Cisco Secure Firewall vs Waterfall Security comparison

The compared Cisco and Waterfall Security solutions aren't in the same category. Cisco is ranked #5 in Firewalls , with an average rating of 8.2, and holds a 7.6% mindshare in the category. Waterfall Security is ranked #14 in OT , and holds a 2.1% mindshare. Additionally, 83% of Cisco users are willing to recommend the solution, compared to 100% of Waterfall Security users who would recommend it.

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Executive Summary

We performed a comparison between Cisco Secure Firewall and Waterfall Security based on real PeerSpot user reviews.

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Firewalls

April 2026

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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

Fortinet FortiGate

Mindshare comparison

Firewalls Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Cisco Secure Firewall	7.6%
Fortinet FortiGate	16.0%
OPNsense	8.9%
Other	67.5%

Firewalls

Operational Technology (OT) Security Mindshare Distribution
Product	Mindshare (%)
Waterfall Security	2.1%
Nozomi Networks	16.5%
Claroty Platform	15.7%
Other	65.7%

Operational Technology (OT) Security

Featured Reviews

Abhinandan Yadav

Network Security Engineer at Arrow PC Network Pvt Ltd

Unified security and sd-wan have improved uptime and cut wan costs for multi-site branches

Users report stability issues in certain versions, which requires regular updates. Real-world attacks have also highlighted the need for urgent patching of vulnerabilities.Fortinet FortiGate, while a powerful and feature-rich web firewall, could improve in areas like firmware stability, documentation, and ease of use. The learning curve can be steep for some users. For beginners, support quality can vary, and frequent updates with occasional vulnerabilities call for careful patch management. However, once Fortinet FortiGate is configured, it remains highly reliable and efficient. Customer support needs improvement, as I find it very slow, with reports from other users reflecting that customer support is inadequate.

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Phil Shiflett

Senior Manager, Network Engineering at TTi Power Equipment

Unified policies streamline network management but complex licensing requires attention

Cisco Secure Firewall has some growth opportunities in terms of visibility and control capabilities regarding managing encrypted traffic. It has the ability to analyze encrypted traffic, and there is potential for more integration with APIs and AI to enhance these capabilities. Cisco Secure Firewall needs improvement in deployment time and the capability to access the CLI during support calls. I often encounter issues when technical support uses a CLI that is not familiar to me while troubleshooting through the GUI. My ongoing complaint for the last six years has been the lack of CLI functionality, which hinders my ability to work on the firewall, alongside concerns regarding deployment time. For the next release, they should look at the features offered by competitors such as Fortinet, including the ability to perform packet capture directly from the interface. If they enhanced their troubleshooting efficiency related to packet capture for each specific rule, it would simplify the process significantly.

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Iulian PAVALOAIA

SCADA & ICT SME/CConsultant at DNS

Cyber security solution used for data transmission that requires training to make use of all of its powerful features

We use this solution to manage auto operations, technology networks and information technology within our infrastructure. The SCADA controls the power network and does not interfere with accounting system. This solution is used predominantly for data transmission. This is a professional solution…

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Quotes from Members

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

Pros

"The solution is more affordable compared to alternatives."

"In my area, this solution is recommended for many projects because it's very easy to do the implementation and troubleshoot and is highly stable."

"The solution is user-friendly and easy to operate."

"We are very happy with the general bandwidth agility we have seen from one website to another website."

"The features I found most valuable in Fortinet FortiGate include their SD-WAN features and their VPN; they are good and very useful, and my remote user and I are using them all the time."

"What I like about this solution is that it is simple to use, has less complications and is very straightforward."

"The services on offer are just superb."

"I highly recommend the Fortinet product because of its implementation, as it is a solid product with an easy configuration and good support."

More Fortinet FortiGate pros

"The solution is excellent for enterprise-level networks."

"Up until now we haven't been down due to issues with the internet connection or denial of service, so the program does what it claims to do."

"It's very scalable. You can go to different models of the ASAs and they scale up to as big as you want to go."

"The stability and reliability of the Cisco Secure Firewall platform are very good; it's rock solid and has always just done its work."

"It is a very stable product. I've not had any issues with it. It is a super product, and I won't need to change it anytime soon."

"It is a comprehensive suite and complete package."

"The most important feature is the VPN connection."

"So far it has proven to be rock solid and relatively easy to maintain."

