SSE competitive comparison

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When comparing SSE solutions, check for a high-performance architecture that protects users as they seamlessly access all applications and simplifies IT operations for more efficient security.

Comparison table updated March 2025.

Security Service Edge (SSE) comparison chart

Feature
Cisco product: Cisco Secure Access
Zscaler products: Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)
Palo Alto Networks product: Prisma Access
Feature
Cisco product: Cisco Secure Access
Zscaler products: Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) Zscaler Private Access (ZPA)
Palo Alto Networks product: Prisma Access
Unified client with intelligent routing (internet, private, VPNaaS, DEM, posture)
Unified client with intelligent routing (internet, private, VPNaaS, DEM, posture)
Available
  • Industry's first single client that intelligently and automatically chooses the right protection for the user behind the scenes
  • Eliminates frustration over authentication, and risky user behavior that bypasses security.
Unified client with intelligent routing (internet, private, VPNaaS, DEM, posture)
Limited
  •  Does not include VPNaaS.
  • Must use a third-party VPN.
  • User intervention is needed to decide which access is required for each type of private app.
Unified client with intelligent routing (internet, private, VPNaaS, DEM, posture)
Available
  • Prisma Access uses one client.
  • Global Protect is used for VPN, ZTNA Access, and ADEM.
Coverage for all apps, all ports, and all protocols
Coverage for all apps, all ports, and all protocols
Available
  • Hybrid users are protected as they access any app over any port or protocol due to the coupling of ZTNA and VPNaaS to secure all private apps.
Coverage for all apps, all ports, and all protocols
Limited
  • Primary focus is on Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Datagram Protocol (UDP).
  • Dependency on third-party VPN for non-ZTNA apps, which does not allow for automated routing for end user.
Coverage for all apps, all ports, and all protocols
Available
  • Prisma Access supports all ports and protocols.
Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM)
Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM)
Available
  • User experience is constantly monitored.
  • IT admin can quickly troubleshoot with Cisco AI-enabled DEM with visibility even inside the tunnel.
  • Included in the Secure Access licensing and fully integrated into the single console.
Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM)
Available
  • DEM is available only as an add-on license for ZDX advanced and Advanced Plus capabilities.
  • Not integrated in either the ZIA or ZPA console.
Digital Experience Monitoring (DEM)
Available
  • Autonomous DEM monitors user experiences and is available only as an add-on to a Prisma Access license.
  • PAN also offers AI-Powered DEM for security admin or IT operations.
  • AI-Powered ADEM is available as an add-on to a Prisma Access license and a Strata Cloud Manager Pro license.
High-performance zero trust access from mobile devices
High-performance zero trust access from mobile devices
Available
  • Cisco/Apple collaboration provides the industry's first Zero Trust Access embedded in Apple iOS, which uses MASQUE/QUIC and Enterprise Relay.
  • The Cisco and Samsung collaboration enables high-speed zero trust access from Galaxy devices through Samsung Knox.
High-performance zero trust access from mobile devices
Not Available
  • Zscaler does not currently use MASQUE and QUIC.
  • Without these modern protocols, Zscaler cannot offer performance benefits such as faster connection establishment, efficient traffic tunneling, strong encryption, and improved privacy through encrypted proxying.
High-performance zero trust access from mobile devices
Not Available
  • Palo Alto Networks does not currently use MASQUE and QUIC.
Unified console (Internet Access, Private Access, DEM)
Unified console (Internet Access, Private Access, DEM)
Available
  • All security services are managed through a single fully integrated interface, powered by AI.
Unified console (Internet Access, Private Access, DEM)
Not Available
  • Zscaler has separate dashboards for ZIA, ZPA, ZDX, and ZCC.
Unified console (Internet Access, Private Access, DEM)
Limited
  • Prisma Access can be managed with Prisma Access Web user interface.
  • Prisma Access can also be managed with Strata Cloud Manager.
  • Strata Logging Service is a separate dashboard.
Unified policy management (internet and private apps)
Unified policy management (internet and private apps)
Available
  • Unified security policy creation, including intent-based rules, and management across internet, public SaaS apps, and private app access.
  • Provides extensive logging and the ability to export logs to enterprise SIEM, and more.
Unified policy management (internet and private apps)
Not Available
  • Complex and separated dashboard makes it hard for security admins to navigate, configure unified policies, and to quickly assess the status of security controls.
Unified policy management (internet and private apps)
Available
  • Policy enforcement is managed with Prisma Access User interface or Strata Cloud Manager which can be purchased as an add-on.
  • Global Protect portal manages mobile user onboarding.
  • Global Protect gateways provide security for traffic from global protect apps.
Automated policy creation through AI Assistant
Automated policy creation through AI Assistant
Available
  • Generative AI capability that automatically converts conversational phrases in natural languages into security policies.
  • Speeds up policy creation and administration by up to 70%.
Automated policy creation through AI Assistant
Not Available
  • No AI to create policies or to provide policy guidance.
Automated policy creation through AI Assistant
Available
  • Strata Copilot helps admins identify and understand threats and drive root cause analysis.
  • Strata Copilot also recommends policies and automates ticket creation.
Unified client (internet, private, VPNaaS, DEM)
Unified client (internet, private, VPNaaS, DEM)
Available

