Cisco Meraki
By Cisco
The typical implementation process for Cisco Meraki software follows these steps:
Initial Assessment: Understand the network needs and scope.
Hardware Installation: Deploy Meraki hardware (switches, access points, etc.).
Cloud Dashboard Setup: Configure the Meraki cloud dashboard for centralized management.
Network Configuration: Set up SSIDs, security policies, and network rules.
Testing and Optimization: Validate network performance and security.
Training and Support: Provide user training on the dashboard.
Duration: Implementation can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the complexity.
Cisco Meraki can be highly customized to fit specific business needs:
Open-Source APIs: The use of open-source APIs allows businesses to tailor the network to their specific requirements, making it more manageable and structured.
Meraki Marketplace: Businesses can engage with the Meraki Marketplace, which offers an extensive library of apps that can be integrated into the network to enhance functionality and meet unique business needs.
Cisco Meraki involve several additional costs, including:
Setup Fees: Initial setup fees may be required for deploying the network infrastructure and configuring the Meraki dashboard.
Maintenance Charges: Ongoing maintenance charges to ensure the network remains secure and up to date.
Support Charges: Fees for technical support and customer service, which may vary based on the level of support required.
Cisco Meraki offers a comprehensive range of training and support options for new users:
Training Courses:
Online Courses: Platforms like Udemy offer various courses on Cisco Meraki, covering topics from basic setup to advanced network management.
Meraki Learning Hub: Provides self-paced and instructor-led training on deploying, managing, and troubleshooting Meraki products.
Engineering Cisco Meraki Solutions (ECMS): This course prepares users for roles focused on implementing, securing, and managing Cisco Meraki networks. It also helps in preparing for the Cisco Meraki Solution Specialist certification.
Support Options:
24/7 Technical Support: Available to Enterprise customers for resolving network issues and answering technical questions.
Online Case Submission: Users can submit cases directly within the Meraki Dashboard for quick resolution.
Phone Support: Available for high-impact issues, with region-specific phone numbers provided in the Dashboard.
Community Support: The Meraki Community allows users to discuss issues, share experiences, and get help from other Meraki users and experts.
Data Protection and Privacy:
Data Encryption: All data, including telemetry data, is encrypted to ensure confidentiality.
Two-Factor Authentication: Enforced for dashboard access and other critical operations.
Compliance with Regulations: Meraki complies with major security standards and regulations such as GDPR, HIPAA, PCI DSS, and more.
Physical and Operational Security:
Secure Data Centers: Physical access to data centers is highly restricted and monitored with biometric readers and real-time surveillance.
Role-Based Access Control: Access to Meraki cloud servers and databases is restricted based on business needs and enforced with two-factor authentication.
Firmware and Software Security:
Secure Boot and Firmware Signing: Ensures the integrity of hardware and software.
Regular Security Audits: Daily third-party vulnerability scans and penetration testing.
Update Frequency:
Quarterly Releases: On average, Meraki deploys a new firmware version once a quarter for each product family.
Management Tools:
Dashboard Management: The Meraki Dashboard allows administrators to manage firmware versions, schedule updates, and view detailed patch notes.
Staged Upgrades: Administrators can perform staged upgrades, allowing for a phased approach to updating large networks.
Rollback Options: Recent upgrades can be rolled back directly from the dashboard if issues are encountered.
Automated Updates:
Zero-Touch Provisioning: Devices can be updated automatically without manual intervention, ensuring they are always running the latest stable firmware.
Data Access and Portability:
Meraki customers can utilize features in the dashboard to export personal data, ensuring they have access to their information and can move it as needed.
The platform supports the "right to be forgotten," allowing customers to delete personal data stored in the dashboard, either for their own organization or in response to requests from users of their networks.
Data Hosting Visibility:
When creating a new account, customers can select the region where their data will be stored. The dashboard displays the hosting region on every page for verification.
Consent Tools:
Enhanced splash page functionality allows Meraki customers to provide notice to, and obtain any necessary consents from, users of their networks for the collection, processing, and storage of personal data.
