Cisco Secure Access vs FortiSASE comparison

Cisco and Fortinet are both solutions in the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) category. Cisco is ranked #19 with an average rating of 9.0, while Fortinet is ranked #9 with an average rating of 7.6. Cisco holds a 2.0% mindshare in SASE, compared to Fortinet’s 6.6% mindshare. Additionally, 100% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 86% of Fortinet users who would recommend it.

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Executive SummaryUpdated on Nov 10, 2024

FortiSASE and Cisco Secure Access compete in secure access solutions. FortiSASE has the upper hand in pricing and customer support, while Cisco Secure Access shines in advanced features with justified costs.

Features: FortiSASE includes comprehensive security tools, scalable solutions, and praised customer satisfaction. Cisco Secure Access stands out with robust integration capabilities, advanced security measures, and is favored for extensive feature integrability.

Room for Improvement: FortiSASE could improve reporting, simplify security policy management, and enhance management tools. Cisco Secure Access needs better documentation, improved initial setup support, and feedback suggests enhancing user guides.

Ease of Deployment and Customer Service: FortiSASE is noted for straightforward deployment and responsive customer service. Cisco Secure Access is more complex to deploy, but users acknowledge attentive support accompanying its setup.

Pricing and ROI: FortiSASE is known for competitive pricing and faster ROI with affordability. Cisco Secure Access requires higher initial investment but offers long-term benefits that justify its cost, appealing to those valuing extensive features.

To learn more, read our detailed Cisco Secure Access vs. FortiSASE Report (Updated: January 2025).

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Access vs. FortiSASE

January 2025

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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:

Categories and Ranking

iboss

Mindshare comparison

As of February 2025, in the Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) category, the mindshare of iboss is 1.5%, up from 1.2% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Cisco Secure Access is 2.0%, up from 0.0% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of FortiSASE is 6.6%, up from 2.7% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

Featured Reviews

Matt Crockford

Head of Cybersecurity at SES Water

It's easy to roll out, and their understanding of our business made it seamless

One aspect we value about iboss is its simplicity. Their customer service is brilliant, and they are super responsive and knowledgeable. It's easy to roll out, and their understanding of our business made it seamless. We were impressed by the solution's mental health function, which can detect if someone needs help. It scans what users are browsing and flags warning signs so we can check to see if they are okay. We've had to use it a couple of times. The user interface is highly intuitive. Our IT team picked it up with minimal training. It's arranged so that it's easy to find where things are. Another advantage is the single pane of glass console, which gives you visibility into what's happening. We're not fully there yet because we haven't implemented zero trust, but we're excited about the possibilities from the demos we've seen. We launched a POC of iboss' ChatGPT Risk Protection feature two weeks ago. AI is a great tool, but you need to be careful what you put into it. My biggest fear is employees inputting sensitive corporate information or customer PII data into one of these chatbots. I was impressed by our trial of the feature. It's exactly what we wanted. Now, when a user goes to ChatGPT, there's a banner warning them not to share information, and we can block conversations containing customer data like bank details and email addresses. I don't want to stop people from using it, but we need visibility. We've only tried it on a test group of 15 people. You can configure it to look for specific keywords or integrate it with your DLP policy if you have that configured

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AnikIslam

Senior Executive at Lakdhanavi Limited

An easy to access and user-friendly solution for authentication

I received support from the team for Cisco Secure Access related to web services. There were occasional delays of up to two working days. With our live chat options or by contacting a specialist directly, we were able to address any issues. Additionally, Cisco provides resources and lessons that can be beneficial in such situations.

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Peter VanDorp

Cyber Security Analyst and Network Operations Supervisor at a non-tech company with 1,001-5,000 employees

Improved our operational efficiency because we manage one system now that manages all the sub-pieces to it

Deep packet inspection is easier to deploy in the FortiSASE environment. It's much simpler to configure one-touch deployment. It was considerably more convoluted to get that to work using FortiClient. All that processing horsepower is happening in Fortinet's cloud infrastructure, reducing the load on our local routers and on-prem FortiGate firewalls. There wasn't much of a learning curve because we are already a Fortinet organization. We still use all the same pieces, but the interface is slightly different. Still, I don't think the average user would have difficulty picking the solution up. They've got some excellent documentation and support to help you through any questions you may have. FortiSASE lets us manage everything from one web interface. That's the most significant benefit. We also use FortiManager, but it could only do so much when we only used on-prem systems. We still need to touch the EMS server and a few other interfaces to make all the pieces work. FortiSASE puts everything in one place. If something doesn't work, you've got support there to help you out. Previously, we had local support, but it's more complicated because you needed to explain your environment. The SASE environment is under their control, so they know what it looks like and what they're dealing with.