A single client with multiple functions reduces the effort in user onboarding and ongoing maintenance. It also simplifies the journey to ZTNA, and includes:  

  • Secure internet access.
  • Secure private access (ZTNA prioritized with VPNaaS as a fallback for unsupported private apps, such as custom/legacy/workload).
  • Device posture.
  • Digital experience monitoring (DEM).
  • iOS and Android zero trust.
Unified client (internet, private, VPNaaS, DEM)
Not Available
  • Zscaler does not have a unified client that includes VPNaaS
Unified client (internet, private, VPNaaS, DEM)
Available
  • Global Protect client is used for user authentication, to enforce polices, and to monitor end device posture for Prisma Access including ADEM.
API Flexibility
API Flexibility
Available
  • Unified with OAuth 2.0 with short-lived tokens with unified endpoints path grouped by use cases.
  • Create multiple unique API keys with meaningful names and configurable lifetimes.
API Flexibility
Limited
  • An organization can only have one single key.
  • APIs are available with an add-on license only.
API Flexibility
Available
  • APIs are available for Prisma Access for integrations.
Zero Trust Network Access (client-based and clientless)
Zero Trust Network Access (client-based and clientless)
Available
  • Client-based and clientless ZTNA.
  • Granular, app-specific access to private applications in data centers or public/private cloud environments.
  • Per app segmentation from client to SSE.
  • Per identity-aware proxy design. 
Zero Trust Network Access (client-based and clientless)
Available
  • Zscaler offers client-based and clientless ZTNA.
  • Dynamic private application discovery.
Zero Trust Network Access (client-based and clientless)
Available
  • Offers client-based and clientless ZTNA.
  • Use ZTNA Connector virtual machine for private apps access; Must purchase ZTNA Connector as an add-on license.
  • Offers auto discovery of private applications.
VPN as a Service (VPNaaS)
VPN as a Service (VPNaaS)
Available
  • Not all private apps can be covered by ZTNA (customized, legacy, peer-to-peer, and more).
  • An automated, transparent fallback to VPNaaS is cloud-based option included.
  • VPNaaS simplifies migration to ZTNA.
  • No VPN hardware/load balancing/local maintenance and support needed.
VPN as a Service (VPNaaS)
Not Available
  • Zscaler offers client-based and clientless ZTNA.
VPN as a Service (VPNaaS)
Available
  • Mobile users connect to Global Protect gateway where traffic is managed and security is enforced for RA-VPN.
  • Mobile users' policy can be configured on Panorama or Strata Cloud Manager.
Threat intelligence
Threat intelligence
Available
  • Threat intelligence at scale powered by Cisco Talos.
  • Expansive telemetry uncovers 800 billion security events per day from SSE, SSX (FW), CSE (endpoint), Meraki, DUO, ESA (email), and integrations.
  • 9 million malicious emails blocked per hour.
  • 2000 new malware samples seen every minute.
  • 2000 malicious domains blocked every second.
Threat intelligence
Limited
  • Zscaler ThreatLabz provides threat intel-leveraging AI, based on visibility only from the company's SSE offering.
  • Zscaler lacks visibility into endpoints, email, and other integrations, affecting the visibility and control it has on security events.
Threat intelligence
Limited
  • Unit42 is PAN's threat intel research organization.
  • According to Unit42, PAN analyzes 500 billion events per day.
  • PAN lacks visibility into endpoints, email, and other integrations, affecting the visibility and control it has on security events. 
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
Available
  • Log and inspect all web traffic over ports 80/443 for greater transparency, control, and protection.
  • IPsec tunnels, PAC files, and proxy chaining are used to forward traffic for full visibility, URL, and application-level controls, and client-based acquisition traffic.
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
Available
  • Zscaler offers URL filtering with a variety of traffic acquisition.
Secure Web Gateway (SWG)
Available
  • Prisma Access offers 80/443 inspection, URL and content filtering with a variety of traffic acquisition.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Available
  • Detect and report on cloud applications, including generative AI apps, in use. 
  • Manage cloud adoption and block use of select cloud applications.
  • Multimode capabilities to detect, log, and control user/group activities. 
  • Detect third-party cloud applications that have been granted OAuth-based permission to access a user's protected resources on Microsoft 365 and remediate unapproved apps.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Available
  • Zscaler CASB is available with an add-on license only.
  • It offers the ability to monitor and protect users activity and traffic to cloud applications.
Cloud Access Security Broker (CASB)
Available
