On July 18th, the FCC expanded the E-rate program to better serve schools and libraries. Learn how this impacts your E-rate journey today.

​[[{"value":"

On July 18th, 2024 the Federal Communications Commission approved a landmark decision by expanding the E-rate program to include off-premises use of Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless Internet services. This means that eligible schools and libraries can now receive support to provide Wi-Fi hotspots and wireless services to students, school staff, and library patrons outside of their premises. This program will have a three-year budget mechanism to ensure fair distribution of Wi-Fi hotspots and services.

What is E-rate

E-Rate is a program established in 1997 that offers discounts to help schools and libraries access affordable telecommunications and internet services. It has evolved over time to prioritize bringing high-speed broadband to educational institutions.

E-rate has become a critical part of advancing technology in our nation’s schools. That’s why our team of Cisco education and E-rate experts have established our Cisco E-rate Knowledge Hub, full of resources to help you on your E-rate journey.

Importance of E-Rate for students and consumers

Many students, teachers, and library users across the nation currently lack equitable access to educational resources due to digital and educational disparities. With the conclusion of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which connected 23 million households to high-speed internet, affected households may now rely on schools or libraries for vital connectivity.

Safety Measures

The program ensures that supported Wi-Fi services are used for educational purposes, not funded through other means, and properly documented for auditing purposes. It also mandates compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act, requiring schools and libraries to implement filters to shield minors from harmful online content and educate them on safe Internet practices.

Overall, this decision represents a significant step towards closing the digital divide and addressing the homework gap that many students face today.

Newly updated E-rate resources for your school and library

Our team of Cisco education and E-rate experts have just released our newly updated overviews of E-rate and the Children’s Internet Protection Act. I encourage you to check them out today:

Quick read: Libraries and the Children’s Internet Protection Act
Quick read: K12 Schools and the Children’s Internet Protection Act

"}]]  On July 18th, the FCC expanded the E-rate program to better serve schools and libraries. Learn how this impacts your E-rate journey today.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

In our “Cisco Partner Conversations”, we help explain the power that Cisco and these partners bring to the table in areas such as transforming infrastructure, creating new vertical market solutions, and implementing AI.

​[[{"value":"

In today’s economy, it’s important to choose the right companies to work with to realize an important business outcome. In fact, according to a 2024 Ernst & Young report, 71% of businesses are more interested in working with suppliers that can orchestrate partner networks (ecosystems). They are also more likely to prioritize partners that can clearly explain their ecosystem role.

We are kicking off a new video series called “Cisco Partner Conversations” which feature my interviews with some of our key global partners who are driving successful initiatives with Cisco on behalf of our mutual customers. Our goal? Explain the power that Cisco and these partners bring to the table in areas such as transforming infrastructure, creating new vertical market solutions, and implementing AI.

For our first installment, watch my interview with Dilip Kumar, NTT DATA Inc’s Chief Digital Officer, where we discuss the close 30+ year alignment between both companies and how we are fostering innovation and growth for customers together.

Stay tuned for more Cisco Partner Conversations coming up!

Learn more about the NTT DATA and Cisco Partnership

We’d love to hear what you think. Ask a Question, Comment Below, and Stay Connected with #CiscoPartners on social!

Cisco Partners Facebook  |  @CiscoPartners Twitter  |  Cisco Partners LinkedIn

"}]]  In our “Cisco Partner Conversations”, we help explain the power that Cisco and these partners bring to the table in areas such as transforming infrastructure, creating new vertical market solutions, and implementing AI.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Go behind the scenes of the new CCNA 2.1 Learning Path, updated to align with the 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam available for testing this August.

​[[{"value":"

The CCNA changed my life. This isn’t exaggeration or hyperbole. It all started back in 2001, right here in Ottawa, Canada. I was teaching high school computer science (Visual Basic!) and web design (Macromedia!) when Cisco Networking Academy approached our school board to see if we would be interested in joining their fledgling program.

I knew nothing about networking then, but the folks at Cisco Networking Academy explained that they would send me to classes to learn and earn something called the CCNA. Little did I know that this decision would start an incredible adventure with Cisco.

