Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall vs Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls comparison

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall vs. Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:

ROI

Sentiment score

7.8

Organizations reported rapid returns with Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall, noting cost savings, improved metrics, and enhanced security controls.

Sentiment score

6.5

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls deliver strong ROI through reduced risks, costs, and enhanced security features despite high initial costs.

With Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall, that need is completely eradicated.

Sales And Brand Strategist at CrossConnect

I believe there is a return on investment with Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall for every company that deploys it, as they typically see returns quickly, often within a few months, and the value measured is reasonable and comes back quickly.

Solution Principal Senior . at Insight

Because of the integrated ecosystem, we are able to gain better insight and develop better controls around securing our system.

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall report

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

Their user-friendly interface and Panorama central management, which provides a comprehensive overview, make them an ideal investment.

Jeelani Qadir

Technical Lead at Accenture

The solution helped reduce downtime, which is crucial in time-sensitive industries like manufacturing.

Venkatasubramanian Rajagopal

Director IT Infrastructure and Operations at a analyst firm with 51-200 employees

I have seen a return on investment as there are definitely clear cost reductions, resource savings, time savings, and improved risk detection.

Nitin Yadav

Network & Security Engineer at Arrow PC Network Pvt.Ltd.

For more quotes and insights, download the Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls report

Customer Service

Sentiment score

7.7

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall support is praised for responsiveness and expertise, despite licensing concerns and shift change issues.

Sentiment score

6.7

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls support is knowledgeable but inconsistent, with language barriers and emergency response times needing improvement.

I would evaluate my customer service and technical support experience as fantastic.

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

I would evaluate the customer service and technical support as a white-glove experience for sure.

Sales And Brand Strategist at CrossConnect

I evaluate the customer service and technical support as excellent, as the support provided by Cisco is superior to other companies I have dealt with across various products.

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall report

Solution Principal Senior . at Insight

Palo Alto's network support is excellent, and I would rate it a ten out of ten.

reviewer2173242

Founder at a tech services company with 11-50 employees

Their response time is within one hour.

AmjadKhan1

Head of data centers at a non-profit with 10,001+ employees

They offer fast and competent assistance.

Valentyn Lytvynov

IP / Operations Support System Engineer; Pre-Sales Engineer at Avantguard.it

For more quotes and insights, download the Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls report

Scalability Issues

Sentiment score

7.7

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall scales effectively, supports East-West traffic, and is praised despite some deployment challenges.

Sentiment score

6.8

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls offer scalability and customization, but hardware limitations and cost issues affect extensive scaling options.

I find that Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall is well-prepared to scale with the growing needs of my organization, as it is designed with scalability in mind.

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall report

Solution Principal Senior . at Insight

It scales well with the growing needs of my organization.

reviewer1532805

IT Director at a retailer with 10,001+ employees

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall scales well with the growing needs of our organization.

reviewer2848713

Senior Domain Architect II at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Cloud deployments benefit from auto-scaling, allowing for automatic adjustments to firewall capacity based on demand.

Jeelani Qadir

Technical Lead at Accenture

It is important to assess the infrastructure size before choosing a model.

Valentyn Lytvynov

IP / Operations Support System Engineer; Pre-Sales Engineer at Avantguard.it

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls are scalable and reliable.

Hrushikesh Pandit

Senior Network Engineer L4 at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls report

Stability Issues

Sentiment score

8.1

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall's stability has improved, resolving initial issues and ensuring a smooth transition without disruptions.

Sentiment score

8.5

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls are favored for their consistent stability and reliability, outperforming competitors in various scenarios.

I have not experienced any downtime, crashes, or performance issues.

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

No downtime or crashes experienced once it has been onboarded.

Solution Principal Senior . at Insight

I have not experienced any downtime or crashes with Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall.

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall report

Sales And Brand Strategist at CrossConnect

With appropriately configured policies, these firewalls can provide robust network security.

Adam-Brenner

Solution Architect at a retailer with 201-500 employees

After the upgrade, we are experiencing performance issues.

For more quotes and insights, download the Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls report

Technical Engineer Technical Security at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

I have not experienced any outages or issues.

Valentyn Lytvynov

IP / Operations Support System Engineer; Pre-Sales Engineer at Avantguard.it

Room For Improvement

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall needs improved licensing, networking features, integration, documentation, pricing, and enhanced security product support.

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls need improved reporting, support, affordability, AI features, integration, scalability, and better-performing hardware.

Licensing is always a pain point and represents the worst aspect of the solution.

reviewer2848713

Senior Domain Architect II at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

Whenever we ask for a feature while working with Cisco, within a day, we get the feature added.

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall report

Sales And Brand Strategist at CrossConnect

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall could be improved by refining the documentation around the migration path from Cisco Defense Orchestrator or Farsight Manager because when we were early adopters, the migration path was quite unset and very vague and ambiguous.

