Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Reviews

Name: Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)
Brand: Cisco
Rating: 4.1 (141 reviews)

Vendor: Cisco

4.1 out of 5

141 reviews
87% willing to recommend

2,673 followers

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What is Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)?

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) offers comprehensive network access control and visibility, supporting features like 802.1X authentication, profiling, and posturing. It integrates with Microsoft and other Cisco products, facilitating robust security policies across distributed networks.

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Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is the #1 ranked solution in top Network Access Control (NAC) solutions and top Cisco Security Portfolio solutions. PeerSpot users give Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) an average rating of 8.2 out of 10. Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is most commonly compared to Aruba ClearPass: Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Aruba ClearPass. Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is popular among the large enterprise segment, accounting for 48% of users researching this solution on PeerSpot. The top industry researching this solution are professionals from a educational organization, accounting for 28% of all views.

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

January 2025

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Featured reviews

SunilkumarNaganuri

Service Line Manager (Service Operations Expert) - Network Access Control at a pharma/biotech company with 10,001+ employees

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) needs to improve the profiling preauthentication. They are very poor in asset classification and should focus on improving the preauthentication profiling, especially for NAC use cases. This will give them a roadmap for software-defined access (SDA) use cases and network segmentation. Threat detection capabilities are very weak. Additionally, the product is vulnerable and has many bugs.

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Brad Lossing

Manager Network Operations at RAND Corporation

We've become more secure. We see devices that lose certificates, and then they get denied. Before, we would only get to know that the network was down. Now, with the help of the solution, we can pull up reports, go through them and understand that the certificate has expired. So, the person who raised the ticket takes the certificate, and everything gets resolved. We can also understand if posturing fails because the user doesn't have the current version of the software on. The product provides us with one place to look for all of these noncompliance issues. If a port keeps locking down, we can send somebody to check the devices and remove a bad device if needed. The issue doesn’t get on the network because the product ties in and locks the network down for us on that port.

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Wayne Cross

Director of cyber security at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

The interface is a little bit complex. It doesn't really have an executive dashboard. I'm the director of cybersecurity infrastructure operations for the entire firm, and I'm a very technical person, so I go in, and I can move around and try to figure everything out. However, the interface is very complex, and there are tons and tons and tons of options. It's quite complex to get into and take a look at. As a result, most of the time, just my networking team would be in there. It's so complex that sometimes I will find something one week, and by next week I can't find it again. It's too deeply layered. They have to redo the whole interface and have something that's executive based, and another one that's technically based. Even the help desk team and my security team use some of its components, however, they don't go anywhere often, as there are so many options in there. They have to make the interface a little bit more use user-friendly.

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Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) video interviews

Watch video interviews with real Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) users to learn how the Network Access Control (NAC) solution helped improve their organization. The videos include info about the challenges and benefits of implementing Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE).

Aug 3, 2023

Brad Davenport

VP of Technical Architecture at Logicalis

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Aug 3, 2023

Vergin Mansour

Network Engineer at Northrop Grumman

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Aug 3, 2023

Ty Awoderu

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

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Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) mindshare

Product category:

As of January 2025, the mindshare of Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) in the Network Access Control (NAC) category stands at 28.4%, down from 31.7% compared to the previous year, according to calculations based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Network Access Control (NAC)

PeerAnalyst reports

Type	Title	Date
Category	Network Access Control (NAC)	Jan 20, 2025	Download
Product	Reviews, tips, and advice from real users	Jan 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Aruba ClearPass	Jan 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Fortinet FortiNAC	Jan 20, 2025	Download
Comparison	Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) vs Forescout Platform	Jan 20, 2025	Download

Title	Rating	Mindshare	Recommending
Aruba ClearPass	4.3	24.8%	94%	85 interviews Add to research
Forescout Platform	4.2	13.6%	88%	76 interviews Add to research

Valuable Features

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) offers several important features: advanced posture assessment, policy management, and VLAN assignment contribute to its security and compliance strengths. Its compatibility with Microsoft products, extensive integration within the Cisco ecosystem, seamless device authentication, and intuitive user interface enhance its value. ISE supports comprehensive network access management, including guest and BYOD services, ensuring robust access control and visibility. Automatic profiling, zero trust capabilities, and effective network segmentation further enhance its capabilities.

"The solution offers automation and real-time visibility, which aids in monitoring and troubleshooting issues with endpoints."
"Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is very good at device administration."
"Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is very good at device administration."

Room for Improvement

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) needs improvements in ease of use and interface design. The upgrade process is complex and prone to issues. Customers request better third-party integration and enhanced network analytics features. Licensing and pricing are concerns for many, as ISE can be expensive. Documentation and support need enhancements to ensure smooth deployment and management. Users experience performance lags and struggles with complex configurations and reporting functionalities.

"The licensing scheme is complex and could use enhancement to provide more options."
"Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) needs to improve the profiling preauthentication. They are very poor in asset classification and should focus on improving the preauthentication profiling, especially for NAC use cases."
"Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) needs to improve the profiling preauthentication."

