Item: Cisco Secure Connect
Rating: 10
Author: Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with Cisco Secure Connect

Use Cases and Deployment Scope

I use Cisco Secure Connect for virtual conferences with our other sites and partner sites. We use this for small and large meetings to communicate and conduct business meetings but it is also used to facilitate training sessions for new and existing staff members as well as a social space in our offices.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Audio
Visual
Hosting capabilities

Cons

More interactive features during meeting
Touch screen addition would help
More options on the control pad

Return on Investment

Saves travel expense
Saves time
We have an weekly team meet that would require £90 train fares per person, we now do this virtual saving that money

Usability

It’s easy to use, but there could be more options available to you. There is a control pad which allows you to do all the capabilities without the requirement of having a laptop plugged in. This is very handy and very user friendly whilst also giving me control of the meeting.

Alternatives Considered

Microsoft Teams Rooms

Key Insights

Do you think Cisco Secure Connect delivers good value for the price?

Yes

Are you happy with Cisco Secure Connect's feature set?

Yes

Did Cisco Secure Connect live up to sales and marketing promises?

I wasn't involved with the selection/purchase process

Did implementation of Cisco Secure Connect go as expected?

I wasn't involved with the implementation phase

Would you buy Cisco Secure Connect again?

Yes

Other Software Used

Microsoft Teams

Likelihood to Recommend

I was hosting virtual training for a new call structure that was launching in my operation, this was to other sites and staff members working from their own homes. Cisco Secure Connect was great as I could use the whole space in the room and have the camera follow me around picking up my voice from every corner of the room.

Using Cisco Secure Connect

Users and Roles

They represent a wide range of the business from those on customer front line to learning teams working within the design and delivery of induction and training content across the UK and our partners overseas. Also our comms teams as well as our buisness analysts and copywritters to hold business meetings and consoltations

Support Headcount Required

10 - Network engineers and administrators are essential for supporting Cisco Secure Connect. They are responsible for designing, implementing, and managing network infrastructure that integrates with Cisco’s security solutions. Their skills typically include:Understanding of Networking Protocols: Proficiency in TCP/IP, routing protocols (like OSPF, BGP), and switching technologies is crucial.Experience with Cisco Products: Familiarity with Cisco routers, switches, firewalls, and other security appliances is necessary to effectively deploy and manage Cisco Secure Connect.Troubleshooting Skills: Ability to diagnose and resolve network issues quickly is vital for maintaining uptime and performance.

Business Processes Supported

Online Meetings
Online consoltations
reducing travel

Innovative Uses

Large team gathering
christmas partys
interacting with those WFH whilst in office

Future Planned Uses

As remote work continues to be a significant trend, organizations can leverage Cisco Secure Connect to enhance their remote access solutions. By integrating secure connectivity options, such as VPNs and Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA), businesses can ensure that employees have secure access to corporate resources from any location. This could involve implementing more robust identity verification processes and adaptive security measures that respond to user behavior.
Integration with IoT Devices
Integration with Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Likelihood to Renew

Cisco Secure Connect is designed as a unified, turnkey solution that simplifies the complexities of managing network and security functions in hybrid work settings. It combines Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) capabilities with Security Service Edge (SSE), allowing organizations to manage both networking and security from a single dashboard. This integration can lead to improved operational efficiency, making it easier for IT teams to oversee their infrastructure.

Evaluating Cisco Secure Connect and Competitors

Products Replaced

Key Differentiators

Ease of Use

Cisco Secure Connect is designed with a focus on simplicity and user-friendliness, making it accessible for organizations looking to implement a Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) solution. The platform integrates various networking and security functionalities into a single, cohesive system that can be managed through an intuitive interface. This design philosophy aims to reduce operational complexities and enhance the overall user experience.

Evaluation Lessons Learned

I wouldn't change it

Cisco Secure Connect Implementation

Implementation Rating

Very quick and easy, its a tidy set up, no messy cables and the sound and video quality is excellent. I use this weekly for home calls and larger team calls across the UK and Europe and have no problems. The engineers were in and out within a couple of hours

Implementation Details / Implementation Partner

Don't know
Don't know

Implementation Phases

Implementation Issues

Connectivity in the room

Cisco Secure Connect Support

Support Rating

never used it

Cisco Secure Connect Customer Support Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Quick Resolution Good followup Knowledgeable team Problems get solved No escalation required Support understands my problem	Not kept informed Difficult to get immediate help