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Should I use Umbrella (Cisco Umbrella)?

DNS-Layer and Cloud Cybersecurity Solutions - umbrella.cisco.com

Depends. Buy if you're a mid-to-large org, ideally already on Cisco, that needs DNS-layer security with central control. Small teams just need content filtering — cheaper DNS filters do that job without the enterprise overhead.

Confidence

Medium. Based on ~14 public sources; many 'umbrella' search results were off-topic (rain umbrellas, insurance, research methods) and excluded.

Ratings

  • Value for money
  • Ease of use
  • Feature depth
  • Support qualityNo support evidence in sources reviewed
  • Security posture

Pricing

Not disclosed

ModelNot disclosed
Monthly feesNot disclosed
HardwareNot disclosed

Best for

  • Mid-to-large orgs wanting DNS-layer security
  • Shops already on Cisco stacks
  • Universities and schools enforcing web filtering
  • IT teams securing roaming/remote users

Not for

  • Small teams that just need basic content blocking
  • Startups without a dedicated security admin
  • Budget buyers — cheaper DNS filters match the core features
  • Anyone wanting transparent, self-serve pricing

Gotchas - check before you buy

high

Renewal-time migration push toward Cisco Secure Access; budget for re-deployment effort

medium

No transparent pricing; get quotes and compare DNSFilter or Control D first

medium

Endpoint agents and virtual appliances have had privilege-escalation CVEs; patch promptly

medium

DNS-level lock-in: switching filters later means reconfiguring networks and every client

Pros and cons

Pros

  • Blocks threats at the DNS layer before connections open
  • Packaged tiers let orgs buy only needed coverage
  • Proven at universities and enterprises for years
  • Recognized as simple, effective cloud security

Cons

  • Privilege-escalation flaws found in agents and virtual appliances
  • 2022 authentication bypass shows a history of access-control bugs
  • Opaque enterprise pricing drives buyers toward cheaper rivals
  • Cisco is steering customers to migrate to Secure Access

Sources & method

Analyzed 9/26/2026 - 14 sources - Active patch history: several CVEs since 2018, latest privilege-escalation advisory June 2026, addressed by Cisco.

official x4review x3security x3news x4
  • CVE-2026-20246 — virtual appliance privilege escalation, Cisco advisory issued June 17, 2026 for privilege escalation in the Umbrella virtual appliance.
  • CVE-2022-20773 — authentication bypass, Authentication bypass vulnerability disclosed in Cisco Umbrella.
  • Enterprise Roaming Client privilege escalation, Privilege escalation flaw in the Umbrella Enterprise Roaming Client and Roaming Module (2018 CVE series).

Key stats

  • Value for money: 3/5

    Rating

  • Not disclosed

    Starting price

  • 14

    Sources

  • Analyzed

  • Value for money: 3/5. Enterprise pricing; buyers actively comparison-shop cheaper rivals
  • Ease of use: 3/5. Guess: marketed as simple; independent usability data thin
  • Feature depth: 4/5. Full DNS-layer platform: cloud, roaming clients, packaged tiers
  • Support quality. No support evidence in sources reviewed
  • Security posture: 3/5. Repeat privilege-escalation CVEs; advisories patched promptly
  • 3+ Known CVEs (2018–2026) Two privilege escalations, one auth bypass — all disclosed
  • 4+ Rivals publishing head-to-head comparisons DNSFilter, Control D, WebTitan, dope.security
  • 2 University deployments found URI and WashU run it campus-wide

Pricing

Not disclosed

Security

Active patch history: several CVEs since 2018, latest privilege-escalation advisory June 2026, addressed by Cisco.

  • CVE-2026-20246 — virtual appliance privilege escalationCisco advisory issued June 17, 2026 for privilege escalation in the Umbrella virtual appliance.⁴
  • CVE-2022-20773 — authentication bypassAuthentication bypass vulnerability disclosed in Cisco Umbrella.⁵
  • Enterprise Roaming Client privilege escalationPrivilege escalation flaw in the Umbrella Enterprise Roaming Client and Roaming Module (2018 CVE series).⁶

What users say

G2 feedback on Cisco Umbrella is generally positive, while sysadmins on Reddit frequently debate switching to cheaper alternatives.

Alternatives

Compare Umbrella (Cisco Umbrella) with each alternative.

Companies that use it

  • University of Rhode Island12
  • Washington University in St. Louis13
  • Anchore14
Full analysis

Based on ~14 public sources; many 'umbrella' search results were off-topic (rain umbrellas, insurance, research methods) and excluded.

Solid enterprise DNS security priced and built for Cisco-scale orgs; small teams get equal protection cheaper.

Methodology

Based on ~14 public sources; many 'umbrella' search results were off-topic (rain umbrellas, insurance, research methods) and excluded.

Sources

  1. Cisco Umbrella Reviews — G2g2.com
    review
  2. Cisco Umbrella Packages — officialumbrella.cisco.com
    official
  3. Cisco Umbrella homepage — officialumbrella.cisco.com
    official
  4. Cisco advisory: Umbrella virtual appliance privilege escalationcisco.com
    security
  5. CVE-2022-20773: Cisco Umbrella auth bypasssentinelone.com
    security
  6. Umbrella roaming client privilege escalationcyberonesecurity.com
    security
  7. Cisco Umbrella pricing vs DNSFilter vs dope.securitydope.security
    news
  8. Guide to Cisco Umbrella Pricing: Is It Worth It?controld.com
    news
  9. Renewing from Umbrella to Cisco Secure Accesshub.tdsynnex.com
    news
  10. Cisco Umbrella alternatives? — Reddit r/sysadminreddit.com
    review
  11. Pricing experiences — PeerSpotpeerspot.com
    review
  12. Cisco Umbrella — URI ITSits.uri.edu
    official
  13. Cisco Umbrella — WashU Office of Information Securityinformationsecurity.wustl.edu
    official
  14. Cisco Umbrella case study — Anchoreanchore.com
    news

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