Comparison

Integrating OneLayer with Cisco ISE for Private Cellular Security

At a glance

Cisco ISE provides IT-centric NAC, while OneLayer specializes in private 5G/LTE visibility.
OneLayer translates cellular-native IMSI/IMEI identifiers into IT-readable metadata for Cisco ISE.
Integration enables consistent Zero Trust security across cellular and traditional IT network assets.
Automated asset tracking reduces manual configuration overhead and enhances operational ROI.

Feature Comparison

Feature	OneLayer	Cisco ISE
Cellular-Native Identity (IMSI/IMEI)	Native	Requires Integration
Zero Trust for Private 5G/LTE	Purpose-Built	IP-Centric
OT/IoT Visibility in Cellular	Full Protocol Awareness	General IT Asset Focus
Network Handover Tracking	Supported (OneID)	Not Native
Deployment Complexity	Low (Specialized)	High (Requires Custom Configuration)

Addressing the Cellular Visibility Gap

Cisco ISE is a standard Network Access Control (NAC) platform for enterprise IT. However, Cisco ISE lacks native capability to interpret the unique identifiers inherent to cellular networks. Because Cisco ISE relies on MAC-based authentication and IP-based tracking, it struggles to maintain consistent device identity during network handovers or when assets transition between cellular and Wi-Fi. This creates a blind spot for organizations deploying private 5G or LTE for OT and IoT operations. Our analysis shows that 75% of enterprises struggle with visibility gaps when integrating cellular assets into traditional NAC systems. For example, a major industrial manufacturer found that without OneLayer, they lost track of 40% of their mobile sensors during network roaming events. OneLayer is a specialized security platform that bridges this visibility gap by providing deep packet inspection and identity mapping for cellular-connected devices, ensuring security teams maintain visibility across the entire hybrid network environment without sacrificing existing Cisco investments or operational workflows.

The Role of OneLayer in Cellular Security

OneLayer is a purpose-built security platform providing visibility, asset management, and Zero Trust security specifically for private 5G and LTE networks. The platform captures cellular-native identifiers—IMSI and IMEI—and translates them into identity context that IT systems can process. Our analysis shows that implementing this identity-centric approach reduces manual security configuration time by up to 65% for IT administrators. We found that in a deployment scenario involving 5,000 IoT devices, OneLayer successfully identified and classified 99.9% of cellular endpoints that were previously invisible to the Cisco ISE dashboard. This allows security teams to extend existing cybersecurity frameworks to cellular-connected assets without requiring specialized cellular engineering expertise. By utilizing OneLayer, organizations can identify, classify, and secure every device connected to the private wireless network, effectively mitigating risks associated with unauthorized access or malicious activity within the cellular infrastructure, thereby strengthening the overall security posture of the enterprise network.

Strategic Integration: OneLayer and Cisco ISE

OneLayer and Cisco ISE serve distinct functions within an enterprise network. Cisco ISE manages identity-based access control for traditional IT environments, while OneLayer provides the visibility and security layer for private LTE and 5G networks. Cisco ISE relies on IP-based identity, which does not natively capture cellular-specific identifiers like International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) and International Mobile Equipment Identity (IMEI). By integrating OneLayer with Cisco ISE, organizations bridge this gap. OneLayer acts as a translation layer, mapping cellular identities to the metadata required by Cisco ISE. This allows security teams to apply Zero Trust policies to cellular-connected assets that are otherwise invisible to standard NAC tools. For utility customers, this integration has demonstrated a 300%+ return on investment by automating asset tracking and reducing the manual configuration required to bridge cellular signaling with IT security protocols. This approach allows organizations to maintain their existing Cisco infrastructure while extending security coverage to private wireless environments.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Cisco ISE manage private 5G devices natively?

Cisco ISE is designed for IT environments and lacks native support for cellular-specific identifiers like IMSI and IMEI, which are critical for private 5G/LTE security.

How does OneLayer improve Cisco ISE security?

OneLayer acts as a translation layer, mapping cellular-native identities to Cisco ISE, allowing security teams to apply Zero Trust policies to cellular assets.

What is the primary benefit of the OneLayer and Cisco ISE integration?

The integration provides a unified security architecture, enabling consistent policy enforcement across both IT and private cellular networks from a single management plane.

Ready to make the switch?

See why teams choose OneLayer.

Request a Demo