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Empowering Enterprises with Best-in-Class Firewall Solutions: C1 Managed Services and Cisco Join Forces

In today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape, enterprises face unprecedented challenges in safeguarding their networks against sophisticated threats while managing increasing operational complexities. Cybersecurity is no longer just an IT priority; it is a business imperative. However, securing enterprise networks often comes at the cost of increased IT workloads and higher expenses.

The recent Forrester Wave™: Enterprise Firewall Solutions, Q4 2024 report identifies Cisco as a market leader in enterprise firewall technology, highlighting its innovation and comprehensive approach to network security. When paired with C1’s industry-leading managed services, enterprises can benefit from a best-in-class solution that not only bolsters their security posture but also streamlines IT operations and reduces costs. 

Cisco: A Leader in Enterprise Firewalls 

The Forrester Wave™ report evaluates 11 of the most significant enterprise firewall providers against 27 criteria, including product innovation, market presence, and customer experience. In this rigorous analysis, Cisco® Secure Firewall emerged as a Leader, earning the highest possible scores in critical areas such as policy creation and management, threat intelligence, microperimeter capabilities, vision, and innovation. 

Key Strengths of Cisco® Secure Firewall:

1. Advanced Clustering and High Availability

Cisco’s firewall solutions offer unmatched scalability and reliability, making them ideal for hybrid network environments. With advanced clustering and high availability features, enterprises can ensure uninterrupted operations, even under heavy network loads. 

2. Multi-Layered Traffic Inspection

Cisco’s deep traffic inspection capabilities deliver comprehensive protection by identifying and mitigating both known and unknown threats. Its ability to decrypt and inspect encrypted traffic ensures no threat goes undetected. 

3. Threat Intelligence Integration Leveraging

Cisco® Talos—the company’s industry-leading threat intelligence team—Secure Firewall provides actionable insights to proactively address emerging threats. This integration empowers enterprises with real-time threat detection and response capabilities.  

4. Ease of Management

Cisco® Secure Firewall simplifies complex security environments with intuitive management tools, enabling organizations to maintain consistent policies across multi-cloud, on-premises, and hybrid networks.

As organizations navigate increasingly complex security challenges, Cisco’s leadership in the Forrester Wave™ underscores its commitment to delivering robust, scalable, and innovative solutions that meet the demands of the modern enterprise. 

C1’s Industry-Leading Managed Services: Simplifying IT for Enterprises

While robust technology like Cisco’s Secure Firewall is critical, the operational burden of managing security infrastructure can be daunting for in-house IT teams. This is where C1’s managed services come in. Recognized for delivering scalable, tailored technology solutions, C1 simplifies IT operations for enterprises, allowing them to focus on strategic objectives. 

Highlights of C1’s Managed Services: 

1. End-to-End IT Management

From infrastructure monitoring and maintenance to network security and cloud solutions, C1 offers a comprehensive suite of managed services. This all-encompassing approach ensures that enterprises can offload IT complexities without sacrificing control.

2. Proactive Threat Monitoring

C1’s services are designed to stay ahead of cyber threats with 24/7 monitoring, automated alerts, and rapid response capabilities. This proactive approach minimizes downtime and mitigates the impact of potential breaches.

3. Cost Efficiency

By outsourcing IT operations to C1, organizations can reduce overhead costs associated with maintaining in-house teams, all while benefiting from access to best-in-class tools and expertise.

4. Customized Solutions

C1 understands that no two organizations are alike. Its tailored managed services align with each enterprise’s unique business goals, ensuring that IT infrastructure and security measures are optimized for maximum efficiency and effectiveness.

The Power of Integration: Cisco and C1 

The synergy between Cisco’s Secure Firewall and C1’s managed services offers enterprises a comprehensive and highly efficient solution to address today’s security and operational challenges. Together, they provide a robust framework designed to enhance security, reduce costs, and ease IT burdens. 

Key Benefits of the Combined Solution: 

1. Strengthened Security Posture

Cisco’s cutting-edge firewall capabilities, when managed by C1, ensure continuous protection against evolving threats. This proactive approach helps enterprises stay ahead in an ever-changing threat landscape.  

2. Streamlined IT Operations

C1’s managed services take the weight off in-house IT teams, simplifying operations and ensuring that firewalls and other critical infrastructure components are always optimized and up-to-date.    

3. Scalability and Flexibility

The combination of Cisco’s scalable technology and C1’s flexible service delivery ensures that enterprises can adapt quickly to growth and technological advancements without compromising security or operational efficiency.

4. Cost Optimization

By leveraging Cisco’s secure, scalable firewall solutions alongside C1’s cost-effective managed services, enterprises can achieve substantial savings in both capital expenditures (CapEx) and operational expenditures (OpEx).

Real-World Impact: Enabling Enterprise Success 

Organizations across industries are already reaping the benefits of this powerful partnership. By combining Cisco’s innovative firewall technology with C1’s operational expertise, enterprises have successfully reduced their risk exposure, improved operational efficiency, and significantly lowered their IT costs.

Example: A Financial Services Leader

One enterprise in the financial sector recently deployed Cisco® Secure Firewall, managed by C1, to address increasing regulatory demands and heightened cyber threats. The results were transformative: 

  • 75% reduction in IT downtime associated with security incidents.
  • Annual savings of $1.2 million in IT operational costs.
  • Improved compliance with data protection regulations, thanks to centralized policy management. 

Conclusion: A Best-in-Class Solution for Modern Enterprises

As enterprises face mounting cybersecurity threats and operational complexities, solutions that combine best-in-class technology with expert management are critical. Cisco’s recognition as a Leader in the Forrester Wave™: Enterprise Firewall Solutions, Q4 2024 report is a testament to its innovation and effectiveness in addressing modern security challenges. When integrated with C1’s industry-leading managed services, enterprises gain a solution that not only fortifies their security posture but also simplifies operations and reduces costs.

For organizations seeking to safeguard their digital assets while optimizing IT operations, the Cisco-C1 partnership offers unparalleled value. It’s more than just a security solution—it’s a strategic investment in the future of your enterprise. Contact C1 today to learn how we can help your organization achieve its security and operational goals.

Transform Your Enterprise Security Today

Discover how Cisco firewalls and C1’s managed security services combine to deliver robust security, simplify IT operations, and optimize costs for your enterprise. Learn More
About the author:
As the Sr. Product Marketing Manager for the Security Experience at C1, Doug Braun is focused on helping enterprises with advanced risk assessments, protection, detection, and recovery services. In his spare time, Doug enjoys time with his family, golf, and his basset hound and beagle.