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Cisco IOS Security vs Fortra's Tripwire Enterprise comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Dec 19, 2024

Review summaries and opinions

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Categories and Ranking

Cisco IOS Security
Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
16th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
6.8
Number of Reviews
49
Ranking in other categories
Firewalls (30th)
Fortra's Tripwire Enterprise
Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
18th
Average Rating
8.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.2
Number of Reviews
8
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of March 2026, in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category, the mindshare of Cisco IOS Security is 2.2%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Fortra's Tripwire Enterprise is 2.1%, up from 1.0% compared to the previous year. It is calculated based on PeerSpot user engagement data.
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) Mindshare Distribution
ProductMindshare (%)
Cisco IOS Security2.2%
Fortra's Tripwire Enterprise2.1%
Other95.7%
Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
 

Featured Reviews

Danijel Cerovecki - PeerSpot reviewer
Head of Cyber Defense Department and Network Technologies Department at Verso Altima
Have faced challenges in keeping licensing clear and consistent while ensuring reliable network protection
We are a Gold Partner with Cisco. Our customers come from various industries, including service providers, and we target service providers and enterprise customers.We do not extensively use Zone-Based Firewalls in Cisco IOS Security, instead typically deploying standalone firewalls such as Cisco FTDs or Cisco ASA devices. For threat analytics and vulnerability scanning, we utilize third-party vendors with dedicated devices and software. We use products such as Tenable from Nessus for this type of analysis. We have implemented Secure Access Control Server in Cisco IOS Security, which combines multiple security mechanisms including AAA, 802.1X for network access control with Cisco ICE, TrustSec for identity-based segmentation, and Cisco DNA Center. Cisco IOS Security's VPN support is comprehensive and increasingly important in daily communication, from basic site-to-site tunnels to remote access VPNs and SD-WAN secure VPNs. Protecting and encrypting communication is essential in modern networks. The challenges with Cisco IOS Security are more operational than product-related. There is an understaffing issue, making automation and orchestration capabilities particularly valuable. For the products themselves, we only encounter routine operational matters such as addressing new vulnerabilities and patching. For those considering Cisco IOS Security, it is important to understand that Cisco offers a complete ecosystem. When embracing the Cisco ecosystem fully, customers receive excellent products and comprehensive solutions. On a scale of 1-10, I rate Cisco IOS Security a 9.
reviewer2093205 - PeerSpot reviewer
Senior Cybersecurity Analyst at a energy/utilities company with 1,001-5,000 employees
It has excellent scalability and allows you to execute custom COCR rules, letting you fine-tune agent monitoring
I'm using Tripwire Enterprise version 9.0. In my company, thirty to forty people use Tripwire Enterprise, mainly different types of engineers, governance, risk, compliance, and cybersecurity personnel. I advise people planning to use Tripwire Enterprise to take the training because the solution has a fairly complex interface. You can do a lot of work with it, but it isn't very easy. Tripwire Enterprise is a sophisticated tool. I rate the tool an eight on a scale of one to ten because it does an excellent job of handling the unique challenges of maintaining NERC CIP compliance and monitoring industrial controls.

Quotes from Members

We asked business professionals to review the solutions they use. Here are some excerpts of what they said:
 

Pros

"Cisco is head-and-shoulders above all of the competition when it comes to technical support."
"Technical support for this solution is very good."
"Cisco IOS Security's threat detection features are effective from the point of real-time insights and alerts."
"In terms of scalability, it definitely suits all enterprise needs; the product is all we need for today's enterprise, for the client, and for me, in terms of scalability, Cisco has the full package."
"One of the main features is that the hardware is extremely reliable."
"Completely integrates branch offices with perimeter security."
"The product is easy to use."
"The solution is stable."
"File monitoring is the most valuable feature of the solution."
"The most valuable feature is integrity management. I had some discussions with service providers, and they also agreed."
"The most valuable feature is the integrity, because if the file configuration has been modified this solution calculates a hash code of the file and, if someone has changed the file, the solution will recalculate the hash and the admin receives a notice that the file has been modified, by sending an email or an alert to the administrator that someone has modified, added, or deleted a line, not just in files but also in tables metadata and network device configurations."
"I would recommend to anybody to try out Tripwire Enterprise."
"What's most valuable in Tripwire Enterprise is the ability to execute custom COCR rules that lets me fine-tune how I monitor Linux and Windows agents."
"Even if you change a single word in Notepad, it will let you know whether it was added, removed, or modified."
"Its reporting features are great, it gives you an in-depth report, its customization is also great, and it is working fine."
"The most valuable feature is the integrity."
 

