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Cisco IOS Security vs Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System comparison

Cisco and Hillstone Networks are both solutions in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category. Cisco is ranked #14 with an average rating of 8.2, while Hillstone Networks is ranked #24. Cisco holds a 1.7% mindshare in ID, compared to Hillstone Networks’s 1.3% mindshare. Additionally, 91% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Hillstone Networks users who would recommend it.
Cisco IOS Security
Read 48 Cisco IOS Security reviews
  • 1,350 Views
  • 324 Comparison Views
91% willing to recommend
Hillstone S-Series Network ...
Read 1 Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System review
  • 337 Views
  • 286 Comparison Views
100% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive Summary
We performed a comparison between Cisco IOS Security and Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

Find out what your peers are saying about Darktrace, Check Point Software Technologies, Fortinet and others in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS).

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To learn more, read our detailed Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) Report (Updated: August 2025).
Buyer's Guide
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
August 2025
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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:
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco IOS Security
Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
14th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.9
Number of Reviews
48
Ranking in other categories
Firewalls (26th)
Hillstone S-Series Network ...
Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
24th
Average Rating
9.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.8
Number of Reviews
1
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of September 2025, in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category, the mindshare of Cisco IOS Security is 1.7%, up from 0.7% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System is 1.3%, up from 0.6% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) Market Share Distribution
ProductMarket Share (%)
Cisco IOS Security1.7%
Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System1.3%
Other97.0%
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
 

Featured Reviews

Binoob John - PeerSpot reviewer
Rrobust network security and device authentication with advanced access control features
This solution should be implemented for most enterprise-level customers. It ensures that users accessing the corporate network or wireless network with their own devices are authenticated and authorized. As a network administrator, I can track who is accessing the network, what devices they are…
Read full review
reviewer1080873 - PeerSpot reviewer
Complements any firewall
The core processors are there and it's able to generate reports for that. It also complements any kind of firewall. For example, if an end user is using Palo Alto as a firewall, they'd need another layer of firewall like the S-Series that will protect internal servers. It's something that complements any firewall in the market.
Read full review

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Technical support for this solution is very good."
"The most valuable feature of Cisco IOS Security is posturing."
"We use the product for firewalls."
"It covers everything we need it to without looking to secondary solutions."
"The stability of this solution is excellent."
"The hardware is pretty stable. It's also a very good product performance-wise. Initially, it wasn't mature like a firewall and there were other leaders, but now they have included almost all the features of next-generation security. Basically, it's a good product to work with."
"Cisco IOS Security is very robust and works very well."
"Cisco IOS allows us to keep the same security features as our principal offices."
More Cisco IOS Security pros
"Setup is straightforward with the same reliability and scalability as the firewall series."
 

Cons

"An area for improvement in Cisco IOS Security is the performance because it's not as stable sometimes. There's also some latency in the solution, which could be improved. Cisco IOS Security integrates with other solutions, but you'll encounter many errors after integration, so this is another area for improvement. I'd like to see enhanced performance and a simplified setup in the next version of Cisco IOS Security."
"I would like to see much more embedded security that works and that isn't a bolt-on."
"I wish it would be more like the next generation firewall technology. There should be more selection between the application and filtering."
"It takes too much time to deploy a policy to FMC. It takes around eight minutes. You can't afford any downtime when you're changing policies."
"Signatures and other critical definitions need to be updated more frequently."
"The configuration should be easier in the solution."
"Cisco IOS Security could improve by having more compatibility with other Cisco solutions."
"The product's technical support services need improvement."
More Cisco IOS Security cons
"Lack of tools to help educate end users"
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"Palo Alto networks are more expensive than this solution and this is why you will see more products like this one in Mexico."
"You can get a better price if you commit to a longer-term license. Three years, five years, or even seven or ten years will be cheaper than a three-month or one-year term."
"The pricing for Cisco IOS Security is reasonable compared to other Cisco products."
"It is an expensive solution."
"It is necessary to pay for a license in order to use the solution. It is on a yearly basis and the price is high."
"The licensing is on a subscription basis, and it is fairly costly. I would prefer a one-time payment."
"Cisco IOS Security is not very expensive, and pricing depends on where you live. It's affordable for both individuals and institutions. On a scale from one to five, I would give Cisco's pricing a four."
"The cost may be around $5,000 to $10,000 a year. If you want support you have to pay at least this price."
More Cisco IOS Security pricing and cost advice
Information not available
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
27%
Government
8%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Outsourcing Company
7%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business17
Midsize Enterprise14
Large Enterprise18
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco IOS Security?
Cisco IOS Security is a mature product with extensive capabilities, serving as the base for the defense layer. It offers good network visibility, which helps in rapid response through the Rapid Thr...
See all answers
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco IOS Security?
Pricing can be reduced. I rate the current price for the product a four out of ten.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Cisco IOS Security?
While I do not have specific recommendations for improvement, pricing can be reduced.
See all answers
Ask a question
Earn 20 points
 

Comparisons

Cisco Secure Firewall vs Cisco IOS Security Logo
Cisco Secure Firewall vs Cisco IOS Security
Compared 23% of the time
Cisco Meraki MX vs Cisco IOS Security Logo
Cisco Meraki MX vs Cisco IOS Security
Compared 13% of the time
OPNsense vs Cisco IOS Security Logo
OPNsense vs Cisco IOS Security
Compared 11% of the time
Fortinet FortiGate vs Cisco IOS Security Logo
Fortinet FortiGate vs Cisco IOS Security
Compared 8% of the time
Fortinet FortiOS vs Cisco IOS Security Logo
Fortinet FortiOS vs Cisco IOS Security
Compared 8% of the time
More Cisco IOS Security Competitors
Fortinet FortiGate IPS vs Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System Logo
Fortinet FortiGate IPS vs Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System
Compared 49% of the time
Vectra AI vs Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System Logo
Vectra AI vs Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System
Compared 26% of the time
Darktrace vs Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System Logo
Darktrace vs Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System
Compared 25% of the time
More Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System Competitors
 

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco IOS Security
August 2025
Cisco IOS Security reportDownload Cisco IOS Security product report
Buyer's Guide
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
August 2025
Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System reportDownload Hillstone S-Series Network Intrusion Prevention System product report
 

Also Known As

IOS Security
Hillstone S-Series NIPS
 

Overview

Cisco IOS Software delivers a sophisticated set of security capabilities for a comprehensive, layered security approach throughout your network infrastructure. Cisco IOS security technologies help to defend critical business processes against attack and disruption, protect privacy, and support policy and regulatory compliance controls.
Cisco

Hillstone Network-based IPS (NIPS) appliance operates in-line, and at wire speed, performing deep packet inspection, and assembling inspection of all network traffic. It also applies rules based on several methodologies, including protocol anomaly analysis and signature analysis to block threats. Hillstone NIPS can be deployed in the network to inspect traffic left undetected by perimeter solutions, and is an integral part of network security systems for its high-performance, no compromise, best-of-breed protection capability and broad and flexible deployment scenarios.

Hillstone Networks
 

Sample Customers

Arup Group, Brunel University London, City of Biel, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, K&L Gates , New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Offshore Northern Seas, Transplace
Information Not Available
Buyer's Guide
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
August 2025
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