More Cisco Secure Firewall pros

"This is a professional solution which has been the most valuable aspect of its use."

Cons

"The license renewal process, annual renewal price, and the web application firewall features should be improved."

"One of the problems I was having was with user mapping, and it is an issue for which I have escalated tickets with Fortinet support."

"I would like to see improvements in Fortinet FortiGate regarding the active-active scenario. The active-active scenario is supported but not recommended, whereas other vendors are implementing active-active without issues."

"Security level could be increased."

"Monitoring and reporting could be better; it's very good, but there's definitely a lot of ways to improve it."

"I have to say that the initial setup was complex. The deployment took a few days to get set up. Initially, we were using an IPVanish. We switched to this tool since we thought it would be easier. But it turns out it wasn't easier to set up and run."

"Fortinet FortiGate could improve the user interface. There should be more functionality and options through the GUI."

"Their technical support could be improved a little bit in terms of responsiveness."

More Fortinet FortiGate cons

"There is no support here in Georgia. If something goes wrong, support is not always very helpful with the other firewalls or other products."

"I have used Fortinet, Palo Alto, and Check Point previously and I prefer the process of everything working together."

"One of the major disadvantages with the ASAs is the throughput, while the network evolves, the ASA was usually causing the bottle neck."

"I would like to see them add more next-generation features so that you don't need a lot of appliances to do just one task. It should be a single solution."

"One thing I would improve in Cisco Secure Firewall is somehow embedding the capability to use an asterisk-type of firewall rules in the access control policy."

"This can be a pain point when lacking tools to assist in the migration process."

"It just doesn't have any. It's just a box which does firewalling."

"We would like to see MS Word BPM as a feature."

More Cisco Secure Firewall cons

"The interface of this solution could be more user friendly. The initial set up could also be made more simple."

Pricing and Cost Advice

"It is cheaper and more competitive compared to other options. For example, when comparing Palo Alto products to others, Palo Alto tends to be more expensive. If you compare Cisco's platform, including Cisco Meraki, with Fortinet products, you'll notice that Cisco's offerings are generally higher priced than Fortinet's firewall solutions."

"The product is a little bit expensive."

"FortiGate SWG is reasonably priced."

"A year or two years back, its price was competitive and reasonable. That was one of the reasons that people easily switched to Fortinet. Over the last two years, the prices have increased drastically. However, the prices of others have also increased. An advantage is there from the price point but not as much as it was previously."

"I would rate the pricing a five out of ten"

"I rate FortiGate's pricing a five out of ten."

"I think the price of Fortinet FortiGate is very reasonable."

"Fortinet FortiGate's price can be reduced."

More Fortinet FortiGate pricing and cost advice

"They're not too expensive. They're a little more expensive than other products, but you are getting the name, the company, and the support."

"Cisco is cheaper than Check Point although it is not as cheap as Fortigate. But with the latest improvements in hardware and speed, the pricing is okay."

"The licensing models that are available for Cisco Secure Firewall are okay. You have nearly every option that you need. You can pick filtering, advanced malware protection, or all the available features. It's sufficient. In terms of pricing, there are, for sure, some cheaper vendors, but overall, it's nearly the same. It has a fair price."

"The solution’s pricing is competitive."

"I like the Smart Licensing, because it is more dynamic and easier to keep track of where you are at. If we have a high availability firewall pair and they are deployed in active/standby rather than active/active, I would expect that we would only pay for one set of licenses because you are using only one firewall at any one time. The other is there just for resiliency. The licensing, from a Firepower perspective, still requires you to have two licenses, even if the firewalls are in active/standby, which means that you pay for the two licenses, even though you might only be using one firewall any one time. This is probably not the best way to do it and doesn't represent the best value for money. This could be looked at to see if it could be done in a fairer way."

"Pretty much everything is included in the price for what we are using."

"We paid about $7,000 for the Cisco firewall, plus another small Cisco router and the lead switch. It was under the combined license. It's a final agreement."

"This solution is expensive and other solutions, such as FortiGate, are cheaper."

More Cisco Secure Firewall pricing and cost advice

"This is an expensive solution."

