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Cisco IOS Security vs Netwrix Change Tracker comparison

 

Comparison Buyer's Guide

Executive SummaryUpdated on Feb 19, 2026

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 (39th)
Netwrix Change Tracker
Ranking in Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS)
25th
Average Rating
9.0
Reviews Sentiment
7.7
Number of Reviews
2
Ranking in other categories
No ranking in other categories
 

Mindshare comparison

As of May 2026, in the Intrusion Detection and Prevention Software (IDPS) category, the mindshare of Cisco IOS Security is 2.3%, up from 0.9% compared to the previous year. The mindshare of Netwrix Change Tracker is 1.0%, up from 0.4% 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 Security2.3%
Netwrix Change Tracker1.0%
Other96.7%
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.
reviewer2322963 - PeerSpot reviewer
Security Engineer at a tech services company with 11-50 employees
A stable solution that can be used for secure configuration management and file integrity monitoring
We use Change Tracker Gen7 R2 for secure configuration management and file integrity monitoring Whitelisting services are the most valuable feature of Change Tracker Gen7 R2. The solution could include more integrations. Change Tracker Gen7 R2 is a stable solution. The solution's initial setup…

Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The Intrusion Firewall is a valuable feature."
"Cisco IOS Security has many good features, but compared to other solutions, it has a more user-friendly interface with steps to apply and manage rules."
"Previously, anyone in the organization would see any data point in the wall. They could just go and connect their machine with that data point and could access the network. But now, even if someone came and tried that, they will not be given access."
"I've found their network routing to be very good."
"Cisco Technical Assistance Center works on a follow-the-sun concept and gives real 24x7 customer support, which is a great advantage when you have a service contract with them."
"One of the valuable features of the solution is its flexibility and it performs great."
"We are using Cisco IOS Security for endpoint security, for example, spyware, firewall, database and application protection."
"IOS Security is more stable than competitors, and Cisco is more comprehensive in its approach."
"I have contacted the support once and the experience was good, I was satisfied."
"Change Tracker Gen7 R2 can be used in the health sector for compliance and can secure the patient's information."
"Whitelisting services are the most valuable feature of Change Tracker Gen7 R2."
 

Cons

"We have a very bad experience on the support. They take too much time requesting logs, and they are not coming directly online to resolve the issues."
"Sometimes I find it difficult to manage. Some configurations are difficult for new engineers, for example."
"The graphical user interface or the GUI could be better. Beginners can use some devices with the GUI, but some security devices are configured using CLI."
"The pricing is the only con for this product."
"The product's technical support services need improvement."
"Pricing can be reduced. I rate the current price for the product a four out of ten."
"We have experienced bugs in the solution."
"The configuration and reporting interfaces need a lot of improvement. It needs to be more accessible forsolide without a strong technical background. If you had a simplified dashboard, the lower-level techs could manage the solution and provide services. Cisco IOS Security requires someone who is highly trained to operate it."
"The solution could improve by being more secure and have better integration."
"The solution could improve by being more secure and have better integration."
"The solution could include more integrations."
 

Pricing and Cost Advice

"We can purchase its licenses as per specific business requirements."
"The licenses for this solution are expensive."
"It is necessary to pay for a license in order to use the solution. It is on a yearly basis and the price is high."
"Cisco IOS Security price could be reduced, it is more expensive than many of the other solutions, such as Sophos and Fortinet FortiGate."
"Price is certainly something that the IOS technology has fallen behind the competition on."
"The licensing is on a subscription basis, and it is fairly costly. I would prefer a one-time payment."
"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."
"There is a license required for this solution."
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Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews
Computer Software Company
13%
Construction Company
9%
Manufacturing Company
9%
Comms Service Provider
8%
No data available
 

Company Size

By reviewers
Large Enterprise
Midsize Enterprise
Small Business
By reviewers
Company SizeCount
Small Business20
Midsize Enterprise14
Large Enterprise18
No data available
 

Questions from the Community

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...
What is your primary use case for Cisco IOS Security?
The main use cases for Cisco IOS Security include elementary device hardening, access control, control-plane policing, AAA (Authentication, Authorization, and Accounting), network security, Layer 2...
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Also Known As

IOS Security
NNT Change Tracker Enterprise
 

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
US Army, Xerox, Hewlett Packard, LiveTV, Universal Studios, Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative, ACAS, Chanel, Live Nation, Union Bank, Ohio Valley Electric Corporation, Bank of China, Cornell University, Jetblue, Royal Albert Hall, Chaparral Energy, RyanAir
Find out what your peers are saying about Cisco IOS Security vs. Netwrix Change Tracker and other solutions. Updated: April 2026.
896,510 professionals have used our research since 2012.