  • Prisma Access CASB Security is available as an add-on license only.
  • Must also purchase Strata Logging Service as an add-on license.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Available
  • Multimode data loss prevention, which includes both real-time and SaaS API-based DLP.
  • Analyze data in-line to provide visibility and control over sensitive data.
  • API-based DLP functionality for out-of-band analysis of data at rest in the cloud.
  • Cisco uses several machine learning LLMs for dynamic document recognition and policy design, in conjunction with all the predefined document templates.
  • Cisco DLP is designed for analysis and remediation. No need for different screens and data sources to determine how to remediate.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Available
  • To prevent data leaks, Zscaler does offer DLP policies that monitor and detect to stop sensitive data loss.
  • SaaS API is offered as an add-on license.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP)
Available
  • Enterprise DLP requires any of the following add-on licenses: Prisma Access CASB, next-generation CASB for Prisma Access, NGFW and Data Security license.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for generative AI
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for generative AI
Available
  • Over 1200 generative-AI platforms detected.
  • Assign DLP policies to AI applications.
  • Detects and blocks risky content.
  • Block uploads of proprietary source code.
  • Block download of content produced from generative AI.
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for generative AI
Limited
  • Configuration for internet-based apps requires additional DLP licensing. 
Data Loss Prevention (DLP) for generative AI
Available
  • Enterprise DLP requires the Prisma Access CASB add-on license.
  • Also requires the next-generation CASB add-on license for Prisma Access and NGFW license.
  • Also requires Data Security add-on license.
  • Supports over 600 GenAI applications.
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)
Available
  • Included in license.
  • Customizable policies (IP, port, protocol, application and IPS policies).
  • Layer 3 / 4 firewall to log all activity and block unwanted traffic.
  • Layer 7 application visibility and control.
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)
Available
  • Zero Trust Firewall is available with an add-on license only.
  • Zscaler cloud firewall offers granular control for outbound web apps and some non-web apps.
Firewall as a Service (FWaaS)
Available
  • Prisma Access offers NGFW capabilties as a virtual machine in the cloud.
IDS/IPS for SWG and private apps
IDS/IPS for SWG and private apps
Available
  • Protects both internet and private traffic.
  • Includes an added layer of threat prevention using SNORT 3 technology, signature-based detection, and encryption.
  • Cisco Secure Access offers IPS/decryption for private apps.
IDS/IPS for SWG and private apps
Available
  • Zero Trust Firewall is available with an add-on license only.
  • Zscaler cloud firewall offers granular control for outbound for web and some non-web apps.
IDS/IPS for SWG and private apps
Available
  • Prisma Access offers Advanced Threat protection for internet and private app on all ports and protocols. 
  • Requires an Advanced Threat Prevention add-on license.
Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)
Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)
Available
  • Provide air gap between user, device, and browser-based threats.
  • Deliver a secure browsing experience and protection from zero-day threats.
Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)
Available
  • Cyber Isolation Advanced and Unlimited Plus offers granular control and threat detection as an add-on license only.
Remote Browser Isolation (RBI)
Available
  • Provides web browser-based protection from threats.
  • Requires Prisma Access 5.0 Innovation, Prisma License from Mobile and Network License and RBI add-on license.
  • Delivered through CloudBlades for Prisma Access.
Domain Name System (DNS) security
Domain Name System (DNS) security
Available
  • 99.999% uptime since 2009.
  • Recursive DNS security services since 2012.
  • Protection against DNS Tunneling with a detection rate of 99% and powered by AI.
  • Cache poisoning attacks, without having to perform validation locally.
  • Supports both IPv4 and IPV6 addresses.
  • Newly Seen Domain category to protect against day/emerging threats.
Domain Name System (DNS) security
Available
  • Zscaler recently updated its DNS security service to detect and prevent DNS-based attacks with some limitations on workload traffic.
Domain Name System (DNS) security
Available
  • Prisma Access does not provide recursive DNS resolution in the cloud.
  • Prisma Access DNS capability resolves internal and external domains using the Advanced DNS Security license and the Advanced Threat Prevention license included in the Prisma Access basic package.