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"Granular setup, which was able to set different levels of filters using the OUs in the AD."

"The solution has massively improved our security posture, giving us full visibility into what our staff does online."

"Content filtering is the most useful feature of iboss."

"From a use-case scenario, what I like the most is the plug-in. I like the fact that we can do the filtering of these devices offsite independent of the network they are connected to, and we do not have to have traffic coming back inside our network."

"We were impressed by the solution's mental health function, which can detect if someone needs help. It scans what users are browsing and flags warning signs so we can check to see if they are okay. We've had to use it a couple of times."

"iboss has significantly lowered the number of security incidents. It is crazy how much it blocks and how much it is aware of the outside danger."

"Its initial setup was straightforward."

"Technical support is pretty sharp and very responsive."

More iboss pros

"The most valuable feature is the authentication feature."

"I use this solution for securing security controls like Secure Security Control (SSC) for local Internet breakouts."

"I would rate the scalability a ten out of ten."

"The main feature of interest to me and the customers is DNS security and Integrated Secure Web Control (ISWC)."

"It's very stable."

"The product can scale."

"It has AI-based detections for any signature-less virus or any unknown vulnerabilities."

"FortiSASE can operate in a cloud environment with client certificates for authorizations and access control using features like PostCheck."

"I feel that it is a stable solution...It is a scalable solution."

"This advantage is having the ability to create an SPA unit of FortiGate."

"Overall, I'd rate the product eight out of ten."

"It is easy to integrate with Fortinet."

More FortiSASE pros

Cons

"Its pricing could be better."

"Iboss is growing so fast that it is often hard for them to keep up with the challenges."

"Their on-premise hardware's network interface is capped at one gigabit, which is sort of a problem. If you stand a filter up where all traffic flows through that, according to them, in order to go above a gigabit, you have to have multiple devices, which in today's IT seems a little bit silly. They could easily put in an SFP port into their device that could accommodate 10 gigs or at least offer a box."

"I am currently doing a PoC of the zero trust aspect of it. Compared to other similar solutions, it is hard to get around each feature. It takes a while to get used to it."

"The reporting feature needs improvement. It doesn't give you the expected results. It is quite difficult to get the specific reports needed, and it is not as intuitive as the rest of the platform."

"The area I would like to see improvement in is the ability with in the reporter to navigate directly to the content the user is traversing. It is kind of there, but it's not perfect. Quite frequently, I receive links that lead me to pages with error messages."

"The solution could be stronger on the integration side and offer more cloud applications like G Suite or Oracle."

"To scale up, a new iboss Node Blade Chassis must be purchased."

More iboss cons

"It is expensive."

"There is a need for improved global coverage since the service relies on the cloud provider's data centers."

"Cisco is not well accepted in the market since they are somewhat behind their competitors."

"I received support from the team for Cisco Secure Access related to web services. There were occasional delays of up to two working days."

"Improvements should focus on security."

"They are trying to improve the features of FortiSASE, however, many FortiSASE gates still cannot connect. While connectivity from outside to inside is okay, inside to outside is not."

"Stability issues persist."

"While stability is generally good, we faced some difficulties during updates."

"FortiSASE is a work in progress. One area where there is room for improvement is the ability to use FortiSASE on an endpoint that doesn't have the client on it. Other solutions do that by building a VPN tunnel from their on-prem router into the SASE environment. FortiSASE doesn't have that feature yet, but it is on the roadmap for Q3 of this year. I've seen it in their development environment."

"Security and support are two areas with certain shortcomings in the product where improvements are required."

"Some of the solution's back-end connectivity and visibility are not robust and could be improved."

"Improvements should focus on security. Although FortiCASB performs well in many areas, I believe its security aspects could be enhanced further."

More FortiSASE cons

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is expensive compared to one of its competitors."

"It is probably in line with other solutions, but I do not deal with the financial side."

"The overall pricing for iboss is very competitive and transparent."

"We have not priced the solution recently, but they were competitive with other vendors in the past."

