Cisco vs SonicWall Battlecard

Feature	Cisco Secure Firewall	SonicWall NGFW
Threat Intelligence	Cisco Talos Intelligence is Cisco's primary source of threat intelligence, complemented by Cisco Secure Malware Analytics (formerly Threat Grid) and Cisco Secure Endpoint Intelligence (formerly AMP for Endpoints)	SonicWall leverages the Capture Cloud Platform, incorporating Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMI™) and multi-engine sandboxing to detect and prevent advanced threats, including zero-day attacks.
Intrusion Prevention (IPS)	Snort IPS with extensive rule-based detection and Talos threat feeds.	SonicWall IPS enables the firewall to investigate farther into the protocol to examine information at the application layer.
Encrypted Traffic Analysis	Encrypted Traffic Analytics (ETA): Detects malware in encrypted traffic without decryption.	Performs full decryption and inspection of SSL/TLS and SSH traffic.
Zero Trust & Identity-Based Security	Cisco ISE integration: Role-based access and dynamic segmentation. Cisco integrates Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) via Duo Security and Cisco ISE.	SonicWall offers identity-based access control with integration to Active Directory and LDAP, enabling role-based policies and user-level controls.
Cloud Security & SASE	Cisco Umbrella + Secure Firewall Cloud for cloud-based firewalling & SASE.	SonicWall's physical and virtual NGFWs can act as on-premises enforcement points, secure branch connectivity to the SASE cloud.
Automation & AI	SecureX orchestration for security automation & response.	SonicWall's Capture Security Center enables centralized management and automation.
Policy Management	Firewall Management Center (FMC) with SecureX automation.	Centralized management platform allows for unified policy creation and enforcement.
Local Agent	Cisco Secure Client (formerly AnyConnect). Full-featured Secure Client: VPN, posture, Umbrella, Duo MFA, etc. No native agentless ZTNA; VPN still required for most access.	SonicWall Capture Client is a local agent that is installed on endpoints to provide ATP and EDR capabilities.
Sandboxing	Uses Cisco Secure Malware Analytics (formerly Threat Grid) for deep file analysis, behavioral detection, and malware classification.	SonicWall Capture ATP utilizes multi-engine sandboxing, including RTDMI™, to analyze suspicious files and block unknown threats.
Main Competitors	Palo Alto, Fortinet, Sophos.	WatchGuard, Cisco, Sophos.

	Cisco Secure Firewall	SonicWall NGFW
Is it designed more effectively for enterprises or SMBs?	Cisco Secure Firewall excels in providing advanced security capabilities, high scalability, and robust performance, making it a strong contender for large enterprises with complex security needs. Its comprehensive feature set, backed by the threat intelligence of Cisco Talos, positions it as a powerful solution for organizations facing sophisticated cyber threats.	SonicWall NGFWs are well-suited for small to medium-sized businesses, offering cost-effective security solutions with advanced features like deep packet inspection, VPN support, and centralized management, making them ideal for organizations with limited IT resources.
Distinctive Features	Cisco's Encrypted Visibility Engine (EVE) analyzes encrypted traffic without decryption to detect threats and anomalies. Using machine learning and behavioral analytics, it identifies malware, policy violations, and suspicious activity while maintaining data privacy. EVE helps security teams monitor encrypted traffic efficiently, ensuring compliance and threat prevention without compromising encryption integrity. It enhances network security by providing visibility into encrypted communications, making it a key component of Cisco's cybersecurity solutions.	The multi-engine sandboxing and Real-Time Deep Memory Inspection (RTDMI™) within SonicWall's Capture Advanced Threat Protection (ATP) set SonicWall solutions apart from the competition. Efficient Search Functionality: The search bar within the interface allows for quick navigation and rule management, enhancing administrative efficiency. Simplified VPN Setup: SonicWall's VPN wizard simplifies the process of establishing secure connections, which is particularly beneficial for SMBs.
Common Criticisms	Complex Management Interface. Cisco Secure Firewall Management Center is a powerful, feature-rich platform that has improved over time but still suffers from significant management complexity, historical stability issues, and a less intuitive user experience compared to key competitors. High Licensing Costs: Cisco's licensing model is frequently described as complex and expensive. Essential features such as Intrusion Prevention Systems (IPS) and VPN capabilities often require additional licenses, increasing the total cost of ownership.	UI. Interface can be less intuitive with a steeper learning curve for new administrators. Additionally, enabling multiple security services can lead to decreased performance, affecting network speed. Firmware Updates. the need for frequent firmware updates can be disruptive and time-consuming.

Cisco Secure Firewall Dashboard & UI

Cisco Partners

A Cisco Partner provides businesses with expert consultation, seamless deployment, cost optimization, and technical support. Below is a list of some of the top Cisco partners in the market.

Netsync Network Solutions
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Burwood Group, Inc.
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NWN Corporation
NWN Carousel is a leading Cloud Communications Service Provider (CCSP) focused on transforming the customer and workspace experience for commercial, enterprise and public sector organizations. The …
Konica Minolta
It’s important to ensure that critical IT systems are always available to support core business functions, but maintaining IT systems with an in-house IT staff can be costly and inefficient.
…

SonicWall NGFW Dashboard & UI

SonicWall Partners

A SonicWall Partner provides businesses with expert consultation, seamless deployment, cost optimization, and technical support. Below is a list of some of the top SonicWall partners in the market.

Konica Minolta
It’s important to ensure that critical IT systems are always available to support core business functions, but maintaining IT systems with an in-house IT staff can be costly and inefficient.
…
Lunavi
Lunavi leads the way in digital transformation and managed IT services, helping businesses modernize software applications, solve traditional IT challenges, and extract ROI with comprehensive …
NexusTek
Trusted by thousands of businesses for over two decades, NexusTek, a national provider of managed IT services and full IT outsourcing solutions, offers a comprehensive portfolio comprising end-user …
Synoptek, Inc.
Synoptek delivers accelerated business results through advisory led transformative systems integration and managed services. We partner with organizations worldwide to help them navigate the ever-…