ROI

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) enhances mobility and security, simplifying IT operations, and solving costly issues. It integrates seamlessly with other security solutions, saving costs, time, and resources, while offering long-term support and robustness. Users experience improved security, reduced IT workloads, and compliance, providing significant value. ISE helps avoid security breaches and penalties, consolidates multi-vendor products, and offers substantial cost savings compared to alternatives, reinforcing its importance in cybersecurity.

Pricing

Enterprise buyers find Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) pricing to be high, with complex licensing. The solution offers Basic, Plus, and Apex pricing tiers, where advanced tiers incur higher costs. Frequent licensing changes contribute to confusion. Subscription-based models are replacing perpetual licenses, leading to increased recurring costs. Many highlight competitive pricing challenges, as competitors often provide cheaper alternatives. Discounts or special agreements occasionally alleviate costs for larger organizations, while smaller firms may find it less affordable.

"If you consider money only, Cisco ISE is not a cheap solution."
"The solution is not that cheap."
"I would rate the pricing an eight out of ten, one being cheap and ten being expensive."

Popular Use Cases

Organizations primarily use Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for network access control, authentication, and authorization for both wired and wireless networks. It enables control over user and device access, supports Bring Your Own Device policies, and enhances security by ensuring only compliant devices connect to the network. Cisco ISE assists ISPs, universities, and businesses in managing secure and segmented network access while integrating with other technologies like VPNs.

Service and Support

Cisco ISE customer service is generally viewed positively, with some feedback highlighting excellence. Technical support receives mixed opinions; many commend its efficiency, yet others point out slow response times and the need for improvement in complex cases. A considerable portion appreciates the knowledgeable team and responsiveness, while some report frustration with lengthy resolution times. Common themes include the significance of their partner ecosystem and the importance of nuanced support for intricate network setups.

Deployment

Many find Cisco Identity Services Engine initial setup complex, requiring detailed planning and expert assistance. Some note that having previous experience with Cisco systems helps simplify the process. Setup times vary from hours to several months, depending on network complexity and features enabled. While some describe the process as straightforward, others emphasize challenges in integrating with existing infrastructure, managing configurations, and addressing stability issues. The setup often involves extensive configuration and time commitment.

Scalability

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) demonstrates strong scalability. Users have varied experiences, managing from hundreds to tens of thousands of users and devices. Scalability depends on design and infrastructure, with some encountering challenges needing additional nodes or licenses. Generally, ISE efficiently supports large-scale deployments, with users praising its capacity to expand. While some face design limitations, many find it adaptable for their growing needs across various environments.

Stability

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is generally regarded as stable, with many users reporting no issues. However, some have experienced issues, particularly with updates or scalability. Stability may depend on configuration and usage patterns, with larger deployments occasionally encountering challenges. While it is mostly reliable and performs well, it might require careful management and monitoring, especially during updates or when scaling. Overall, it provides a stable experience for the majority of users.

These insights are based on the in-depth reviews provided by peers to help you make a better buying decision.

Download our Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) Buyer's Guide for additional reliable information.

Review data by company size

By reviewers

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Top industries

By visitors reading reviews

Educational Organization

28%

Computer Software Company

14%

Financial Services Firm

Government

Manufacturing Company

Healthcare Company

Energy/Utilities Company

University

Retailer

Comms Service Provider

Insurance Company

Construction Company

Real Estate/Law Firm

Non Profit

Media Company

Hospitality Company

Legal Firm

Wholesaler/Distributor

Aerospace/Defense Firm

Transportation Company

Recreational Facilities/Services Company

Outsourcing Company

Pharma/Biotech Company

Performing Arts

Consumer Goods Company

Logistics Company

Compare Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) with alternative products

Learn more about Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

Cisco Identity Services Engine is a key player in network access control, offering centralized management and a user-friendly interface. It supports zero trust principles and provides strong authentication for wired and wireless networks. ISE's capabilities include granular security policies, enhanced device posturing, and seamless integration, bolstering security infrastructure. Users benefit from its dual authentication through EAP, simplifying access management across networks.

What are the key features of Cisco ISE?

802.1X Authentication: Supports network security for authorized device access.
Profiling: Identifies devices for accurate policy enforcement.
Posturing: Evaluates device compliance for access decisions.
TACACS: Streamlines network device authentication and authorization.
Guest Access: Provides secure access to visitors.
Microsoft Compatibility: Seamlessly integrates with Microsoft environments.

What benefits and ROI should be considered?

Security Enhancement: Offers strong network security policies.
Operational Efficiency: Centralized management improves operational aspects.
Improved Compliance: Ensures adherence to industry standards.
Scalability: Supports growing network demands effectively.

In industries like finance, healthcare, and education, Cisco ISE is pivotal for securing wired and wireless networks, implementing BYOD policies, and managing user access. Organizations leverage ISE for effective authentication and authorization, while maintaining compliance with industry security standards.

Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) was previously known as Cisco ISE.

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Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) customers

Aegean Motorway, BC Hydro, Beachbody, Bucks County Intermediate Unit , Cisco IT, Derby City Council, Global Banking Customer, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, Houston Methodist, Linz AG, London Hydro, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Molina Healthcare, MST Systems, New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Reykjavik University, Wildau University