Cisco 2500 Series Router*

I was sent back to school to learn how routers and switches work, how to terminate Ethernet cables, how to subnet, and what ISDN and Frame Relay were used for. To prepare for CCNA certification, I read Cisco Press books, reviewed the Networking Academy’s CCNA content, took practice exams, and built labs on 2501 routers and 1924 switches the school had bought. (No, Packet Tracer wasn’t around back then!)

I eventually took the CCNA exam in 2002. I was nervous, but I felt ready to try my luck. Like many of you starting your CCNA journey, this was my first time taking a certification exam.

The exam had so many questions to answer in such a short amount of time—multiple-choice, lab simulations, drag-and-drops—it had it all. And there was no back button! When I finally clicked “End Exam” and saw the “Congratulations” message, I was stunned, thrilled, and so proud.

Passing the CCNA and the Networking Academy instructor training meant I would become a Cisco Certified Academy Instructor (CCAI), entitled to start teaching my high school students about Cisco networking. This was way better than teaching them Visual Basic!

That one decision back in 2001 opened so many doors for me. A few years later, I became a Cisco Certified Systems Instructor (CCSI) authorized to provide CCNA and CCNP training with a Cisco Learning Partner.

Over the last few years, I’ve presented at many Cisco conferences and achieved Distinguished Speaker status across multiple Cisco Live events in Melbourne, Amsterdam, and Las Vegas.

I’m now a Cisco Press author, I’ve helped develop Cisco course content like Implementing Cisco Enterprise Advanced Routing and Services (ENARSI) and Implementing Cisco SD-WAN Solutions (ENSDWI), and I work for Cisco as an instructor and lead content advocate in Learning & Certifications.

I never could have predicted the impact that decision in 2001 would have on my future, but I know that I’m not alone. So many others have experienced the power of a Cisco certification, with the CCNA standing the test of time since its launch more than two decades ago.

This brings us to the latest iteration of this foundational networking certification: the 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam update. It will arrive on August 20, 2024, marking the first change to the exam in four years.

Cisco announces 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam update 

In April 2024, Cisco Learning & Certifications announced a minor 200-301 CCNA exam update. This meant we needed to update the CCNA v2.0 Learning Path you see on Cisco U. (and also taught by our Learning Partners) to align with the updated CCNA v1.1 exam. Over the past few months, it’s been my privilege to lead this effort and ensure we get the update done before the new exam goes live on August 20, 2024.

I am happy to confirm that the new CCNA v2.1 Learning Path will be available in Cisco U. starting July 26, 2024.

So, what’s new in the CCNA 2.1 Learning Path?

While we were updating the content to align with the new 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam topics, we decided to rebuild the CCNA Learning Path offered in Cisco U. The image below shows the new structure:

The CCNA 2.1 Learning Path will feature shorter, more focused tracks and three new courses.

New CCNA courses:

Introducing Network Programmability
Explaining Software-Defined Networking
Introducing AI and ML in Network Operations

All of the CCNA 2.1 Learning Path courses come with newly written introductions that show which exam topics are covered in that course. For example:

As per the new CCNA exam v1.1, the CCNA v2.1 Learning Path now includes extra content on:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML)
Spanning Tree
Cisco Meraki
Cisco Catalyst Center
Terraform
Cisco Modeling Labs (CML)
Cisco WebUI

We also rewrote the Automation and Programmability content to be easier to understand and removed the content on Puppet and Chef.

Start your CCNA certification journey with the essentials

We are hosting a free CCNA v1.1 webinar on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, 9–10 a.m. Pacific Time.

Whether you’re currently studying for your CCNA or interested in learning how to get started, this is your chance to get a closer look at the new CCNA v1.1 exam topics, the new CCNA v2.1 Learning Path, and the reasons the CCNA certification continues to be a vital, worthwhile certification to pursue today, more than 25 years after its launch. (I would know— I’m living proof!)

I look forward to seeing you all there!

Free Webinar: Navigating the Essentials of CCNA v1.1 

July 30, 2024, 9–10 a.m. Pacific Time | Register now for free

Sign up for Cisco U. | Join the  Cisco Learning Network today for free.

Follow Cisco Learning & Certifications

X | Threads | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Use  #CiscoU and #CiscoCert to join the conversation.

