Cisco IOS Security vs. Zscaler Internet Access

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
Cisco IOS Security
Score 9.5 out of 10
N/A
IOS Security from Cisco is network security technology.N/A
Zscaler Internet Access
Score 8.9 out of 10
N/A
Zscaler Internet Access™ (ZIA) is a secure web gateway (SWG), delivering cloud native cyberthreat protection and zero trust access to the internet and SaaS apps.N/A
Pricing
Cisco IOS SecurityZscaler Internet Access
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
Cisco IOS SecurityZscaler Internet Access
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoYes
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
Cisco IOS SecurityZscaler Internet Access
Features
Cisco IOS SecurityZscaler Internet Access
Identity Management
Comparison of Identity Management features of Product A and Product B
Cisco IOS Security
-
Ratings
Zscaler Internet Access
5.0
2 Ratings
53% below category average
Multi-Factor Authentication00 Ratings5.02 Ratings
Endpoint Security
Comparison of Endpoint Security features of Product A and Product B
Cisco IOS Security
-
Ratings
Zscaler Internet Access
10.0
2 Ratings
11% above category average
Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR)00 Ratings10.02 Ratings
Threat Intelligence
Comparison of Threat Intelligence features of Product A and Product B
Cisco IOS Security
-
Ratings
Zscaler Internet Access
8.5
216 Ratings
9% above category average
Network Analytics00 Ratings8.7217 Ratings
Threat Recognition00 Ratings8.3214 Ratings
Vulnerability Classification00 Ratings8.5191 Ratings
Automated Alerts and Reporting00 Ratings8.2205 Ratings
Threat Analysis00 Ratings8.8203 Ratings
Threat Intelligence Reporting00 Ratings8.5199 Ratings
Automated Threat Identification00 Ratings8.5192 Ratings
Zero Trust Security
Comparison of Zero Trust Security features of Product A and Product B
Cisco IOS Security
-
Ratings
Zscaler Internet Access
8.9
262 Ratings
4% above category average
Continuous Verification00 Ratings8.7245 Ratings
Secure Web Gateways00 Ratings9.0236 Ratings
Network Flow Control00 Ratings8.1217 Ratings
Network Traffic Analysis00 Ratings8.8219 Ratings
Segmentation Leveraging00 Ratings8.6194 Ratings
Admin Access Control00 Ratings9.0230 Ratings
Network Data Encryption00 Ratings8.8207 Ratings
Network Topology Mapping00 Ratings10.02 Ratings
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Cisco IOS SecurityZscaler Internet Access
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Medium-sized Companies
Cisco Meraki MX
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Score 9.0 out of 10
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Score 8.6 out of 10
Enterprises
Cisco Meraki MX
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Score 9.0 out of 10
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Score 8.6 out of 10
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User Ratings
Cisco IOS SecurityZscaler Internet Access
Likelihood to Recommend
10.0
(5 ratings)
9.0
(295 ratings)
Likelihood to Renew
-
(0 ratings)
8.4
(6 ratings)
Usability
9.0
(1 ratings)
8.8
(279 ratings)
Availability
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Performance
-
(0 ratings)
5.5
(1 ratings)
Support Rating
9.0
(2 ratings)
7.2
(10 ratings)
Online Training
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Implementation Rating
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(2 ratings)
Configurability
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(2 ratings)
Product Scalability
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(1 ratings)
Vendor post-sale
-
(0 ratings)
8.3
(3 ratings)
Vendor pre-sale
-
(0 ratings)
7.3
(2 ratings)
User Testimonials
Cisco IOS SecurityZscaler Internet Access
Likelihood to Recommend
Cisco
We used to access list remote login to the switches for only network admin from specific vlan. And allow some vendor server to connect for snmp messages. This has allowed us to monitor with external vendor while keeping security tight and audit for users. In other hand we had to use external solution for NAC
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Zscaler
I feel the product is very good to set up basic standards and go beyond that in many aspects. However, due to being sometimes too simple, it limits the ability to do some other complex changes. Having the ability to do both would be ideal for some, if not all, of the products within Zscaler Internet Access. A simple setup to have it stand-up, and more advanced settings for those more experienced.
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Pros
Cisco
  • Authentication.
  • Access lists.
  • Port security.
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Zscaler
  • Provides a secure VPN connection point for endpoint connectivity.
  • Provides the VPN connectivity in a fast and reliable connection state.
  • Very dependable, once connected the connection stays up and there's no fuss.
  • Very good at letting you know when you are not authenticated.
  • Very easy to authenticate and regain access when your session times out.
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Cons
Cisco
  • Cisco could provide an initial set up script for those are not used to the CLI (Command Line Interface). With that initial script, people could easily deploy the security features instead of having to learn how to use the commands.
  • The web interface that Cisco provides with the routers, although it’s useful to set up the security features, it could also have some sort of tutorials to help people understand the main concepts of iOS security.
