Review: StillSecure Safe Access v6.1

We found this tool to be simple and intuitive to deploy and manage. The initial setup is done by accessing the appliance's web-based interface by browsing to the default IP address via a web browser and running through a short setup wizard. After the wizard is complete, the appliance is ready to connect to the network and begin monitoring with a base configuration. All further configuration and policy setup is done through an equally intuitive web-based management console that we found to be well-organized and easy to navigate. 

This product features flexible and highly customizable policy options. Endpoints can be scanned and checked to meet a variety of standards, including patch level, security settings, encryption functions, ensuring the presence of anti-virus and security software, among many other checks. If an endpoint is found to be non-compliant, it can be isolated from the network until either automatically remediated directly or through the use of third-party patch
management tools. 

Documentation included PDF installation and user guides. We found all materials to be well-organized and easy to follow with many screen shots, configuration examples and step-by-step instructions.

StillSecure offers eight-hours-a-day/five-days-a-week phone- and email-based technical support for the first year included in the price of the product. After the first year, customers can purchase additional aid through a contract. Customers can purchase either eight-hours-a-day/five-days-a-week or 24/7 assistance options, which both include phone- and email-based support, as well as access to updates and upgrades. While we found that StillSecure offline support is quite comprehensive, its online support is almost non-existent. We found a small support area via the website, which contained aid contact information along with a short FAQ. While we recognize that StillSecure is focusing efforts on having the customer contact support for assistance, we also find user self-support is a valuable resource, and we would like to see at least a place where customers can download documentation and access a knowledge base.

At a cost of $2,100 for the appliance, plus an additional $36 per IP licensing cost, we find this product to be a reasonable value for the money. This cost may seem quite high at first glance, but we do find a lot of value to this solution. We find Safe Access to be a comprehensive network access control appliance that includes a solid policy engine with many easy-to-configure functions. 

Overall, we find this offering to be not only feature-rich, but flexible enough for any type of enterprise environment looking to provide solid NAC security.

While we generally like StillSecure, this tool needs to beef up its support offerings.