The Hidden Costs of AI Agents: Why Observability Is Becoming Essential in the AI Era

Artificial intelligence agents are rapidly transforming how organizations operate, helping automate workflows, improve customer experiences, accelerate software development, and support business decision-making.

However, as enterprises race to deploy increasingly sophisticated AI systems, a new challenge is emerging: managing the unpredictability, costs, risks, and performance of these autonomous agents.

According to Cisco's Splunk State of Observability 2026: Restoring Predictability in the AI Era report, businesses worldwide are struggling to balance the promise of AI with the practical realities of monitoring and controlling it. The study highlights a growing need for what experts call "agent observability" - the ability to monitor, measure, and govern AI agents effectively.

AI Adoption Is Outpacing AI Oversight

Organizations are increasingly deploying AI agents to perform tasks that were once handled exclusively by humans. These agents can assist with software development, customer service, troubleshooting, and operational management.

Yet many companies are discovering that while AI deployment is accelerating, visibility into how these systems behave is not keeping pace.

The research found that 87% of respondents consider monitoring AI systems a priority, but more than half lack clearly defined business outcomes linked to those monitoring efforts. Additionally, 56% say they cannot effectively measure critical AI workload metrics, such as large language model (LLM) response quality.

This disconnect presents a serious challenge. Unlike traditional software applications, AI agents can make autonomous decisions, interact with multiple systems, and influence business outcomes in ways that are not always predictable. Without proper visibility, organizations may struggle to identify errors, assess performance, or understand why an AI system behaves unexpectedly.

The Rise of Agent Observability

Observability has traditionally been used to help organizations monitor applications, networks, and IT infrastructure. In the age of AI, observability is evolving into something much broader.

Agent observability focuses on understanding not just whether an AI system is functioning, but how it is making decisions, whether its outputs are accurate, and whether it is delivering business value.

Organizations increasingly recognize the importance of monitoring AI hallucinations and model quality, though many still struggle to do so effectively.

This new discipline requires businesses to move beyond technical metrics and begin tracking behavioral indicators that connect AI actions directly to business outcomes. Such visibility makes it possible to evaluate whether AI agents are contributing to productivity, customer satisfaction, revenue growth, or operational efficiency.

AI's Growing Cost Problem

One of the report's most striking findings concerns the financial impact of AI adoption. The challenge is not simply that AI can be expensive. Rather, organizations are increasingly worried about unpredictable costs and unexpected billing spikes.

More than half of surveyed organizations said they cannot adequately control AI-related expenses. Additionally, 60% reported that surprise billing increases create greater operational strain than consistently high costs.

Key Factors Driving AI Cost Challenges

• AI agents often operate across multiple models and platforms.
• Usage patterns can fluctuate significantly.
• Growing AI deployments generate massive quantities of telemetry and monitoring data.
• Cost attribution becomes difficult when numerous AI services interact simultaneously.

For many enterprises, the volume of monitoring data itself has become a significant expense. In fact, 57% of respondents said telemetry costs exceeded the cost of the infrastructure being monitored.

These findings suggest that managing AI economics may soon become as important as managing AI performance.

Why Observability Matters for Financial Control

The report argues that observability is emerging as a crucial mechanism for financial governance in AI environments.

When organizations have clear visibility into AI activity, they can:

• Understand which agents and workloads are consuming resources.
• Track model usage and efficiency.
• Identify cost anomalies before they escalate.
• Align AI spending with measurable business outcomes.
• Make more informed investment decisions.

Observability effectively transforms AI spending from a largely unpredictable expense into a managed business investment. By connecting operational data with financial metrics, leaders gain better control over AI economics and can justify future AI initiatives based on measurable returns.

Security and Observability Are Converging

Another major theme emerging from the research is the growing relationship between observability and cybersecurity.

As AI agents gain access to business systems, applications, and data sources, the distinction between performance monitoring and security oversight becomes increasingly blurred.

Organizations must not only ensure that agents function correctly but also verify that they have not been compromised and are operating within approved boundaries.

The study found that 81% of respondents believe monitoring AI workloads has increased collaboration between observability and security teams. It also revealed rising levels of data sharing and joint troubleshooting between these functions.

This collaboration reflects a broader industry shift. AI costsTheir monitoring frameworks provide a comprehensive picture of AI operations.

3. They Connect Data to Business Impact

Leaders treat telemetry and observability insights as strategic planning tools rather than purely technical resources. Monitoring data helps guide investment decisions and business strategy.

The benefits are substantial:

• More accurate AI cost attribution.
• Stronger returns on observability investments.
• Greater measurable business value.
• Improved collaboration between observability and security teams.
• Faster identification of performance and security issues.

Global Trends Highlight Different Priorities

The research examined organizations across Australia, France, Germany, India, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

While concerns around AI monitoring and cost predictability were common across all regions, some countries demonstrated unique strengths.

• India stood out for advanced AI monitoring capabilities and stronger effectiveness in tracking AI model quality.
• United Kingdom organizations showed high levels of AI agent adoption alongside significant concern about unintended AI consequences.
• Saudi Arabia demonstrated particularly strong optimism regarding AI-driven innovation.
• Germany placed a high priority on AI privacy visibility.

These regional differences suggest that while AI adoption is a global phenomenon, the challenges and priorities associated with observability vary according to local business environments and regulatory expectations.

The Future: Trust Through Visibility

The rapid rise of AI agents is creating both extraordinary opportunities and significant operational challenges.

Organizations are no longer focused solely on deploying AI. Increasingly, they are asking whether AI systems can be trusted, measured, governed, and controlled.

The findings point to a clear conclusion: as AI systems become more autonomous, observability will become a foundational business capability rather than a purely technical/> In the coming years, the companies that succeed with AI may not be those that deploy the most agents, but those that can understand, monitor, and govern them most effectively. Observability appears set to become the key discipline that turns AI from an unpredictable experiment into a reliable and accountable business asset.

Cisco and KETS Bring Quantum Security to the World’s Networks

Cisco has officially integrated KETS Quantum Security’s chip-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) into its IOS XR routing infrastructure, delivering end-to-end quantum‑safe encryption for enterprise and critical infrastructure networks. This marks a major milestone in practical deployment of quantum‑resilient networking.

For several years, Cisco and its partners have been advancing distributed quantum networking, aiming to lay the foundation for a quantum internet that could emerge in the late 2030s—an ecosystem defined by interconnected quantum computers, sensors, and secure communications.

The company views today’s quantum systems as impressive but constrained, operating at hundreds of qubits, while real‑world applications in healthcare, finance, and aerospace will demand millions of qubits to unlock unprecedented speed and breakthroughs. Cisco emphasizes that networking and connectivity are essential to bridging this gap, underscoring that the quantum future will be built not by a single company or technology, but by interconnecting diverse systems.

