Cisco today introduced a comprehensive set of innovations designed to help enterprises thrive securely in the age of artificial intelligence. As AI rapidly reshapes how businesses operate — and how cyber threats evolve — Cisco is embedding advanced security into the network itself, giving customers smarter tools to protect their data, applications, and users without added complexity.
What It Means for Customers:
Stronger protection for AI applications and models
Simpler, more scalable zero-trust security
Faster, AI-driven threat detection and response
Unified management across diverse IT environments
“AI is changing everything — including cybersecurity,” said Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco. “To stay ahead, organizations need a security approach that is built into the network, ready for AI, and capable of protecting every user, device, and application — no matter where they are.”
Key Benefits for Enterprise Customers
- Zero Trust Made Simple and Scalable
Cisco’s new Hybrid Mesh Firewall and Universal Zero Trust Network Access (ZTNA) help enterprises protect against AI-powered cyberattacks by:
Enforcing identity-based access to applications, users, and devices—including AI agents
Enabling frictionless, secure connectivity across branches, data centers, and hybrid environments
Providing centralized visibility and policy control, eliminating the need for multiple disjointed security tools
- Embedded Security for Modern Networks
Security is now seamlessly built into Cisco’s infrastructure — from switches to routers to SD-WAN — with unified management through Security Cloud Control. This includes:
Cisco Secure Firewall 6100 Series, offering the highest performance density for AI-ready data centers
Cisco Secure Firewall 200 Series, delivering affordable and advanced security for branch offices
Mesh Policy Engine, allowing consistent security rules across Cisco and third-party devices—reducing manual work and risk
- Smarter, AI-Driven Threat Detection
By integrating with Splunk, Cisco enables faster, automated threat responses. Security teams can now correlate data across platforms, detect anomalies earlier, and act before damage occurs—boosting productivity and reducing stress for IT teams.
- Future-Proof Security for Agentic AI
As businesses begin to deploy agentic AI — autonomous AI agents that act on behalf of users — Cisco is delivering:
Secure identity management and zero trust access for AI agents
Real-time tracking of agent activity
Native support for industry standards like Model Context Protocol (MCP)
This is powered by an integrated stack: Duo IAM, Cisco Identity Intelligence, Secure Access, and Cisco AI Defense — all orchestrated through a single, intuitive policy engine.
- Passwordless and Phishing-Resistant Access
Cisco is enhancing its Duo Identity and Access Management with:
Full passwordless login and proximity verification
Seamless integration into existing identity systems
Strong phishing resistance without relying on clunky hardware tokens
Cisco’s Strategy: Securing the Network from Within
Cisco’s approach is clear: security must be embedded into the network and powered by AI. Rather than layering more tools on top of existing infrastructure, Cisco is simplifying security through:
Consolidation: A unified platform for identity, access, policy, and threat detection
Integration: Embedding security features across Cisco’s networking portfolio
Innovation: Anticipating AI-driven threats and enabling secure adoption of AI technologies
“The AI era demands a new kind of security — distributed, intelligent, and seamlessly integrated,” said John Grady, Principal Analyst, Enterprise Strategy Group. “Cisco is uniquely positioned to deliver this by fusing protection directly into the fabric of modern networks.”
Bottom Line for Enterprises:
Cisco’s latest innovations enable organizations to securely embrace AI, simplify complex security operations, and future-proof their defenses — empowering security teams to act faster, scale smarter, and protect what matters most.
