Cisco Systems’ Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) and Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance were launched in July 2016 to give enterprise customers a streamlined, easy-to-manage product
that could be used to protect against all forms of cyber threats.
Key Takeaways
- Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) is a unified security solution, while Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) is a traditional firewall.
- FTD combines the features of ASA with advanced threat detection and management capabilities.
- ASA is known for its robust firewall features, while FTD offers comprehensive protection against complex threats.
Cisco FTD vs ASA
Cisco FTD stands for Firepower Threat Defense and is a turnkey appliance that includes a single firewall to protect against threats from traffic. Cisco ASA means Adaptive Security Appliance and is a turnkey appliance that can access the VPN and multiple contexts but involves a lot of manual work.
Moreover, the Cisco FTD device includes a single firewall to protect against threats from all traffic directions, inbound, outbound and internal to the enterprise.
The products include routers, servers, firewalls, VPN gateways, and IDS/IPS devices security for networks against multiple types of attacks.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Cisco FTD | Cisco ASA |
|---|---|---|
| VPN Acess | No VPN access | VPN can be accessed. |
| Performance | High-Performance | Low-performance |
| Multiple Context Assistance | No multiple context assistance. | It can assist multiple contexts. |
| Cost | Available at a very affordable price. | It is high-priced. |
| Time | Cisco FTD appliance requires fewer configurations and is fast. | Cisco ASA software is time-consuming and involves a great deal of manual work. |
What is Cisco FTD?
The Cisco Firepower Threat Defense (FTD) appliance offers a faster and more cost-effective way of managing an enterprise’s security infrastructure.
Cisco FTD enables service-level agreements (SLAs) by supporting real-time in-service monitoring, analysis, and control of the network to optimize performance for mobile applications.
Cisco FTD is Cisco’s first software platform that includes capabilities to help ensure the delivery of protected mobile and fixed-line services, enable enterprise mobility management (EMM) and data security, and simplify network operations with intelligent automation.
Cisco FTD also integrates and simplifies the management of different security components and services, such as firewall, network, and endpoint protection.
What is Cisco ASA?
Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA) is a family of integrated security solutions offered by Cisco Systems. The product line includes routers, servers, firewalls, VPN gateways, and IDS/IPS devices.
The Cisco ASA can also support Dynamic Multipoint VPN (DMVPN), which was designed to reduce bandwidth costs for branch offices by supporting simultaneous VPN tunnels across multiple links.
Cisco ASA helped shape the commonly used firewall technologies that are widely found in the present data centres. The Cisco ASA 5000 series was first introduced in 2003, with an upgrade to the 5500 series in mid-2009.
The ASA 5505 Adaptive Security Appliance (ASA), the Cisco ASA 5585-X with SSP-10, and the Cisco ASA 5585-X with SSP-20 are designed for small offices or homes.
Main Differences Between Cisco FTD and ASA
- Cisco FTD is found to have high performance and high capacity, whereas Cisco ASA has low performance and low capacity.
- Cisco FTD appliance requires fewer configurations and is fast, whereas Cisco ASA software is time-consuming and involves a great deal of manual work.
Last Updated : 07 September, 2023
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
I didn’t realize the benefits of FTD until I read this post.
The information provided makes it clear why FTD is a better option than ASA.
Absolutely, the argument for FTD’s high performance is compelling.
I appreciate how the article explains the features and uses of both products in simple terms.
Yes, it’s not overly technical, making it accessible to a wider audience.
True, the content is well-organized, which helps in understanding the differences between FTD and ASA.
I found the comparison table to be very helpful in understanding the differences between the two products.
Yes, a clear presentation of the differences.
Agreed, the table simplifies the comparison.
This is an excellent and insightful post. I have gained a deeper understanding of Cisco’s security products.
Indeed, the article is enlightening.
Absolutely, a well-articulated piece.
The article is very informative and truly demonstrates the differences between ASA and FTD.
I agre. It is truly a valuable read.
A valuable read that sheds light on the benefits of Cisco FTD and ASA.
I couldn’t agree more.
This is nothing but a marketing piece for FTD.