The Cisco Secure Client, which includes the robust capabilities of AnyConnect, provides secure and seamless access to corporate resources and private applications. Cisco Secure Client is the new version of the widely deployed AnyConnect Secure Mobility Client (formerly Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility). As businesses increasingly rely on digital solutions, ensuring secure access becomes essential. Cisco Secure Client, formerly known as Cisco AnyConnect and Cisco AnyConnect Secure Mobility, is still widely recognized as a VPN client and facilitates secure access by offering a unified platform for managing and deploying endpoint security agents, ensuring both ease of use and comprehensive protection. The primary difference between Cisco AnyConnect and Cisco Secure Client is that Secure Client reflects an evolution into a unified security agent.
One of the standout features of Cisco Secure Client is its intelligent VPN, which remains active to ensure continuous security compliance. This feature allows users to quickly and easily connect to the VPN, enhancing the user experience while maintaining robust security standards. The user interface of Cisco Secure Client is similar to Cisco AnyConnect, with updated branding and icons. Cisco Secure Client also provides improved secure remote access compared to its predecessor. This balance of security and usability makes Cisco Secure Client a preferred choice for many enterprises looking to protect their networks.
In addition to its core VPN capabilities, Cisco Secure Client provides advanced endpoint security, reducing the need for multiple client applications. With its unified cloud management, organizations can monitor all security agents from a single console, offering greater network visibility and control. The ability to view endpoint application usage and user behavior, when paired with Cisco Secure Network Analytics, further enhances the security posture of an organization.
The Cisco Secure Client integrates seamlessly with other Cisco security solutions, such as Cisco XDR and Cisco Secure Endpoint. This integration allows for early threat detection and prioritization, ensuring that organizations can respond swiftly and effectively to potential security incidents.
Note: AnyConnect 4.x is no longer supported as of March 31, 2024. Migration from AnyConnect 4.x to Secure Client 5.x is required to receive ongoing security patches and support.
Organizations can continue using their existing deployment methods when transitioning to Cisco Secure Client. Note that Cisco Secure Client may be more resource-intensive than standalone AnyConnect due to its integrated modularity.
A clear advantage of Cisco Secure Client is how it balances security administration needs with user experience. Secure Client enables security professionals to manage dynamic environments and multiple endpoint agents efficiently.
| Benefits for Administrators | Benefits for End Users |
|---|---|
| Lower total cost of ownership by consolidating multiple endpoint tools into one client | Highly secure access across desktops, laptops, and mobile devices |
| Context-aware endpoint security with continuous telemetry and posture enforcement | Consistent, user-friendly interface with minimal learning curve |
| Flexible, policy-driven access across wired, wireless, and VPN connections | Intelligent, always-on connectivity for seamless productivity |
| Simplified cloud deployment and update process | Smooth access to corporate resources without complex configurations |
| Ability to manage multiple systems and gain consolidated visibility through a unified interface | Smooth and secure operation provided by Secure Client |
This dual focus makes Secure Client equally valuable for IT teams managing complex environments and for employees needing reliable, secure access. Secure Client allows organizations to manage multiple systems and endpoint agents from a single platform, streamlining operations.
Cisco offers two main licensing options for Secure Client: the Advantage License and the Premier License. Each provides a set of features designed to meet the varying needs of businesses.
The Advantage License provides essential features that cater to most business needs. It includes device or system VPN capabilities, supporting Cisco phone VPN and third-party IPsec IKEv2 remote access VPN clients. This flexibility ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices and systems.
Cisco Secure Client also allows for deployment using the MSI installer directly, providing flexibility for IT teams.
The Premier License builds on the features of the Advantage License, offering enhanced security and management capabilities for organizations with more complex requirements.
Management VPN Tunnel: Allows administrators to manage devices securely over the VPN, ensuring that updates and policies are applied consistently.
| Advantage License (Formerly AnyConnect Plus) | Premier License (Formerly AnyConnect Apex) |
| Device or system VPN (including Cisco phone VPN) | All Advantage features with the other features in this column |
| Third-party IPsec IKEv2 remote access VPN clients (non-Secure Client endpoint) | Network Visibility Module |
| Per-application VPN | Unified endpoint compliance and remediation (posture) (Identity Services Engine Premier/Apex is required and licensed separately) |
| Cisco Umbrella Roaming (Complimentary use of client) | Posture (for Secure Firewall) |
| Use with Cisco Secure Web Appliance (through a VPN tunnel) | Suite B or next-generation encryption (including third-party IPsec IKEv2 remote VPN clients) |
| Network Access Manager | ASA multicontext-mode remote access |
| Cisco Secure Endpoint (Complimentary use of client) | SAML authentication |
| Cloud management via SecureX | Management VPN Tunnel |
| Feature/Module | Advantage License | Premier License |
| Device/System VPN | ✅ | ✅ |
| Per-Application VPN | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cisco Umbrella Roaming Module | ✅ (license required) | ✅ (license required) |
| Cisco Secure Endpoint (AMP client) | ✅ (complimentary use) | ✅ (complimentary use) |
| Cloud Management via SecureX or XDR | ✅ | ✅ |
| Network Visibility Module (NVM) | ❌ | ✅ |
| ISE Posture Assessment Module | ❌ | ✅ (with ISE license) |
| Secure Firewall Posture (HostScan) | ❌ | ✅ |
| SAML Authentication | ✅ | ✅ |
| Management VPN Tunnel | ❌ | ✅ |
| Suite B / Next-Gen Encryption (IKEv2) | ❌ | ✅ |
| Zero Trust Access Module | ❌ | ✅ |
If you need help with the Cisco Secure Client, contact us for personalized advice.
