Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is used as a VPN.
Senior Client Manager at a computer software company with 1,001-5,000 employees
Simple to use, good performance, and scalable
Pros and Cons
- "The solution has good performance. It is a simple tool to use, once I turn on Windows it automatically starts to use the VPN."
- "Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is a stable solution. However, there have been times it has not worked and I needed to call our IT department. It could be more stable."
What is our primary use case?
What is most valuable?
The solution has good performance. It is a simple tool to use, once I turn on Windows it automatically starts to use the VPN.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client since it has been on the market.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is a stable solution. However, there have been times it has not worked and I needed to call our IT department. It could be more stable.
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November 2024
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What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
We have several thousand users using this solution in my organization.
What about the implementation team?
Our IT department does the implementation of the solution.
What other advice do I have?
The solution is scalable.
I rate Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
DevSecOps at AssureThink
A user-friendly and clean interface, secure with multiple two-factor authentication options, and reliable
Pros and Cons
- "The ability to add multiple two-factor authentication options for the user to choose from when they log in has helped increase the security of our network, especially with so many people working remotely."
- "Even when your internet speed is good, once you connect to the VPN the speed gets automatically reduced, which is worrisome."
What is our primary use case?
The best thing I like about Cisco AnyConnect is that it is super easy to connect to any private network with just one click. During the pandemic, most of our deployments were in organizations operating remotely. Using private VPNs means that only authenticated users can access internal company websites and applications.
In our organization, it is used to connect to the servers in a secure way. Also, our remote users can access their computers in the office using the VPN Site-to-Client, where it allows you to encrypt and protect your data towards electronic computers when Internet connections are used outside of the corporate network.
How has it helped my organization?
This is very safe and secure. This application is lightweight and it doesn't consume much of your computer resources. The good thing is that the software doesn't store your data and there is no need to worry about privacy.
Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client is an excellent tool, easy to configure, and adapted to different devices, such as PCs, phones, tablets, etc., from both the IT administrator and the end user's perspective.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature of Cisco AnyConnect is that you can connect to your organization's VPN network with just one click.
With so many staff working remotely right now, Cisco AnyConnect allows them to VPN into our company's network to access items behind their firewalls. This has allowed staff to stay home safely during the pandemic and to keep the network safer.
The ability to add multiple two-factor authentication options for the user to choose from when they log in has helped increase the security of our network, especially with so many people working remotely.
Using this app, we can manage all of the networks, whether ethernet or wireless.
You can also completely remove some less secure networks from your list so you would not connect them accidentally.
One more thing will be the inbuilt VPN connectivity option. Using it, you can connect to your VPN so there is no need to install a separate application.
The interface is very clean and easy to interact with.
There is an inbuilt diagnostics option that will automatically search for errors or issues in case you are facing any network connectivity problems. It will also give the IP address, strength, and security details about the network that you are currently connected to.
What needs improvement?
Even when your internet speed is good, once you connect to the VPN the speed gets automatically reduced, which is worrisome.
If there was an autosave password then it would have been much easier to connect.
By default, Cisco AnyConnect does not update to the newest version automatically and you can't change the setting to auto-update unless you are signed into the tool. Our company had stopped allowing an older version to connect, so staff that didn't have the auto-update setting enabled were still on the older version and couldn't sign in to update to the newest version. To fix this, they would have to have their IT support team come out and uninstall the old version then download and install the newest version.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The reliability and user-friendliness of this application are amazing.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This tool is one that I can recommend to large organizations or small businesses.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We did not use a similar solution prior to this one. It was the first one we used and it has worked for the past three years.
Which other solutions did I evaluate?
Just some research on the product and rolling it out.
What other advice do I have?
During my usage of this application, I did not come across anything that I particularly hate about it. Sometimes, it takes a little longer to connect to a VPN, although I do not know if it's an issue with the application or with the VPN. Since I have faced this issue at times, I thought that I would mention it. Apart from that, there are no complaints.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
Hybrid Cloud
If public cloud, private cloud, or hybrid cloud, which cloud provider do you use?
Other
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Buyer's Guide
Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect)
November 2024
Learn what your peers think about Cisco Secure Client (including AnyConnect). Get advice and tips from experienced pros sharing their opinions. Updated: November 2024.