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Comparison Review

it_user206346

Security Consultant at Webernetz.net - Network Security Consulting

Mar 11, 2015

Cisco ASA vs. Palo Alto Networks

Cisco ASA vs. Palo Alto: Management Goodies You often have comparisons of both firewalls concerning security components. Of course, a firewall must block attacks, scan for viruses, build VPNs, etc. However, in this post I am discussing the advantages and disadvantages from both vendors concerning…

Read full review

Top Industries

By visitors reading reviews

Computer Software Company

10%

Comms Service Provider

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Computer Software Company

10%

Manufacturing Company

Financial Services Firm

Comms Service Provider

Energy/Utilities Company

15%

Educational Organization

11%

Comms Service Provider

11%

Computer Software Company

10%

Company Size

By reviewers

Large Enterprise

Midsize Enterprise

Small Business

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	367
Midsize Enterprise	135
Large Enterprise	193

By reviewers
Company Size	Count
Small Business	190
Midsize Enterprise	129
Large Enterprise	232

No data available

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Comparisons

Sophos Firewall vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 18% of the time

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 5% of the time

Netgate pfSense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 3% of the time

Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 3% of the time

OPNsense vs Fortinet FortiGate

Compared 3% of the time

More Fortinet FortiGate Competitors

Palo Alto Networks WildFire vs Cisco Secure Firewall

Compared 10% of the time

Palo Alto Networks NG Firewalls vs Cisco Secure Firewall

Compared 9% of the time

Check Point Quantum Force (NGFW) vs Cisco Secure Firewall

Compared 4% of the time

Netgate pfSense vs Cisco Secure Firewall

Compared 3% of the time

Palo Alto Networks VM-Series vs Cisco Secure Firewall

Compared 2% of the time

More Cisco Secure Firewall Competitors

OPSWAT MetaDefender OT Security vs Waterfall Security

Compared 25% of the time

Owl Cyber Defense vs Waterfall Security

Compared 20% of the time

PT Industrial Cybersecurity Suite vs Waterfall Security

Compared 11% of the time

Nozomi Networks vs Waterfall Security

Compared 10% of the time

Fortinet OT Security Platform vs Waterfall Security

Compared 10% of the time

More Waterfall Security Competitors

Product Reports

Buyer's Guide

Fortinet FortiGate

May 2026

Download Fortinet FortiGate product report

Buyer's Guide

Cisco Secure Firewall

May 2026

Download Cisco Secure Firewall product report

Buyer's Guide

Operational Technology (OT) Security

May 2026

Download Waterfall Security product report

Also Known As

Fortinet FortiGate Next-Generation Firewall

Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) Firewall, Cisco ASA NGFW, Adaptive Security Appliance, Cisco Sourcefire Firewalls, Cisco ASAv, Cisco Firepower NGFW Firewall, Cisco Secure Firewall ASA Virtual - BYOL

No data available

Overview

Fortinet FortiGate is a versatile network security tool offering features like VPN, firewall, web filtering, intrusion prevention, and scalability. It is known for its performance and integration with other Fortinet products, making it a preferred choice for robust cybersecurity.

Fortinet FortiGate stands out as a comprehensive cybersecurity solution with strong performance and ease of configuration. It delivers unified threat management, integrating features such as dynamic routing, SD-WAN support, and centralized management. Despite its strengths, improvements in the web interface's stability, pricing structures, and reporting capabilities are needed. Users seek better integration with third-party tools and automation advancements to enhance the experience further. These enhancements, alongside improvements in bandwidth management and the reduction of licensing costs, are points of interest for users looking to capitalize on FortiGate's extensive capabilities.

What are Fortinet FortiGate's key features?

VPN: Ensures secure remote connections.
Firewall: Protects against unauthorized access.
Web Filtering: Blocks malicious sites and content.
Application Control: Manages and controls applications.
Intrusion Prevention: Detects and prevents vulnerabilities.
SSL Inspection: Enhances security by inspecting encrypted traffic.

What benefits should be considered when evaluating Fortinet FortiGate?

Affordability: Offers cost-effective security solutions.
Reliability: Known for consistent and stable performance.
Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Fortinet products.
Comprehensive Protection: Provides broad threat protection capabilities.

Fortinet FortiGate is widely implemented across industries as a primary firewall system for securing internet gateways and safeguarding data centers. It supports businesses in achieving SD-WAN integration and enhances cybersecurity by providing essential features like antivirus, web filtering, and application control. Enterprises utilize FortiGate for securing remote connections and ensuring compliance with security standards, making it adaptable for different network sizes and industries.

