Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Cisco Umbrella VS Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

Compare Cisco Umbrella VS Azure Multi-Factor Authentication and see what are their differences

Cisco Umbrella logo Cisco Umbrella

Cisco Umbrella is a cloud security platform that provides the first line of defense against threats on the internet.

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication logo Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication helps safeguard access to data and applications while meeting user demand for a simple sign-in process.
  • Cisco Umbrella Landing page
    Landing page //
    2024-07-23
  • Azure Multi-Factor Authentication Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-19

Cisco Umbrella features and specs

  • Comprehensive Security
    Cisco Umbrella offers a wide range of security features including DNS-layer security, secure web gateway, firewall, and cloud-delivered threat intelligence which collectively provides multi-layered protection against cyber threats.
  • Ease of Deployment
    Cisco Umbrella can be deployed quickly and easily across different types of networks, including on-premises, remote offices, and mobile users, without requiring significant changes to existing infrastructure.
  • High Availability
    Built on a globally distributed network, Cisco Umbrella ensures high availability and redundancy, making it a reliable option for companies that cannot afford downtime.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    The centralized and intuitive dashboard makes it easy for administrators to monitor network activities, manage policies, and generate reports, reducing the complexity of security management.
  • Integration Capabilities
    Cisco Umbrella integrates well with other security tools and Cisco products, allowing organizations to build a more cohesive and comprehensive security strategy.

Possible disadvantages of Cisco Umbrella

  • Cost
    Cisco Umbrella can be expensive, especially for smaller organizations with limited budgets, which might find the cost prohibitive relative to their needs.
  • Complexity of Advanced Features
    While the basic features are easy to use, some of the more advanced features require specialized knowledge and training to fully leverage, which can be a barrier for some organizations.
  • Dependence on Internet Connectivity
    Being a cloud-based solution, Cisco Umbrella requires continuous internet connectivity to function effectively. Any disruption in internet service can impact its performance and reduce its effectiveness.
  • Privacy Concerns
    Because it involves routing all DNS queries through its servers, there could be potential privacy concerns for organizations worried about data sovereignty and confidentiality.
  • Limited Offline Protection
    Cisco Umbrella primarily provides online protection. For devices that need security while offline, additional measures need to be implemented, which could complicate the security strategy.

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication features and specs

  • Enhanced Security
    Azure MFA adds an additional layer of security by requiring users to verify their identity through multiple methods, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.
  • Flexible Authentication Options
    It supports various authentication methods such as phone calls, text messages, app notifications, and hardware tokens, providing flexibility for users.
  • Integration with Microsoft Services
    Seamless integration with other Microsoft services and Azure Active Directory ensures a cohesive security solution across different Microsoft platforms.
  • Compliance Support
    Helps organizations meet compliance requirements by providing an additional layer of security that is often mandated by regulations like GDPR, HIPAA, etc.
  • User-friendly
    Designed to be straightforward for end-users, reducing the friction typically associated with multi-factor authentication processes.
  • Conditional Access Policies
    Enables the configuration of conditional access policies to enforce MFA for specific scenarios, balancing security needs and user convenience.

Possible disadvantages of Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

  • Cost
    While some features are available for free, comprehensive usage of Azure MFA can incur additional costs depending on the Azure AD licensing model.
  • Setup Complexity
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex, especially for organizations without a dedicated IT team.
  • Reliance on Internet Connectivity
    Most verification methods require an internet connection, which can be a drawback in environments with unstable or unreliable internet access.
  • Potential User Resistance
    Some users may find the authentication process cumbersome or may resist changes to the login process, requiring additional user education and support.
  • Dependency on External Devices
    Authentication methods like text messages or app notifications depend on users having access to their mobile devices, which can be problematic if a device is lost or stolen.
  • Integration Challenges with Non-Microsoft Services
    While Azure MFA integrates well with Microsoft services, integration with third-party or non-Microsoft applications may require additional configuration and support.

Analysis of Cisco Umbrella

Overall verdict

  • Cisco Umbrella is generally regarded as a strong and effective security solution for protecting users and networks from online threats. Its robust features and reliable performance make it a preferred option for businesses seeking to enhance their cybersecurity posture.