"It is not expensive, and it is also not cheap. iboss is priced right in the sweet spot for the number of features it offers."

Information not available

"On a scale from one to ten, where one is cheap and ten is expensive, I rate the solution's pricing a three out of ten."

"I can only speak about the pricing for education users because we get discounts. Other users aren't going to get the same price, but FortiSASE is competitive with the other products out there. All the solutions came in at the same price, so it just came down to the product that works best for us."

"I rate the product price an eight on a scale of one to ten, where one is high price, and ten is low price."

"I rate the product's price a six on a scale of one to ten, where one is low price and ten is high price."

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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

13%

Financial Services Firm

12%

Manufacturing Company

Government

Computer Software Company

18%

Manufacturing Company

13%

Construction Company

11%

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

22%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Construction Company

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

No data available

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about iboss?

Content filtering is the most useful feature of iboss.

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What needs improvement with iboss?

I have the same complaint about them that I have about other software companies. Sometimes when you call in support, ...

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What is your primary use case for iboss?

We are a PreK-12 public school district, and we use iboss to filter internet content for our students at home and sta...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco Secure Access?

Prices are determined in the Compass. I do not refer to the suggested detail or the suggested list price, however, it...

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What is your primary use case for Cisco Secure Access?

I use this solution for securing security controls like Secure Security Control (SSC) for local Internet breakouts. I...

See all answers

What advice do you have for others considering Cisco Secure Access?

They have a strong brand and are supported by Cisco's traditional organization. I would rate them seven out of ten ov...

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What do you like most about FortiSASE ?

The integration with the company's existing security infrastructure enhanced our security posture since it was a stra...

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What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for FortiSASE ?

I would rate setup cost as six out of ten. It depends on the region. For example, in Qatar, it’s expensive. Comparing...

See all answers

What needs improvement with FortiSASE ?

In any scenario, there is usually room for development. Some enhancement would be beneficial.

See all answers

Comparisons

Zscaler Internet Access vs iboss

Compared 18% of the time

Cisco Umbrella vs iboss

Compared 14% of the time

Netskope vs iboss

Compared 11% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs iboss

Compared 10% of the time

Cloudflare One vs iboss

Compared 9% of the time

More iboss Competitors

Cisco Umbrella vs Cisco Secure Access

Compared 65% of the time

Netskope vs Cisco Secure Access

Compared 16% of the time

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs Cisco Secure Access

Compared 6% of the time

Cato SASE Cloud Platform vs Cisco Secure Access

Compared 3% of the time

More Cisco Secure Access Competitors

Prisma Access by Palo Alto Networks vs FortiSASE

Compared 24% of the time

Zscaler Internet Access vs FortiSASE

Compared 20% of the time

Cisco Umbrella vs FortiSASE

Compared 12% of the time

Netskope vs FortiSASE

Compared 11% of the time

Cato SASE Cloud Platform vs FortiSASE

Compared 2% of the time

More FortiSASE Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

iboss

February 2025

Download iboss product report

Buyer's Guide

Secure Access Service Edge (SASE)

February 2025

Download Cisco Secure Access product report

Buyer's Guide

FortiSASE

February 2025

Download FortiSASE product report

Also Known As

iBoss Cloud Platform

No data available

Overview

iboss offers a comprehensive security platform designed for diverse use cases such as web filtering, data loss protection, corporate proxy services, and URL filtering.

iboss integrates advanced features to address dynamic security needs, leveraging its strength in SASE, ZTNA, AI initiatives, and cloud integration, while ensuring seamless operations for remote work. It excels in historical forensics, malware protection, and flexible cloud deployments. Users benefit from comprehensive traffic scanning, robust malware detection, and PaaS capabilities that reduce hardware management. An intuitive admin console ensures efficient management with content filtering and low false positives. SSL decryption enhances security, while DLP protects data in AI conversations. Deployment is rapid and scalable, allowing effortless integration with emerging technologies.

What features does iboss offer?

Granular Web Filtering: Provides precise control over web content access.
Traffic Scanning: Monitors data through multiple ports for security breaches.
Malware Detection: Ensures superior protection against malware threats.
PaaS Capabilities: Eliminates need for hardware management.
SSL Decryption: Enhances data protection by decrypting secure connections.
DLP Capabilities: Safeguards data during AI interactions.