*The Packet: Cisco Systems User Magazine (Vol. 6 No. 1), Cisco, 1994.

Read next:

CCNA in the Age of AI

"}]]  Go behind the scenes of the new CCNA 2.1 Learning Path, updated to align with the 200-301 CCNA v1.1 exam available for testing this August.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Container 42, the smartest shipping container in the world, is a key example of how revolutionary smart technology is for the future! But what role does data, AI and cybersecurity play in this new digital landscape? Read this blog from our Cisco tech expert speaking at our upcoming event on August 1.

​[[{"value":"

This blog comes from Niels Van den Berg, one of Cisco’s Digital Business Development Leaders who evangelizes Cisco’s digitization vision, strategy, and supporting technologies to bring this all to life in national critical infrastructures. Niels presents on “Find yourself in the future of shipping” in our August 1 webinar. Here’s a taste…

If you’re reading this blog there’s approximately a 90 percent chance[i] you’re reading it on a device that has been in a shipping container. The same is true of the chair you’re sitting on and the clothes you’re wearing. Global merchandise exports in 2022 alone totaled US$24.9 trillion[ii].

Shipping is the backbone of global trade.

This is not exactly new—ancient Egypt used ships for trade as long as 6,000 years ago[iii]—but containerized shipping has revolutionized seaborne trade. However, while containers are standard sizes, whether they’re loaded with bananas or books makes a huge difference to how they need to be handled.

Containers for everything

The standardized shipping container (measured in the trade as twenty-foot equivalent units or TEUs) was introduced in the late 1950s. By 1997 container trade volume was 51 million TEUs. In 2016 that had grown to 182 million TEUs.

Shanghai, the world’s busiest container port, moved 47.03 million TEUs in 2021[iv]. Rotterdam, in the Netherlands where I am based, was the world’s tenth-busiest port in 2021, handling 15.3 million TEUs. That’s nearly 42,000 containers every single day (and a number I’ll come back to, because it is the answer to everything).

Unsurprisingly, computerization is key to the smooth operation of the port, and the Port of Rotterdam recognizes the role digitalization plays in sustainability[v].

A smarter shipping choice

A recent report from McKinsey predicts the shipping industry is “ripe for digital disruption to tackle a multitude of structural inefficiencies.”[vi]

Clearly, data is at the core of that disruption, and Cisco is proud to be a partner in the Container 42[vii] project. This smart, constantly connected container has a range of sensors that measure what the container experiences as it travels around the world.

Sniffing in shipping

Just a few of those sensors include a digital nose to detect any possible poisonous gasses.

The digital nose senses when and where the container has been opened, so it can help prevent the trafficking of illicit drugs, or weapons or people.

It also has vibration and movement sensors that can tell whether it is on a crane, getting bumped or dropped, or if it is on a train, truck or a ship. Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) it can even interpret the individual ship that it is loaded on because it recognizes the vibration signature of the engines. You can put a profile on a container that not only tells you what’s in it and where it needs to go, but also how it should be handled.

Deep thought

The Container 42 project was named from the Douglas Adams comedy sci-fi series “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, in which the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything was ‘42’. Multiply that by one thousand and that is the number of containers that move through the Port of Rotterdam every day, 42 thousand! Much like Douglas Adams’ narrative, the whole project has evolved from where it started, making us look at what the questions were that we were trying to answer.

Evolution of Container 42 shipping project

We started by building a smart container, but as the project evolved, we recognized a need for a platform for storing and sharing and interpreting the data. This has the potential to reduce the amount of handling for the container, improving efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of shipping.

The container itself will be able to choose its own optimal route to its destination, depending on the requirements of the cargo inside—those bananas and books have different needs.

And with a trusted, reliable, and secured platform, owners will always know where their container is. Insurance companies will be able to adapt premiums to accurately reflect risk. And customs will be able to see if the container has been interfered with to potentially expedite customs clearance.

The data can be used to optimize shipping routes for tides and currents and storms, and for docking at the optimal time for loading and unloading.

The bigger picture

As just a small number of the estimated 30 billion devices[viii] connected to the Internet by 2030, our connected containers will improve the speed, efficiency and environmental impact of shipping.

