party vendors with common administrative controls, data structures, and policy management.
Robust integrations
Integrates with Cisco Identity Intelligence to protect against the startling increase in identity-based attacks.
Integrates with many SAML Identity Providers (IDPs) such as AD, Azure AD, Okta, Ping, etc.
Integrates with Cisco offerings including SD-WAN, Splunk, XDR, Thousand Eyes, third party technologies such as Menlo RBI, Chrome Enterprise Browser, and AppOmni for SSPM.
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