Advanced Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) - Profiling, Posturing, and Policy Creation with In-Depth Troubleshooting

In this Advanced Cisco Identity Services Engine (ADV-ISE) – Profiling, Posturing, and Policy Creation with In-Depth Troubleshooting 5-day advanced Cisco Identity Services Engine course is designed for experienced network and security professionals who need to design, deploy, operate, and troubleshoot complex identity-based access control solutions at scale. The course moves beyond foundational concepts and focuses on advanced profiling, posture assessment, policy creation, enforcement, automation, and integrations, emphasizing how Cisco ISE functions as the centralized policy decision point across wired, wireless, and integrated security ecosystems. Throughout the course, students learn how to accurately identify endpoints, assess device compliance, and dynamically enforce access policies based on user identity, device posture, context, and risk.

The curriculum provides deep technical coverage of advanced profiling techniques, including passive and active probes, device sensors, and custom profiling policies, ensuring accurate endpoint classification even in highly diverse environments. Posture assessment modules focus on enforcing endpoint security requirements for corporate, BYOD, and managed devices, integrating remediation workflows and MDM platforms to maintain compliance without disrupting business operations. Advanced policy modules guide students through building scalable, hierarchical policy sets using attribute-based access control, dynamic authorization, and context-aware decision-making tied to external identity sources such as Active Directory and LDAP.

The course also emphasizes real-world operational excellence through advanced integrations and automation. Students explore Cisco ISE integrations with security platforms such as Firepower, Secure Network Analytics, SIEM solutions, and third-party systems using pxGrid and REST APIs. Security Group Tags and TrustSec are covered as mechanisms for scalable segmentation and role-based enforcement across the network. Advanced troubleshooting, AI/ML-driven analytics, and performance optimization modules equip students to diagnose complex issues, interpret telemetry and logs, and scale Cisco ISE for large enterprise deployments. Extensive hands-on labs reinforce each concept, allowing students to validate designs, test enforcement, automate workflows, and troubleshoot realistic enterprise scenarios with confidence.

Why Attend with Current Technologies CLC

• Our Instructors are the top 10% rated by Cisco
• Our Lab has a dedicated 1 Gig Fiber Connection for our Labs
• Our Labs run up to Date Code for all our courses

• Advanced Profiling in Cisco ISE
• Advanced Posturing in Cisco ISE
• Policy Creation and Enforcement in Cisco ISE
• Advanced Integrations and Automation
• In-Depth Troubleshooting, AI/ML Analytics, and Best Practices

• Network Security Engineers
• Network Security Architects
• ISE Administrators
• Senior Security Operations Center (SOC) personnel responsible for Incidence Response
• Cisco Integrators and Partners

To fully benefit from this course, you should have the following knowledge:

• Familiarity with the Cisco IOS® Software Command-Line Interface (CLI) for wired and wireless devices
• Familiarity with Cisco AnyConnect® Secure Mobility Client
• Familiarity with Microsoft Windows operating systems
• Familiarity with 802.1X

Recommended Cisco offerings that may help you meet these prerequisites:

• Cisco CCNP Security Certification training
• Implementing and Configuring Cisco Identity Services Engine (SISE) V4.0

MODULE 1:  Advanced Profiling in Cisco ISE

Lesson 1: Introduction to Profiling

• Overview of Cisco ISE Profiling Services
• Importance of Profiling in Network Access Control
• Profiling Policies and Attribute Collection

Lesson 2: Profiling Techniques and Configuration

• Passive vs. Active Profiling Methods
• Device Sensor Capabilities and Probes (RADIUS, DHCP, HTTP, SNMP, NetFlow)
• Endpoint Classification and Profiling Policy Creation

Lesson 3: Profiling Enhancements and Best Practices

• Creating Custom Profiling Policies
• Tuning Profiling Accuracy and Efficiency
• Integrating Cisco ISE with Network Infrastructure for Optimal Profiling

Lesson 4: Troubleshooting Profiling Issues

• Debugging Profiling Policies
• Analyzing Live Logs and Reports
• Resolving Misclassification and Incorrect Device Profiling

MODULE 2: Advanced Posturing in Cisco ISE

Lesson 1: Introduction to Posture Assessment

• Role of Posturing in Endpoint Security
• Understanding Cisco ISE Posture Policies
• NAC Agent vs. Secure Client Posture Module

Lesson 2: Posture Configuration and Deployment

• Configuring Posture Conditions and Remediation Actions
• Deploying Posture Assessment in a Wired and Wireless Network
• Endpoint Compliance and Remediation Techniques

Lesson 3: Posturing for BYOD and Corporate Devices

• Implementing Posture Policies for BYOD and Corporate-Owned Devices
• Integrating Cisco ISE with MDM for Posture Compliance
• Automating Quarantine and Remediation Workflows

Lesson 4: Troubleshooting Posturing Issues

• Common Posturing Failures and Debugging Techniques
• Monitoring Posture Logs and Reports
• Resolving Agent Installation, Communication, and Policy Mismatch Issues

MODULE 3: Policy Creation and Enforcement in Cisco ISE

Lesson 1: Overview of Policy Creation in Cisco ISE

• Cisco ISE Policy Framework
• Authentication vs. Authorization Policies
• Creating Hierarchical Policy Structures