And as those connected devices generate more data, the jobs of the future will change too. Cisco Networking Academy provides free training for many of those jobs of the future.

Cisco was founded to move packets of data around the globe as securely and efficiently as possible. Now we’re working on helping to do the same thing in the physical world of shipping. Thanks to projects like Container 42 you’re about to find yourself in a more efficient future.

Register for the Find yourself  in the future shipping webinar 

Container 42: the future of shipping and technology

Thursday   |   1 August, 2024   |   9:30 am New Delhi

Meet our speaker: Niels Van den Berg

As the Leader of Digital Business Development, Niels evangelize Cisco’s Digitization vision, strategy, and supporting technology, bringing this to life in National Critical Infrastructures.

Find yourself in the future

The Find yourself in the future program is your compass to navigating a career path that resonates with your passions. Through our quarterly virtual broadcasts, immerse yourself in the latest technology trends presented by Cisco experts. Discover the industry that ignites your enthusiasm. Join our events, learn the technology, and take the leap towards landing your dream job.

Sources

[i] World Economic Forum, Our economy relies on shipping containers. This is what happens when they’re ‘stuck in the mud’

[ii] UNCTAD, Handbook of Statistics 2023, International Merchandise trade

[iii] Royal Museums Greenwich, Shipbuilding: The earliest vessels

[iv] World Shipping Council, The Top 50 Container Ports

[v] Port of Rotterdam, Digitalisation

[vi] McKinsey&Company — Container Shipping: The next 50 years (PDF)

[vii] We Are 42

[viii] Wired — Welcome to the new global network

"}]]  Container 42, the smartest shipping container in the world, is a key example of how revolutionary smart technology is for the future! But what role does data, AI and cybersecurity play in this new digital landscape? Read this blog from our Cisco tech expert speaking at our upcoming event on August 1.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Container 42, the smartest shipping container in the world, is a key example of how revolutionary #SmartTechnology is for the future! But what role does #Data, #AI, and #Cybersecurity play in this new digital landscape? Read this blog from our Cisco tech expert speaking at our upcoming event on August 1.

​[[{"value":"

This blog comes from Niels Van den Berg, one of Cisco’s Digital Business Development Leaders who evangelizes Cisco’s digitization vision, strategy, and supporting technologies to bring this all to life in national critical infrastructures. Niels presents on “Find yourself in the future of shipping” in our August 1 webinar. Here’s a taste…

If you’re reading this blog there’s approximately a 90 percent chance[i] you’re reading it on a device that has been in a shipping container. The same is true of the chair you’re sitting on and the clothes you’re wearing. Global merchandise exports in 2022 alone totaled US$24.9 trillion[ii].

Shipping is the backbone of global trade.

This is not exactly new—ancient Egypt used ships for trade as long as 6,000 years ago[iii]—but containerized shipping has revolutionized seaborne trade. However, while containers are standard sizes, whether they’re loaded with bananas or books makes a huge difference to how they need to be handled.

Containers for everything

The standardized shipping container (measured in the trade as twenty-foot equivalent units or TEUs) was introduced in the late 1950s. By 1997 container trade volume was 51 million TEUs. In 2016 that had grown to 182 million TEUs.

Shanghai, the world’s busiest container port, moved 47.03 million TEUs in 2021[iv]. Rotterdam, in the Netherlands where I am based, was the world’s tenth-busiest port in 2021, handling 15.3 million TEUs. That’s nearly 42,000 containers every single day (and a number I’ll come back to, because it is the answer to everything).

Unsurprisingly, computerization is key to the smooth operation of the port, and the Port of Rotterdam recognizes the role digitalization plays in sustainability[v].

A smarter shipping choice

A recent report from McKinsey predicts the shipping industry is “ripe for digital disruption to tackle a multitude of structural inefficiencies.”[vi]

Clearly, data is at the core of that disruption, and Cisco is proud to be a partner in the Container 42[vii] project. This smart, constantly connected container has a range of sensors that measure what the container experiences as it travels around the world.

Sniffing in shipping

Just a few of those sensors include a digital nose to detect any possible poisonous gasses.

