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Cisco IOS Security vs Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] comparison

Cisco and F5 are both solutions in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category. Additionally, 91% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 88% of F5 users who would recommend it.
Cisco IOS Security
Read 49 Cisco IOS Security reviews
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91% willing to recommend
 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Aug 10, 2025

Cisco IOS Security and Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] are competing solutions in the security domain. Cisco holds an edge in pricing and support, while Threat Stack is favored for its comprehensive cloud-specific features.

Features: Cisco IOS Security offers features such as robust routing, switching, and versatile VPN capabilities, enhancing traditional network security. It supports advanced firewall settings and provides scalable and reliable network access solutions. Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] delivers real-time threat detection and rigorous risk assessment, ensuring dynamic cloud environment protection. It integrates alert systems and security audits for proactive threat management.

Room for Improvement: Cisco IOS Security could improve in addressing cloud-native security threats, simplifying complex configurations, and enhancing automation capabilities. Threat Stack may gain from expanding support channels, refining its user interface for ease of use, and enhancing detection capabilities to cover more varied threat vectors.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: Cisco IOS Security integrates smoothly into existing network architectures with comprehensive support ensuring effective deployment. Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] is geared towards cloud-native channel deployment, though it might necessitate specialized support for certain complex cloud security structures.

Pricing and ROI: Cisco IOS Security is generally cost-effective, providing a solid return on investment, especially within existing Cisco environments. Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] incurs higher initial costs, but offers significant ROI through its enhanced cloud-specific security measures, ideal for businesses heavily focused on cloud infrastructure.

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Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

ROI

Sentiment score
7.4
Cisco IOS Security delivered significant ROI through improved routing, security, stability, and cost-efficiency, despite competitive vendor pressures.
Sentiment score
7.3
Threat Stack Cloud Security boosted compliance and revenue, reduced staffing needs, enhanced security, and expanded infrastructure dramatically.
The return on investment is satisfactory with Cisco products as they have long lifespans, and our customers are satisfied with them.
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No quotes available
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Customer Service

Sentiment score
6.7
Cisco IOS Security support is generally praised for speed and skill, though some report delays and complexity in access.
Sentiment score
7.4
Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform's support is praised for responsiveness, precise solutions, and effective communication with technical representatives.
My impression is that the support quality has deteriorated over time.
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No quotes available
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Scalability Issues

Sentiment score
7.4
Cisco IOS Security offers scalable, enterprise-level solutions but may increase costs and limit universality due to required hardware.
Sentiment score
8.2
Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform is scalable, easy to deploy, and efficient across AWS accounts, with minor configuration concerns.
 

Stability Issues

Sentiment score
7.6
Cisco IOS Security is generally reliable with occasional issues, frequently updated for stability, scoring 7-10 in satisfaction.
Sentiment score
7.5
Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] is stable and efficient, with minor GUI and agent issues for some users.
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.
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No quotes available
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Room For Improvement

Cisco IOS Security struggles with integration, usability, cost, lacking features, complex licensing, performance, and requires enhancement and support.
Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform needs UI improvements, better API alignment, and enhanced integrations, especially for serverless and container environments.
Cisco changes their licensing policy quite frequently, which is becoming confusing and complicated.
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No quotes available
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Setup Cost

Cisco IOS Security is costly, favoring medium to large enterprises with longer-term savings over SMB challenges.
Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform offers value with transparent pricing, ranging $15-$20 monthly, seen as competitively priced by users.
The cost of Cisco IOS Security for customers is on the higher end of pricing compared to the competition, depending on the targeted customers.
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No quotes available
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Valuable Features

Cisco IOS Security offers scalable, stable solutions with VPN, AAA, firewall integration, and user-friendly management for high-demand environments.
Threat Stack Cloud Security platform is esteemed for its configurability, integration, monitoring capabilities, and effective alert management.
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.
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No quotes available
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Categories and Ranking

Cisco IOS Security
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
49
Ranking in other categories
Firewalls (24th), Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) (14th)
Threat Stack Cloud Security...
Average Rating
8.2
Reviews Sentiment
7.1
Number of Reviews
8
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Featured Reviews