| Module | Description |
|---|---|
| VPN | SSL/TLS, Datagram Transport Layer Security (DTLS), and IPsec IKEv2 tunneling; DTLS is used to establish secure tunnels for remote access VPN, protecting user traffic; always-on, auto reconnect |
| Per-App VPN | Enables selective tunneling of specific mobile or desktop apps |
| Umbrella Roaming Module | DNS-layer security when VPN is inactive; blocks malware and phishing |
| Secure Endpoint Module | Built-in AMP module for endpoint protection and telemetry |
| Network Visibility Module (NVM) | Sends flow-based telemetry to XDR or Secure Analytics |
| Network Access Manager (NAM) | Controls Layer 2 access (Windows only); supports WPA2/WPA3, 802.1X |
| ISE Posture Module | Validates OS patches, antivirus, firewall, registry keys via Cisco ISE |
| Secure Firewall Posture | Checks endpoint health before VPN connection (HostScan successor) |
| Zero Trust Access Module | Restricts access until identity and device posture are verified |
| ThousandEyes Endpoint Agent | Monitors app/network performance on user devices (licensed separately) |
Cisco’s Zero Trust Access Module, introduced in Secure Client 5.1.3.62+, enables continuous identity and posture verification before granting access. This module enables trust network access by verifying both user and device posture, ensuring secure, least-privilege access to applications. When a user connects, access to applications is established through a secure proxy, with access control enforced by a browser access policy that validates user and device compliance before granting entry. Key benefits include:
Unified cloud management is at the heart of the Cisco Secure Client, offering a single, intuitive console for overseeing all security agents across your organization. With this unified cloud management approach, security professionals can efficiently manage dynamic and scalable endpoint security agents from one centralized platform. This not only streamlines the deployment and monitoring of endpoint security agents but also reduces the complexity associated with managing multiple security solutions.
The Cisco Secure Client makes it easy to deliver advanced endpoint protection across all devices, ensuring comprehensive endpoint security without the need for multiple management tools. Organizations benefit from hassle-free access to corporate resources and private applications, with seamless connectivity that supports both remote and on-site teams. By consolidating security oversight into a unified cloud management interface, the Secure Client empowers security professionals to enjoy advanced endpoint protection, maintain compliance, and respond quickly to emerging threats—all while simplifying day-to-day operations.
The Cisco Secure Endpoint module, integrated within the Cisco Secure Client, delivers advanced endpoint protection across all control points in your network. This powerful module is designed to provide comprehensive endpoint security, reducing the need for multiple endpoint security agents and streamlining your security infrastructure. With the Secure Client, organizations can deploy and manage multiple endpoint security agents from a single interface, gaining consolidated visibility into endpoint activity and potential threats.
By leveraging the Cisco Secure Endpoint, businesses enjoy advanced endpoint protection that enhances their overall security posture and improves incident detection and response. The unified view offered by the Secure Client simplifies the management of multiple endpoint security agents, making it easier for IT teams to ensure that all devices remain protected and compliant. This approach not only strengthens endpoint security but also supports efficient operations and rapid threat mitigation.
The Zero Trust Access Module, available in Cisco Secure Client version 5.1.3.62 and later, is a cornerstone for organizations seeking to implement robust zero trust access policies. This module enforces continuous identity and posture verification, ensuring that only compliant devices and trusted users are granted network access. By leveraging the Trust Access Module, the Secure Client continuously validates the trustworthiness of both users and devices throughout each session, providing highly secure access to corporate resources.
With scalable endpoint security agents managed through the Cisco Secure Client, security professionals can confidently enable secure access to private applications, knowing that only devices meeting strict compliance standards are permitted. This zero trust access approach not only enhances endpoint security but also supports seamless connectivity for teams, regardless of their location. The result is a security framework that adapts to dynamic environments and evolving threats, empowering organizations to maintain strong security controls while enabling productivity.
What is Cisco Secure Client?
Cisco Secure Client is a comprehensive security solution that includes AnyConnect VPN capabilities, providing secure access to corporate resources and private applications. It offers advanced endpoint security, unified cloud management, and integration with other Cisco security solutions. Cisco Secure Client protects users both on and off the VPN through cloud-delivered security modules, such as the Cisco Umbrella roaming module, ensuring remote users are safeguarded even outside the VPN environment.
What are the main differences between the Advantage and Premier Licenses?
Can I use Cisco Secure Client with third-party VPN clients?
Yes, Cisco Secure Client can be used alongside certain third-party VPN clients. Additionally, Cisco Secure Connect is available as a comprehensive remote access and SASE solution that integrates with Secure Client, enabling secure connectivity to private applications and cloud services.
How does Cisco Secure Client enhance endpoint security?
Cisco Secure Client enhances endpoint security by providing advanced threat detection, posture assessment, and secure remote access. It consolidates multiple services—including threat detection and policy enforcement—within a single platform, streamlining management and improving overall network protection.
What is the role of Cisco Umbrella Roaming in Cisco Secure Client?