The digital nose senses when and where the container has been opened, so it can help prevent the trafficking of illicit drugs, or weapons or people.

It also has vibration and movement sensors that can tell whether it is on a crane, getting bumped or dropped, or if it is on a train, truck or a ship. Thanks to artificial intelligence (AI) it can even interpret the individual ship that it is loaded on because it recognizes the vibration signature of the engines. You can put a profile on a container that not only tells you what’s in it and where it needs to go, but also how it should be handled.

Deep thought

The Container 42 project was named from the Douglas Adams comedy sci-fi series “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy”, in which the Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, The Universe, and Everything was ‘42’. Multiply that by one thousand and that is the number of containers that move through the Port of Rotterdam every day, 42 thousand! Much like Douglas Adams’ narrative, the whole project has evolved from where it started, making us look at what the questions were that we were trying to answer.

Evolution of Container 42 shipping project

We started by building a smart container, but as the project evolved, we recognized a need for a platform for storing and sharing and interpreting the data. This has the potential to reduce the amount of handling for the container, improving efficiency and reducing the environmental impact of shipping.

The container itself will be able to choose its own optimal route to its destination, depending on the requirements of the cargo inside—those bananas and books have different needs.

And with a trusted, reliable, and secured platform, owners will always know where their container is. Insurance companies will be able to adapt premiums to accurately reflect risk. And customs will be able to see if the container has been interfered with to potentially expedite customs clearance.

The data can be used to optimize shipping routes for tides and currents and storms, and for docking at the optimal time for loading and unloading.

The bigger picture

As just a small number of the estimated 30 billion devices[viii] connected to the Internet by 2030, our connected containers will improve the speed, efficiency and environmental impact of shipping.

And as those connected devices generate more data, the jobs of the future will change too. Cisco Networking Academy provides free training for many of those jobs of the future.

Cisco was founded to move packets of data around the globe as securely and efficiently as possible. Now we’re working on helping to do the same thing in the physical world of shipping. Thanks to projects like Container 42 you’re about to find yourself in a more efficient future.

Register for the Find yourself  in the future shipping webinar 

Container 42: the future of shipping and technology

Thursday   |   1 August, 2024   |   9:30 am New Delhi

Meet our speaker: Niels Van den Berg

As the Leader of Digital Business Development, Niels evangelize Cisco’s Digitization vision, strategy, and supporting technology, bringing this to life in National Critical Infrastructures.

Find yourself in the future

The Find yourself in the future program is your compass to navigating a career path that resonates with your passions. Through our quarterly virtual broadcasts, immerse yourself in the latest technology trends presented by Cisco experts. Discover the industry that ignites your enthusiasm. Join our events, learn the technology, and take the leap towards landing your dream job.

Sources

[i] World Economic Forum, Our economy relies on shipping containers. This is what happens when they’re ‘stuck in the mud’

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/10/global-shortagof-shipping-containers/

[ii] UNCTAD, Handbook of Statistics 2023, International Merchandise trade https://hbs.unctad.org/international-merchandise-trade/

[iii] Royal Museums Greenwich, Shipbuilding: The earliest vessels https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/shipbuilding-earliest-vessels

[iv] World Shipping Council, The Top 50 Container Ports  https://www.worldshipping.org/top-50-ports

[v] Port of Rotterdam, Digitalisation https://publications.portofrotterdam.com/8-steps-on-board/digitalisation

[vi] McKinsey&Company, Container Shipping: The next 50 years https://www.mckinsey.com/~/media/mckinsey/industries/travel%20transport%20and%20logistics/our%20insights/how%20container%20shipping%20could%20reinvent%20itself%20for%20the%20digital%20age/container-shipping-the-next-50-years-103017.pdf

[vii] We Are 42 https://weare42.io/

[viii] Wired, Welcome to the new global network https://www.wired.com/sponsored/story/welcome-to-the-new-global-network/

"}]]  Container 42, the smartest shipping container in the world, is a key example of how revolutionary #SmartTechnology is for the future! But what role does #Data, #AI, and #Cybersecurity play in this new digital landscape? Read this blog from our Cisco tech expert speaking at our upcoming event on August 1.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Discover Talo’s first episode of Talos Threat Perspective and how Cisco’s User Protection Suite can provide a layered approach to security.