816,406 professionals have used our research since 2012.
Project Manager at a security firm with 11-50 employees
Stable and secure with a straightforward setup
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is quite stable."
- "We were going to use the Cisco AnyConnect with hardware tokens. However, right now, it's very complicated in terms of delivering the hardware token to the customer. That's why we are looking for a software token right now."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution for remote access to the on-premise server. If we are off-site, we are still able to connect when we need to.
What is most valuable?
The initial setup is pretty straightforward and not overly complex.
The solution is quite stable.
So far, the scalability has been good.
The solution is very secure in general.
What needs improvement?
We were going to use the Cisco AnyConnect with hardware tokens. However, right now, it's very complicated in terms of delivering the hardware token to the customer. That's why we are looking for a software token right now. I'm not sure how it's going to work. It's under review right now.
For how long have I used the solution?
We've been using the solution for about two or three years at this point.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is very stable and reliable. I haven't experienced any bugs or glitches. It does not crash or freeze. The performance is quite good.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
So far, the scalability has been good. We have not faced any issues. If a company needs to expand, it should be able to.
Currently, we have 50 or 60 people using the product.
How are customer service and technical support?
Tech support has been good overall. I have no complaints about their service. We've been happy with the help they've provided to us. They're great. That said, we've had very few problems with e product in general.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
We also have a USB token for the hardware.
By the time I joined the company, they were already using this product. I can't speak to what they used before.
How was the initial setup?
It's my understanding that the initial setup was pretty straightforward. It wasn't overly difficult.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
I'm just one of the users. I can't speak to the price as I was not part of the decision-making process and I don't directly deal with licensing or payments.
However, it's my understanding that the licensing is quite expensive.
What other advice do I have?
We use the solution ourselves and are end-users. However, we also resell the product to our clients.
We upgraded a few months ago. It's my understanding that we are on the latest version of the product.
I'd rate the solution at a nine out of ten. For the most part, we've been very happy with the solution and its capabilities.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: My company has a business relationship with this vendor other than being a customer: Reseller
Software Tester at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
A simple solution that is easy to use and can be connected remotely
Pros and Cons
- "I like that it is really easy to use, it's a simple product. It can connect remotely with a secure network."
- "The logout should be automized and it should have a reminder that you have logged in into a private network."
What is our primary use case?
Our primary use case of this solution is for infrastructure security for accounts.
What is most valuable?
I like that it is really easy to use, it's a simple product. It can connect remotely with a secure network.
What needs improvement?
The interface could be a little more modern looking and it would be nice for other users if it had easier integration.
Another point of improvement is that it is easy to forget that you are in a private network and it does not log you out automatically. I did not see that there is an option for that. It should log you out after a certain point. You can forget that you are browsing a private, local network. The logout should be automized and it should have a reminder that you have logged in into a private network.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been using this solution for around five years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
I never have stability issues.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
It is probably well scalable. I have not scaled it for more people so I don't have experience with that.
How are customer service and technical support?
I have never needed to contact their technical support.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
I have not used a different VPN provider.
How was the initial setup?
I have installed it on my PC and I did not have to connect all the IP addresses and stuff but the setup was simple.
What other advice do I have?
I would recommend this solution to anybody considering it. I think it is a good product.
I would rate it a ten out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Consultant at Self Employed
Secure solution that provides seamless network connections
Pros and Cons
- "AnyConnect SMC's best features are that it's secure and connects seamlessly to clients' networks."
- "Sometimes when you disconnect or switch from one wireless network to another, it's necessary to re-login."
What is our primary use case?
I primarily use AnyConnect SMC to connect to clients' networks.
What is most valuable?
AnyConnect SMC's best features are that it's secure and connects seamlessly to clients' networks.
What needs improvement?
An area for improvement is that sometimes when you disconnect or switch from one wireless network to another, it's necessary to re-login.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for over fifteen months.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
AnyConnect SMC is stable, though when there are a lot of users, the collection can be a bit slow.
How are customer service and support?
I've had no problems with Cisco's technical support.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup on the client side is very easy, and installation takes a maximum of ten minutes.
What other advice do I have?
