Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) enables a dynamic and automated approach to policy enforcement. All network identity policies are kept in one place. ISE makes the delivery of network access control simple and keeps network segmentation between IT and OT environments automated.
Essentially, ISE can become the radius server, ensuring granular access rights are provided. A single policy plane is produced allowing one identity-aware platform to be created and managed. This is integral for every business in the twenty first century as cyber threats and attacks have become more high profile and prominent. Staying one step ahead of potential risks is crucial to protect network resources, business assets, and the integrity of your brand.
Why Enable Secure Access with ISE?
Develop a deeper control over your network by understanding how your network devices and endpoints are connecting. Risk assessments are easier to carry out and mitigate against. You can perform deep dives into devices to ensure compliance and maintain assurance and governance.
Network security is enhanced as you can limit the spread of ransomware with a software-defined network. Containment of any potential threats is swift and automated with ISE.
Your return on investment is exceptional as ISE links Cisco and third-party security software packages to provide exceptional security protection for your network.
The DNA Center within ISE provides the core foundation of automated control for all of your network identity policies.
Scalable network access means that processes become more efficient saving time, energy, and money for businesses across the globe. This is why you might be keen to connect with Field Engineer to source exceptional professionals who can work with Cisco systems and make your network more secure and fit for the twenty first century.
Cisco ISE Deployment Models - ISE Architecture and Nomenclature
Cisco provides two different deployment models depending on the network that you operate. The first model is based around a standalone deployment. The second is more suited to distributed deployment that is crafted around multiple ISE nodes. These deployments can be small, medium, or large.
Deployment Model 1
One node deployment or standalone deployment is more suited to lab and testing environments where high availability isn’t a paramount issue. The node type that you use singularly could be administration (PAN), policy service (PSN), or monitoring (MnT). Multiple nodes are not used in standalone, meaning your deployment can be limiting.
Deployment Model 2
In a distributed deployment, primary and secondary administration and monitoring nodes can come into play.
PAN nodes provide full access to administration GUI and is a single point of access.
PSN nodes deal with network traffic between devices and the identity services search engine. As previously mentioned, this is where the IP is used as a radius server. Scaling PSNs up results in radius traffic sharing.
MnT nodes log the aggregation across an entire deployment and are crucial to the distributed deployment model.
Primary nodes are the main node in administration that deals with configuration duties. Secondary nodes come into play when the administration or monitoring node is secondary to the configuration tasks.
Security
ISE is a security policy management platform that is unparalleled when it comes to providing capabilities to identify, manage, and remediate against cyber threats. The automation aspect of the platform provides these security benefits across all facets of your network, subnetted or otherwise. The control is firmly within the hands of a business and increases visibility in order to control access and limit threats.
As cyber-attacks continue to ramp up and become more robust, more sophisticated security measures are required for businesses to counter such threats. This is why the ICE automated platform is such a game-changer.
However, this doesn’t detract from the ease at which a business can function. Guest onboarding and administration are simplified yet rigorous creating a secure atmosphere. Desktop guest portals can be created securely within minutes to ensure maximum productivity across a business.
Network access policies are unified across WiFi, wired, and LAN connections, providing consistency as well as secure remote access. Access control policies can also be put in place to segment across networks in an automated fashion, leading to traffic classification based on end-user identity.
Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) is designed to create a more secure end-user experience while protecting the integrity of networks globally. This automated policy management platform aims to give companies the flexibility to craft their own deployment models to increase user and device visibility and provide secure access to network resources.
