Item: Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services
Rating: 10
Author: Richa Chahal

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services was deployed to upgrade the Cisco ASA to a next generation firewall. Lots of security features like deep packet scanning, malware protection, threat detection, and prevention were missing in Cisco ASA, so Cisco launched the FirePOWER Services. It provides us with all features that help us to stop any type of cyber attack on our organization. We [have been] using FirePOWER for the last two years and we are using all services for our company.

Pros and Cons

Advanced threat protection
Cisco Any Connect VPN
Advanced malware protection
Advanced Intrusion Detection Systems and Intrusion Prevention Systems
NAT
Sandbox
Smart Licensing
High availability firewall
URL filtering
Content inspection
Application control
Site to site VPN
ACL

High cost for FirePOWER Services
Some issues in URL filtering. Like sometimes [it] block[s the] correct URL and mark[s it] as the wrong category
GUI slowness and crash issue

Key Insights

Do you think Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services's feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services live up to sales and marketing promises?

Yes

Did implementation of Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services again?

Yes

Return on Investment

Training session
Technical support
Easy to configure and deploy
Very high cost for servers

Performance

Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services provides a bundle of features like Cisco AMP, advanced IPS, sandbox, content inspection, URL filtering , etc. It is truly a next generation firewall that provides visibility, control, and protection against advanced threats and cyber attacks. FirePOWER can prevent any type of recent as well as old attacks.

Support Rating

Cisco provides the best technical support and also the best in documentation and training video. If you are facing any issues and want any help in configuration and implement[ation], then you can just raise the ticket and they will contact you within the SLA and provide the best support and solution.

Alternatives Considered

Cisco ASA

We were using Cisco ASA but security features were missing so we discussed with Cisco and upgraded with FirePOWER Services. We are using all the features like AMP, IPS, sandbox etc for network security. We have very critical client data so clients want the security for our organization.

Other Software Used

Cisco 3504 WLAN Controller, Cisco 1000 Series Aggregation Services Routers (ASR 1000), Check Point 12000 Appliances

Likelihood to Recommend

Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services is well suited for every small and middle-sized organization who needs deep-level security scanning and security from advanced level cyber attacks. It will prevent any type of cyber attack like malware, phishing attack, etc. If you are already using Cisco ASA, then you can upgrade with FirePOWER very easily. It provides the very advanced level IPS and malware protection that will help to protect your organization.

Next Generation Firewall with Advanced Features || Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services Review

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco ASA 5500-X with FirePOWER Services