AnyConnect SMC is simple to use and does what it needs to do. I would rate it as eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Software Engineer at Socure
Simple to install and is reasonably priced
Pros and Cons
- "The initial setup is straightforward."
- "They can redesign the reset password, reset function, and user interface."
What is our primary use case?
We use the Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for all the enterprise VPNs.
Our system is primarily based on a VPN. And then we connect to VPN, and we have three-factor authentication to log into the applications that we work on for development.
What is most valuable?
One thing I've noticed is the price in comparison to other VPNs.
What needs improvement?
They can redesign the reset password, reset function, and user interface.
For how long have I used the solution?
We have been working with Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client for three years.
How are customer service and support?
I did not have any contact with the technical support as I am from the development team, our internal team handles that.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Our internal team uses Slack for communication.
This GlobalProtect is used on Palo Alto Networks. It assists us in connecting to a gateway. We have access to our applications and not through Okta. We access Okta and use it.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup is straightforward. In my opinion, it was not complex.
What other advice do I have?
One issue I've encountered is that if you try to connect using a mobile hotspot during a pandemic, you will encounter connectivity issues.
I would rate Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client an eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Group VP Security and Compliance at a wireless company with 201-500 employees
Easy to use and set up with competitive pricing
Pros and Cons
- "The solution is very easy to use and set up."
- "Behavior analytics and other newer technologies should be integrated into the solution."
What is our primary use case?
We primarily use the solution for an SSL VPN, for third parties to connect to our network.
What is most valuable?
The pricing is very competitive.
The solution is very easy to use and set up.
What needs improvement?
Configuring the solution could be simplified. You tend to spend a bit of time on it right now. It could be made easier with better UI. All of the backend configurations are command-line and it's not helpful. It takes a little bit of effort to get the system up and running.
There's a lot of newer technologies that are displacing all of the VPN technologies. The solution could benefit from having a defragmenter and should offer Mac-based device control.
Behavior analytics and other newer technologies should be integrated into the solution.
For how long have I used the solution?
I've been using the solution for three years.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
The solution is stable.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
The solution is scalable. We've had about 2,000 users connected to it. We use it quite extensively.
How are customer service and technical support?
A different team handles technical support, however, I haven't heard of any issues.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was pretty simple. It's not too complex.
What about the implementation team?
We had a hybrid approach to implementation where we did a few updates and then had a third party deploy the basic items for us.
What's my experience with pricing, setup cost, and licensing?
The solution offers its services at a very reasonable price.
What other advice do I have?
I'd recommend the solution; it's a good product.
I'd rate it eight out of ten.
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
Senior Quality Assurance at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
Works well as a VPN, but the automatic re-connection feature needs to be improved
Pros and Cons
- "The most valuable feature is the connection feature."
- "There are situations where the connection drops, and you may not even be aware of it until you try to do something critical."
What is our primary use case?
The primary use case of this solution as an access point. We have on-premises servers and if anyone needs to access those servers remotely, they access them through Cisco AnyConnect.
We use it as a VPN between outside networks and our internal office network.
What is most valuable?
The most valuable feature is the connection feature. It allows me to connect.
What needs improvement?
There are situations where the connection drops, and you may not even be aware of it until you try to do something critical. The reconnection feature can be improved.
In the next release, I would like to have a connection alert or a pop up that could tell you that you have been disconnected.
It would be an improvement to include a better interface and integration with other vendors.
For how long have I used the solution?
I have been using this solution for one year.
What do I think about the stability of the solution?
There are instances where the connection is very poor, but It may have something to do with our network. I am not sure.
What do I think about the scalability of the solution?
This solution is scalable.
We have twenty to thirty users.
How are customer service and technical support?
We have not contacted technical support, we have not had any cause to contact them.
Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?
Previously we did not use another solution, this is the first one.
How was the initial setup?
The initial setup was straightforward.
What about the implementation team?
We did not use any external resources to implement this solution, it was done internally.
What other advice do I have?
This solution is very good, but if you don't know what you are doing, you could create issues with it very quickly. If you don't have enough knowledge regarding this solution, then you need to get someone who knows this solution to help you with the implementation or to implement the solution.
I would rate this solution a six out of ten.
Which deployment model are you using for this solution?
On-premises
Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
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