A metamorphosis continues to take shape with the rise of Post-Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Key Distribution, and the brave new world of Quantum Networking.

In the ever-evolving landscape of… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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A metamorphosis continues to take shape with the rise of Post-Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Key Distribution, and the brave new world of Quantum Networking.

In the ever-evolving landscape of technology, quantum computing stands out as a beacon of both promise and challenge. As we delve into the world of quantum networking and security, we find ourselves at the intersection of groundbreaking innovation and urgent necessity.

Cisco believes that quantum networking is not just an intriguing concept. It drives our research and investment strategy around quantum computing. We see it as a critical path forward because it holds the key to horizontally scaling systems, including quantum computing systems. Imagine a future where quantum computers collaborate seamlessly across vast distances, solving complex problems that were previously insurmountable.

However, before we can realize the promise of quantum networking, we need to address the elephant in the room – security. When quantum computers become reality, our classical cryptographic methods will face an existential threat. These powerful machines will potentially break today’s encryption algorithms in seconds. Our digital fortresses are vulnerable.

This opens the question of what will happen when quantum computers enter the scene. The issue lies in key exchanges. In classical systems, we rely on public key infrastructure (PKI) to securely exchange keys. This has served us well, ensuring confidentiality and integrity. But quantum computers, with their uncanny ability to factor large numbers efficiently, disrupt this equilibrium. Suddenly, our once-secure secrets hang in the balance.

Getting to the heart of the matter, imagine a scenario that persists even in our current era – the ominous concept of “store now, decrypt later”. Picture an adversary intercepting encrypted data today. Biding their time, they await the moment when quantum supremacy becomes reality.

When that day dawns, they unleash their quantum beast upon the stored information. Our sensitive communications, financial transactions, and personal data will suddenly be laid bare, retroactively vulnerable to the quantum onslaught.

Post-Quantum Cryptography is gaining momentum

Enter Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC). Recognizing the urgency of the coming quantum moment, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been evaluating PQC proposals and is expected to release its final standards for quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms later this year. These algorithms are designed to withstand quantum attacks and while not perfect, they are intended to fill the gap until quantum-safe solutions mature.

Apple’s iMessage is a compelling proof point. Last year, Apple made a decisive move by announcing its adoption of PQC algorithms for end-to-end encryption. This strategic shift underscores the industry’s recognition of the looming quantum threat, especially around “store now, decrypt later” attacks, and the need to swiftly respond.

In the year ahead, as we move closer to the post-quantum world, PQC will continue to gain momentum as a data security solution. Cisco’s Liz Centoni shared insight in her tech predictions for 2024, highlighting the accelerating adoption of PQC as a software-based approach that works with conventional systems to protect data from future quantum attacks.

PQC will be used by browsers, operating systems, and libraries, and innovators will experiment with integrating it into protocols such as SSL/TLS 1.3, which governs classic cryptography. PQC will likely find its way into enterprises of every size and sector as they seek to safeguard their sensitive data from the threats posed by quantum computers.

Quantum Key Distribution is the holy grail

Beyond PQC lies the holy grail of quantum cryptography, which is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD). Last year, we accurately predicted that QKD would become more widely used, particularly within cloud computing, data centers, autonomous vehicles, and consumer devices like smartphones.

Unlike classical key exchange methods, QKD capitalizes on the no-cloning property inherent in quantum states whereby information encoded on one qubit cannot be copied or duplicated to another because quantum states are fragile, affected by any and every action such as measuring the state. In practical terms, that means an eavesdropper can always be discovered due to a “read” causing the photon state to change.

Consider a scenario where two parties, Bank A and Bank B, want to communicate securely. They use QKD, where Bank A sends quantum states (like polarized photons) to Bank B which measures them without knowing the original state.

The measurements are then used to create a shared key, based on a randomly selected subset of the transmitted state (measurement bases) reconciled between the two parties through an authenticated and encrypted classical channel. Since the eavesdropper does not know the random subset, any attempt to measure the transmitted information will be detected due to a disturbance in the quantum states.