Meanwhile, KETS Quantum Security positions itself as the UK’s most commercially advanced provider of chip‑based quantum‑safe encryption, with a mission to deliver scalable, cost‑effective QKD services for practical deployment. Its QKD system, built on photonic chip technology, enables the generation and distribution of encryption keys secured by the laws of quantum physics. These keys safeguard critical data against advanced computing threats, ensuring long‑term security in an increasingly complex cyber landscape.  

Key Highlights of the Cisco–KETS Integration

• Technology: KETS’ chip‑based QKD system built on photonic chips, enabling secure encryption keys generated by quantum physics.
• Integration: Works seamlessly with Cisco IOS XR routers using MACsec (Media Access Control Security).
• Demonstration: Showed automatic key exchange and encryption without disrupting performance.
• Security Benefits: Quantum resistance, automated key refresh, reduced hardware footprint.
• Compatibility: Operationally compatible with existing enterprise and carrier infrastructure.

Comparative Context

Feature	Cisco + KETS QKD	Conventional Encryption
Key Security	Quantum physics‑secured keys	Mathematical hardness assumptions
Integration	Seamless with IOS XR + MACsec	Classical MACsec only
Performance Impact	No disruption in throughput	Minimal but vulnerable to quantum attacks
Hardware Footprint	Chip‑scale, compact	Larger, more complex
Future Resilience	Resistant to quantum computers	Breakable once large‑scale quantum computers arrive

Strategic Significance

• Enterprise & Critical Infrastructure: Protects sensitive data in finance, telecom, government, and defense sectors.
• Regulatory Pressure: Growing mandates for quantum‑safe solutions make this integration timely.
• Global Context: Builds on Cisco’s earlier QKD support in IOS XR and KETS’ QKD v2.0 unit.
• India’s Relevance: Could accelerate adoption in defense, fintech, and healthcare sectors.

Risks & Challenges

• Prototype Stage: Widespread deployment will require further testing.
• Integration Complexity: Enterprises must adapt workflows to quantum‑ready systems.
• Evolving Standards: Global quantum networking standards are still under development.
• Cost Considerations: Scaling across networks may still be capital‑intensive.

Cisco Retires Azure Local Bundles, No Direct Replacement Offered

Cisco has officially announced the End-of-Sale (October 24, 2026) and End-of-Life (January 24, 2027 last ship date) for its Compute and Azure Local Bundles, with no direct replacement offered. Customers are advised to explore alternative hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solutions with Cisco Compute.

Cisco quietly disclosed in its July 24 End‑of‑Life and End‑of‑Sale notice that it will stop selling Azure Local bundles in October. The company confirmed it will not provide a direct replacement, but urged customers to explore alternative HCI solutions built on Cisco Compute.

Cisco Compute and Azure Local Bundles are integrated hyperconverged infrastructure (HCI) solutions that combine Cisco UCS servers, networking, and Microsoft’s Azure Local operating system to deliver on‑premises mycloud‑like environments with hybrid connectivity to Azure. They are now being retired, with no direct replacement.

Key Dates 

Milestone	Definition	Date
End-of-Life Announcement	Public release of EoL notice	July 24, 2026
End-of-Sale Date	Last day to order via Cisco	October 24, 2026
Last Ship Date	Final possible shipment	January 24, 2027

Affected Products

• UCS-MAH-B00R00-M6 — Microsoft Azure Stack MX HCI Bundle
• UCS-MAN-S71A2T0V0 — AzureStack HCI CTO Node C240 M7sn w/Mellanox
• UCS-MAN-S72A2T0V0 — AzureStack HCI CTO Node C220 M7sn w/Mellanox

👉 Cisco has stated no direct replacement exists for these bundles. Customers should evaluate alternative HCI solutions within Cisco Compute.

Why Cisco is Retiring Azure Local Bundles

• Microsoft hardware policy changes: Microsoft no longer supports “Validated Nodes” for Azure Local, requiring vendors to adopt Premier or Integrated Solutions. Cisco chose not to adapt.
• Strategic shift: Cisco has already exited its HyperFlex HCI line (2023) and now recommends Nutanix for customers needing HCI.
• Market positioning: Cisco remains a niche player in x86 servers and is focusing on Compute + networking integration rather than competing directly in sovereign cloud/HCI stacks.

Customer Options

• Cisco Takeback and Recycle Program: Helps businesses dispose of surplus hardware responsibly.
• Migration to Cisco Compute: Cisco encourages evaluation of other HCI solutions integrated with its Compute portfolio.
• Third-party HCI alternatives: Nutanix and other vendors remain viable options for enterprises needing hybrid cloud flexibility.

Risks & Considerations

• Support continuity: Customers with active contracts will continue to receive support until the EoL milestone.
• No direct replacement: Migration planning is essential; enterprises should avoid last-minute transitions.
• Microsoft dependency: Azure Local’s evolving requirements may limit flexibility for organizations tied to Cisco hardware.

Cisco Compute and Azure Local Bundles gave enterprises a consistent Azure environment across cloud and on‑premises, backed by Cisco’s hardware reliability and Microsoft’s software stack. Their retirement means customers must now plan migrations to either Cisco Compute alternatives or third‑party HCI vendors like Nutanix.

Cisco’s AI Scans 1.8 Billion Lines of Code in Just Eight Weeks, Redefining Enterprise Cybersecurity

Cisco has compressed eight years of manual security research into just eight weeks by scanning 1.8 billion lines of code with AI, achieving unprecedented scale, speed, and accuracy. This breakthrough sets a new benchmark for enterprise cybersecurity and raises expectations across the industry.

Notably, several other companies have deployed AI to scan massive codebases, though Cisco’s 1.8 billion‑line achievement is among the largest. Firms like GitHub, Amazon, Checkmarx, and Snyk have rolled out AI‑native security scanning platforms that handle millions to billions of lines of code across enterprise portfolios.

Cisco’s AI Milestone in Cybersecurity

Cisco has compressed eight years of manual security research into just eight weeks by scanning 1.8 billion lines of code with AI, achieving unprecedented scale, speed, and accuracy. This breakthrough sets a new benchmark for enterprise cybersecurity and raises expectations across the industry.

The Problem Cisco Tackled

For decades, cybersecurity teams faced two major limitations:

• Selective scanning: Teams had to prioritize modules based on risk, leaving large portions of code unexamined.
• Noise overload: Static analysis tools often produced one useful finding for every 10,000 warnings, forcing teams into endless triage cycles.

This meant adversaries could exploit vulnerabilities in “unscanned” areas, while defenders struggled to separate signal from noise.

Cisco’s Approach

Cisco embedded years of domain knowledge from its Advanced Security Initiatives Group into a rigorous orchestration harness. The AI models acted as accelerants, but the harness was the engine ensuring consistency, quality, and independence from any single model. Tested across six frontier AI systems — including Claude Mythos Preview and GPT 5.5-Cyber — the framework achieved a false positive rate under 3%, a dramatic improvement over traditional tools.

