SecureX

Basic Information

• Model/Version: Cisco SecureX was a cloud-native cybersecurity platform designed to integrate various Cisco security products and third-party tools, rather than a single software version.
• Release Date: Cisco SecureX became generally available globally on June 30, 2020.
• Minimum Requirements: As a cloud-native platform, client-side requirements were minimal, primarily requiring a web browser for access. Google Chrome was a supported browser for the SecureX dashboard. For integrated components like Cisco Secure Application, requirements included operating systems such as AIX, Linux, and Windows, support for Java versions 8 to 16, 4 MB of disk space for installation, less than 15 MB for daily usage, 4-6 MB of RAM, and less than 1% CPU utilization.
• Supported Operating Systems: The SecureX platform itself was accessed via a web browser, making its OS support dependent on browser compatibility. For integrated agents, such as Cisco Secure Application, it supported AIX, Linux, and Windows. Cisco Secure Client (formerly AnyConnect), when deployed with Cloud Management, supported Windows 10/11, with macOS and Linux support planned.
• Latest Stable Version: Not applicable, as SecureX was a platform that integrated various products, not a standalone software with traditional version releases.
• End of Support Date: July 31, 2024.
• End of Life Date: July 31, 2024. Access to SecureX stopped working on August 1, 2024.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Not directly applicable to the SecureX platform itself. However, related components like Cisco Secure Client have their own auto-update schedules, with updates planned into 2025.
• License Type: Cisco SecureX was included at no additional cost with any SecureX-capable Cisco Security product. It was not a standalone product for purchase. Its successor, Cisco XDR, is offered as a new subscription.
• Deployment Model: Cisco SecureX was a cloud-native platform.

Technical Requirements

Cisco SecureX, as a cloud-native platform, primarily relied on web browser access for its core functionality. Therefore, the technical requirements were largely client-side and related to the performance of integrated agents and the network connectivity.

• RAM: For integrated components like Cisco Secure Application, consistent heap/memory usage was typically 4-6 MB.
• Processor: For integrated components like Cisco Secure Application, consistent CPU usage was typically less than 1%, with spikes below 5%.
• Storage: For integrated components like Cisco Secure Application, installation required 4 MB, with daily usage under 15 MB.
• Display: No specific display requirements were noted beyond standard modern computing displays for web interface access.
• Ports: HTTPS (In and Out) port 443 was required to be open on firewalls for appliance registration with Cisco SecureX or Cisco Threat Response.
• Operating System: For accessing the web-based dashboard, any operating system supporting a modern web browser (e.g., Google Chrome) was compatible. For integrated agents, such as Cisco Secure Application, supported operating systems included AIX, Linux, and Windows. Cisco Secure Client Cloud Management supported Windows 10/11, with macOS and Linux support planned.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for Cisco SecureX were generally low on the client side due to its cloud-native architecture. The platform itself did not demand significant local resources, shifting the computational burden to Cisco's cloud infrastructure. Requirements for integrated agents were modest, indicating efficient design for endpoint deployment. The primary technical consideration for deployment was network connectivity, specifically ensuring HTTPS traffic on port 443 for communication with the cloud platform. This approach minimized the overhead for end-users and IT departments, allowing for broad compatibility across various client devices and operating environments.

Support & Compatibility

Cisco SecureX was a platform designed to unify security operations by integrating various Cisco and third-party security products.

• Latest Version: As a cloud-native platform, SecureX did not have traditional version numbers. It continuously evolved with updates to its features and integrations.
• OS Support: The web-based interface was accessible from any operating system supporting a modern web browser. Integrated components like Cisco Secure Application supported AIX, Linux, and Windows. Cisco Secure Client Cloud Management supported Windows 10/11, with macOS and Linux support planned.
• End of Support Date: July 31, 2024.
• Localization: Information on specific localization support is not explicitly detailed in the provided data.
• Available Drivers: Not applicable, as SecureX was a cloud platform. Drivers would be specific to the integrated Cisco or third-party products.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Cisco SecureX offered broad compatibility by integrating with a wide range of Cisco security products and over 46 third-party solutions through APIs. This open framework allowed organizations to leverage existing security investments. The platform's cloud-native nature meant that its accessibility was largely independent of the client operating system, requiring only a compatible web browser. However, as of July 31, 2024, Cisco SecureX reached its End of Life (EOL), and access to its features ceased. Cisco has transitioned many of its functionalities to new services, primarily Cisco XDR and Cisco Security Cloud Control, which continue to offer management capabilities for components like Cisco Secure Client. Therefore, while SecureX itself is no longer supported, its underlying principles of integration and unified security management continue in successor products.

Security Status

Cisco SecureX was designed as a unified security operations platform, emphasizing visibility, automation, and threat response.