The beauty lies in the provably secure nature of QKD — quantum mechanics forbids perfect cloning, rendering interception futile. In this dance of particles and principles, QKD stands as a lighthouse of security, promising a future where quantum and classical work in tandem to safeguard us.

For instance, integrating QKD in 5G communication infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. With QKD, organizations will be able to better protect the privacy and authenticity of data transmitted over low-latency, high-speed networks, explicitly addressing the security demands of the 5G era.

Efforts to make QKD solutions more accessible and interoperable are accelerating in response to the demand for even more secure data transfer. This is leading to commercialization and standardization initiatives that are expected to make QKD solutions more user friendly and cost effective, ultimately driving widespread adoption across new applications and sectors.

As strides continue toward achieving quantum-secure messaging, among the first organizations to more broadly implement PQC will likely be those responsible for critical infrastructure and essential government suppliers. Large enterprises and other organizations will follow, also implementing these algorithms within the next few years.

Quantum networking on the horizon

Depending on the desired level of security and performance required, Centoni explained that QKD can be used as either an alternative or a complement to PQC and, in the future, will also leverage quantum networking. However, she acknowledges that it’s early days for quantum networks.

So far, researchers have not successfully achieved sustained quantum networking on a large scale, but major discoveries and advancements are happening. Companies like Cisco, alongside cutting-edge leaders across various industries, are pouring billions into unlocking the awesome potential of quantum networks.

“Quantum networking will see significant new research and investment by government and financial services,” said Centoni. She predicts that this will also include sectors with high demand for data security and the kinds of workloads that perform well with quantum computers.

Quantum networking relies on teleportation principles of quantum mechanics to transmit information between two or more quantum computers. This takes place by manipulating qubits whereby they “entangle” with one another and enable instantaneous transfer of quantum information across vast distances – even when there’s no physical connection between the computers.

In the not-so-distant future, perhaps 4 to 5 years or more, quantum networking will inexorably emerge as a potent force. With quantum networking, quantum computers will be able to collaborate and exchange information to tackle intricate problems that no single quantum computer could solve on its own.

By leveraging the quantum principles of teleportation and non-cloning, quantum networking protocols will facilitate fast, reliable – and perhaps even unconditional – secure information exchange. Potential applications of quantum networking go far beyond cryptography, as well, to turbocharging drug discovery, artificial intelligence (AI), and materials science.

Looking to the post-quantum future

Today, quantum computers are at a very similar stage that mainframes were in the 1960s. Back then, very few organizations could afford those machines, which could fill an entire room. While QKD is now in use as a means of provably secure communication, quantum networking remains mainly theoretical.

QKD is the next generation of quantum cryptography, a step beyond PQC which is not provably secure because of the lack of a proof of mathematical hardness for the cryptographic algorithms. Quantum networking should be thought of as first, a substrate needed for QKD, and then building out larger and larger compute islands – such as data centers and LAN, then WAN – analogous to how classical computers were connected to build distributed computing.

The big challenge now, like the past, is to create quantum computers that can be both reliably and affordably scaled up and put into the hands of corporate, government, and research entities. As such, distributed quantum computing will be the primary driver for quantum networks. We may even see the advent of the quantum cloud and the quantum internet – the metamorphic network of the future.

Quantum networking and security are not mere buzzwords. They are our lifelines in a quantum-powered future. As we race against time, we must embrace quantum technologies while fortifying our defenses. The ultimate payoff is a network that’s more secure than anything we’ve known before — a network where quantum and classical dance harmoniously, protecting our digital existence.

With AI as both catalyst and canvas for innovation, this is one of a series of blogs exploring Cisco EVP, Chief Strategy Officer, and GM of Applications Liz Centoni’s tech predictions for 2024. Her complete tech trend predictions can be found in The Year of AI Readiness, Adoption and Tech Integration ebook.