Aspect	Traditional Approach	Cisco AI Approach
Timeframe	8 years	8 weeks
Scope	Selective modules	Entire codebase
Noise	High false positives	<3% false positives
Tools	Manual red teaming, static analysis	Frontier LLMs + orchestration harness
Impact	Limited visibility	Enterprise-wide vulnerability detection

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Strategic Implications

• Industry Benchmark: Cisco’s success establishes a new baseline for what large enterprises can achieve with AI-assisted code review.
• Regulatory Pressure: Auditors and insurers may now expect similar AI-driven reviews, raising the bar for defensible security postures.
• Security Debt Reduction: Enterprises with legacy codebases can accelerate vulnerability detection and remediation.
• Autonomous Defense: The achievement aligns with DARPA’s AI Cyber Challenge, moving closer to autonomous cyber defense systems.

Risks and Challenges

• Adoption Complexity: Integrating AI into legacy workflows requires cultural and technical adaptation.
• Model Dependence: Effectiveness depends on orchestration harnesses, not raw model power alone.
• Industry Scrutiny: Organizations delaying audits may face increased regulatory and reputational risk.

Conclusion

Cisco’s AI-powered code scan is more than a speed record — it is a structural shift in cybersecurity assurance. By proving that billions of lines of code can be scanned quickly and accurately, Cisco has set a precedent that regulators, insurers, and competitors will likely adopt as the new standard. 

Cisco Deploys AI Agents to All 90,000 Employees, Pioneering Enterprise-Wide Intelligence

Cisco is rolling out personalized AI agents to all 90,000 employees starting August 2026, marking one of the largest enterprise AI deployments globally. Each employee will get an AI assistant designed to handle tasks, answer questions, and route requests to the most efficient model, with a strong focus on cost control and efficiency.

To recall, earlier in May Accenture rolled out Microsoft Copilot to its entire global workforce of about 743,000 employees, making this the largest enterprise AI deployment to date.

Cisco is positioning itself as an AI-native enterprise, embedding intelligence across finance, customer experience, and operations.

Key Highlights of Cisco’s AI Rollout

• Scale of Deployment: Every one of Cisco’s 90,000 employees will receive a personalized AI agent beginning August 2026.
• Efficiency Focus: Cisco’s system dynamically selects the most appropriate model for each task to minimize token usage and costs.
• On-Premises Infrastructure: Much of the AI stack is hosted internally, giving Cisco tighter control over expenses and data security.
• Upskilling Programs: The rollout will be paired with training and knowledge-sharing initiatives to help employees adapt and experiment with AI.
• Finance Use Case: AI already drafts 80–90% of Cisco’s Management Discussion & Analysis (MD&A) filings and supports investor relations with predictive insights.

Cisco’s AI Strategy vs Industry Peers

Company	Scale of Deployment	AI Focus	Unique Approach
Cisco	90,000 employees	Efficiency, cost control	Dynamic model selection, on-premises infra
Accenture	743,000 employees	Generative AI at scale	Microsoft Copilot across workforce
Tata Steel	300+ AI agents	Industrial efficiency	Zen AI & Tata Steel Digital Assistant
Wipro	Global talent pool	Claude model integration	Forward Deployed Engineers
TCS	AI-led services strategy	Infrastructure to Intelligence	End-to-end AI transformation

Challenges & Risks

• Adoption Pain: Cisco executives describe scaling AI across a large enterprise as “surgery without the drugs,” highlighting the difficulty of embedding AI into legacy workflows.
• Token Costs: Complex agent workflows can consume hundreds of thousands to millions of tokens, making efficiency critical.
• Cultural Shift: Employees must adapt to “AI-native” ways of working, which may expose inefficiencies in existing processes.

Strategic Implications

• Cisco’s rollout positions it as a major AI-native enterprise, embedding intelligence across finance, customer experience, and operations.
• The initiative reflects a broader industry trend: AI agents are moving beyond chatbots to handle multi-step workflows, predictive analytics, and decision support.
• Internal competition and experimentation are expected to drive innovation, as teams discover new applications for AI.

NetApp and Cisco Collaboration Strengthens Defense-in-Depth for Enterprise Cyber Resilience

• New NetApp Splunk SOAR playbook helps contain ransomware attacks and limit data loss

NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), the Intelligent Data Infrastructure company, and Cisco, (NASDAQ: CSCO) today announced an expansion of their collaboration to help customers strengthen defense-in-depth strategies for customers. Combining Intelligent Data Infrastructure with advanced analytics and observability capabilities, NetApp and Splunk have delivered deep, real-time visibility into storage and infrastructure health. Together, they are helping customers turn operational data into actionable insights that improve reliability, security, and business outcomes. By expanding their collaboration with the new NetApp Splunk Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) playbook, NetApp and Splunk are helping joint customers contain ransomware attacks and limit data loss at the storage layer, enhancing the containment of the blast radius of cyberattacks while increasing the speed and reducing the cost of recovery.

“With AI accelerating both the speed and sophistication of cyberattacks, the window to respond has never been smaller,” said Sandeep Singh, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Platform at NetApp. “To limit the cost and impact of ransomware, organizations must act the moment a threat is detected, which means extending security automation into the storage layer where data lives. As the company delivering the most secure storage on the planet, NetApp is uniquely positioned to make storage an active part of a defense-in-depth strategy. By working with Cisco to enable Splunk SOAR workflows to take direct action on data stored in NetApp ONTAP®, we’re helping make a defense-in-depth security strategy simpler and more effective.”

To give customers the resiliency and flexibility they need to protect their data, Cisco and NetApp are releasing the NetApp Splunk SOAR playbook. Splunk Enterprise Security is already integrated with NetApp Ransomware Resilience to collect analytics from the data layer, enhancing incident triage and prioritization. With the new playbook, Splunk SOAR users can now use those signals as well as signals from other solutions to automatically take incident response actions directly on NetApp ONTAP storage as an integral part of their incident response. These actions include blocking a suspicious user, taking snapshots of the data and taking data volumes offline to protect against further infection. As a result, customers will be better able to contain ransomware attacks and limit data loss at the storage layer. Utilized as part of the organization’s defense in depth security strategy, the NetApp Splunk SOAR playbooks help to strengthen collaboration between security and storage teams.

Automating the response and recovery actions against cyber threats with the NetApp Splunk SOAR playbook improves security team metrics like mean time to contain (MTTC) and reduces the manual effort and skills required to protect data. As a result, NetApp and Cisco are making it faster and more efficient for enterprises to achieve cyber resilience.

“Effective security strategies require visibility and action across the entire technology stack, including the data layer,” said David Dalling, GVP, Splunk Security at Cisco. “With the new NetApp Splunk SOAR playbook, ONTAP storage becomes an active participant in the security ecosystem, enabling organizations to contain threats directly targeting enterprise data. By connecting NetApp storage into Splunk SOAR workflows, we’re helping security and storage teams collaborate more seamlessly and respond to incidents with greater speed and confidence.”

