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Cisco Secure Access
What Cisco Secure Access is
Cisco Secure Access is a cloud-delivered security service for controlling access to internet, SaaS, and private applications across office, home, and remote work settings. Its components include zero trust network access (ZTNA), a secure web gateway, CASB, firewall as a service, DNS security, data loss prevention, remote browser isolation, and digital experience monitoring. CASB helps teams see and control SaaS use, including unsanctioned applications. ZTNA grants access to specific applications according to identity, device posture, and contextual policy, with access denied by default. The service also offers visibility and controls for generative AI apps and agents to help identify shadow AI and reduce sensitive data exposure. Teams manage policies and reporting through a cloud console and unified client. Integrations include Microsoft Intune, Jamf Pro, ServiceNow, Splunk, Cisco ISE, and several browsers and Cisco services. Subscriptions are licensed per covered user, with pricing based on user count and term; prices are available on request. A 14-day trial is available.
Who it suits
Cisco describes it for organizations securing users, devices, applications, and AI agents across office, home, and remote work. It may suit teams that need centralized policies and visibility across SaaS and private applications.
What it does well
- Combines ZTNA, CASB, DNS security, DLP, and web gateway.
- Detects unsanctioned SaaS applications.
- AI controls help identify shadow AI.
- Subscriptions include 24x7 technical support and software updates.
- Supports Windows, macOS, Chrome OS, iOS, and Android.
What to know first
- No free plan is listed.
- Pricing is available on request and varies by user count and term.
- The 14-day trial may be extended only by request.
Limits
The trial lasts 14 days. Subscription pricing varies by covered-user count and term; standard terms are 12, 36, or 60 months, with Essentials and Advantage packages.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| DNS Defense free trial | 14-day trial · DNS-layer threat blocking · roaming and office protection · cloud malware protection · cloud DLP | Free |
| Cisco Secure Access subscription | Tiered pricing based on covered-user count and subscription term · standard terms of 12, 36, or 60 months · Essentials and Advantage packages | On request |
| Secure Access Essentials | 12-, 36-, or 60-month subscription; annual or prepaid billing · Secure Internet Access or Secure Private Access · user-based licensing · minimum 50 users for SIA/SPA billing SKUs | On request |
| Secure Access Advantage | 12-, 36-, or 60-month subscription; annual or prepaid billing · Advanced Secure Internet Access or Secure Private Access package · user-based licensing · minimum 50 users for SIA/SPA billing SKUs | On request |
As umbrella.cisco.com lists them, read 19 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Visit the Cisco Secure Access website.
- Start the 14-day free trial.
- Use the cloud-managed console to create centralized policies.
- Connect relevant identity providers and listed integrations.
- During the trial, purchase a subscription or contact a sales representative to request an extension.
Verdict
Cisco Secure Access brings several access and security controls into one cloud-managed service. Consider the per-user subscription structure and request pricing for the relevant user count and term before choosing it.
Questions
How much does Cisco Secure Access cost?
Pricing is available on request and varies by covered-user count and subscription term. Standard terms are 12, 36, or 60 months, with Essentials and Advantage packages.
Is there a free plan or trial?
There is no free plan. Cisco offers a 14-day trial.
Which platforms does it support?
Listed platforms include Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. Platform support also includes Chrome OS, DNS networks, and Cisco network devices.
Which identity providers can it work with?
Cisco names Active Directory, Azure AD, and Okta as examples of supported SAML identity providers.
What support comes with a subscription?
Subscriptions include Software Support Enhanced, with 24x7 technical support, software updates, and onboarding assistance. Premium support is an upgrade option.
Which integrations are listed?
Cisco lists Microsoft Intune, Jamf Pro, Chrome Enterprise Browser, Microsoft Edge for Business, Island Enterprise Browser, ServiceNow, Splunk, Cisco ISE, Catalyst SD-WAN, and Cisco Identity Intelligence.
Facts from Cisco Secure Access's own pages
- AI security
- Secure Access discovers generative-AI applications and model repositories and applies controls intended to reduce sensitive-data exposure. · umbrella.cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- API
- Secure Access exposes a REST API described with OpenAPI 3.x and JSON requests and responses. · developer.cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- API authentication
- The API uses OAuth 2.0 client credentials with short-lived bearer tokens that expire after one hour. · developer.cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- API licence
- API use is governed by Cisco Baseline API License Terms in addition to the customer agreement. · developer.cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- API scope
- Public API resources cover administration, deployments, investigations, policies, reports, DLP events, UEBA and application discovery. · developer.cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- App limitation
- The Cisco Secure Client iOS listing includes user complaints about automatic VPN connections, delayed push approvals, login failures and inability to switch VPN groups. · apps.apple.com, 19 Oct 2026
- CASB
- CASB provides visibility and control over SaaS application use, including detection of unsanctioned applications. · umbrella.cisco.com, 29 Sept 2026
- CASB capability
- CASB visibility identifies sanctioned and unsanctioned SaaS applications and supports policy control over their use. · umbrella.cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Compliance
- Cisco lists Secure Access as SOC 2 Type 2, CSA STAR, ISO 27001, ISO 27017 and ISO 27018 certified; ISO 27701 is in process. · cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Core security functions
- The platform combines ZTNA, secure web gateway, CASB and firewall-as-a-service in one service. · umbrella.cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Data protection
- Its DLP controls identify sensitive information and reduce unauthorized movement across internet, SaaS, private-application and endpoint channels. · umbrella.cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Documentation depth
- Cisco Help documents deployment, mass installation, Windows/macOS/Linux clients, iOS and Android clients, integrations, APIs, troubleshooting and reporting. · cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Experience monitoring
- Experience Insights, powered by ThousandEyes, helps identify whether access problems originate with a device, network, application or connection path. · umbrella.cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Founded
- 1984 · umbrella.cisco.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Government compliance
- The compliance page lists FedRAMP Class D and GovRAMP authorization, with CJIS and HIPAA alignment claims. · cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Headquarters
- San Jose, California, United States · umbrella.cisco.com, 28 Sept 2026
- Identity providers
- The data sheet names Active Directory, Azure AD, and Okta among supported SAML identity provider examples. · cisco.com, 29 Sept 2026
- Integrations
- Documented integrations include Chrome Enterprise Browser, Microsoft Intune, Jamf Pro, ServiceNow or Splunk event delivery, Microsoft Edge for Business, Island, ISE, Catalyst SD-WAN, Cisco Identity Intelligence and threat-intelligence feeds. · cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Cisco describes Secure Access for organizations securing users, devices, applications, and AI agents across office, home, and remote work settings. · cisco.com, 29 Sept 2026
- Licence
- The service is proprietary commercial software sold through Cisco subscriptions rather than open-source licensing. · cisco.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Limit: complexity
- Independent reviewers repeatedly report difficult initial setup, complex policy design and a steep learning curve for smaller or less specialized teams. · g2.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Limit: integrations
- TrustRadius and G2 reviewers cite immature third-party integrations and occasional clunky Duo, ISE, EDR or firewall integration work. · trustradius.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Limit: interface and logging
- TrustRadius reviewers report awkward navigation, incomplete logging, buggy pages and limited troubleshooting visibility. · trustradius.com, 19 Oct 2026
- Limit: pricing
- G2 reviewers describe premium pricing as difficult for smaller organizations and say licensing and feature entitlements can be hard to understand. · g2.com, 19 Oct 2026