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Cisco Secure Access (built on Umbrella) is a cloud-delivered, zero-trust Security Service Edge (SSE). It secures access to SaaS, private apps, and the internet — protecting users wherever they work against modern, identity- and AI-driven threats.
The layers of cloud-delivered protection
| Capability | What it stops | How it works |
|---|---|---|
| DNS-layer security | Malicious domains, C2 callbacks, phishing | Blocks before a connection is even made — fastest ROI in security |
| Secure Web Gateway (SWG) | Malware, policy violations, risky sites | Inspects and filters all web traffic, enforces acceptable use |
| Cloud-delivered firewall + IPS | Network-layer threats, lateral movement | L3-L7 policy and intrusion prevention without hardware |
| CASB / DLP | Shadow IT, data exfiltration | Controls SaaS usage and prevents sensitive data from leaving |
| ZTNA | Broad network exposure, lateral movement | Per-application zero-trust access — users get only what they need |
Why SMBs start here: DNS-layer security is the fastest security win in IT — easy to deploy, protects roaming laptops, and stops a large share of threats before they start. IDENETY often begins modernization here, then layers in SWG, ZTNA, and the full SSE stack. See our Zero Trust architecture guide for the full framework.
Better together
Secure Access pairs with Cisco Duo (MFA + SSO) and ThousandEyes Experience Insights to add identity assurance and end-to-end visibility — a complete, cloud-first security edge. It's also the SSE layer inside Cisco Secure Connect (SASE).
Capabilities referenced from Cisco Secure Access / Umbrella materials.
Contact our engineers to discuss DNS security, SSE, or a full SASE deployment.