Cisco ASA Firewall Review

The solution has worked very well for us, but the configuration/management interface is complex.

What is most valuable?

  • Firewall mode
  • AnyConnect gateway
  • Client-less SSL VPN

How has it helped my organization?

The versatility of the product has allowed us to solve a number of perimeter requirements without having to seek out different products or companies for solutions. It has allowed for a single management mechanism, and by having a single platform solution, it has allowed for simpler training.

What needs improvement?

The configuration/management interface is complex and can be confusing. Technical documentation is often sparse and can be incomplete when covering specific implementations.

For how long have I used the solution?

I've used Cisco PIX and ASA firewalls since 2003.

What was my experience with deployment of the solution?

Not with the ASAs, with some early version PIX products.

What do I think about the stability of the solution?

Not with the ASAs, with some early version PIX products.

What do I think about the scalability of the solution?

The ASAs offer several different technologies for HA and we have used all of them successfully.

How are customer service and technical support?

Customer Service:

It's excellent.

Technical Support:

Excellent, we have always been able to get the specific expertise needed to solve our challenges with the products.

Which solution did I use previously and why did I switch?

Checkpoint Firewalls - the primary reason we switched was cost and limited support options.

How was the initial setup?

It's pretty straightforward. I came at these products already having considerable firewall experience.

What about the implementation team?

It was all in-house, as we all had 10 years plus experience when we moved to PIX firewalls and then a few years later we brought in the ASAs.

Which other solutions did I evaluate?

  • Watchguard
  • Sonicwall
  • Checkpoint

What other advice do I have?

The product line offers tremendous capability. Please look into all of the solutions it can provide for you to maximize your investment.

Which version of this solution are you currently using?

5520, 5525x, & 5545x
**Disclosure: I am a real user, and this review is based on my own experience and opinions.
More Cisco ASA Firewall reviews from users
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Highlights
The IPS (In-plane switching) is the most valuable feature.
Its VPN and ASN features are very stable.
The setup was straightforward. I was happy with the configuration and deployment of the solution, as it was quick.
This solution has good security, and it's a good product. You can trust Cisco, and there's support as well, which is really good.
The greatest benefit for the organization is the confidence that we are secured.
Its ability to discover attacks is a valuable feature. All of the other features that have to do with security are good.
I haven't had any major problems so I haven't had to open a ticket with technical support.
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