“The partnership between Splunk and NetApp helps customers run their businesses more securely and effectively, connecting operations across storage and security teams,” said Dallas Olson, Chief Commercial Officer at NetApp. “By giving customers real-time visibility into what’s happening across their environments, NetApp and Splunk enable enterprises to reduce disruption and optimize performance so they can use their data to drive measurable business outcomes.”

The NetApp Splunk SOAR playbook is now available to download from SplunkBase.

Additional Resources Cyber Resilience: The Most Secure Storage on the Planet
Ransomware Resilience: Ransomware Protection Using AI-Based Detection

About NetApp

For more than three decades, NetApp has helped the world’s leading organizations navigate change – from the rise of enterprise storage to the intelligent era defined by data and AI. Today, NetApp is the Intelligent Data Infrastructure company, helping customers turn data into a catalyst for innovation, resilience, and growth.

At the heart of that infrastructure is the NetApp data platform – the unified, enterprise-grade, intelligent foundation that connects, protects, and activates data across every cloud, workload, and environment. Built on the proven power of NetApp ONTAP, our leading data management software and OS, and enhanced by automation through the AI Data Engine and AFX, it delivers observability, resilience, and intelligence at scale

Disaggregated by design, the NetApp data platform separates storage, services, and control so enterprises can modernize faster, scale efficiently, and innovate without lock-in. As the only enterprise storage platform natively embedded in the world’s largest clouds, it gives organizations the freedom to run any workload anywhere with consistent performance, governance, and protection.

With NetApp, data is always ready – ready to defend against threats, ready to power AI, and ready to drive the next breakthrough. That’s why the world’s most forward-thinking enterprises trust NetApp to turn intelligence into advantage.

About Cisco

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital resilience. With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco.

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco’s trademarks can be found at http://www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word ‘partner’ does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

Tech Mahindra, Cisco Unveil Cyber Resilience Fabric for Unified Enterprise Security

Tech Mahindra and Cisco have jointly launched the Cyber Resilience Fabric, a next‑generation enterprise security solution integrating Cisco’s Splunk Enterprise Security with Tech Mahindra’s Risk Scoring platform.

Cyber Resilience Fabric empowers enterprises to move beyond traditional alert triage toward risk‑aligned, Business driven security decisions. By embedding intelligence‑based prioritization into workflows, it enhances early threat detection, precise response, and resilient recovery of mission‑critical services. The solution addresses a pressing industry challenge—expanding attack surfaces and rising operational complexity—while enabling faster, more effective incident management. 

Key Technical Features

• Unified Visibility: Aggregates alerts from diverse sources—network traffic, application logs, endpoint activity, cloud workloads, and identity systems—into one operational layer. 
• Splunk Integration: Uses Cisco’s Splunk Enterprise Security for real‑time monitoring and analytics. Cisco’s Splunk Enterprise Security ingest and normalize massive volumes of security data.  
• Risk Scoring: Tech Mahindra’s proprietary platform applies contextual risk prioritization to security events.
• AI‑Driven Analytics: Applies machine learning to distinguish genuine threats from operational noise. Enhances triage accuracy, reduces operational noise, and accelerates incident response.
• Decision Support: Enables proactive, risk‑led decision‑making instead of reactive alert management.

Strategic Benefits

• For CISOs/CIOs/CTOs: Provides deeper visibility into cyber risk posture, governance alignment, and compliance.
• Operational Efficiency: Reduces alert fatigue and fragmented SOC responses.
• Resilience Focus: Shifts security from attack prevention to operational continuity during and after attacks.
• Automation: Embeds intelligence‑driven prioritisation into workflows for faster incident management.

Comparative Context

Feature	Cyber Resilience Fabric	Traditional SOC Tools
Integration	Splunk + Risk Scoring	Standalone monitoring
Analytics	AI‑assisted, contextual	Rule‑based, static
Risk Prioritisation	Business‑aligned	Alert‑centric
Visibility	Unified across infra	Fragmented
Response	Faster, risk‑led	Slower, reactive

Risks & Considerations

• Adoption Complexity: Enterprises must integrate existing SOC workflows with the new unified fabric.
• Data Governance: Ensuring compliance with sector‑specific regulations.
• Operational Change: Requires cultural shift from alert‑driven to risk‑driven security operations.

Saket Singh, SVP & Business Head – Digital Core Services (Cloud, Infrastructure, Network and Cyber Security Services), Tech Mahindra, said, “In today’s hyper-connected enterprise landscape, the growing scale and sophistication of cyber threats are overwhelming traditional security operations, often leading to delayed detection and fragmented response. Through our partnership with Cisco, we are addressing this challenge by combining contextual risk intelligence with AI-driven analytics to help enterprises move from reactive alert management to proactive, risk-led decisioning. Cyber Resilience Fabric will enable faster detection, prioritized response, and stronger operational resilience.”

Shannon Leininger, SVP, Global Partner Sales & Splunk Channel Chief, Cisco, said, “The convergence of data, AI, and security is non-negotiable for modern enterprises. By integrating Splunk’s and Tech Mahindra’s unique capabilities, we are accelerating our customers' ability to prioritize effectively and automate their defense, delivering real, measurable digital resilience.”

Cisco Open-Sources Foundry Security Spec: Agentic AI Framework for Verifiable Cybersecurity

Cisco has open-sourced its Foundry Security Spec, a blueprint for AI-powered cybersecurity evaluation that helps organizations move from noisy, unverifiable alerts to structured, auditable security findings.

This initiative is designed to counter machine-speed vulnerabilities introduced by frontier AI models and empower defenders globally.  

What Is the Foundry Security Spec?

• Open-source specification for building agentic security evaluation systems.
• Model-agnostic and stack-neutral → works with any large language model (LLM) or infrastructure.
• Published as two artifacts:
  • Spec.md → defines 8 core agent roles, 5 extension roles, ~130 functional requirements.
  • Constitution.md → 11 inviolable principles tied to real-world failures Cisco encountered.

Why It Matters

• Traditional “find and patch” cycles can’t keep pace with attackers exploiting vulnerabilities at machine speed.
• Frontier LLMs often produce hallucinated findings and unbounded outputs.
• Foundry’s solution: Wraps AI models in orchestration, roles, and guardrails → ensures bounded, prioritized, verifiable findings with clear “done” signals.

How Defenders Can Use It

• Integration with GitHub’s spec-kit → enables spec-driven workflows.
• Pairing with Project CodeGuard → creates a detection-to-prevention flywheel:
  • Foundry’s exploratory agents detect novel vulnerabilities.
  • CodeGuard rules generalize these into reusable protections.
  • Future scans catch entire bug classes upfront, preventing issues at the keystroke.