BradDavenport

Director of Security Solutions North America at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

When performance degrades due to full packet inspection, the solution should be to increase the computing power within the same firewall, not to recommend upgrading to a larger, more expensive model.

Venkatasubramanian Rajagopal

Technical Engineer Technical Security at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

Further integration into a unified system could improve usability.

Director IT Infrastructure and Operations at a analyst firm with 51-200 employees

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls lack built-in multi-factor authentication, requiring the purchase of a third-party tool to implement this essential security feature.

AmjadKhan1

Head of data centers at a non-profit with 10,001+ employees

For more quotes and insights, download the Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls report

Setup Cost

Enterprise buyers find Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall affordable and valuable, with special pricing, reinvestment potential, and justified investment benefits.

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls are costly but valued for premium security, offering better value with multi-year licenses.

While some vendors offer cheaper options, the real value lies in the technology and the support provided by Talos and TAC, justifying its price in comparison to other vendors.

Solution Principal Senior . at Insight

Pricing has been competitive, and any savings we make on infrastructure can be reinvested in patient experience, care, and safety.

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall report

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

My experience with the pricing, setup costs, and licensing has been satisfactory.

reviewer1532805

IT Director at a retailer with 10,001+ employees

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls are expensive.

For more quotes and insights, download the Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls report

Technical Engineer Technical Security at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls come at a premium, exceeding the cost of most competitors by 45 percent.

AmjadKhan1

Head of data centers at a non-profit with 10,001+ employees

Colleagues looking for the cheapest and fastest firewall can still use Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls because they are affordable.

Senthil Kumar Manian

Director at Zuci Systems

Valuable Features

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall offers centralized management, integration, monitoring, segmentation, and machine learning for streamlined security operations and cost savings.

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls offer robust, user-friendly security with advanced AI, threat prevention, and centralized management features.

The centralized management console has helped my organization streamline security policies because we have a single place to view logs, ingestion, and to correlate all logs and events from one dashboard.

Solution Principal Senior . at Insight

We also have the ability to document changes and indeed have the ability to roll back failed changes in a much more expeditious manner with an audit trail, which ensures that both our network team and our security and compliance organizations are confident that we can not only effectively implement change, but we can also manage the risk that comes along with change.

BradDavenport

Director of Security Solutions North America at a tech vendor with 10,001+ employees

The most valuable feature is the integration with all of the other Cisco tools that we have, and its platform-first approach.

For more quotes and insights, download the Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall report

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

The most valuable features of Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls are DNS sync calls, enabled security features, and Wildfire.

For more quotes and insights, download the Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls report

Technical Engineer Technical Security at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

Threat Vault allows us access to a comprehensive threat database, enabling us to get detailed information on threats and how to mitigate them.

Hrushikesh Pandit

Senior Network Engineer L4 at a tech services company with 10,001+ employees

The most valuable feature of Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls is Cortex Data Lake.

Adam-Brenner

Solution Architect at a retailer with 201-500 employees

Categories and Ranking

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall

Ranking in Firewalls

21st

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.7

Number of Reviews

Ranking in other categories

Firewall Security Management (9th)

Palo Alto Networks NG Firew...

Ranking in Firewalls

5th

Average Rating

8.6

Reviews Sentiment

7.1

Number of Reviews

199

Ranking in other categories

No ranking in other categories

Featured Reviews

Smart switching has transformed data center security and now simplifies stateful segmentation

Sales And Brand Strategist at CrossConnect

To improve Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall, I think right now awareness is the biggest area for improvement. Cisco should focus on raising awareness about what the firewall on the switch actually is and how policy has changed. That is a massive story that has not been emphasized enough regarding saving time and effort due to the combination of all these tools. From a feature perspective, I am discovering new features as we deploy, so I do not know if there is a good answer yet because we are at the forefront of this technology. I can tell you that whenever we ask for a feature while working with Cisco, within a day, we get the feature added. For instance, understanding flow data is crucial. Within the N9300, to be able to apply the policy as we are discussing, you need to understand your network flow and what communicates with what. We were able to collaborate with the Cisco BU to refine how we consume that data and migrate old policies to the new structure necessary with Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall and HyperShield.

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Nitin Yadav

Network & Security Engineer at Arrow PC Network Pvt.Ltd.

Strong threat prevention has reduced phishing and malware while I monitor traffic in depth

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls offers application and user awareness, which allow me to control traffic based on threats. The product includes threat prevention, advanced threat prevention, and deep packet inspection that really helps prevent issues in our network. Deep packet inspection inspects full traffic content, even inside applications and encrypted sessions. Deep packet inspection makes a very practical difference day to day because it lets me see and control what is actually inside the traffic, not just the open port or IP. I have real visibility of which application is running instead of just seeing HTTPS. Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls WildFire sandboxing is really good at detecting and blocking zero-day malware automatically, along with its GlobalProtect and DNS security features. Using Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls positively impacts my organization by providing strong security, better visibility, faster response, and simplified operations. After deploying Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls in our network, it blocks malicious traffic and prevents compromises that occurred before Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls. I can now block outside IPs to prevent issues. After Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls installation, I reduced 60 to 70 percent of malware and phishing attacks. Its threat prevention and DNS security features detect these attacks, block malicious domains, and reduce manual efforts for the security team.

