Cisco ASA Firewall vs. Palo Alto Firewall, which is right for you?
The next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) from Cisco and Palo Alto Networks are both known as the top 10 NGFW vendors, and both are well prepared to satisfy enterprise security demands. However, each solution has its own set of strengths and shortcomings; what follows is a breakdown of the essential aspects of each service, as well as the distinctions between Cisco ASA Firewall and Palo Alto Firewall.
Cisco NGFWs
Cisco’s Firepower NGFWs are meant to give users, hosts, networks, and infrastructure a single view of telemetry and potentially malicious file activity via the Firepower Management Center. The Cisco NGFW is automatically updated with Cisco Talos threat intelligence and rule sets, and the solution’s automated policy application and enforcement allow users to focus on higher-priority duties.
Features: Cisco Firepower provides functionality similar to Fortinet FortiGate. The most distinguishing characteristics of Firepower are the IPS and IDS items. They aid in the assessment of any exploitable flaws. All unauthorized users can be identified and traffic estimates can be generated. Other security features include inspection, URL filtering, and so forth. Any hardware can be replaced easily and without requiring a network outage.
Palo Alto NGFWs
Overview: Palo Alto Networks’ next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) scan all traffic, including apps, threats, and content, and associate it with the user, regardless of location or device type. By classifying all traffic, defining the business use case, and assigning policies to secure access to relevant applications and prohibit risks, the goal is to manage apps, people, and content. The company’s next-generation firewalls (NGFWs) are available as purpose-built hardware appliances as well as virtual appliances that serve a wide range of cloud settings.
Features: Palo Alto facilitates efficient traffic scanning in a single flow. It improves each user’s response time and contributes to the network’s seamless operation. The most unique feature of Alto Palo is Automatic Verdict, which can recognize any threat range. It sends out immediate alerts to all subscribers who have access during a security breach.
Main Differences Between Cisco Firewall and Palo Alto NGFW
1. Cisco Firewall includes a web-based access GUI, but Palo Alto does not have a web-based access GUI.
2. Cisco Firewall is equipped with a Talos intelligence unit, whilst Palo Alto is equipped with a Unit 42 intelligence unit.
3. Cisco Firewall focuses on networking and integrated strategy with security, whereas Palo Alto focuses solely on security.
4. Cisco Firewall has various unique capabilities such as wireless switching, firewalls, routing, and so on, whereas Palo Alto offers BGP, a route-based VPN.
5. Cisco Firewall is a low-cost service, whereas Palo Alto is a high-cost solution.
Table Comparison: Cisco ASA Vs. Palo Alto NGFW
|
Cisco ASA Firewall |
Palo Alto Networks NGFW |
|
| IDS/IPS functionality |
√ |
√ |
| Network Antivirus & Anti-Spyware |
√ |
√ |
| Basic DLP functionality |
– |
√ |
| IAM |
– |
√ |
| Site to Site IPSec VPN support |
√ |
√ |
| DNS proxy functionality |
– |
√ |
| Support for static and dynamic routing protocols |
√ |
√ |
Conclusion
Palo Alto’s PA-5220 firewall was determined to be more cost-effective than Cisco’s, with a total cost of ownership (TCO) per protected Mbps of $7 compared to $28 for the Cisco Firepower 4120 in recent NSS Labs testing. The Cisco Firepower’s failure to block three of the 190 evasion tactics assessed by NSS contributed to the low ranking. Palo Alto also won in terms of performance.
Customers and industry analysts praise both Cisco and Palo Alto Networks, yet there are significant distinctions between the two. Cisco is a fantastic choice for businesses looking for a wide selection of security services that interact with their firewall, and clients praise the company’s customer service. When performance and advanced features are more important than affordability, Palo Alto is a good option.
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