Transport Layer Security (TLS)
Transport Layer Security (TLS)
Available
  • TLS version 1.3 is natively supported.
Transport Layer Security (TLS)
Available
  • Zscaler supports TLS 1.3 natively.
Transport Layer Security (TLS)
Available
  • Prisma Access supports TLS 1.3 natively.
Modern protocols
Modern protocols
Available
  • Modern network protocols like MASQUE and QUIC for enhanced performance and stability, especially in lossy networks, and when moving between networks. 
  • Improved security and compatability of private apps.
Modern protocols
Not Available
  • Does not utilize QUIC and/or MASQUE in Zscaler architecture.
Modern protocols
Not Available
  • Does not utilize QUIC and/or MASQUE in Prisma architecture.
Single-pass pipeline
Single-pass pipeline
Available
  • Cloud-native security services are run in parallel, not sequentially, ensuring that connections are processed quickly without compromising on performance or security.
  • Built on top of vector packet processing (VPP), this modern, high-speed pipeline in software ensures efficiency and high performance, even with sophisticated software-as-a-service (SaaS) apps such as Microsoft 365.
Single-pass pipeline
Limited
  • Zscaler requires application bypass for some SaaS applications such as Microsoft 365.
  • Zscaler has Single-Scan, Multi-Action (SSMA).
  • Zscaler leverages Microsoft API for endpoints to optimize traffic for O365 apps.
Single-pass pipeline
Available
  • PAN leverages its firewall hardware in the cloud and offers a Single Pass Architecture that enables high throughput and low latency. 
  • Prisma Access leverages Microsoft API for endpoints to optimize traffic for O365 apps.
Endpoint optimization
Endpoint optimization
Available
  • Socket-based intercept combined with our unified policy management ensures endpoint traffic is optimally sent to ZTNA or VPNaaS without user intervention.
  • Single client for internet-bound and private traffic, with support for private apps (ZTNA/VPNaaS) and without impact to user experience.
Endpoint optimization
Limited
  • User intervention is required to select Zscaler or third-party VPN for application access.
  • Independent policy configuration and two solutions separately managed by operators. 
  • Two separate endpoint clients on the end-user devices also requires additional maintenance.
Endpoint optimization
Available
  • Independent dashboard configuration and policy enforcement at the Global Protect portal or gateway.
Single-vendor SASE (SD-WAN and SSE)
Single-vendor SASE (SD-WAN and SSE)
Available
  • Cisco offers native integration of Cisco Secure Access with Cisco SD-WAN for a unified Cisco SASE solution from a single vendor.
Single-vendor SASE (SD-WAN and SSE)
Limited
  • Zscaler offers Zero Trust SD-WAN through edge appliances with a focus on connecting branches to Zero Trust Exchange primarily. It does not cover advanced SD-WAN use-cases such as Predictive path performance.
Single-vendor SASE (SD-WAN and SSE)
Limited
  • Provides a SASE solution with Prisma SD-WAN, which was formerly Cloudgenix. 
  • Prisma SD-WAN offers limited route-filtering capabilities and without full-mesh implementations.
Dual-vendor SASE (SD-WAN and SSE from different vendors)
Dual-vendor SASE (SD-WAN and SSE from different vendors)
Available
  • Cisco Secure Access can integrate with third-party SD-WAN solutions.
  • Cisco SD-WAN (Catalyst or Meraki) can integrate with third-party SSE solutions.
Dual-vendor SASE (SD-WAN and SSE from different vendors)
Available
  • Zscaler ZIA and ZPA can integrate with third-party SD-WAN solutions.
  • Zscaler offers SD-WAN through its Zero Trust appliances for branch connectivity.
Dual-vendor SASE (SD-WAN and SSE from different vendors)
Available
  • Prisma Access can integrate with other third-party SD-WAN solutions with a Prisma Access SD-WAN license.
Logging
Logging
Available
  • Cisco Secure Access offers the ability to configure logging to Cisco- or customer-owned AWS S3 bucket at no additional cost.
Logging
Available
  • Zscaler Nanolog servers capture logs and also streams logs to SIEM systems as an add-on license.
Logging
Limited
  • Strata Logging service is required and is available as an add-on license.

Americas Headquarters

Cisco Systems, Inc.

San Jose, CA

Asia Pacific Headquarters

Cisco Systems (USA) Pte. Ltd.

Singapore

Europe Headquarters

Cisco Systems International BV Amsterdam,

The Netherlands

Netherlands

Cisco is shown on a tablet screen as ranked first in efficacy in the Miercom report.

Get zero trust access with zero excuses and superior efficacy

Miercom, a leading third-party security testing and certification facility, recently evaluated Cisco Secure Access for efficacy, manageability, and performance. In its report, Cisco was named the leader in those categories ahead of Zscaler, Palo Alto Networks, and Netskope. 


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