Cisco NCS 5500 MACsec License for NCS 55A2 Fixed Ports
Secure your network infrastructure with the Cisco NCS 5500 MACsec License, enabling encrypted traffic for 16 fixed ports on NCS 55A2 devices to protect sensitive data.
- Enhanced Security: Enable hardware-accelerated MACsec encryption to protect data in transit.
- Compliance Assurance: Meet stringent regulatory and industry compliance requirements for data privacy.
- Operational Continuity: Ensure uninterrupted, secure network operations with reliable encryption capabilities.
- Scalable Protection: Secure critical network segments without impacting performance.
Product Overview
Product Overview
The Cisco NCS 5500 MACsec License is a platform software subscription that unlocks Media Access Control Security (MACsec) capabilities on specific Cisco NCS 5500 series routers. This license enables hardware-accelerated encryption for traffic flowing through the 16 fixed ports on the NCS 55A2 model, ensuring data confidentiality and integrity between network devices.
This licensing is designed for IT professionals and network administrators within SMBs and mid-market organizations who manage their own network infrastructure. It is crucial for environments requiring secure data transmission across network links, such as data center interconnects, campus backbones, or service provider edge deployments where data privacy is paramount.
- MACsec Encryption: Activates hardware-based encryption for Layer 2 traffic.
- NCS 55A2 Support: Specifically licensed for the NCS 55A2 fixed port models.
- Subscription Term: Provided as a subscription, ensuring access to features for a defined period.
- Data Integrity: Guarantees that data has not been tampered with during transmission.
- Confidentiality: Prevents unauthorized parties from intercepting and reading network traffic.
Secure your business's sensitive data transmissions with this essential Cisco licensing, providing enterprise-grade encryption without the complexity.
What This Enables
Enable Secure Data Transmission
Enable teams to protect sensitive data flowing between network devices by activating hardware-accelerated MACsec encryption. Streamline the process of securing network links without compromising performance.
data center interconnects, campus network backbones, secure WAN links, inter-building connectivity
Meet Regulatory Compliance
Automate compliance with industry regulations and data privacy laws that mandate encryption for data in transit. Ensure your network infrastructure adheres to strict security standards for sensitive information.
financial services networks, healthcare data links, legal firm communications, government agency data flows
Protect Against Eavesdropping
Protect against unauthorized interception and reading of network traffic by implementing robust Layer 2 encryption. Prevent data breaches and maintain the confidentiality of business communications.
high-security environments, sensitive data transmission paths, corporate network segments
Key Features
Hardware-accelerated MACsec
Provides high-performance, low-latency encryption without burdening the CPU, ensuring network speed is maintained.
Layer 2 encryption
Secures data directly at the link layer, protecting all traffic passing through the licensed ports.
Subscription-based licensing
Offers flexibility and predictable costs, allowing access to features for a defined term.
Cisco NCS 55A2 compatibility
Ensures seamless integration with specific Cisco hardware for reliable security deployment.
Data integrity and confidentiality
Guarantees that data is protected from unauthorized access and modification during transmission.
Industry Applications
Finance & Insurance
Financial institutions handle highly sensitive customer data and are subject to strict regulations like PCI DSS and GLBA, requiring robust encryption for data in transit.
Healthcare & Life Sciences
Healthcare providers must comply with HIPAA regulations, which mandate the protection of electronic protected health information (ePHI) through encryption for data transmitted over networks.
Legal & Professional Services
Law firms and professional services organizations handle confidential client information and require secure communication channels to maintain client privilege and data privacy.
Government & Public Sector
Government agencies often handle classified or sensitive citizen data and must adhere to stringent security mandates and compliance frameworks to protect information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is MACsec?
MACsec (Media Access Control Security) is a standard for securing communications at the Ethernet (Layer 2) level. It provides data integrity, data confidentiality, and data origin authentication.
What does this license enable on the Cisco NCS 55A2?
This license enables hardware-accelerated MACsec encryption for the 16 fixed ports on the Cisco NCS 55A2 router. It allows you to secure traffic flowing through these ports.
Is this a perpetual or subscription license?
This is a subscription-based license, meaning you have access to the MACsec features for a defined term as specified by the subscription agreement.
Deployment & Support
Deployment Complexity
Medium — IT-assisted
Fulfillment
Digital Delivery
License keys / portal provisioning
Support Model
Zent Networks Managed
Renewal, add-license, and lifecycle management included
Subscription Terms
Cancellation
Cancel anytime — no charge on next cycle
You may cancel this subscription at any time. Cancellation takes effect at the end of the current billing period. You will not be charged for the following billing cycle. Access remains active through the end of the paid term.
Returns
Subscription licenses are non-refundable
Digital software licenses and SaaS subscriptions cannot be returned once activated or provisioned. Contact a Zent Networks account manager if you have questions before purchasing.