Lesson 2: Advanced Policy Configuration

• Configuring Policy Sets and Conditions
• Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) Implementation
• Dynamic Authorization with Change of Authorization (CoA)

Lesson 3: Adaptive Network Access Policies

• Implementing Context-Aware Policies
• Role-Based and Device-Based Policy Enforcement
• Integrating Cisco ISE with External Identity Sources (LDAP, AD, SAML)

Lesson 4: Policy Troubleshooting and Optimization

• Using Live Logs and Policy Simulation for Debugging
• Analyzing Authentication and Authorization Failures
• Optimizing Policy Efficiency and Reducing Latency

MODULE 4: Advanced Integrations and Automation

Lesson 1: Cisco ISE Integration with Third-Party Solutions

• Integrating Cisco ISE with Cisco Secure Network Analytics (Stealthwatch)
• Connecting Cisco ISE with SIEM and Threat Intelligence Platforms
• API-Based Automation for Identity and Policy Management

Lesson 2: Automating Cisco ISE Operations

• Automating Network Access Control with pxGrid and Cisco Catalyst Center
• Dynamic Policy Adjustments Based on Threat Intelligence
• Implementing REST API for ISE Management and Reporting

Lesson 3: Security Group Tags (SGT) and TrustSec Integration

• Overview of Security Group Tags (SGT) and TrustSec Framework
• Implementing SGT for Role-Based Access Control (RBAC)
• Policy Enforcement Using SGT-Based Access Controls
• Troubleshooting SGT Deployment Issues

Lesson 4: ISE with Firepower Integration

• Overview of Cisco ISE and Firepower Integration
• Configuring Firepower and ISE Integration
• Threat Detection and Dynamic Policy Enforcement
• Troubleshooting ISE and Firepower Integration

Lesson 5: ISE Use Cases

• Reviewing Complex ISE Deployments and Best Practices
• Lessons Learned from Large-Scale ISE Implementations

MODULE 5: In-Depth Troubleshooting, AI/ML Analytics, and Best Practices

Lesson 1: Advanced Troubleshooting Techniques

• Debugging Authentication and Authorization Issues
• Analyzing Logs with TACACS+, RADIUS, and Syslog
• Using the Cisco ISE CLI and Debug Commands

Lesson 2: Common Issues and Resolutions

• Addressing Profiling and Posture Failures
• Troubleshooting CoA and Policy Mismatches
• Resolving Endpoint and Device Registration Issues

Lesson 3: AI/ML Analytics in Cisco ISE

• Behavior-Based Anomaly Detection – Identifies suspicious network activity based on deviations from normal user and device behavior.
• Automated Threat Response – Enhances security by dynamically adjusting access policies based on AI-driven risk assessments.
• Enhanced Endpoint Profiling – Improves device classification accuracy using ML-based pattern recognition.
• Predictive Security Insights – Uses historical and real-time data to anticipate potential security threats before they materialize.

Lesson 4: Multi-Factor Classification in Cisco ISE

• Context-Aware Authentication – Considers multiple attributes, such as device posture, location, and user role, before granting access.
• Risk-Based Access Control – Assigns risk scores to endpoints based on behavioral analytics, compliance status, and security posture.
• Dynamic Policy Adjustments – Adapts authentication and authorization policies in real-time based on the risk assessment of the requesting entity.
• Integration with AI/ML Analytics – Uses AI-driven insights to refine classification accuracy and enhance security decision-making.

Lesson 5: Performance Optimization and Scaling Cisco ISE

• High-Availability and Redundancy Considerations
• Scaling Cisco ISE in Large Enterprise Networks
• Best Practices for Policy Optimization and Log Retention

LAB OUTLINE

Lab 0: Lab Access via View Horizon Client               

Lab 1: Cisco ISE GUI Familiarization and Initial Configuration         

Lab 2: WLC Integration and Policy Set Configuration         

Lab 3: Identity Source and Wireless Policy             

Lab 4: Wired Switch Integration and Policy Setup               

Lab 5: Create Policies for Domain Computers      

Lab 6: Create Policies for Employee         

Lab 7: Create Policies for Contractor        

Lab 8: Create Authorization Profile for Wireless Users      

Lab 9: DHCP Profiling      

Lab 10: Active Directory Profiling               

Lab 11: Block Unknown OUI Clients          

Lab 12: Block Anomalous Clients               

Lab 13: Configure Posture Compliance Services on Cisco ISE          

Lab 14: Configure Client Provisioning Portal          

Lab 15: Configure Posture Elements and Posture Policy   

Lab 16: Posture Authorization Profiles and Policy Sets      

Lab 17: Posture Compliance Configuration and Testing    

Lab 18: ISE MDM Posture             

Lab 19: ISE and FTD         

Lab 20: Adaptive Network Control Policy                

Lab 21: ISE and SNA integration 

Lab 22: ANC Global Exception Policy         

Lab 23: Test Adaptive Network Control  

Lab 24: ISE App on Splunk Enterprise       

Lab 25: ISE syslog configuration for Splunk            

Lab 26: Syslog Data on Splunk     

Lab 27: ISE Automation using APIs