Catch the other blogs in the 2024 Tech Trends series

"}]]  A metamorphosis continues to take shape with the rise of Post-Quantum Cryptography, Quantum Key Distribution, and the brave new world of Quantum Networking.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

As the media landscape continues to evolve, IP based infrastructure is revolutionizing the way content is produced, distributed, and consumed. One of the primary challenges customers face in the… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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As the media landscape continues to evolve, IP based infrastructure is revolutionizing the way content is produced, distributed, and consumed. One of the primary challenges customers face in the media industry with is to build fully nonblocking networks capable of handling the increased bandwidth requirements associated with higher resolutions beyond High Definition (HD) such as Ultra High Definition (UHD)/4K, and 8K content.

As a result, broadcasters worldwide are widely deploying IP, the need for reliable and interoperable solutions becomes critical to empower media companies to thrive in this new landscape. Enter Cisco and Imagine communications, two of the major players driving innovation and deployment flexibility providing an end-to-end reliable management solution broadcasters can leverage when making their move to IP.

Today’s dynamic duo: Cisco IP Fabric for Media and Imagine Magellan Control System

Imagine and Cisco integrate end to end. The Cisco Nexus 9000 Series Switches play a pivotal role in delivering industry leading infrastructure, supporting high density and bandwidth capacities, – current link speeds up to 400G and future advancements to handle speeds up to 800G – to enable future-proofed IP routing systems for even the largest media environments. As managing bandwidth in the control system is paramount, Protocol Independent Multicast (PIM) facilitates multicast routing throughout networks working in conjunction with Cisco’s Non-Blocking Multicast (NBM) which brings bandwidth awareness to PIM, ECMP protocols, optimizing network efficiency.

Imagine’ Magellan Control System is an operator-centric control system that provides detailed view of SDI/IP routing signals and monitoring capabilities through highly configurable monitoring and control surfaces. Cisco’s IP Fabric for Media works in conjunction with Magellan Control System in NBM Active Mode, where the network orchestrates non-blocking paths from source to destination based on the broadcast controller’s intent to prevent oversubscription, a major challenge faced by media customers.

Interoperability is a key focus in this partnership, with both Imagine and Magellan™ Control System with Cisco IPFM working seamlessly across various vendors.  This commitment to interoperability allows for the creation of versatile production networks from major stadium broadcasts to mobile broadcasting units providing operators the flexibility they need to build cutting edge production environments.

Magellan Control System Integration with Cisco Nexus Dashboard

We are excited to share that Magellan Control System is fully integrated with Cisco’s Nexus Dashboard Fabric Controller (NDFC), leveraging the seamless backup and restore, migration process. Cisco NDFC provides a single point of management, streamlined automation, comprehensive monitoring, and visibility, for IP Fabric for Media (IPFM) deployments, providing the key linkages for the Magellan Control System to configure and manage the NBM pathways and policies facilitating secure, end to-end bandwidth efficiency. Magellan Control System creates “Flow Policies” in NDFC that inform NDFC of the bandwidth value associated with each multicast address. Magellan also creates “Flow Aliases” in NDFC to associate production names to each multicast flow – critical for system utility. Routing operations are performed in parallel on “A” and “B” networks in 2022-7 hitless configurations – for full 1+1 redundancy along the way from end to end. With Imagine and Cisco solutions, broadcast operators can be assured that their IP networks are future proofed, easy to operate, and optimized for agile and scalable production networks.

What’s next in the pipeline for IPFM with NDFC

Here are some new and upcoming features and capabilities that Cisco will be showcasing at NAB 2024!

