Cisco, the global networking and security leader, kicked off an exciting event, Cisco LIVE 2023, where the worldwide Cisco community gathers to showcase the latest innovations and inspire a more inclusive future.
During the keynote speeches, Cisco’s top executives, including Chair and CEO Chuck Robbins, shared how the company is delivering groundbreaking solutions that help its partners and customers thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing world.
The company’s leadership in networking, extensive product portfolio, and strong partner ecosystem give them a unique advantage in providing the support businesses need which is needed as technologies like cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and hybrid work become the new norm, organisations.
Several Cisco customers, including Audi, Carhartt, MGM Resorts International, and the NFL, took the stage to highlight their partnerships with the brand. Cathy L. Lanier, Chief Security Officer of the NFL, emphasised how Cisco and the NFL collaborated to ensure the security of recent Super Bowl events.
“We’re thrilled to share groundbreaking innovation and a robust set of new capabilities across our
portfolio with our customers this year at Cisco Live. We believe there’s huge opportunity ahead for
Cisco, as we’re uniquely positioned to help our customers solve many of their biggest business
challenges using technology. Whether security, connectivity, applications or sustainability, Cisco is the
partner of choice to help our customers transform and adapt,” said Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of
Cisco. “Our leadership is excited to share everything our teams have been working on, as well as our
vision for Cisco’s portfolio as we strive to become simpler, more inclusive, and more sustainable.”
Cisco unveiled a range of product innovations addressing key challenges faced by businesses in today’s rapidly changing technology landscape. These technologies and innovations span networking, security, collaboration, and optimised applications. Notably, the company introduced the Cisco Networking Cloud, a platform that simplifies managing all networking domains. This cloud-based solution empowers organisations to proactively manage their networks, eliminate silos, ensure performance, and reduce the burden on IT teams.
This also forms part of the company’s strategy to help its customers simplify their IT systems, something that 85% of IT professionals have indicated, in its State of Global Innovation Report, they would like.
In the realm of security, the company unveiled enhancements such as Cisco Secure Access, a comprehensive security service edge (SSE) solution that provides frictionless access across locations, devices, and applications through a unified platform. The introduction of Secure Firewall 4200 and Cisco Multicloud Defense ensures secure connected experiences and comprehensive security across different environments. Cisco also emphasised the importance of cloud-native application security with enhanced capabilities in Panoptica, offering end-to-end protection in distributed, multicloud environments.
Furthermore, Cisco announced the general availability of its Full-Stack Observability (FSO) Platform, enabling customers to build a robust application ecosystem based on an open and extensible architecture. This platform provides actionable insights and allows for unique use cases, while the integration between AppDynamics and ThousandEyes enhances customer digital experience monitoring and observability.
The company’s commitment to AI-powered technologies was evident with the introduction of generative AI-powered summarisation capabilities in Webex, which enhances productivity and customer experience. The company also announced AI capabilities in Cisco Security Cloud, simplifying policy management, improving threat response, and reducing complexity. To support hybrid workspaces, Cisco introduced the Room Bar Pro, an AI-powered video bar for medium-sized meeting rooms.
In addition to its product innovations, the brand continues to drive customer and partner innovations. The company showcased the Cisco Stadium, demonstrating how it powers seamless fan experiences in stadiums worldwide.
The company also collaborated with Ignite Technology, Launchcode, and its Country Digital Acceleration Program (CDA) to create the Autonomous Living Project, showcasing how smart technology enables independent living for individuals with diverse abilities. Additionally, they partnered with Schneider Electric to offer smart building technology solutions, providing building owners and facility managers with greater visibility and control to optimise energy usage, reduce carbon emissions, and contribute to a more sustainable future.
The brand re-iterated its commitment to sustainability and energy efficiency by highlighting its collaborations with partners to help customers make progress towards achieving their sustainability objectives.
Leveraging AI across its networking, security, and collaboration portfolios, Cisco has a long-standing history of applying AI to various enterprise use cases. At Cisco Live, the company unveiled powerful generative AI technology aimed at boosting workforce productivity and simplicity.