Tracking Privacy-Related Requests:
Cisco Meraki's cloud-based architecture is designed to be highly scalable, allowing organizations to easily adjust their network resources as their needs change:
Seamless Addition of New Devices: Meraki devices can be automatically added and configured to the network with Zero Touch Provisioning, simplifying the process of scaling up.
Multi-Location Support: The Meraki dashboard allows for centralized management of all branches, offices, or remote locations from a single interface, regardless of geographic distance.
Future-Proofed Network: The cloud architecture is designed to handle large networks with thousands of devices, eliminating the need for hardware upgrades as the network expands. This reduces costs and simplifies management.
Cloning and Template-Based Networks: For large deployments, Meraki supports cloning networks and using configuration templates. This allows for consistent and efficient network setup across multiple sites, saving time and reducing errors.
API Integration: Meraki's open APIs allow for custom solutions and automation, enabling organizations to tailor their network management to specific needs and scale operations efficiently.
Contract Renewal
Automatic Renewal: Cisco Meraki contracts typically auto-renew after the initial term unless the customer opts out. The renewal term is indicated on the order. Customers must notify Cisco in writing at least 30 days before the end of the current term if they do not wish to renew.
Fee Changes: Cisco will notify customers in advance of any fee changes for the upcoming renewal term. If the customer does not accept the new fees, they must notify Cisco in writing at least 30 days before the renewal date, and the subscription will terminate at the end of the current term.
Grace Period: After the license expiration, there is a 30-day grace period during which the network remains functional. If the license is not renewed within this period, the network will cease to function.
Contract Cancellation
Non-Cancellable Orders:
Effective January 30, 2022, all new orders for Cisco and Meraki hardware, and any attached software, are non-cancellable and cannot be modified starting 45 days prior to the current estimated ship date. This policy does not impact license-only orders.
Refund Requests: Refund requests for license-only orders must be submitted within 30 days of purchase. The product must be in new condition, including all accessories and original packaging. For Meraki Subscription Licensing, refunds will be prorated based on the subscription activation date.
Termination for Breach: If a party materially breaches the agreement and does not cure the breach within 30 days after receiving written notice, the non-breaching party may terminate the agreement for cause. Cisco may immediately terminate the agreement if specific sections are breached, such as those related to usage rights and export compliance.
Suspension: Cisco may immediately suspend usage rights if certain sections of the agreement are breached, such as those related to usage rights, cloud services, and export compliance.
Return Policy: For product trials, returns must be processed through the trial web page, and the return shipping label can be printed for free shipping back to Cisco Meraki. Warranty returns are processed as per Cisco policy, and advance replacement orders usually ship within one business day.
GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation): Meraki complies with the GDPR, which governs the collection, processing, and protection of personal data for individuals within the European Union (EU). Meraki provides tools and features to help customers meet their GDPR obligations, such as data portability, consent management, and the ability to delete personal data.
HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act): Meraki is HIPAA-compliant, allowing healthcare organizations to securely manage and protect electronic protected health information (ePHI). Meraki's security measures, such as data encryption, access controls, and auditing capabilities, help customers meet HIPAA requirements.
PCI DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard): Meraki is compliant with PCI DSS, which is a set of security standards designed to ensure the secure handling of payment card data. Meraki's compliance with PCI DSS enables customers in the retail and e-commerce sectors to securely process and transmit payment card data.
ISO 27001 (Information Security Management System): Meraki's information security management system is certified to the ISO 27001 standard, which outlines best practices for establishing, implementing, maintaining, and continually improving an information security management system.
SOC 2 (Service Organization Control): Meraki undergoes annual SOC 2 audits to ensure the security, availability, and confidentiality of its cloud services. The SOC 2 report provides assurance to customers that Meraki's systems and processes meet the Trust Services Criteria for security, availability, and confidentiality.
FIPS 140-2 (Federal Information Processing Standard): Meraki's cryptographic modules are validated to the FIPS 140-2 standard, which is a U.S. government computer security standard used to approve cryptographic modules. This compliance ensures that Meraki's encryption algorithms and key management processes meet stringent security requirements.
