Cisco IOS SSL VPN and Cisco Secure Client compete in the secure remote access category. Cisco Secure Client seems to have an edge due to its advanced security features and cross-platform support.
Features: Cisco IOS SSL VPN offers user-based authentication, web portals customization, and strong encryption. It integrates with existing networks and provides stability and security. Cisco Secure Client provides cross-platform support and seamless VPN access, highlighting features like multifactor authentication, ease of integration, and use.
Room for Improvement: Cisco IOS SSL VPN could improve by simplifying configurations and enhancing scalability, with concerns about pricing and integration. Cisco Secure Client would benefit from better support on non-Windows platforms and an easier setup, along with a more modern interface and straightforward licensing.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco IOS SSL VPN is often deployed in on-premises and hybrid settings, recognized for stability and technical support. Cisco Secure Client offers flexible deployment in public and private clouds, with ease influenced by user experience. Both receive praise for customer service, with Cisco Secure Client users appreciating extended support contracts.
Pricing and ROI: Both products provide a solid return on investment due to comprehensive security features. Pricing for Cisco IOS SSL VPN is relatively high compared to competitors. Cisco Secure Client's licensing is slightly more flexible but still costly at the enterprise level. Both justify their costs with high reliability and security returns, though users desire more competitive pricing.
When Cisco first took over, it was a bit more difficult to get support, but they now integrate it without differentiating the support for Linksys versus full-blown Cisco switches.
We contact support regularly, especially for deployments, and they are very responsive.
Cisco offers very high-quality customer service.
Cisco technical support is difficult, and it requires lots of contracts.
Over the years, there's been a decline in the quality, mainly in areas such as the experience level of support engineers and the time taken to address and escalate issues.
It integrates well with Cisco's ecosystem, providing flexibility and options to connect to diverse environments.
A smaller firewall can handle fewer sessions, while a larger one can handle tens of thousands of sessions.
The scalability of Cisco Secure Client depends on the hardware I choose.
Regarding scalability, Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) rates as excellent because we can scale out by simply buying more licenses from the vendor.
Linksys can be fairly stable for easy environments, but in more complex network environments, Cisco is definitely a lot more stable.
I would rate the stability ten out of ten.
The stability is really good, and I would rate it up to nine.
I do not encounter many issues with stability, but sometimes the hardware's capacity can be a limiting factor.
There have been issues with operating systems where newer updates cause problems with backward compatibility.
I believe Cisco could support easier configuration and having tools that allow for easier management and configuration.
I am using Intune for deployments, and it's not easy to create an automated deployment where users do not need to register server addresses.
There is room for improvement in terms of endpoint security and cloud integration, which were lacking long ago.
The various licensing options make it challenging to manage, and the cost is a significant issue for customers.
For more than one hundred users, it costs about $60 per seat.
Palo Alto and Fortinet provide free VPN connections, but Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) requires a license purchase.
The pricing seems to align equally with other competitors like Palo Alto during a competitive situation.
The price of Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is acceptable.
The solution is also very scalable, offering up to one hundred licenses for free, and can integrate well with Cisco's ecosystem, such as Cisco ISE and NAC.
Configuring QoS on Linksys is pretty easy, especially compared to Cisco QoS, which I am certified in, as it helps ensure that the bandwidth for voice or other applications doesn't bleed over into the data links.
Beneficial for businesses needing secure access outside the office.
Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect) is user-friendly and has features like auto-connection and callback.
The security features are beneficial.
Cisco Secure Client, including AnyConnect, provides secure remote access, enabling employees to connect to company networks from different locations. It offers reliable connections, strong encryption, and multi-platform support, making it suitable for secure and efficient remote work.
Cisco Secure Client, including AnyConnect, is crucial for organizations seeking secure remote access. Its reliable connectivity, combined with robust encryption and multi-platform support, ensures employees can access company resources seamlessly. Users benefit from its easy-to-use interface, seamless integration with existing infrastructure, and enhanced security features like endpoint protection and network visibility. This client helps maintain operational efficiency and safeguards sensitive data, making it highly valued in diverse professional settings. Despite its benefits, some users report disconnection issues, a complex configuration process, and high resource consumption.
What are the most important features?Cisco Secure Client, including AnyConnect, is widely adopted across industries such as healthcare, finance, and education for its secure remote access capabilities. Healthcare organizations use it to protect patient data while providing remote care. Financial institutions rely on its encryption standards to secure sensitive transactions. Educational institutions integrate it to provide secure access to online learning resources, ensuring data privacy for students and staff.
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