Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks and Cisco Web Security Appliance are two competitors in the network security category. While Prisma Access seems to have the upper hand with its advanced cloud-native security features and scalability, Cisco focuses on robust integration within its ecosystem and comprehensive content filtering.
Features: Prisma Access offers strong monitoring capabilities, zero-trust security, scalable architecture, and integrated threat prevention. Its features include user integration, WildFire Analysis, and the ability to protect all app traffic. Cisco Web Security Appliance emphasizes content filtering, proxy capabilities, and deep integrations with Cisco's ecosystem, along with providing robust security visibility.
Room for Improvement: Prisma Access users have expressed a need for better documentation and more flexible third-party integrations, especially for identity management, along with improved technical support and user interface. Cisco Web Security Appliance needs stronger integration capabilities, particularly consolidating multiple Cisco products into a single solution, and it is perceived as having a less user-friendly interface.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Prisma Access supports both cloud and on-premises environments with hybrid cloud deployment options, although customers report slow technical support despite its responsiveness. Cisco Web Security Appliance is primarily on-premises, with reliable customer service, though both solutions face challenges with long wait times for support. Both receive positive feedback for their dedicated deployment and technical advice teams.
Pricing and ROI: Prisma Access is perceived as expensive, with high pricing reflecting its feature set and security capabilities, yet offers a flexible licensing model that must be managed carefully for a good ROI. Cisco Web Security Appliance is also viewed as costly but effective, offering satisfactory threat protection despite its higher upfront costs compared to other market solutions. Both are seen as worthwhile investments for organizations focusing on security.
There is a net positive return on investment
Generally, the response time for resolving issues is getting slower.
The product is reliable, making customer support less frequently needed.
I usually need to raise the alarm and contact a couple of people within Palo Alto Networks to just respond quicker, so technical support should be much better.
The service and technical support quality varies depending on the personnel.
To scale, one would need to upgrade or acquire more hardware.
Prisma Access provides significant scalability, allowing integration of different systems.
Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is a cloud-based solution, and from my experience, there are no issues with scalability.
It is very stable, a product that I put on the network, and it will run for a very long time.
I think the stability of Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is excellent, and I would rate it ten out of ten.
Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks works efficiently during peak usage times.
Prisma Access is very stable.
Once it is done correctly, the functionality and reports become valuable, although the implementation part can still be challenging.
There is a lack of integration with third-party solutions like CrowdStrike or SentinelOne in Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks.
Sometimes a third-party outage could impact the whole operability.
The point of presence from the Serbia region has the nearest POP in Frankfurt, which is an issue since it is your gateway—when you start browsing the internet, you go through a commercial connection in Germany.
Cisco is not a product for small companies due to its pricing.
The pricing is on the higher side, rating it around eight to nine out of ten.
From my experience, Palo Alto is more expensive compared to solutions like Netskope and Triscale.
Pricing for Prisma Access and Prisma SD WAN is high due to the need for different hardware flavors like IONs.
When I integrate these three products, it efficiently prevents malware, showing which endpoint is affected and providing a comprehensive view of the endpoint connections.
These features are security-driven, providing robust protection against increasing cyber threats by integrating NG Firewalls, SD WAN, and CASB, all within a fully cloud-native solution.
The HIP Check is the most valuable feature of Prisma Access, which is the feature usually used from GlobalProtect.
One of the most valuable features of Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks is the ability to manage on-premise firewalls.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks | 7.3% |
| Cisco Web Security Appliance | 2.0% |
| Other | 90.7% |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 11 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 7 |
| Large Enterprise | 12 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 26 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 20 |
| Large Enterprise | 27 |
Cisco Web Security Appliance delivers robust web security, combining efficient proxy functions with strong malware protection and seamless Cisco integration. It enhances security management and is favored by enterprises for its scalability and stability.
Cisco Web Security Appliance is a comprehensive tool used for safeguarding network traffic through powerful proxy capabilities, effective URL filtering, malware protection, and identity checks. Enterprises rely on it for controlling internet browsing, compliance, and securing remote work activities. With advanced features like SSL decryption, content filtering, and real-time policy enforcement, it offers centralized management with intuitive controls. While praised for its reliability, users seek a more affordable price, better support, a simplified interface, and enhanced integration abilities. Supporting Active Directory, it provides granular security measures for efficient web access management.
What are the key features of Cisco Web Security Appliance?Cisco Web Security Appliance is widely implemented across industries like finance, healthcare, education, and government. It protects sensitive data and meets regulatory compliance by controlling web access and ensuring secure remote connectivity for a diverse workforce.
Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks delivers robust security features including secure remote access across apps and traffic monitoring. It integrates smoothly with cloud environments to provide advanced threat protection and visibility into network traffic.
Prisma Access offers a comprehensive suite of security tools designed to protect cloud environments and remote workforces. With its focus on real-time risk identification and threat prevention, Prisma Access provides encrypted tunnels and centralized management for seamless connectivity and enhanced data security. Designed to scale across platforms like AWS, Azure, and GCP, it optimizes traffic and connectivity while offering extensive visibility into vulnerabilities. However, integration with third-party products, usability, and support services are areas for development, as users report interface challenges and desire improved scalability and geographic coverage, especially in regions like China and South America.
What are the key features of Prisma Access?Prisma Access is effectively used in industries requiring secure remote access and stringent data protection, such as finance and healthcare. Organizations leverage it to enforce Zero Trust policies, optimize network performance with SD-WAN, and ensure security compliance across multiple platforms.
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