Read full review

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

No data available

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

Outsourcing Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	77
Midsize Enterprise	57
Large Enterprise	87

Questions from the Community

What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall?

My experience with the pricing, setup cost, and licensing of Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall is that it was minimal compared to the cost difference between what traditional N9300 would have cost to empo...

What needs improvement with Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall?

What is your primary use case for Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall?

My main use case for Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall is the consolidation of multiple tools into one management platform.A specific example of how I use Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall for consolidation is t...

What is a better choice, Azure Firewall or Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls?

Azure Firewall Vs. Palo Alto Network NG Firewalls Both solutions provide stellar stability and security. Azure Firewall is easy to use and provides excellent support. Valuable features include int...

Features comparison between Palo Alto and Fortinet firewalls

In the best tradition of these questions, Feature-wise both are quite similar, but each has things it's better at, it kind of depends what you value most. PA is good at app control, web filtering a...

Which is better - Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls or Sophos XG?

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls have both great features and performance. I like that Palo Alto has regular threat signatures and updates. I also appreciate that I can just import addresses and URL...

Palo Alto Networks VM-Series vs Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall

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Product Reports

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall

Download Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall product report

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls

Download Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls product report

Also Known As

No data available

Palo Alto NGFW, Palo Alto Networks Next-Generation Firewall

Overview

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall offers comprehensive protection and advanced security features tailored for modern network infrastructures. It efficiently addresses complex security challenges by integrating multiple functionalities into a cohesive framework.

This firewall architecture effectively secures hybrid environments, blending cloud and on-premise resources seamlessly. With its flexible deployment options, Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall allows businesses to adapt to evolving threats while maintaining high performance. Its scalable and robust nature ensures balanced load distribution and advanced threat detection, optimizing both resource utilization and security management.

What are the most important features of Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall?

Real-Time Threat Intelligence: Provides immediate responses to emerging threats with precise intelligence.
Advanced Traffic Control: Manages and filters network traffic to maintain optimal performance and security.
Scalable Architecture: Adjusts easily to network growth and complex security demands.
Integrated Security Policies: Unifies firewall rules and policies for consistent enforcement across environments.

What benefits and ROI should users look for in reviews?

Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for separate security solutions, lowering total investment.
Improved Security Posture: Enhances overall security through comprehensive threat management.
Operational Simplification: Minimizes complexity by integrating multiple security functions.
Adaptability: Offers the flexibility to adjust to new security challenges as they arise.

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall is extensively implemented in industries like finance, healthcare, and retail, where secure handling of sensitive data is critical. It supports businesses by offering tailored security configurations, ensuring compliance with industry standards, and facilitating smooth integration with existing infrastructures.

Cisco

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls deliver advanced threat protection with machine learning, enhancing security through real-time attack prevention. Known for application visibility and a user-friendly interface, they offer robust network protection and flexibility in rule creation.

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls are designed to secure environments with features like GlobalProtect VPN, WildFire malware detection, and unified platform integration. Their strong firewall capabilities and high-performance throughput make them suitable for perimeter and data center protection, VPN configurations, application control, and network segmentation. Users consistently highlight the ease of managing network security policies and integrating third-party tools, ensuring a comprehensive protection strategy. While enhancements in support, training resources, and configuration simplicity are needed, these firewalls are integral for securing both on-prem and cloud environments, aligning with platforms like Azure and AWS.

What are the key features of Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls?

Application Visibility: Provides insight into network traffic for better control.
Threat Prevention: Uses machine learning for real-time attack prevention.
GlobalProtect VPN: Secures remote access efficiently.
WildFire Malware Detection: Detects and prevents advanced threats.
Unified Platform Integration: Enhances network security through seamless integration with other tools.

What benefits should be evaluated when considering Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls?

Flexibility in Rule Creation: Allows customized security policies to meet specific needs.
High-Performance Throughput: Ensures efficient network operations under high load.
Comprehensive Policy Management: Simplifies overseeing and adjusting security policies.
Robust Endpoint Security: Protects endpoints against sophisticated threats.
Seamless Integration: Works well with third-party tools for a comprehensive solution.

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls are commonly implemented across industries for securing LAN environments, URL filtering, and ensuring Zero Trust security. They secure both on-premises and cloud infrastructures, often becoming integral parts of security frameworks within enterprises. Leveraging these firewalls in conjunction with Azure or AWS enhances the overall network protection strategies employed by organizations.

Palo Alto Networks

Sample Customers

Information Not Available

SkiStar AB, Ada County, Global IT Services PSF, Southern Cross Hospitals, Verge Health, University of Portsmouth, Austrian Airlines, The Heinz Endowments

Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall vs. Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls