Cisco ISE vs ACS: Difference and Comparison

ISE stands for Identity service Engine, and ACS stands for Access Control server. ISE and ACS are both policy-based security servers provided by Cisco.

ACS system has been used for since last many years, although with the increasing need for technology security, enterprises are looking for more features. And that’s where ISE comes in.

Key Takeaways

1. Cisco ISE is a newer, more advanced network access control solution than ACS.
2. ISE offers more extensive integration capabilities with other network security tools than ACS.
3. ACS is a more affordable option for small to medium-sized businesses than ISE.

ISE vs ACS

ISE has context sharing with Eco-system, which is not available in ACS. ISE supports threat/ vulnerability/ posture scanning and enforcement, which ACS doesn’t. ISE supports AnyConnect posture, which ACS lacks. ACS doesn’t have an easy connection for passive authentication, but ISE has the same.

Through ACS, you can have control across the domain. It will boost visibility, and you can access your policies for device administration. It contains authentication and provides flexibility. It uses several databases synchronously and has cohesive monitoring, reporting, and troubleshooting components.

ISE system is an advanced version which not only contains the competencies of the ACS system and it gives more advanced features. It has a more advanced security service. Indeed, it provides the suppleness of supporting 3rd party devices, which ACS doesn’t. And ISE has both Radius and NAC server functions. Cisco ISE is the market-leading security program executive platform.

Comparison Table

Parameters of Comparison	ACS	ISE
Network Access, Device administration, context and Visibility	ACS provides both network access and Device administration, but partial Context and no visibility.	ISE provides all four things mentioned.
3rd party support	ACS does not provide 3rd party support.	ISE provides 3rd party support and the latest support of using SNMP.
Functions	Has Radius functions	Has both radius and NAC functions.
Active Directory Domains	1 active directory domain per node.	50 active directory domains per node.
Threat/ Vulnerability/ posture	Doesn’t provide any of these.	Provides all these.

What is ACS?

ACS is a secure server that works with wireless network authentication. It provides authentication, authorization, and Accounting services for networks that are NAC enabled.

With this system, you have more power to access policies that includes validation.

It simplifies administrative management and defines compliant policy rules in an easy-to-use web-based GUI for the wireless network. It monitors event log management and includes Integrating Monitoring, Change Audit, Cloud Integration,

Event Correlation, writeable media monitoring, reporting, and troubleshooting components.

It allows you to monitor the operations, Compliance, and security. ACS receives support for two distinctive protocols, one is RADIUS for network access control, through which you will have control over who can connect with your network, and another one is TACACS+ for network device access control which will allow a remote access server.

ACS is a highly secure network access control and network device administration. However, with increasing threats within the enterprises and their security, more features were needed.

Indeed, the Cisco ACS is no longer available in the market. It hasn’t been sold since August 30, 2017.

The services are provided through ISE. Users who have ACS with device administration deployments can migrate to ISE software very easily, as Cisco ISE comes with a tool to help customers migrate from Cisco Secure ACS.

It is easy and cost-efficient as well.

What is ISE?

ISE is an advanced version of ACS with not only the features of ACS but also much more advanced security, capabilities, and performances. ISE automates access control to implement role based access to an organization’s networks.

The user doesn’t need to be connected to a wired network, a wireless network, or a VPN for it. It provides secure access to network resources and provides access to appropriate data, along with sharing essential data to hasten their ability to identify and rectify threats.

Additionally, ISE allows 3^rd party devices. It includes TACACS+-based network device administration features. It also facilitates multiple services on a single node. It provides a single platform where authentication, authorization, posture assessment,

guest management services, administering services, and profiling policies can be created, simplified, and controlled. It also provides support for the discovery and monitoring of endpoint devices on the network.

ISE profiles a device to see if it truly meets the prerequisites to be on a certain VLAN network. It even confines web portals for wired/wireless guest access. ISE is tightly integrated with DNAC and provides Anyconnect deployment from ISE and integrations.

Also, have access to EasyConnect for passive authentication. It is used for the propagation of tags using SXP. Indeed, it offers control plan security as well.

Main Differences Between ACS and ISE

1. ACS and ISE are both security servers policy based. ISE is more advanced than ACS. ISE provides integration with Anyconnect for posture and deployment. It provides a Control plan security, Context sharing with Eco-system and visibility, which ACS doesn’t provide.
2. ACS has the RADIUS functions, while ISE has RADIUS functions as well as NAC functions.
3. ISE provides more scalability than ACS. Its deployment limits are large in terms of number of endpoints supported. Indeed, it provides support to 3rd party devices, which the ACS system cannot do.
4. ACS provides only 1 Active directory domain per node, while ISE provides up to 50 Active Directory Domains.
5. ISE with NAC provides protection on devices using posture compliance, threat containment, and vulnerability assessment and protects the endpoints. ACS does not provide these services.

References

1. https://www.recercat.cat/handle/2072/355498