Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE)

What is Cisco Identity Services Engine (Cisco ISE)?

The Cisco Identity Services Engine (Cisco ISE) is a comprehensive security policy management platform. It is designed to enable organizations to enforce compliance, enhance infrastructure security, and streamline service operations.

Cisco ISE's primary role is in the authentication and authorization of users and devices seeking access to the network. It ensures that only trusted entities are allowed connectivity to network resources.

At its heart, the platform integrates a wide range of security services. These include identity management, context awareness, and access control.

Cisco ISE enables the creation and enforcement of detailed security policies. These policies control network access based on user identity, device type, and other contextual information.

This approach ensures that appropriate security measures, guided by CCIE Security principles, are consistently applied across all parts of the organization. It does so regardless of the method or location from which users attempt to connect to the network.

How does Cisco ISE work and what is it used for?

Cisco Identity Services Engine (Cisco ISE) operates as a centralized security policy management platform, streamlining access control and security operations for both wired and wireless networks.?

Here’s a breakdown of how it works and its primary uses:

How Cisco ISE Works:

• Authentication: When a user or device attempts to connect to the network, Cisco ISE performs an authentication process. This is to verify the identity of the user or device using various methods, such as passwords, digital certificates, or biometrics.
• Authorization: Once authenticated, Cisco ISE determines what level of access the user or device should have. This decision is based on predefined security policies that consider factors like user identity, device type, location, and the security posture of the device.
• Profiling: Cisco ISE continuously monitors and gathers data about the devices on the network. This profiling enables it to recognize devices, assess their compliance with security policies, and adapt access controls as necessary.
• Posture Assessment: It evaluates the security posture of devices attempting to access the network, ensuring they meet the organization's security requirements (e.g., updated antivirus software, operating system patches).
• Guest Management: Cisco ISE provides a streamlined process for guest access, allowing visitors to connect to the network securely and according to the access policies set by the organization.
• Threat Mitigation: It integrates with other security solutions to identify and respond to threats quickly. If a device is compromised, Cisco ISE can quarantine it, limiting the spread of potential threats.

Uses of Cisco ISE:

• Ensures only authorized users and compliant devices can access network resources, protecting sensitive data.
• Helps organizations comply with industry regulations by enforcing security policies controlling access.
• Simplifies management of access policies across wired, wireless, and VPN connections, reducing complexity.
• Offers comprehensive visibility into network connections for informed decision-making and tighter security controls.
• Integrates with other security systems to automate responses to threats, improving security posture.

ISE Nodes

Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine) operates through a distributed deployment model, utilizing different types of nodes to handle specific functions within the network security infrastructure. These nodes can be categorized based on their roles:

1. Administration Node (PAN): This node is responsible for the overall management and configuration of the Cisco ISE deployment. It provides a centralized interface for administrators to manage policies, configurations, and operations of ISE services.
2. Policy Service Node (PSN): The PSN handles network access requests, policy evaluations, and enforcement. It performs the authentication, authorization, and accounting (AAA) functions, making real-time decisions based on the policies set in the Administration Node.
3. Monitoring and Troubleshooting Node (MnT): This node is dedicated to logging, monitoring, and reporting activities within the ISE framework. It collects and analyzes data for auditing, compliance, and operational troubleshooting.
4. pxGrid Node: The pxGrid (Platform Exchange Grid) node facilitates information exchange and sharing between ISE and other security tools like firewalls, threat defense systems, and other IT and security operations systems. This integration allows for a coordinated response to threats and enhances visibility across the network.

Top Cisco ISE features

1. Centralized Management: Simplifies administrative tasks by allowing centralized configuration and management of policies for network access, devices, and users.
2. Secure Network Access: Ensures only authorized users and compliant devices can access network resources through robust authentication and authorization capabilities.
3. Profiling and Visibility: Provides detailed insights into devices on the network, enhancing control and security measures through device identification and posture assessment.
4. Context-aware Access Control: Makes dynamic access decisions based on user identity, device type, location, and other contextual information, enabling flexible policy enforcement.
5. Guest Access Management: Streamlines the process for providing temporary network access to guests, contractors, and partners, balancing user experience with security.
6. Compliance Enforcement: Helps enforce compliance with corporate and regulatory policies by managing access for non-compliant devices and facilitating necessary remediation.
7. Automated Threat Response: Identifies and mitigates threats in real-time, adjusting access policies and quarantining affected devices to contain incidents and improve overall security posture.

Cisco ISE licensing

Cisco ISE (Identity Services Engine) licensing is structured to offer flexibility and scalability, catering to different organizational needs and sizes. The licensing model is designed to accommodate the evolving security demands of modern enterprises, ensuring that organizations can protect their networks effectively.

Cisco ISE is available in three primary licensing editions: Base, Plus, and Apex. Each edition builds upon the features of the previous one, allowing organizations to choose the level of functionality that best fits their security requirements.

• Base License: This foundational license provides core administrative and policy enforcement functions. It includes features such as wireless and wired 802.1X authentication, MAC Authentication Bypass (MAB), centralized management, basic guest access, link encryption, and device profiling. The Base license serves as the entry point for organizations looking to secure their network access.
• Plus License: The Plus license adds advanced capabilities on top of the Base license, including advanced guest access features, BYOD support, and endpoint profiling enhancements. It also introduces Cisco’s TrustSec technology, which helps in creating security policies that adapt to the dynamic nature of modern networks.
• Apex License: The Apex license is the most comprehensive option, offering the highest level of functionality. It includes features for secure remote access (such as VPN), posture assessment, and advanced compliance checks. The Apex license is geared towards organizations with extensive security needs, including the management of mobile and remote connections.

Cisco ISE also offers a Device Administration License, which enables the use of TACACS+ for device administration, allowing for command set-based control and auditing of network devices.

Organizations can purchase these licenses based on the number of concurrent users or endpoints connecting to the network. This flexibility ensures that businesses of any size can effectively utilize Cisco ISE to enhance their network security and compliance posture. Cisco also offers evaluation licenses for those looking to test the functionalities before committing to a purchase, providing an opportunity to see how ISE fits into their existing network environment.