Key Features at a Glance

Feature	Benefit
Agent roles	Structured orchestration for detection, validation, reporting
Constitution principles	Guardrails based on real-world failures
Auditable provenance	Traceable chain from detection to publication
Coverage signals	Clear thresholds for completion
Model-agnostic design	Works across Anthropic’s Mythos, OpenAI GPT-5.5-Cyber, and future LLMs

Global Impact

• Collaborative defense: Cisco emphasizes cybersecurity as a “team sport.”
• Standardization trend: Aligns with initiatives like OpenAI’s Daybreak, signaling shared benchmarks in AI security.
• Community-driven: Available on GitHub, inviting contributions from developers and security teams worldwide.

Risks & Considerations

• Not a turnkey scanner → requires adaptation to each organization’s environment.
• Human oversight essential → AI agents must remain under governance of skilled professionals.
• Implementation responsibility lies with adopters; Cisco provides the blueprint, not a managed service.

Next Steps

• Explore the GitHub repository to adapt Foundry for your environment.
• Pair with Project CodeGuard for continuous detection-prevention cycles.
• Follow Cisco’s AI security initiatives to stay aligned with evolving standards.

Cisco Unveils Quantum Switch Prototype, Paving Way for Scalable Quantum Networks

Cisco has unveiled its Universal Quantum Switch prototype, a breakthrough in quantum networking that enables seamless connectivity between quantum systems from different vendors, operating at room temperature over standard telecom fiber. This marks a critical step toward scalable quantum networks with less than 4% loss in fidelity.

Key Highlights of Cisco’s Quantum Switch

• Launch Date: April 23, 2026
• Prototype Name: Cisco Universal Quantum Switch
• Function: Routes quantum information between systems while preserving encoding and entanglement fidelity
• Performance: Proof-of-concept experiments showed <4% degradation in quantum information fidelity
• Compatibility: Works across all major encoding modalities (polarization, time-bin, frequency-bin, path)
• Operating Conditions: Functions at room temperature using standard telecom fiber

Why This Matters

• Scalability: Networking bridges the gap from hundreds to millions of qubits
• Vendor Interoperability: Eliminates compatibility issues across manufacturers
• Cost Efficiency: Room-temperature operation reduces infrastructure expense
• Applications: Healthcare, finance, aerospace simulations

Comparative Context

Feature	Cisco Quantum Switch	Conventional Quantum Hardware
Encoding Compatibility	Universal (all major modalities)	Limited, vendor-specific
Fidelity Loss	<4%	Often >10%
Operating Temperature	Room temperature	Cryogenic cooling required
Infrastructure	Standard telecom fiber	Specialized quantum channels
Business Readiness	Prototype stage, scalable vision	Early-stage, fragmented systems

Risks & Challenges

• Prototype Stage: Commercial deployment may take years
• Integration Complexity: Businesses must adapt infrastructure
• Regulatory Framework: Standards still evolving globally
• Security Concerns: Quantum encryption requires rigorous testing

Outlook

Cisco’s Universal Quantum Switch is a milestone in building the “network layer” for the quantum era, enabling interoperability and scalability. For India, such innovations could accelerate adoption in defense, healthcare, and fintech sectors.

Understanding Cisco’s Universal Quantum Switch

Simple Explanation for Everyone

• Like electricity adapters: Just as you need a plug adapter when traveling, quantum computers need a “switch” to connect when they use different methods.
• Different languages: Quantum computers speak in different formats (polarization, timing, frequency). Until now, they couldn’t easily connect.
• Universal connector: Cisco’s switch safely converts quantum information between formats without breaking its delicate properties.
• Room temperature: Works on standard telecom fiber without expensive cooling systems.

Everyday Analogy

Imagine friends speaking English, Hindi, and Japanese. Normally, they can’t understand each other. The Universal Quantum Switch is like a live translator that instantly converts their words so everyone can communicate smoothly — but instead of languages, it’s converting quantum information.

For a common person: Cisco’s Universal Quantum Switch is the “router” of the quantum era — it connects different quantum computers together, just like today’s internet connects laptops and phones. It’s still a prototype, but it’s a big step toward building a global quantum internet.

Cisco Bets on Spatial AI With Investment in World Labs Technologies

Cisco Investments has officially announced a strategic investment in World Labs Technologies, Inc., a spatial intelligence AI startup founded by computer vision pioneer Dr. Fei-Fei Li.

The deal underscores Cisco’s ambition to position itself as a critical infrastructure provider for the AI era.

Key highlights of the announcement

• Date & Location: November 20, 2025, San Jose, California
• Investor: Cisco Investments, the venture capital arm of Cisco Systems (NASDAQ: CSCO).
• Startup: World Labs Technologies, Inc., founded by Dr. Fei-Fei Li, renowned for her groundbreaking work in computer vision.
• Focus area: Spatial intelligence and Large World Models (LWMs) — advanced AI systems that allow machines to perceive, understand, and interact with the physical world in 3D.
• Strategic importance: Cisco sees spatial intelligence as transformative for industries such as robotics, gaming, smart factories, and beyond.

What World Labs is building

• Large World Models (LWMs): Foundational AI models designed to bridge the gap between virtual and real-world environments, enabling AI to generate, reason within, and interact with 3D worlds.
• Marble model: World Labs recently unveiled Marble, its first commercial world model, capable of generating 3D environments from text, video, and layout prompts; considered ahead of competing models like Google’s Genie and Decart.
• Vision: Push AI beyond language-based systems into spatially intelligent systems that can perceive and act in the physical world.

Why Cisco’s investment matters

• Infrastructure role: Cisco positions itself as the backbone for AI innovation, providing networking, cloud, and security infrastructure to support spatial intelligence applications.
• Largest strategic backing: Cisco’s investment is reportedly the largest strategic support World Labs has received so far, signaling strong confidence in the company’s trajectory.
• Industry impact: Spatial intelligence could reshape multiple sectors:
  • Robotics: Smarter navigation and interaction in real-world environments.
  • Gaming & AR/VR: Immersive, dynamic 3D experiences.
  • Smart factories: AI systems with spatial awareness for automation and safety.

Risks & considerations

• Undisclosed investment size: Cisco did not reveal the financial details, leaving uncertainty about the scale of commitment.
• Early-stage technology: LWMs and spatial intelligence are still emerging, meaning commercial adoption timelines could be long.
• Competitive landscape: Google, Meta, and other tech giants are also racing to develop spatial AI models, which could intensify competition.

In short: Cisco’s investment in World Labs is a bet on the next frontier of AI — spatial intelligence. By backing Dr. Fei-Fei Li’s startup, Cisco is aligning itself with the development of Large World Models that could redefine how machines interact with the physical world.
Would you like me to break down how LWMs differ from traditional large language models (LLMs) so you can see why Cisco views this as such a transformative leap?