What benefits and ROI should users consider?

Scalability: Adapts quickly to growing demands and emerging tech integration.
Rapid Deployment: Reduces time to implement security measures.
User-Friendly Admin Console: Facilitates efficient operations management.
Low False Positives: Increases accuracy of threat detection systems.

iboss finds significant application in sectors such as education, where web filtering for K-12 is crucial, and in corporate environments requiring robust proxy services and URL filtering for network security. Its adaptability is essential in scenarios demanding flexible, decentralized security frameworks, particularly for remote work setups.

iboss

Cisco Secure Access is a comprehensive solution that ensures secure access to networks and protects against unauthorized access. It is used for network authentication, enforcing access policies, managing user identities, securing remote access, and providing secure connectivity for devices. Users have praised its robust security measures, seamless integration with existing systems, user-friendly interface, and reliable network performance.

Cisco

FortiSASE is a comprehensive security solution that combines SD-WAN, security, and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) capabilities in a single platform. It provides secure access to applications and data from any device, anywhere, and at any time. FortiSASE offers advanced threat protection, real-time visibility, and control over network traffic, ensuring that organizations can securely connect their users and devices to the cloud and on-premises resources. With FortiSASE, organizations can simplify their security infrastructure, reduce costs, and improve their overall security posture.

FortiSASE Benefits:

Easy to use and set up
Good value for the price
Provides accurate and reliable results
Compact and portable design
Comes with helpful instructions and customer support

FortiSASE combines the following key elements:

Networking: FortiSASE provides networking capabilities, including SD-WAN (Software-Defined Wide Area Network), WAN optimization, and network traffic routing. It allows organizations to optimize and secure their network connectivity.
Security: FortiSASE integrates multiple security services, including next-generation firewall (NGFW), secure web gateway (SWG), secure web application firewall (WAF), and zero-trust network access (ZTNA). It offers comprehensive protection against various threats, such as malware, intrusions, and data breaches.
Cloud Security: FortiSASE includes cloud-native security services to protect cloud-based applications and workloads. It offers secure access to cloud services, cloud-based firewalls, and security for multi-cloud environments.
Zero Trust Security: FortiSASE follows the Zero Trust security model, where all users and devices are treated as untrusted and must undergo strict authentication and authorization before accessing resources. It enforces granular access controls and micro-segmentation to limit lateral movement within the network.
Secure Web Access: FortiSASE includes secure web access capabilities, enabling organizations to enforce web filtering policies, block malicious websites, and protect against web-based threats like phishing and malware.
Visibility and Analytics: FortiSASE provides centralized visibility and analytics to monitor network traffic, security events, and user behavior. It helps organizations detect and respond to security incidents and provides insights for ongoing security improvements.

FortiSASE aims to simplify and streamline security operations by integrating multiple security functions and network services into a single platform. This approach allows organizations to reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and enhance overall security posture.

Reviews from Real Users

Peter VanDorp, Cyber Security Analyst and Network Operations Supervisor at a non-tech company, says that "Deep packet inspection is easier to deploy in the FortiSASE environment. It's much simpler to configure one-touch deployment. It was considerably more convoluted to get that to work using FortiClient. All that processing horsepower is happening in Fortinet's cloud infrastructure, reducing the load on our local routers and on-prem FortiGate firewalls."

Jose-Rivera, Account Manager at Telefónica, that FortiSASE is "Reliable with good security and helps with network optimization".

Fortinet

Sample Customers

More than 4,000 global enterprises trust the iboss Cloud Platform to support their modern workforces, including a large number of Fortune 50 companies.

1. IBM 2. Microsoft 3. Amazon 4. Google 5. Apple 6. Cisco Systems 7. Oracle 8. Intel 9. HP Inc. 10. Dell Technologies 11. Verizon Communications 12. AT&T 13. Comcast 14. T-Mobile 15. Sprint 16. Vodafone 17. Orange 18. BT Group 19. Deutsche Telekom 20. Telefonica 21. Nokia 22. Ericsson 23. Samsung Electronics 24. Sony 25. Panasonic 26. LG Electronics 27. Siemens 28. General Electric 29. Ford Motor Company 30. General Motors 31. Toyota Motor Corporation 32. Volkswagen Group

Information Not Available

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Access vs. FortiSASE

January 2025

Free Report: Cisco Secure Access vs. FortiSASE

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