Why this product is good

  • Cisco Umbrella is often considered a good choice for internet security due to its comprehensive protection against threats such as malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks. It offers DNS-layer security, providing a first line of defense against potential threats by blocking dangerous domains before a connection is established. Additionally, Cisco Umbrella is cloud-delivered, meaning it can be rapidly deployed and easily scaled to meet the needs of different organizations.

Recommended for

    Cisco Umbrella is recommended for businesses of all sizes looking to improve their network security. This includes organizations in sectors that handle sensitive data, such as finance, healthcare, and education. It's also suitable for remote and distributed workforces owing to its cloud-based architecture, which provides protection regardless of a user's location.

Analysis of Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

Overall verdict

  • Azure Multi-Factor Authentication is a reliable and effective solution for enhancing security within Microsoft environments and beyond. It is widely recognized for its comprehensive features and seamless integration capabilities, making it a strong choice for organizations looking to implement MFA.

Why this product is good

  • Azure Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is considered good due to its robust security features, ease of integration with existing Microsoft services, and its ability to support a wide range of verification methods such as phone calls, text messages, and authenticator apps. It enhances security by requiring two or more pieces of evidence to verify a user's identity, reducing the risk of unauthorized access. Additionally, it offers flexibility and scalability, making it suitable for various organizational needs.

Recommended for

    Azure Multi-Factor Authentication is recommended for organizations using Microsoft's cloud services, such as Azure and Office 365, as well as for businesses that prioritize security and need to protect sensitive information and access against unauthorized use. It is particularly suited for enterprises that require a scalable and versatile MFA solution.

Cisco Umbrella videos

How IT Works: Security at the DNS Layer with Cisco Umbrella

More videos:

  • Review - Cisco Umbrella Product Packages
  • Review - Cisco Umbrella Customer Review: Cisco IT
  • Review - What is Cisco Umbrella?
  • Review - Unleash the Power of Cisco Umbrella: A Comprehensive Review

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication videos

How to register for Azure Multi-Factor Authentication

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Cisco Umbrella and Azure Multi-Factor Authentication)
Cyber Security
100 100%
0% 0
Identity And Access Management
Security & Privacy
100 100%
0% 0
Two Factor Authentication

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Cisco Umbrella should be more popular than Azure Multi-Factor Authentication. It has been mentiond 3 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Cisco Umbrella mentions (3)

  • Amazon Outage
    Cisco Umbrella | Leader in Cloud Cybersecurity and SASE Solutions. Source: about 2 years ago
  • How are Vpns blocked?
    A combination of subscription ip blocklists like that sold by MaxMind combined with DNS and application filtering services like Umbrella would catch most services. For good measure I'd toss in local .exe application whitelisting running on each of the schools machines to only allow the applications the school wants using something like applocker which is included in windows so it probably fits into their budget. Source: over 2 years ago
  • Blocking sites
    We've been very happy with Cisco's Umbrella product. A few years back I "test drove" the free version, but thats a very poor substitute for the paid product. It's not cheap, but it has worked very well for us. Over 70% of our users are remote since the start of COVID, so we opted for the "roaming client" installation on every endpoint. We have a "basic" network profile for our office locations that slightly... Source: over 2 years ago

Azure Multi-Factor Authentication mentions (2)

  • MFA for Outlook Online on cell phone
    This is the answer, more detail: https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/active-directory/authentication/concept-mfa-howitworks. Source: about 3 years ago
  • What do you do if you lost your phone with Microsoft Authenticator?
    Make sure that you back-up the active app-configuration, this way you have an easier way to recover; make sure you are allowed to verify using more than an authenticator, more here. Source: almost 4 years ago

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Cisco Umbrella and Azure Multi-Factor Authentication, you can also consider the following products

Kaspersky Security for Internet Gateways - Kaspersky Security for Internet Gateways offers secure internet access for the employees.

Google Authenticator - Google Authenticator is a multifactor app for mobile devices.

McAfee SmartFilter - McAfee Web Protection is a web security solution that includes an on-premises secure web gateway and SaaS-based web security delivered from the cloud.

Authy - Best rated Two-Factor Authentication smartphone app for consumers, simplest 2fa Rest API for developers and a strong authentication platform for the enterprise.

OpenDNS Umbrella - Cloud Security

Duo Security - Duo Security provides cloud-based two-factor authentication. Duo’s technology can be deployed to protect users, data, and applications from breaches, credential theft, and account takeover.