Cisco Acquires Y Combinator–Backed EzDubs to Power Real-Time AI Translation in Webex

Cisco announced on November 14, 2025, that it will acquire EzDubs, a Y Combinator–backed startup specializing in real-time AI-driven speech translation.

The deal underscores Cisco’s push to integrate advanced voice-preserving translation into its collaboration tools like Webex.

Key details of the acquisition

• Announcement date: November 14, 2025
• Startup: EzDubs, a real-time speech-to-speech translation company
• Backed by: Y Combinator, with $4.2M seed funding led by Venture Highway
• Founders: Padmanabhan Krishnamurthy, Amrutavarsh Kinagi, and Kareem Nassar (who previously worked at Cisco’s Speech AI group)
• Investors: Included Amjad Masad (CEO of Replit), Michele Catasta (President of Replit), Qasar Younis (CEO of Applied Intuition), and Ben Firshman (CEO of Replicate)
• Deal size: Cisco did not disclose the purchase price

Strategic significance

• Voice as the new frontier: Cisco emphasized that voice is becoming the most natural interface for collaboration, and EzDubs’ technology will help break language barriers in real-time.
• Integration into Webex: EzDubs’ translation tech will be embedded into Cisco’s collaboration suite, including video calling, messaging, and hardware.
• Global collaboration: This acquisition aligns with Cisco’s mission to enable seamless communication across languages, making meetings more inclusive and accessible.

Contextual notes

• Founding year: EzDubs was founded in 2023 (not 2022, as some reports may suggest).
• Core technology: Voice-preserving translation that maintains the speaker’s tone and style while translating speech in real time.
• Industry trend: Enterprise platforms are embedding AI-powered translation and speech recognition to compete with Zoom and Microsoft Teams.

Why this matters

Cisco’s acquisition of EzDubs is a strategic bet on AI-driven communication. By integrating real-time translation directly into Webex, Cisco positions itself as a leader in inclusive, global collaboration tools. This could reshape how multinational teams interact, reducing friction in cross-border communication and potentially setting a new standard for enterprise platforms.

Cisco Launches Cisco IQ to Make Tech Smarter and Easier for Everyone

Cisco has launched Cisco IQ, a unified AI-powered platform designed to streamline and personalize the entire customer journey across its ecosystem.

What Is Cisco IQ?

• Cisco IQ is a centralized AI-powered experience platform that integrates insights, automation, and support across Cisco’s collaboration, networking, and observability tools.
• It helps IT teams and enterprises plan, deploy, manage, secure, and optimize their technology investments with greater speed and simplicity.

Key Features and Capabilities

• Agentic AI Foundation: Adaptive agents learn from each customer’s environment to deliver contextual insights, recommendations, and actions.
• Unified Interface: Real-time insights, on-demand assessments, troubleshooting, and personalized learning in a single pane of glass.
• Cross-Domain Intelligence: Combines data from network telemetry, collaboration tools, and observability systems for predictive service insights.
• Lifecycle Support: End-to-end guidance from planning and deployment to optimization and maintenance.

Strategic Impact

• Accelerates Time-to-Value: Simplifies complex IT environments to help teams move faster and more confidently.
• Boosts Resiliency: Proactive recommendations and automated workflows reduce downtime.
• Enhances Personalization: Tailored experiences and predictive insights improve IT efficiency and user satisfaction.

Why It Matters

• Cisco IQ reflects a broader industry shift toward AI-driven experience orchestration.
• It positions Cisco to compete more aggressively in the AI-enhanced enterprise services space.
• Supports demand for intuitive, self-healing systems that connect infrastructure, support, and engagement.

Cisco and NVIDIA Introduce AI‑Native 6G Wireless Stack, Redefining Cloud and Enterprise Infrastructure

Cisco and NVIDIA have announced a broad set of AI infrastructure innovations designed to accelerate adoption of artificial intelligence across cloud, enterprise, and telecom sectors. The collaboration brings together Cisco’s networking and security expertise with NVIDIA’s AI computing leadership, marking what executives described as the beginning of the “largest data center build‑out in history.”

Spectrum‑X Powered Switches

At the center of the announcement is the Cisco N9100 Series data center switch, the first NVIDIA partner‑developed switch built on NVIDIA Spectrum‑X Ethernet technology. The switch is designed to deliver high‑performance, low‑latency networking for AI workloads and will be available with both NX‑OS and SONiC operating models. Cisco said the platform will serve as a Cloud Partner‑compliant reference architecture, enabling neocloud and sovereign cloud providers to deploy AI infrastructure at scale.

Enterprise AI Security and Observability

Cisco also expanded its Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA, a framework that integrates compute, networking, security, and observability into enterprise AI deployments. The initiative aims to give organizations end‑to‑end visibility and protection as they scale AI workloads, particularly in regulated industries. New ecosystem partnerships were announced to strengthen monitoring and compliance capabilities.

Telecom and 6G Readiness

In a move aimed at telecom operators, Cisco and NVIDIA unveiled the industry’s first AI‑native wireless stack for 6G networks. The stack is designed to handle ultra‑low latency and massive device connectivity, preparing carriers for the surge in AI‑driven traffic expected over the next decade. Analysts said the development could redefine mobile networks by enabling real‑time AI services at the edge.

Strategic Context

Executives from both companies emphasized that the innovations are not standalone products but part of a joint reference architecture for next‑generation AI deployments. “We are entering a new era where AI workloads will reshape every industry,” said a Cisco spokesperson. “Our partnership with NVIDIA ensures customers have the flexibility, interoperability, and scalability to build AI infrastructure securely and globally.”

Why It Matters

• For Cloud Providers: A unified, NVIDIA‑compliant architecture accelerates AI adoption in sovereign and neocloud environments.
• For Enterprises: Enhanced security and observability ensure safer AI deployments.
• For Telecoms: The AI‑native 6G stack positions operators to deliver next‑generation services.

With these announcements, Cisco and NVIDIA are positioning themselves at the heart of the global AI infrastructure race, targeting the needs of hyperscalers, enterprises, and telecom operators alike.

SoftBank and Cisco Light Up Japan’s First All-Optical Metro Network — Slashing Energy Use by 90%

In a bold move to redefine urban connectivity and sustainability, SoftBank Corp. has partnered with Cisco to launch Japan’s first All-Optical Metro Network. The initiative, announced in October 2025, marks a major leap in telecom infrastructure—one that promises to cut energy consumption by up to 90% while preparing Japan’s cities for the data demands of the AI era.

The Technology Behind the Transformation

Scope of All optical network deployment

At the heart of this next-generation network lies Cisco’s Routed Optical Networking architecture, a paradigm shift that eliminates the need for traditional optical-electrical-optical (O-E-O) conversions. Instead of converting light signals into electrical ones at each node—a process that consumes significant power and space—the new system enables end-to-end optical transmission across metro networks.