Fortinet

Cisco Secure Firewall provides comprehensive network security with advanced features such as application visibility, URL filtering, and malware protection. It combines a user-friendly interface with robust VPN capabilities, making it a reliable choice for varying network environments and industry applications.

Cisco Secure Firewall offers exceptional protection with its integration into Cisco's broader ecosystem, ensuring enhanced threat detection and policy unification. Despite its complexity in command-line interfaces and management, Cisco Secure Firewall remains a potent tool for safeguarding data. It is widely adopted for edge security, VPN services, perimeter defense, and traffic segmentation, especially in hybrid settings. Essential sectors like banking and telecom benefit from its stable connectivity and centralized security management. Though there are challenges with costs and support for third-party APIs, the firewall's scalability and high availability provide comprehensive support for protecting network assets.

What are the key features of Cisco Secure Firewall?

Application Visibility: Offers in-depth visibility of application traffic to monitor and protect against threats.
Advanced Malware Protection: Protects against known and emerging malware threats with powerful detection capabilities.
URL Filtering: Manages and restricts access to websites, enhancing organizational data security.
VPN Capabilities: Ensures secure remote access and encrypted communication through strong VPN features.
Integration with Cisco Ecosystem: Enhances security measures with seamless integration with Cisco's suite of security tools.

What benefits and ROI should be expected from Cisco Secure Firewall?

Comprehensive Protection: Offers multi-layered security for diverse network environments, increasing overall data protection.
Performance Efficiency: High availability and scalability lead to improved network performance and resource management.
Management Simplification: Centralized security management streamlines policy deployment across networks.
Enhanced Threat Detection: Integration capabilities improve threat detection and mitigation for better security posture.

Cisco Secure Firewall is widely implemented across sectors like banking, education, ISPs, and telecoms. It fortifies data centers and network edge security, delivering strong protection for client access, hybrid environments, and intrusion prevention. In these industries, firewall solutions ensure secure connectivity and manage RTU traffic effectively, leveraging centralized management and integration with Cisco's security tools.

Cisco

Waterfall Security offers robust cybersecurity solutions designed to protect industrial control systems from external threats, ensuring the integrity and safety of operations in critical infrastructures.

Waterfall Security sets the standard in industrial cybersecurity by providing unidirectional security gateways that physically prevent cyber attacks from reaching protected networks. It is widely implemented in utilities, manufacturing, oil and gas, and transportation sectors. With a focus on high performance and reliability, the solution enhances compliance with security regulations and reduces operational risks. Its comprehensive defense mechanisms ensure seamless data transmission and secure communications without relying on traditional firewalls.

What are the key features of Waterfall Security?

Unidirectional Gateways: These gateways create a physical barrier against cyber threats.
High Performance: Ensures efficient data transfer without latency.
Compliance Support: Assists in meeting stringent industry regulations.
Seamless Integration: Easily integrates with existing systems.

What benefits and ROI can users expect from Waterfall Security?

Increased Safety: Minimizes risks of cyber attacks.
Regulatory Compliance: Supports adherence to industry standards.
Cost Efficiency: Reduces costs associated with cyber incidents.
Operational Continuity: Ensures uninterrupted operations.

Waterfall Security is widely implemented across industries such as power utilities, where it protects SCADA systems. In oil and gas, it secures critical data flow between sites. The manufacturing sector uses it to maintain plant floor operations, while transportation systems leverage its reliable security measures to protect infrastructure from cyber threats.

Waterfall Security

Sample Customers

Amazon Web Services, Microsoft, IBM, Cisco, Dell, HP, Oracle, Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Vodafone, Orange, BT Group, Telstra, Deutsche Telekom, Comcast, Time Warner Cable, CenturyLink, NTT Communications, Tata Communications, SoftBank, China Mobile, Singtel, Telus, Rogers Communications, Bell Canada, Telkom Indonesia, Telkom South Africa, Telmex, Telia Company, Telkom Kenya

There are more than one million Adaptive Security Appliances deployed globally. Top customers include First American Financial Corp., Genzyme, Frankfurt Airport, Hansgrohe SE, Rio Olympics, The French Laundry, Rackspace, and City of Tomorrow.

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Find out what your peers are saying about Fortinet, Netgate, Sophos and others in Firewalls. Updated: April 2026.

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