• Security Features: Key features included threat intelligence aggregation, automated threat detection, incident response orchestration, threat intelligence sharing, customizable dashboards, real-time threat monitoring, advanced analytics, threat hunting, integration with Cisco security products, third-party integrations, case management, and user and entity behavior analytics (UEBA). It provided a single pane of glass for security visibility, enabling faster detection and remediation of threats. SecureX also incorporated Extended Detection and Response (XDR), SASE, and Zero Trust capabilities.
• Known Vulnerabilities: No specific known vulnerabilities for the SecureX platform itself are detailed in the provided information.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable.
• Certifications: Specific security certifications for the SecureX platform are not detailed in the provided information.
• Encryption Support: As a cloud-native platform, it would inherently leverage encryption for data in transit and at rest, though specific details are not provided.
• Authentication Methods: SecureX utilized Single Sign-On (SSO), which has since transitioned to Cisco's Platform of Common Services, rebranded as Security Cloud Sign On. It also integrated with multi-factor authentication (MFA) solutions like Duo.
• General Recommendations: SecureX was recommended for businesses seeking to unify disparate security tools, automate security processes, and improve incident response times. It was particularly beneficial for organizations with a multi-vendor security environment.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Cisco SecureX aimed to enhance an organization's overall security posture by providing a centralized, integrated, and automated approach to threat detection and response. Its strength lay in aggregating data from various security products, both Cisco and third-party, to offer comprehensive visibility and streamline security operations. The platform's XDR capabilities, combined with automation and threat intelligence from sources like Cisco Talos, significantly reduced the time to detect and remediate threats. While the platform itself has reached EOL, its security principles and many features have migrated to Cisco XDR, which continues to offer robust security solutions. The use of SSO and integration with MFA solutions like Duo further strengthened its authentication mechanisms.

Performance & Benchmarks

Cisco SecureX focused on improving operational efficiency and accelerating security workflows rather than traditional hardware performance metrics.

• Benchmark Scores: Cisco estimated that SecureX could reduce the time to respond to and remediate an attack by 85%. It also claimed a 95% reduction in time to detect cyber threats and a time savings of up to six hours per week on incident response for over 50% of users.
• Real-world Performance Metrics: The platform was designed to accelerate remediation time, free up resources from repetitive tasks, and reduce the risk of errors. It could begin functioning with integrations in less than 15 minutes.
• Power Consumption: Not applicable, as SecureX was a cloud-native platform.
• Carbon Footprint: Not applicable, as SecureX was a cloud-native platform.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: SecureX was positioned as an Extended Detection and Response (XDR) solution, aiming to integrate beyond traditional endpoint detection and response (EDR) products. It offered a unified dashboard experience, distinguishing it from siloed security tools.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Cisco SecureX's performance was measured in its ability to enhance security operations efficiency and effectiveness. The platform delivered significant improvements in key security metrics, such as reducing detection and remediation times for cyber threats. Its cloud-native architecture and API-driven integration capabilities allowed for rapid deployment and seamless operation across diverse security ecosystems. By automating workflows and providing a unified view of threats, SecureX aimed to alleviate the burden on security teams and improve their ability to respond to incidents quickly. The transition of its core functionalities to Cisco XDR suggests a continued focus on these performance benefits in Cisco's next-generation security offerings.

User Reviews & Feedback

User reviews and feedback for Cisco SecureX generally highlighted its strengths in unifying security operations and improving efficiency, while also noting some initial complexities.

• Strengths: Users appreciated the platform's ability to centralize threat intelligence and event data, providing a single pane of glass for visibility across the network and devices. The ease of deployment and the wealth of information available from integrated products were frequently praised. SecureX was valued for simplifying incident response, automating repetitive tasks, and offering detailed insights into endpoints. Its cloud-based nature and integration capabilities with both Cisco and third-party tools were seen as significant advantages.
• Weaknesses: Some users found the initial setup, particularly when integrating third-party tools, to be complex. Occasional delays in connection due to slow network speeds were also mentioned.
• Recommended Use Cases: SecureX was recommended for organizations seeking to unify their disparate security tools, automate security workflows, and improve cross-team communication during incident response. It was particularly beneficial for businesses with multi-vendor environments looking to gain a more cohesive view of their security posture.

Summary

Cisco SecureX was a cloud-native cybersecurity platform launched on June 30, 2020, designed to provide a unified experience for security operations across Cisco's integrated security portfolio and third-party products. Its primary goal was to simplify security management by offering centralized visibility, enabling automation, and strengthening security across networks, endpoints, cloud, and applications. The platform was included at no additional cost with any SecureX-capable Cisco Security product, making it an accessible enhancement for existing Cisco security customers.

Strengths: SecureX excelled in unifying disparate security tools into a single dashboard, significantly improving visibility and streamlining security operations. It offered robust automation capabilities through orchestration, reducing manual workloads and accelerating threat detection and response times. The platform's open framework allowed for extensive integration with both Cisco and numerous third-party solutions, maximizing existing security investments. Performance metrics indicated substantial reductions in time to detect and remediate threats, highlighting its operational efficiency.

Weaknesses: User feedback indicated that the initial setup and integration with certain third-party tools could be complex. As a cloud-based service, its performance could also be affected by network latency.

Recommendations: SecureX was ideal for organizations struggling with fragmented security tools and seeking to consolidate their security posture, automate incident response, and gain comprehensive threat intelligence. It was particularly valuable for environments utilizing multiple security vendors. However, it is crucial to note that Cisco SecureX reached its End of Life (EOL) on July 31, 2024, with access ceasing on August 1, 2024. Many of its core functionalities and integrations have transitioned to successor products, primarily Cisco XDR and Cisco Security Cloud Control. Organizations previously relying on SecureX should ensure their migration to these new platforms to maintain continuity of security operations.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.