Physical security breaches are of top concern for CSOs. Protecting your organization requires an approach as proactive and advanced as cybersecurity. But with the latest smart cameras, it doesn’t have to add complexity. The post Build Physical Security Superpowers with Smart Bullet Cameras and Multi…
C
Cisco Meraki
Cisco · Network Security
Cloud-managed networking — switches, Wi-Fi, firewalls, cameras
Overview
Cisco Meraki is a cloud-managed networking platform covering wireless access points, switches, firewalls (MX), and cameras — all managed from a single web dashboard. It's designed to simplify network management for organisations without dedicated network engineers.
UK Pricing
Hardware purchase + annual licence. MX Firewall licences from ~£350/yr (small business). Wi-Fi licences from ~£80/AP/yr.
Target Size
50–1000 employees across 1–20 sites
Why Use It
Meraki is ideal for UK SMBs with multiple sites that lack dedicated network engineers. The dashboard-first approach makes network management accessible to IT generalists, and Auto-VPN eliminates the complexity of connecting branch offices.
Why Not
If budget is a constraint or you need advanced NGFW capabilities (deep packet inspection, IPS, sandboxing), Fortinet FortiGate provides more firewall capability per pound. Meraki licensing costs accumulate significantly over time.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Single dashboard for all network infrastructure
- Excellent visibility with built-in traffic analytics
- Auto-VPN connects sites in minutes with no manual config
- SD-WAN capabilities built into MX firewalls
- Strong integration with Cisco security portfolio (Umbrella, ISE)
Cons
- Hardware is locked to Meraki ecosystem — licences required forever
- Premium pricing vs. traditional Cisco or Fortinet
- Limited advanced firewall features vs. dedicated NGFW
- Licence expiry means hardware becomes non-functional
- Less suitable for very complex enterprise network topologies
How to Get the Most Out of It
- Use Meraki Auto-VPN (SD-WAN) to connect branch offices automatically — it takes minutes vs. hours with traditional VPNs
- Enable Umbrella integration for cloud-based DNS filtering and threat protection
- Use Layer 7 traffic shaping to prioritise business-critical traffic (Teams, SAP) over recreational traffic
- Set up network topology alerts to be notified of link failures before users report them
- Use the Meraki Systems Manager MDM alongside your main MDM for network-based device visibility
AI: What's New
Claude AI# What's New in Cisco Meraki - Key Takeaways for IT Admins
• **Enhanced Physical Security Capabilities** – Meraki is expanding its camera lineup with smart bullet cameras and multi-imagers for improved loss prevention and retail security monitoring. This means you can now consolidate more security infrastructure under the Meraki dashboard rather than managing separate systems.
• **FedRAMP Moderate Authorization** – Cisco Meraki for Government now meets federal compliance requirements, making it a viable option if your organization works with government agencies or handles regulated data. This simplifies procurement and reduces your compliance validation workload.
• **AI-Driven Infrastructure Simplification** – Meraki is integrating AI and IoT capabilities to automate network and operations management, reducing manual monitoring tasks. Combined with improvements to Systems Manager, you should expect fewer routine administrative touchpoints and better insights into device and network performance across your infrastructure.
Latest News
All →Cisco Meraki is excited to announce that we have achieved FedRAMP® Moderate and StateRAMP® Moderate Authorization. Built on our reliable and scalable Cisco Meraki cloud networking platform, trusted by 75% of the Fortune 500, our Cisco Meraki for Government solution addresses the unique security and …
In a pleasant retail environment, there’s likely a lot going on behind the scenes. Learn how businesses are using next-gen physical security solutions to keep guests and employees safe, protect merchandise, and fend off fraud—even during chaotic peaks of holiday shopping. The post Addressing Loss Pr…
Artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things are converging to revolutionize connectivity and security. Maximize their potential by taking stock of the benefits and risks that each offer. The post AI and IoT: Everything You Need to Know appeared first on The Meraki Blog.
Cisco Networking Cloud platform has made phenomenal progress toward continuous intelligence, predictive analytics, and automated remediation over the past 12 months. The post It’s Time to Take Control of Experiences and Transform Infrastructure Operations for AI appeared first on The Meraki Blog.
How do you effectively manage experiences if you no longer own all the infrastructure? The answer is at the heart of new operational innovations and infrastructure announced at Cisco Live 2024. They’re all part of the Cisco Networking Cloud platform. The post Cisco Live 2024: Ensure Digital Resilien…
Cisco introduces its first 5G Standalone (SA) fixed wireless access devices, the Meraki MG52 and MG52E. Powered by the Cisco secure networking platform, these devices help businesses scale robust, always-on, 5G-connected experiences to more people and places — without compromising scale and performa…
Device management magic from Meraki earns Android Silver Partner status The post Systems Manager Scores Nod of Approval appeared first on The Meraki Blog.