  • You have to license iOS security separately from the main OS. For that reason, sometimes it tends to be a little expensive if you have a small business.
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Zscaler
  • ZS CLI support to turn off ZIA and ZDX service specifically on mac.
  • Better visibility into failed posture devices, including a timeline and the reason the posture failed (This is about the Zscaler mobile portal: Enrolled devices --> Failed posture devices).
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Likelihood to Renew
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Zscaler
While Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) delivers critical value in cloud security and RBI compliance, I rate renewal likelihood 7/10 due to evolving needs versus platform limitations. Below is my rationale:
Key Gaps:
1. Advanced Threat Costs:
ZIA’s add-ons (e.g., Advanced DLP, Sandboxing) incur 35%+ cost premiums – straining budgets as transaction volumes (UPI/iMobile) grow 50% YoY.
2. API Banking Scalability:
ZIA’s API rate limits throttle real-time policy sync during UPI peaks (10K+ TPS), forcing workarounds for finacle integrations.
3. RBI Future-Proofing:
Limited native support for upcoming digital rupee (CBDC) security rules requires custom development, increasing compliance overhead.
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Usability
Cisco
Cisco IOS Security usibility require a network administrator or an engineer with CCNA knowledge to know how to handle and configure Cisco IOS Security. The Cisco IOS Security usability once you know your way is smooth and very helpful. Even for new commands you can just type question mark and the new commands will pop on the screen.
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Zscaler
Getting started was pretty straightforward. We can tell the product is way more robust than we are using it. It started as a replacement for previous DNS-blocking content filtering, but we're exploring how this will add value with an upcoming DLP redesign and with traffic optimization at some of our remote sites with severe bandwidth limits.
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Performance
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Zscaler
There are often performance issues reported
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Support Rating
Cisco
Cisco has the best Support team that gives us 24/7 support as we need. Cisco has huge detailed documentation for design, implementation, and troubleshooting all areas of the IOS security. There are many communities discussing all Cisco devices and solutions for studying groups and for customers to share their stories, technical problem and solutions.
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Zscaler
Zscaler's ZIA support is quick and knowledgable. They respond within 1-2 hours of you submitting your ticket. They are very thorough and are typically ready to jump on a live troubleshooting session. Our ZIA platform and how we use is it unique so at times tickets can be open for weeks but we alway get quality support compared to other unrelated product support in our enterprise
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Implementation Rating
Cisco
No answers on this topic
Zscaler
good the engineer give excellent support and eplanation
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Alternatives Considered
Cisco
IOS Security is a bonus feature when you purchase Cisco devices. It is great to have a vendor provide equipment to go above and beyond the minimal needs for business operation. Having security at the downstream edge of our organization provides a sense of ease from potential attacks.
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Zscaler
The overall user community and scope of supportability outweighed the others on our short list. Netskope was a close second, but the risk, though small, was greater than that of bringing Zscaler aboard. We were looking for a mature, well-supported, highly functional, and fine-grained solution that met all our user and information security requirements.
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Return on Investment
Cisco
  • There are no negative impacts. ROI Is great as hardware lasts for ever.
  • Never needs a reboot for standard maintenance. Less downtime
  • Less downtime means better customer service. Our customers reach us without difficulty
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Zscaler
  • I would say it has a very good ROI, as whenever someone can't access something, they submit a ticket to our network engineer, and within minutes, the site is safely added to ZIA with best-practice configurations. After seeing a little of the UI from the Zenith event, it seems very user-friendly to control these policies.
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ScreenShots

Zscaler Internet Access Screenshots

Screenshot of an overview of Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA), a cloud native security service edge (SSE) solution that builds on a decade of secure web gateway leadership. Offered as a scalable SaaS platform through Zscaler's security cloud, it replaces legacy network security solutions, preventing advanced attacks and data loss with a comprehensive zero trust approach. ZIA is integrated into the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange™ to provide superior defense-in-depth, secure connectivity, end user experience, and administrative visibility and control.