• Cisco 8000 Series Routers: Built for scale and efficiency, supporting 400G and beyond. These routers enable massive throughput with minimal energy draw.
• Cisco Silicon One Q200 Chips: Custom-built ASICs delivering up to 7x the switching capacity of previous generations while consuming half the power.
• Segment Routing and EVPN: Advanced routing protocols optimize traffic flow, reduce latency, and simplify operations across metro domains.

Why It Matters: Energy, AI, and the Future of Connectivity

SoftBank’s new metro network isn’t just about speed—it’s about sustainability. By removing power-hungry transponders and simplifying the network architecture, the all-optical design dramatically reduces energy use and carbon emissions. This aligns with SoftBank’s broader commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions.

• Massive bandwidth for data-intensive applications
• Lower latency for real-time services like autonomous vehicles and smart cities
• Reduced operational complexity through converged infrastructure

Deployment and Roadmap

The first phase of the rollout was completed in Osaka Prefecture in September 2025. SoftBank plans to expand the network nationwide by 2027, building on its nationwide core optical network completed in 2023. This metro layer will serve as the connective tissue between core and access networks, enabling seamless, high-speed data flow across Japan’s urban centers.

A Strategic Alliance

This collaboration deepens the longstanding relationship between SoftBank and Cisco, who have worked together on multiple network modernization efforts. According to SoftBank’s CTO Keiichi Makizono, “This next-generation network will not only support our growing data demands but also contribute significantly to our sustainability goals.”

Kevin Wollenweber, SVP and GM of Cisco Networking, echoed the sentiment:

Our Routed Optical Networking solution is designed to help customers like SoftBank build a more scalable, efficient, and sustainable internet for the future.

New Tata–Cisco Partnership Sets Global Benchmark for eSIM-Powered IoT Connectivity

Tata Communications and Cisco have teamed up to supercharge global IoT deployments, with a strategic partnership that blends Tata’s intelligent eSIM orchestration with Cisco’s robust device management platform.

Key Highlights of the Collaboration

• Tata Communications MOVE™: A global eSIM orchestration solution managing over 350 million eSIM OS across 200+ countries and territories.
• Cisco IoT Control Center: A cloud-based platform supporting 270+ million SIM-enabled IoT devices, including 100 million connected cars.
• Unified Connectivity: Enterprises can now activate, monitor, and scale devices seamlessly across private/public networks and multiple SIM providers.
• Industries Benefiting: Transportation, logistics, and manufacturing stand to gain the most, with simplified provisioning and reduced integration costs.

Strategic Impact

• Tackles long-standing IoT challenges like fragmented SIM hardware, complex provisioning, and vendor lock-ins.
• Enables faster rollouts, greater visibility, and scalable operations for global enterprises.
• Positions eSIM as a foundational technology for managing connected ecosystems—from vehicles to industrial sensors.

Marco Bijvelds of Tata Communications summed it up:

This partnership empowers global businesses to unlock new opportunities, streamline operations, and accelerate digital transformation.

The collaboration will significantly benefit industries like transportation, logistics, and manufacturing, where reliable IoT connectivity is critical, be it a trucking company that instantly activates trailers across borders without local SIM cards or a utility provider seeking to monitor infrastructure on private and public networks without reconfiguring devices.

NTT DATA and Cisco Partner to Power Networking for the AI Era

NTT DATA, a global leader in digital business and technology services, and Cisco today unveiled a new co-sponsored IDC InfoBrief, Wired for Intelligence: A CIO Guide to Enterprise Networking for AI. The study shares strategic guidance for organizations seeking to accelerate transformation by modernizing their network infrastructure.

As organizations integrate AI into more applications, from manufacturing and healthcare to financial services, the demand for high-speed, low-latency, and secure networks is surging. Legacy infrastructure is no longer sufficient to support the scale and complexity of AI workloads. NTT DATA and Cisco are responding to this shift by helping clients evolve from outdated architectures to intelligent, adaptive infrastructure that can power AI-driven innovation.

“As two market leaders, NTT DATA and Cisco are well positioned to help clients modernize their digital infrastructure foundations for the AI era. The network exists as a catalyst for growth and organizations can unlock powerful new capabilities and achieve AI-driven business transformation at scale,” said Dilip Kumar, Global Head, Technology Solutions, NTT DATA, Inc.

The Critical Foundation Empowering AI-Driven Growth

The study highlights that network modernization is at the heart of AI success. More than 78% of companies say that networking capabilities are either important or very important when selecting providers for GenAI infrastructure — underscoring the need for networks that can handle and secure ever-scaling AI workloads while running complex AI training, inference, and storage clusters with ease. At the same time, modernization also infuses AI into network operations through AI-driven configuration, anomaly detection, self-healing, and intelligent monitoring to accelerate issue resolution and elevate user experience. Already, industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and financial services are leveraging AI in networking to improve operational efficiency, ensure secure connectivity and reduce costs.

“Network modernization is about more than replacing old hardware—it’s about allowing enterprises to lead in an AI-driven world,” said Brink Sanders, Senior Vice President of Global Networking Sales, Cisco. “Our partnership with NTT DATA equips clients with the technology and expertise needed to build secure and connected networks.”

“Your network will make or break your AI transformation. Overcoming the challenges of legacy networking technologies is essential. This IDC InfoBrief gives organizations the steps to transform enterprise networking from a bottleneck into a business advantage,” said Chris Barnard, Vice President, European Telecoms and Infrastructure, IDC.

NTT DATA is Enabling Network Modernization Through Intelligent Services

NTT DATA’s comprehensive suite of intelligent services helps clients modernize their digital infrastructure and build secure networks. These services span the full lifecycle from advisory to sourcing, professional services, support and managed services to enable organizations to modernize and unlock the full potential of AI.

With many companies undergoing hardware refresh cycles due to the emergence of AI, NTT DATA’s services are designed to meet this critical moment:

• Advisory: Strategic guidance to align network modernization with AI goals.
• Strategic Technology Sourcing: Recommending and procuring the right technology to transform network to be AI-ready.
• Professional Services: Architecting and deploying scalable, secure and high-performance networks.
• Software-Defined Infrastructure Services: Driving business outcomes through adoption of automation and AI agents into infrastructure operations and license optimization.
• Adoption Services: Maximizing value from infrastructure investments through greater adoption of software, continuous improvement and change management.
• Managed Network Services: End-to-end network management to ensure seamless data flow from edge to cloud, minimizing latency and enhancing application responsiveness.

NTT DATA recently launched AI-powered Software Defined Infrastructure (SDI) services for Cisco products to deliver intelligent automation and real-time insights to optimize infrastructure, reduce costs, and drive business outcomes.

IDC InfoBrief:, sponsored by NTT DATA and Cisco, Wired for Intelligence: A CIO Guide to Enterprise Networking for AI, doc #EUR253592825, July 2025.

