Vectra AI and Cisco Secure Network Analytics are competing products in the network security and threat detection category. Vectra AI appears to have an advantage due to its focused AI-driven insights and detection capabilities, while Cisco excels in detailed network monitoring and analysis.
Features: Vectra AI leverages AI and machine learning for advanced threat detection, reduces alert fatigue, and offers integration with SIEM tools, providing visibility into lateral network movements. It efficiently prioritizes threats and correlates detections with compromised host devices. Cisco Secure Network Analytics provides network visibility and integrates with Cisco's suite, offering encrypted threat analysis and flow-based analytics for insights into network traffic and anomalies.
Room for Improvement: Vectra AI could enhance host-level visibility and integration with external data sources, as its network-based focus restricts full integration of host behaviors. Users have requested better documentation and smoother security tool integrations. Cisco Secure Network Analytics needs a more user-friendly interface and simpler integration processes. Its pricing model and network flow-based licensing can be complex, and more comprehensive AI features are desired for improved threat response.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Vectra AI provides flexible deployment options, including on-premises, public cloud, and hybrid setups, with customer service praised for responsiveness and expertise. Cisco Secure Network Analytics mainly operates on-premises with reliable support but users report occasional challenges with deployment complexity. Vectra's support is noted for quick response times, while Cisco's is initially cumbersome but dependable.
Pricing and ROI: Vectra AI's pricing is considered high due to its comprehensive AI capabilities, with tiered licensing based on IP addresses and features like Cognito Recall. It offers strong ROI through reduced attack response time and detection efficiency. Cisco Secure Network Analytics is also expensive, with pricing linked to network flow and feature usage. Its integration with larger Cisco solutions can add value but might be costly for smaller setups. Users find Vectra AI offers better ROI through its AI-driven insights and reduced manual workload.
There is a lack of adequate local support from the Indian side.
For technical support of Cisco, the support they provide depends on how the client procures it, and so far, it's understandable.
The support is quite reliable depending on the service engineer assigned.
When I create tickets, the response is fast, and issues are solved promptly.
Cisco products are incredibly stable, boasting a 200% stability.
Once resolved, the system works well, and overall I think it's good.
The solution should have the ability to analyze security events not only at the network layer but also at the application and OS layers.
Proper management of the database is also important; it should be centralized for easier data collection from a single database.
ExtraHop's ability to decrypt encrypted data is a feature that Vectra AI lacks.
You need to have a Linux server, and from the Linux server, you must perform AI tasks, and there is a lot to be handled in the back end.
Neither Vectra nor Darktrace have a function like a status health check on my log sources and traffic sources.
Cisco solutions are considered to be very expensive.
Regarding cost, for the Bangladesh context, Cisco Secure Network Analytics is a little bit high-priced because we are a developing country, making it tough to manage affordable solutions.
Vectra is cheaper in terms of pricing and features compared to Darktrace.
It is very acceptable when you compare it with Darktrace, for example.
The most valuable features include encrypted traffic analytics and the ability to fulfill requirements at the network level.
Every solution is gradually integrated with AI, and Cisco has already implemented AI building features in their solution.
The main feature of Vectra AI that I find valuable is its focus on the user interface and its approximately two hundred algorithms based on artificial intelligence and machine learning.
There are extensive out-of-box detection capabilities.
Product | Market Share (%) |
---|---|
Vectra AI | 15.6% |
Cisco Secure Network Analytics | 7.0% |
Other | 77.4% |
Company Size | Count |
---|---|
Small Business | 11 |
Midsize Enterprise | 7 |
Large Enterprise | 52 |
Company Size | Count |
---|---|
Small Business | 8 |
Midsize Enterprise | 10 |
Large Enterprise | 27 |
Cisco Secure Network Analytics is a highly effective network traffic analysis (NTA) solution that enables users to find threats in their network traffic even if those threats are encrypted. It turns an organization’s network telemetry into a tool that creates a complete field of vision for the organization’s administrators. Users can find threats that may have infiltrated their systems and stop them before they can do irreparable harm.
Cisco Secure Network Analytics Benefits
A few ways that organizations can benefit by choosing to deploy Cisco Secure Network Analytics include:
Cisco Secure Network Analytics Features
Some of the many features that Cisco Secure Network Analytics offers include:
Reviews from Real Users
Cisco Secure Network Analytics is a solution that stands out even when compared to many other comparable products. Two major advantages that it offers are the way that it enables users to define the threshold at which the solution will issue a warning to administrators and the predefined alerts that it offers straight out of the box.
Gerald J., the information technology operations supervisor at Aboitiz Equity Ventures, Inc., writes, “StealthWatch lets me see the ports running in and out and the country. It has excellent reporting, telemetry, and artificial intelligence features. With the telemetry, I can set thresholds to detect sudden changes and the alarms go through the PLC parts. I can see all the ports running on that trunk.”
A senior security engineer at a tech services company, says, “Cisco Stealthwatch has predefined alerts for different types of security issues that might happen in the network. Whether it's PCs or servers that are used for botnets or Bitcoin mining we receive the alerts automatically. This functionality is what we receive from the solution out of the box.”
Vectra AI enhances security operations by pinpointing attack locations, correlating alerts, and providing in-depth visibility across attack lifecycles, ultimately prioritizing threats and improving incident responses.
Vectra AI integrates AI and machine learning to detect anomalies early and supports proactive threat response. Its features like risk scoring, alert correlation, and streamlined SOC efficiency are supplemented by integration with tools like Office 365. Users highlight integration, reporting, and customization challenges, alongside limitations in syslog data and false positive management. They seek enhancements in visualization, UI, TCP replay, endpoint visibility, and tool orchestration, with requests for improved documentation, licensing, and cloud processing innovation.
What are the key features of Vectra AI?In industries like finance, healthcare, and critical infrastructure, Vectra AI is crucial for threat detection and network monitoring. Entities use it for identifying anomalous behaviors and enhancing cybersecurity by responding to network activities and analyzing traffic for potential breaches. It operates on-premises and in hybrid cloud settings, enabling threat detection without endpoint agents and supporting compliance and policy enforcement.
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