​[[{"value":"

In Cisco Talos’ first episode of Talos Threat Perspective (TTP) episode, two Talos Threat Intelligence experts, Nick Biasini and James Nutland, discuss new research on the most prominent ransomware groups. They also pick three key topics and trends to focus on: initial access, differences among the groups, and the vulnerabilities they most heavily target.

In their research, Talos evaluated the top 14 ransomware groups and reviewed their tactics and techniques. And what they found is attackers are frequently logging in with valid credentials and user identities, rather than hacking in. Ultimately, the affiliates behind many of these ransomware groups have one goal in mind: profit. Depending on the desperation of the affiliate, that means they might target anyone, even hospitals or schools. They are taking advantage of identity-based vulnerabilities to gain initial access and then escalate their privileges, and the damage they can do to an organization.

In practice, this can take many forms, but adversaries are clearly relying more on stolen valid credentials. As Nick stated in the TTP episode, “the protections that you can put in place for identity are going to become increasingly important.” This means looking for anomalies in user behavior, including the date, time, and location of access.

One example of initial access attackers are using is OS credential dumping by extracting legitimate user credentials from Local Security Authority Subsystem Service (LSASS). Attackers can use this data to escalate privileges for stored credentials and gain access to sensitive resources.

When attackers do gain access, some threat actors are now more focused on extortion tactics that skip the encryption phase altogether. Nick warns, “focus on pre-ransomware detection, detect it before it gets bad. Detect the initial access. Detect the lateral movement before they’re doing data gathering, before they’re doing exfiltration.”

Cisco’s User Protection Suite does just that. The Suite provides a layered approach to protecting users by putting the user at the center of the security strategy, in order to reduce the attack surface. That means protecting their identity, devices, and safeguarding access to internal resources. Starting with the inbox, Cisco Secure Email Threat Defense uses multiple AI models to block known and emerging threats before they reach the end user.

If a user’s credentials (username and password) are compromised and an attacker tries to reuse them, Duo provides phishing-resistant authentication, and pairs authentication with device trust policies to ensure only trusted users are granted access. Nick also mentioned the importance of evaluating anomalies in user behavior. Through Risk-Based Authentication, Duo can evaluate these changes, like distance between the authentication and access device or impossible travel from the last authentication, and automatically step up the requirements at login.

While these strong protections for users are an important step in securing your environment, it’s also important to have visibility into all your identities across your organization. That’s where Cisco Identity Intelligence comes in. It ingests data across your identity ecosystem. That includes any identity providers (IdP), HR information systems (HRIS), and SaaS applications like Salesforce. This helps expose vulnerabilities, like dormant MFA accounts (which were found in 24% of organizations), or accounts that lack strong MFA.

Once a user logs into their account, it is important for organizations to follow the principle of least-privileged access. That means only grant users access to the resources they need for their jobs. Secure Access provides Zero Trust Access capabilities, so users are granted application-specific access, rather than expose the entire network. In a breach, it limits the impact and restricts data an attacker has access to.

Finally, Secure Endpoint ensures that users are accessing resources from a safe device that is not infected with malware. And it works alongside Duo to stop the user from accessing corporate resources if the device is compromised.

At Cisco, we know it’s not enough to put one protection in place and assume all users are safe from these types of attacks. Attackers are constantly finding new ways to get around security protocols. Layered protections are designed to stop attackers from exploiting potential gaps in the attack surface. However, we also know it’s important to design security solutions to stop attackers without slowing down users. Through tools like Duo Passport, users authenticate once and can access all protected resources. Paired with Secure Access’ ZTA capabilities, users are provided direct access to private applications, regardless of if they are in the office or remote. By putting users first, this means users won’t side-step security measures and security won’t slow down their productivity.

To learn more about Talos trends, check out their blog on stolen credentials and MFA attacks. To explore more about Cisco’s User Protection Suite, connect with an expert today.

We’d love to hear what you think. Ask a Question, Comment Below, and Stay Connected with Cisco Security on social!