National Telecom R&D and Skilling Hub Takes Shape in Jabalpur, MP As BSNL Ties With Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco & Nokia

BSNL has launched a major industry-led digital skilling initiative at its premier training institute, Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT), Jabalpur, in collaboration with Ericsson, Qualcomm, Cisco, and Nokia. Here's a breakdown of the initiative's scope, objectives, and impact:

This development is a step towards a broader plan by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, to establish a Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at BRBRAITT. Envisioned as an industry-led national hub, TIRTC will focus on developing telecom-specific R&D talent and a future-ready workforce — aligning with the Hon’ble Prime Minister’s vision of Skill India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.

TIRTC will also support product innovation, prototyping, and telecom entrepreneurship in the long term.

Initiative Overview

• Partners: Ericsson India, Qualcomm Technologies, Cisco Systems, Nokia Solutions and Networks India
• Location: Bharat Ratna Bhim Rao Ambedkar Institute of Telecom Training (BRBRAITT), Jabalpur
• Focus Areas: 5G, AI/ML, Cybersecurity, Networking
• Annual Training Goal: Over 2,000 students

Training Programs & Infrastructure

Partner	Contribution	Training Focus
Ericsson	5G Centre of Excellence + Ericsson Educate Program	Hands-on 5G training, global curriculum
Qualcomm	Qualcomm Institute + sponsored training for first 100 participants	Advanced 5G & AI, internships
Cisco	Cisco Networking Academy Program	Networking, cybersecurity, IT skills
Nokia	5G Centre of Excellence + AI/ML Lab + joint certification with BRBRAITT	5G radio/core networks, AI/ML

Strategic Goals

• Establish Telecom Innovation, Research and Training Centre (TIRTC) at BRBRAITT
• Support national missions: Digital India, Skill India, Make in India, Startup India, Atmanirbhar Bharat
• Build a digitally enabled, job-ready youth workforce. 
• Position Jabalpur as a national hub for telecom R&D, innovation, and skilling

Launch & Leadership

• MoUs signed in New Delhi
• Attended by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia, Telecom Secretary Neeraj Mittal, BSNL leadership, and partner company representatives

Voice Phishing Breach at Cisco: ShinyHunters Suspected in CRM Data Heist

Cisco has confirmed a targeted voice phishing (vishing) attack that compromised user profile data stored in a third-party cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system. The breach, discovered on July 24, 2025, involved an attacker impersonating a trusted entity over the phone to manipulate a Cisco representative into granting unauthorized access.

Cisco Vishing Attack: What Happened

On July 24, 2025 (GMT+9), Cisco was alerted to a voice phishing (vishing) attack targeting one of its representatives. The attacker impersonated a trusted entity over the phone and successfully manipulated the employee into granting access to a third-party, cloud-based Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system.

What Data Was Compromised

The attacker exported a subset of basic profile information from users who had registered on Cisco.com:

Compromised Data
Full names
Organization names
Physical addresses
Cisco-assigned user IDs
Email addresses
Phone numbers
Account-related metadata (e.g., account creation date)

No passwords, confidential customer data, or proprietary information were accessed.

Cisco’s Response

Cisco took immediate action:

• Terminated the attacker’s access to the CRM system
• Launched a full investigation
• Notified affected users and data protection authorities
• Confirmed no impact to other CRM instances or Cisco products/services

They also committed to:

• Re-educating personnel on identifying and preventing vishing attacks
• Implementing enhanced security measures to prevent recurrence

Broader Context

This breach appears to be part of a larger campaign targeting companies using Salesforce and other CRM platforms. Other victims include Allianz Life, Tiffany & Co., and Qantas. The ShinyHunters extortion group is suspected to be behind these coordinated attacks.

Cisco Joins Forces with Reliance Jio to Power India's Hyperscale AI Ambitions

American tech giant Cisco Systems is partnering with Reliance Jio to help realize Mukesh Ambani’s vision of building India’s largest hyperscale AI infrastructure, including gigawatt-scale data centers across the country.

Jio Brain & Hyperscale Vision

Jio Brain is Jio’s AI infrastructure initiative aimed at hosting:

• AI training and inferencing workloads
• Cloud-based AI applications

Cisco will provide:

• Data center infrastructure
• Connectivity solutions, including integration with satellite networks like Starlink

Mega Data Centers in Jamnagar & Kolkata

• Jamnagar, Gujarat: A $30 billion project to build the world’s largest AI-powered data center, powered entirely by green energy
• Kolkata: A state-of-the-art AI-ready facility to be completed within 9 months

Strategic Tech Stack

Cisco’s 8000 series routers and Crosswork automation tools will enable:

• Seamless integration of terrestrial and satellite broadband
• End-to-end visibility and telemetry across networks
• Cisco’s AI-ready infrastructure includes:
• Unified Nexus Dashboard
• AI PODs for scalable workloads
• Secure AI Factory in collaboration with NVIDIA

Implications for India

• Positions India as a global AI and data processing hub
• Democratizes access to AI by reducing inferencing costs
• Supports remote connectivity in rural and mountainous regions via satellite integration.

Cisco Joins Global Patent Pool to Boost Next-Gen Wi-Fi 6 Technology

Cisco Systems, Inc. has officially joined the Sisvel Wi-Fi 6 patent pool programme, marking a significant milestone in the licensing landscape for next-generation wireless technologies.

The Sisvel Wi-Fi 6 patent pool is a global program that makes it easier for companies to legally use key technologies behind faster, smarter Wi-Fi 6. Instead of negotiating with dozens of patent owners, companies like Cisco can get access to nearly 2,000 essential patents through one simple license. Managed by Sisvel, the program helps avoid legal hassles, speeds up innovation, and ensures fair use of the tech that powers modern wireless devices—from smartphones to enterprise routers.

Key Highlights of the Deal

• Scope of Access: Cisco gains one-stop access to nearly 2,000 patents (organized into 245 patent families) deemed essential to the 802.11ax Wi-Fi 6 standard.
• Patent Evaluation: These patents have undergone independent essentiality evaluations, ensuring their relevance to the Wi-Fi 6 specification.
• Strategic Importance: Cisco, a global leader in enterprise networking and AI-driven connectivity, strengthens its position in the Wi-Fi 6 ecosystem, especially in enterprise-grade access points.

Broader Context

Sisvel’s Wi-Fi 6 Pool: Launched in July 2022, the pool has seen a surge in adoption, with 20+ new licensees joining since Q4 2023.

Patent Contributors: The pool includes patents from multiple key innovators in Wi-Fi 6 technology. You can view the full list of contributors on Sisvel’s official site.

Industry Validation: Sisvel’s Head of Licensing, Nick Webb, called Cisco’s entry a “major validation” of the pool’s transparent and efficient licensing model.

This move not only simplifies Cisco’s access to critical IP but also signals growing industry alignment around collaborative licensing frameworks for emerging standards. Want to explore how this impacts Wi-Fi 7 or enterprise deployments next?