Cons

"It's a good device yet it's not a market leader. There are better options for customers to choose from."
"I think setup could be one area for improvement, because sometimes we don't have people inside so we have to move to the place."
"The routers, don't have like long-term tendency features, or higher availability features available for the IOS. It could also use a better user interface."
"I think setup could be one area for improvement, because sometimes we don't have people inside so we have to move to the place."
"Some additional features could be improved. For example, the licensing for DNA environments could be better."
"The solution is complex and can be more user-friendly."
"The configuration should be easier in the solution."
"A few things have room for improvement in your opinion. That would start with cost."
"The initial setup is complex."
"The main way that it can be improved is through better reporting."
"A lot of network devices need a custom integration."
"It needs more local support from the OEM side. It would be great if this can be improved."
"Cloud monitoring could be better. It would also be better if the company followed a pay-as-you-use model."
"There are several errors when deploying this solution to AIX systems, but with the help of support, it can be done."
"The deployment with certain systems can be difficult and it needs to be simplified."
"The Windows online integration license needs to be improved."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"The cost may be around $5,000 to $10,000 a year. If you want support you have to pay at least this price."
"You can get a better price if you commit to a longer-term license. Three years, five years, or even seven or ten years will be cheaper than a three-month or one-year term."
"The tool could be priced lower. If you want advanced services, then you need to purchase them."
"The licenses for this solution are expensive."
"Price is certainly something that the IOS technology has fallen behind the competition on."
"Palo Alto networks are more expensive than this solution and this is why you will see more products like this one in Mexico."
"Cisco IOS Security is not very expensive, and pricing depends on where you live. It's affordable for both individuals and institutions. On a scale from one to five, I would give Cisco's pricing a four."
"It is an expensive solution."
"The licensing depends on the equipment, how many devices and the types of devices."
"Tripwire is more expensive than Netwrix."
"Cloud monitoring could be better. It could also be cheaper. It would be better if the company followed a pay-as-you-use model."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
20%
Manufacturing Company
8%
Marketing Services Firm
7%
Outsourcing Company
7%
Manufacturing Company
10%
Construction Company
9%
Financial Services Firm
8%
Computer Software Company
7%
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business20
Midsize Enterprise14
Large Enterprise18
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business5
Large Enterprise3
 

Questions from the Community

What do you like most about Cisco IOS Security?
Cisco IOS Security is a mature product with extensive capabilities, serving as the base for the defense layer. It offers good network visibility, which helps in rapid response through the Rapid Thr...
What is your experience regarding pricing and costs for Cisco IOS Security?
The cost of Cisco IOS Security for customers is on the higher end of pricing compared to the competition, depending on the targeted customers.This can be a major issue as enterprise customers are o...
What needs improvement with Cisco IOS Security?
Regarding improvements in Cisco IOS Security, what consistently confuses me is the inability of Cisco to maintain a clear licensing policy.This is an issue that I have observed for years now. Cisco...
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Also Known As

IOS Security
No data available
 

Overview

 

Sample Customers

Arup Group, Brunel University London, City of Biel, Gobierno de Castilla-La Mancha, K&L Gates , New South Wales Rural Fire Service, Offshore Northern Seas, Transplace
1. Aetna 2. Adobe 3. ADP 4. Airbus 5. Amazon 6. American Express 7. Aon 8. ATT 9. Bank of America 10. Barclays 11. Baxter International 12. Bechtel 13. Boeing 14. Cisco Systems 15. CocaCola 16. Comcast 17. Dell 18. ETRADE 19. ExxonMobil 20. Ford Motor Company 21. General Electric 22. General Motors 23. Google 24. JPMorgan Chase 25. Kraft Foods 26. Lockheed Martin 27. McDonald's 28. Merck 29. Microsoft 30. Morgan Stanley 31. Nike 32. Oracle
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco IOS Security vs. Fortra's Tripwire Enterprise and other solutions. Updated: March 2026.
885,264 professionals have used our research since 2012.