Danijel Cerovecki - PeerSpot reviewer
Have faced challenges in keeping licensing clear and consistent while ensuring reliable network protection
We are a Gold Partner with Cisco. Our customers come from various industries, including service providers, and we target service providers and enterprise customers.We do not extensively use Zone-Based Firewalls in Cisco IOS Security, instead typically deploying standalone firewalls such as Cisco FTDs or Cisco ASA devices. For threat analytics and vulnerability scanning, we utilize third-party vendors with dedicated devices and software. We use products such as Tenable from Nessus for this type of analysis. We have implemented Secure Access Control Server in Cisco IOS Security, which combines multiple security mechanisms including AAA, 802.1X for network access control with Cisco ICE, TrustSec for identity-based segmentation, and Cisco DNA Center. Cisco IOS Security's VPN support is comprehensive and increasingly important in daily communication, from basic site-to-site tunnels to remote access VPNs and SD-WAN secure VPNs. Protecting and encrypting communication is essential in modern networks. The challenges with Cisco IOS Security are more operational than product-related. There is an understaffing issue, making automation and orchestration capabilities particularly valuable. For the products themselves, we only encounter routine operational matters such as addressing new vulnerabilities and patching. For those considering Cisco IOS Security, it is important to understand that Cisco offers a complete ecosystem. When embracing the Cisco ecosystem fully, customers receive excellent products and comprehensive solutions. On a scale of 1-10, I rate Cisco IOS Security a 9.
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SC
SecOps program for us, as a smaller company, is amazing; they know what to look for
They could give a few more insights into security groups and recommendations on how to be more effective. That's getting more into the AWS environment, specifically. I'm not sure if that's Threat Stack's plan or not, but I would like them to help us be efficient about how we're setting up security groups. They could recommend separation of VPCs and the like - really dig into our architecture. I haven't seen a whole lot of that and I think that's something that, right off the bat, could have made us smarter. Even as part of the SecOps Program, that could be helpful; a quick analysis. They're analyzing our whole infrastructure and saying, "You have one VPC and that doesn't make a lot of sense, that should be multiple VPCs and here's why." The architecture of the servers in whatever cloud-hosting provider you're on could be helpful. Other than that, they should continue to expand on their notifications and on what's a vulnerability. They do a great job of that and we want them to continue to do that. It would be cool, since the agent is already deployed and they know about the server, they know the IP address, and they know what vulnerability is there, for them to test the vulnerability and see if they can actually exploit it. Or, once we patch it, they could double-check that it can't be. I don't know how hard that would be to build. Thinking on it off the top off my head, it could be a little challenging but it could also be highly interesting. It would also be great if we could test a couple of other features like hammering a server with 100 login attempts and see what happens. Real test scenarios could be really helpful. That is probably more something close to what they do with the SOC 2 audit or the report. But more visualization of that, being able to test things out on our infrastructure to make sure we can or can't hit this box could be interesting.
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
27%
Government
9%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Outsourcing Company
7%
Performing Arts
14%
Manufacturing Company
11%
Comms Service Provider
8%
Non Profit
6%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business19
Midsize Enterprise14
Large Enterprise18
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business2
Midsize Enterprise5
Large Enterprise2
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco IOS Security?
Cisco IOS Security is a mature product with extensive capabilities, serving as the base for the defense layer. It offers good network visibility, which helps in rapid response through the Rapid Thr...
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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco IOS Security?
Pricing can be reduced. I rate the current price for the product a four out of ten.
See all answers
What needs improvement with Cisco IOS Security?
While I do not have specific recommendations for improvement, pricing can be reduced.
See all answers
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Compared 14% of the time
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Product Reports

Buyer's Guide
Cisco IOS Security
October 2025
Cisco IOS Security reportDownload Cisco IOS Security product report
Buyer's Guide
Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL]
September 2025
Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] reportDownload Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] product report
 

Also Known As

IOS Security
Threat Stack, CSP,
 

Overview

Cisco IOS Software delivers a sophisticated set of security capabilities for a comprehensive, layered security approach throughout your network infrastructure. Cisco IOS security technologies help to defend critical business processes against attack and disruption, protect privacy, and support policy and regulatory compliance controls.
Cisco

Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] offers robust security features including endpoint monitoring, rule customization, and integration capabilities, with easy connectivity to cloud services like Docker and AWS.

Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] provides tools for enhancing security visibility across cloud infrastructure. It supports AWS and Docker integration, facilitating efficient threat detection and management. Users appreciate its capability to configure customizable alerts and monitor endpoints, sessions, API interactions, and cloud services. However, there are areas needing improvement, such as better serverless environment support and reduced alert frequency. The platform services smaller organizations by compensating for limited security resources with its comprehensive monitoring and auditing tools.

What are the key features?
  • Easy Cloud Service Integration: Streamlined connectivity with Docker and AWS for efficient monitoring.
  • Customizable Rule Sets: Tailor security rules to meet specific organizational needs.
  • Email Alerts: Receive timely notifications about security events and threats.
  • Interactive Session Monitoring: Track live sessions for suspicious activities.
  • API Integration: Connect effortlessly with third-party tools for an enhanced security posture.
  • SecOps Support: Assistance for organizations lacking dedicated security teams.
What are the benefits and ROI features?
  • Streamlined Threat Detection: Effective process monitoring to identify potential threats.
  • Cost Efficiency: Serves companies with limited resources by providing essential security functions.
  • Comprehensive Audits: Helps in regular examinations of cloud infrastructure, enhancing compliance.
  • Visibility into Cloud Operations: Offers a detailed dashboard for threat visibility and monthly vulnerability assessments.

In specific industries, Threat Stack Cloud Security Platform [EOL] is utilized for its strength in monitoring cloud infrastructure and preventing unauthorized access. Organizations in fields where cloud operations are critical use it for regular audits and monitoring. Its capabilities in threat management are leveraged to maintain secure operations and compliance, especially where there is no dedicated security team.

F5
 

Sample Customers

Arup Group, Brunel University London, City of Biel, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, K&L Gates , New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Offshore Northern Seas, Transplace
StatusPage.io, Walkbase, Spanning, DNAnexus, Jobcase, Nextcapital, Smartling, Veracode, 6sense
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