

Cisco IOS Security and Fortinet FortiOS are widely used network security solutions competing in the network security category. FortiOS seems to have the upper hand due to its robust feature set and extensive user customization, while Cisco IOS Security is preferred for its reliability and comprehensive support services.
Features: Cisco IOS Security offers effective threat defense, integration capabilities, and reliable firewall performance. Fortinet FortiOS provides superior threat intelligence, comprehensive reporting tools, and versatile VPN support. FortiOS's feature set is often considered more advanced and customizable compared to Cisco IOS.
Room for Improvement: Cisco IOS Security could benefit from an improved, more intuitive configuration process and enhanced reporting functionalities. FortiOS users suggest refining some advanced features to be more user-friendly and improving the documentation for better usability. FortiOS users highlight more areas for technical refinement.
Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco IOS Security is acclaimed for its straightforward deployment process and exceptional customer service, often mentioned as highly responsive and knowledgeable. Fortinet FortiOS offers a manageable deployment experience, but users occasionally find the initial setup more complex. Customer service for FortiOS is generally well-regarded but is sometimes seen as less consistent compared to Cisco's support.
Pricing and ROI: Cisco IOS Security's straightforward pricing and effectiveness result in positive ROI feedback from users, appreciating the balance between cost and features. Fortinet FortiOS, while perceived as more expensive upfront, shows a substantial ROI due to its extensive capabilities and cost-efficient long-term benefits. Users consider both solutions worthwhile, with FortiOS offering more advanced features at a higher price, and Cisco providing robust functionality with excellent support.
The return on investment is satisfactory with Cisco products as they have long lifespans, and our customers are satisfied with them.
Once it is deployed, I do not have to revisit or replace the hardware.
Fortinet is strong in terms of cost and compatibility with other vendors.
The pricing of FortiOS is competitive and reasonable compared to other leading products such as Palo Alto and Check Point.
My impression is that the support quality has deteriorated over time.
I would rate them nine or ten out of ten.
I would rate their technical support 10 out of 10.
Support engineers sometimes lack eagerness to assist with issues such as the memory problem.
When customers' networks grow and needs expand, we can easily switch between models to trade up devices.
It allows for the expansion of users and devices without additional licensing costs.
We have been using Fortinet for bandwidth shaping and many other bandwidth-related functions.
We find Cisco products stable and thoroughly tested before new software or firmware versions are released.
I find Cisco IOS Security to be a very stable product.
There were no lags, there were no issues, and no hanging of the firewall.
While the product is largely stable, it sometimes faces memory issues in specific versions like 11 OE, which can be disruptive.
Stability is a seven out of ten because during version migrations, and sometimes with new versions, Fortinet is not as good.
Cisco changes their licensing policy quite frequently, which is becoming confusing and complicated.
Fortinet FortiOS faces memory issues, which can lead to unexpected downtimes.
Real-time logging and monitoring could be improved.
There should be more documentation on how to use the CLI or how to perform CLI versions of tasks that can be done through the GUI.
The cost of Cisco IOS Security for customers is on the higher end of pricing compared to the competition, depending on the targeted customers.
It is an affordable solution for us.
Fortinet products are somewhat pricey, similar to Cisco equivalents, however, they have justified their price point.
The pricing for Fortinet is medium, especially when compared to expensive competitors like Cisco and Palo Alto.
There are higher-level systems such as intrusion prevention systems which detect intrusions within the system.
This solution, called Network Access Controller, handles authentication, authorization, and accounting for devices accessing the network.
The solution offers good threat intelligence, which is crucial for our customers' security purposes.
It is user-friendly when it comes to turning on features, and it has been reliable and effective.
The threat intelligence in FortiOS is very high, and the system is scalable without additional licensing costs.
| Product | Mindshare (%) |
|---|---|
| Fortinet FortiOS | 1.1% |
| Cisco IOS Security | 0.6% |
| Other | 98.3% |

| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 20 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 14 |
| Large Enterprise | 18 |
| Company Size | Count |
|---|---|
| Small Business | 43 |
| Midsize Enterprise | 13 |
| Large Enterprise | 23 |
Cisco IOS Security integrates advanced VPN capabilities, IPsec security, and firewall features, ensuring scalable and reliable protection suitable for enterprise networks.
Cisco IOS Security offers comprehensive firewall integration, robust AAA capabilities, and encryption, empowering organizations with a reliable network environment. EEM provides flexibility and programmability, while integrated threat detection, intrusion prevention, and centralized management enhance its security profile. Despite its reliability, challenges include complexity in configuration, high pricing, and confusing licensing policies. Performance issues and the need for enhanced integration, automation, and better monitoring tools are areas for improvement.
What are the key features of Cisco IOS Security?Industries leverage Cisco IOS Security to protect against zero-day attacks, deploy secure VPNs, and facilitate network access control and compliance checks. Organizations utilize its features for firewalls, routing, and switching, integrating technologies like Cisco ICE and TrustSec to enhance security across enterprise environments.
Fortinet FortiOS is recognized for its intuitive interface, ease of use, and comprehensive security features, making it a valuable tool for network security and management. Its integration capabilities and affordability prove beneficial for small to mid-sized businesses.
Fortinet FortiOS stands out as a firewall operating system, offering solutions in network security with a user-friendly design. It provides strong management tools like Unified Threat Management, web filtering, intrusion prevention, and antivirus functionalities. Its scalability and robust support make it ideal for diverse business environments. Users can benefit from high availability, seamless integration with other networks, and SD-WAN capabilities. Though there is room for improvement in monitoring and logging features, as well as VPN complexity and browser compatibility, its comprehensive range of features supports secure operations.
What are some key features of Fortinet FortiOS?Fortinet FortiOS is leveraged across multiple industries for its strong security capabilities. Companies utilize it for secure connections, VPN setups, and traffic management. It is essential for organizations seeking to protect data centers, ensure secure branch connectivity, and deploy SD-WAN. Its design supports implementation in cloud environments and enhances virtual infrastructure protection, making it particularly suitable for small to mid-tier businesses looking for comprehensive security measures.
We monitor all Firewalls reviews to prevent fraudulent reviews and keep review quality high. We do not post reviews by company employees or direct competitors. We validate each review for authenticity via cross-reference with LinkedIn, and personal follow-up with the reviewer when necessary.