Cisco 8375 Router Earns NetSecOPEN Validation for Branch Security

Cisco's 8375-E-G2 Secure Router has passed independent security validation from NetSecOPEN, the vendor-neutral organization known for testing network security devices against real-world threats. The results position the hardware as a viable option for branch offices looking to consolidate routing and firewall functions into a single platform.

The validation matters because it comes from a third party using standardized methodology—not marketing claims. NetSecOPEN follows RFC 9411, the IETF's benchmarking methodology for next-generation firewalls and intrusion prevention systems. That standard specifies how to test devices using at least 500 CVEs spanning the past decade, with enterprise workloads and current threat samples.

Test Results

NetSecOPEN measured the Cisco 8375-E-G2 with all security features enabled simultaneously—IPS, malware protection, TLS decryption, application identification, and logging. That configuration mirrors how organizations actually deploy these devices, rather than testing individual features in isolation.

The numbers came in strong:

• Intrusion Prevention Effectiveness: 99.3%
• Malware Detection Rate: 99.8%
• TLS Decryption Throughput: 1.63 Gbps
• Threat Protection Throughput: 8.01 Gbps

These metrics matter because branch security has traditionally forced a tradeoff. Organizations either accepted reduced throughput to enable deep inspection, or they turned off security features to maintain performance. The 8375-E-G2 validation suggests that compromise may not be necessary for deployments within its throughput envelope.

Why Branch Offices Are a Security Problem

Branch networks have long been the neglected stepchild of enterprise security. Remote sites often run minimal security infrastructure while generating significant revenue. The spread-out nature of branch deployments expands the attack surface through routers, servers, wireless access points, and BYOD devices that IT teams struggle to monitor effectively.

The traditional approach stacks a router and firewall as separate appliances. That creates complexity—two devices to patch, configure, and monitor. Two points of potential failure. Two sets of logs that need correlation. Organizations dealing with hundreds of branch locations face that overhead multiplied.

Cisco's pitch with the 8375 series is consolidation. Routing and next-generation firewall capabilities ship in one box, managed through a unified interface. The company claims this reduces operational costs and security gaps that emerge from device sprawl.

The approach aligns with broader industry movement toward SASE and SD-WAN architectures, where organizations are rethinking how they secure distributed networks. NetSecOPEN's validation provides independent confirmation that Cisco's hardware delivers on protection claims—at least under test conditions matching their methodology.

What NetSecOPEN Certification Actually Means

NetSecOPEN was founded in 2017 as a nonprofit focused on transparent network security testing. The organization's methodology, codified as RFC 9411, replaced the 18-year-old RFC 3511 that predated modern application-aware firewalls.

Cisco was among the first four vendors—alongside Fortinet, Palo Alto Networks, and SonicWall—to achieve NetSecOPEN certification when the program launched. This isn't their first rodeo with the testing organization.

The RFC 9411 standard requires testing with real exploit samples and malware, not synthetic traffic patterns. Test environments must be isolated, and devices must demonstrate effective detection, prevention, and reporting of defined vulnerability sets. The methodology specifically addresses next-generation firewalls and intrusion prevention systems, recognizing that modern devices do far more than simple packet filtering.

For procurement teams evaluating branch security hardware, NetSecOPEN certification provides a baseline of independent verification. The organization publishes test reports, and the methodology is open—meaning competitors can replicate results or challenge findings.

Hardware Specifications

The 8375-E-G2 is a modular platform designed for large branch deployments. Key specs include:

• Forwarding Throughput: 38 Gbps
• Security Throughput: 7 Gbps
• Connectivity: 2x 10 Gbps SFP/SFP+ ports, 4x 2.5G multigigabit RJ45 ports
• Memory: 16 GB RAM
• Module Support: 1 SM slot, 1 NIM slot

Cisco also touts post-quantum cryptography support, positioning the hardware for organizations concerned about harvest-now-decrypt-later attacks against encrypted traffic.

Context for Cisco Security

The NetSecOPEN validation arrives as Cisco continues expanding its security portfolio. Earlier this year, the company detailed its Analytics Context Engineering framework, aimed at helping AI systems process network telemetry more effectively. That work connects to the broader AgenticOps platform where autonomous systems handle operational security tasks.

Cisco's DevNet partner ecosystem has also been pushing integrations that extend security capabilities for Meraki and ISE deployments—relevant for organizations with mixed Cisco infrastructure across branch and campus environments.

Whether the 8375-E-G2 fits a particular deployment depends on factors NetSecOPEN doesn't measure: management complexity, licensing costs, integration with existing tools, and support quality. But for organizations evaluating branch security hardware, the validation at least removes one variable from the equation. The device blocks threats at the rates Cisco claims, tested under conditions designed to reflect actual enterprise use.