Cisco Security Social Channels

InstagramFacebookTwitterLinkedIn

"}]]  Discover Talo’s first episode of Talos Threat Perspective and how Cisco’s User Protection Suite can provide a layered approach to security.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Karthik R. overcame imposter syndrome to secure a consulting engineer internship, leading to a full-time position, where he rediscovered his passion for music.

​[[{"value":"

This post was authored by Karthik Ravishankar, a recent Consulting Engineer intern on the Customer Experience (CX) Team.

I grew up in a small middle-class family, wanting to learn music, but money was often tight. My mom has a disability that makes walking difficult, so my dad was the only one who could work. Growing up, I banked on education loans for college, and my family expected me to make it big!

In college, I wasn’t really focused on studying at first. I was more into learning guitar and going to competitions with my college band whenever and wherever possible. We had a lot of fun together.

In my sixth semester, things started getting serious after the first student of our batch got placed. I realized I needed to give the distractions a back seat for a while, and aim to get a job placement.

That’s when I heard about Cisco Ideathon, a competition that challenges participants to develop creative technology solutions to real-world problems where qualifiers get internships with full-time placement opportunities at Cisco. I aspired and dreamt of succeeding. However, I was hesitant and didn’t feel like I had the confidence to crack it. I was ready to quit the Ideathon application process midway as I didn’t feel like I had the experience to answer the questions asked by the interviewers.

So, I met with my Cisco Networking Academy mentor and told him that I wanted to quit. He advised me, “Give it a shot. Show all of your efforts. There is still time to learn more. Do it for your mom and dad.” It was that moment when I resumed preparing vigorously all day and night, giving my fullest with the aim and dream of getting into Cisco and achieving the success my parents had always hoped for me.

When my mom’s birthday came along on the 7th of August, I couldn’t even afford a cake. But then, at 10 AM, I received mail from Cisco that I was selected for an internship and full-time offer, along with a good compensation package. That day, I literally danced my way home to see my parents. When I announced, “I got selected by Cisco! Happy Birthday, Maa!” It was one of the best celebrations and the best surprise ever for my mom in my life.

Getting a hug from your father and mother for your achievement is always a priceless feeling.

You know the best part? Not only am I at Cisco, but I am playing guitar again. I have even had the opportunity to share my music at work at various socials and received recognition from leaders for it. Cisco is an amazing organization in supporting employees’ growth in our passions and our careers.

I always wanted to learn music and earn money, but I was encouraged to pursue engineering by my parents. Then later, I started loving engineering, too. Now, I have the opportunity to continue my engineering journey while also delving into the world of music, all while growing my career. It’s the best of both worlds, made possible by the support and opportunities provided by Cisco. At Cisco, I’ve learned that it’s possible to follow your passions and build a successful career at the same time. And for that, I’ll always be grateful.

Are you ready for your career and passions to come to life? Explore open roles, benefits, and more.

Subscribe to the WeAreCisco Blog.

"}]]  Karthik R. overcame imposter syndrome to secure a consulting engineer internship, leading to a full-time position, where he rediscovered his passion for music.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Q&A with Cisco’s own Scott McGregor on the ongoing impact of Cisco’s Social Justice beliefs and actions and what comes next.

​[[{"value":"

Learn more about Cisco’s Social Justice initiatives — how it started, its impact so far, and how it continues to evolve with a Q&A between Kevin Delaney and Scott McGregor, director of Cisco’s Social Justice Action Office and a prime mover of the company’s Social Justice Initiative. 

Read more

Story Highlights:

In 2020, Cisco launched a five-year, $300 million initiative focused on social justice, including actions like fair pay, increased representation, and support for HBCUs and diverse-owned businesses.
The initiative has made notable impacts, such as workforce development through the Cisco Networking Academy and significant IT infrastructure support for HBCUs, preserving over $1.5 billion in critical funding.
Cisco aims to enhance efforts in workforce development, digital equity, and responsible AI, advising other organizations to view social justice as a long-term commitment with expected challenges but significant rewards.

"}]]  Q&A with Cisco’s own Scott McGregor on the ongoing impact of Cisco’s Social Justice beliefs and actions and what comes next.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Cisco Decipher is the new knowledge hub helping US Public Sector teams gain insight, expert analysis, and interactive content to face growing cyber threats. Check it out.

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Cybersecurity has become a foundational pillar for every government institution. And the US Public Sector, which handles sensitive data and encompasses a mass of critical infrastructure, has become a prime target for cyber threats. So, it’s imperative that public sector organizations stay ahead of the curve in cybersecurity practices. Enter Cisco Decipher, a knowledge hub that takes a practical approach to covering information security, providing clear and insightful cybersecurity information. Today I’ll discuss exactly what Cisco Decipher offers and how it benefits all aspects of the US Public Sector.

What is Cisco Decipher?

Cisco Decipher is an online resource that presents the latest in cybersecurity research, analysis, and insights. It’s designed to help organizations understand and navigate the complex landscape of digital security. It does this by offering articles, in-depth reports, podcasts, and videos on various topics, including authentication, security culture, policy, and more.

As cybersecurity threats continue to evolve, the US Public Sector must adapt and grow in its defensive strategies. Cisco Decipher helps organizations do this by deconstructing security through its interactive content to focus on the impacts of security.

Benefits of Cisco Decipher for the US Public Sector

Access to cutting-edge research

With Cisco Decipher, public sector organizations gain access to cutting-edge research and cybersecurity experts who share their latest findings and analyses. This knowledge is extremely valuable and can be leveraged by US public sector agencies to shape policies and strategies that are more resilient against the constantly evolving cyber threats they face every day.

The ability to stay updated on the latest research is crucial for US public sector agencies because:

It enables them to develop policies and strategies that are not only reactive to current cyber threats but also anticipatory of emerging risks.
Having access to up-to-date intelligence allows these institutions to implement advanced protective measures, ensuring their cybersecurity frameworks remain robust and capable of withstanding new tactics and techniques employed by adversaries.
A proactive approach to policy and strategy development is key to maintaining the integrity, availability, and confidentiality of sensitive government data and critical infrastructure systems.

Understanding of Best Practices

Through case studies and practical guides, Cisco Decipher also helps the US Public Sector learn from the experiences of other organizations. This shared knowledge is invaluable for improving their own security postures without having to reinvent the wheel.

Cisco Decipher amplifies the voices of those who look at security through the prism of how it affects victims and seeks out trusted, pragmatic, voices that focus on security impact.

Enhanced Security Awareness

In addition to access to cutting-edge research and gaining a better understanding of best practices, education is also a key defense against cyber threats. Cisco Decipher’s resources empower employees within the public sector to understand the importance of cybersecurity, recognize potential threats, and take appropriate actions to safeguard their systems.

The goal of Cisco Decipher is to become your definitive resource for security information and education. That is why we opened it up to the trusted security experts who have insights and research relevant to not only the US Public Sector but to the industry as a whole. Through their experieces, you gain a trusted and reliable resource for cybersecurity.

Guidance on compliance and regulations

The US Public Sector is governed by stringent regulations like FISMA, the NIST Cybersecurity framework, and FedRAMP. Decipher’s content includes guidance on compliance matters, assisting government agencies in meeting their legal and ethical obligations.  This ensures that US Public Sector organizations can stay abreast of compliance obligations, understand the nuances of implementing regulatory controls, and effectively secure their operations in a manner that aligns with both national standards and industry best practices.

Cisco Decipher is not just a resource; it’s a platform for community engagement and building a proactive security culture within US Public Sector organizations. By participating in discussions and sharing insights, public sector professionals can collaborate with peers and experts, fostering a stronger cybersecurity community. And by promoting a proactive approach to security, Cisco Decipher helps you anticipate and mitigate risks before they escalate into breaches.

Securing the public sector

For the US Public Sector, the stakes are incredibly high when it comes to cybersecurity. With Cisco Decipher, public sector organizations have a valuable ally in their mission to protect sensitive information and critical infrastructure. By leveraging the knowledge and resources available through this platform, they can foster a more secure, aware, and resilient environment that’s prepared to face the cybersecurity challenges of today and tomorrow.

More resources

Securing the Foundation: Optimizing Governmental Critical Infrastructure
Modernizing Government Cybersecurity

Co-author:
Lindsey Welch

Executive Editor at Decipher

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