Critical Events/Fault Notifications: IPFM Critical Events is a recent addition to the NDFC Events Analytics screen in NDFC 12.2.1, allowing users to look in critical events of infrastructure and help troubleshot issues in more efficient way. Users are notified with insight on critical events such as flow policy failures, insufficient bandwidth, host policy failure and more.
ST 2022-7 Fabric Redundancy Visualization with NDFC: As broadcasters continue to embrace IP, SMPTE 2022-7 allows broadcast end points to send and receive redundant streams, that will allow in case of errors to preserve integrity of the stream. Transport also allows redundancy, by building redundant paths. Corelating these paths through network can be a challenging task. In NDFC, we will further enhance visibility by providing a side-by-side view of the red and blue fabrics so enabling operators to monitor both network paths in tandem, ensuring a seamless flow of content.
Hybrid Cisco Catalyst 9000 and Cisco Nexus 9000 Deployments: Media Deployments are the next phase for operators looking to optimize their media networks. Customers are leveraging Cisco Catalyst 9000 switches for lighter/quiet audio environments where a smaller form factor is sufficient and Cisco Nexus 9000 switches for high bandwidth video workflows. In this hybrid environment, customers are looking to Cisco Nexus Dashboard and its fabric controller to be a single point of control facilitating ease of operation and management across both platforms.

The integration between Imagine Communications and Cisco is shaping the future of media technology. As the landscape evolves, this integration stands as a testament to the power of forward-thinking and interoperability in creating networks that are not just equipped for today’s demands but are also paving the way for the future of media production and distribution.

Want to Learn More?

I am excited to share that Cisco and Imagine Communications are hosting a Panel Session at NAB!

Meet Yousuf Khan, VP of Technical Marketing, Cisco Data Center Networking along with a panel of experts from Imagine, Insignia Events and Alpha talk about the industry transition to IP and how the Cisco and Imagine solution stack played a vital role in implementing ST 2110 at the Super Bowl Stadium, home of the Arizona Cardinals NFL Team.

Learn more about the session here! 

Meet with us at NAB Show 2024

Register and join Cisco at the 2024 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 13-17! Cisco will be showcasing our industry-leading solutions through booth exhibits, speaker sessions, and meetings with industry experts.

Our booth is in West Hall booth #W2743, we look forward to seeing you there!

Learn more at the Sports, Media and Entertainment section of the Cisco Portfolio Explorer

Or book a meeting with us here

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

"}]]  The integration between Imagine Communications and Cisco is shaping the future of media technology. As the landscape evolves, this integration stands as a testament to the power of forward-thinking and interoperability in creating networks that are not just equipped for today’s demands but are also paving the way for the future of media production and distribution.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

It’s an exciting time in the world of Wi-Fi. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) recently approved Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) for service providers. Adding to this momentum, the F… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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It’s an exciting time in the world of Wi-Fi. The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) recently approved Automated Frequency Coordination (AFC) for service providers. Adding to this momentum, the FCC granted standard-power certification to a range of Cisco Wireless Wi-Fi 6E access points. This means you’ll be able to take full advantage of the 6 GHz band to support your wireless-first strategy. But what exactly is AFC and standard power, who requires it, and how can it benefit you and your organization?

6 GHz regulation, standard power, and AFC

The FCC and other regulators around the world have rules around how the 6 GHz band is used. The primary consideration is the protection of incumbent operators in the 6 GHz spectrum. Until now, 6 GHz Wi-Fi was limited to low-power indoor use cases to avoid interference with other operators, such as fixed satellite and broadcast services. To enable standard power use in the 6 GHz band, there was a need to agree on governance over how the 6 GHz spectrum is used.

The recent decision by the FCC to approve AFC now gives us the ability to deploy 6 GHz using standard power for indoor, outdoor, and external antenna use cases. This is a significant development that allows us to utilize all that the 6 GHz band has to offer. And with the United States and the FCC taking the lead, other countries are bound to follow suit.

How does AFC work?

According to a Cisco whitepaper on 6 GHz regulations, the FCC has set up a framework where organizations can offer AFC as a service. This AFC service will dictate how much power an unlicensed 6 GHz-capable device can transmit on any given channel, or whether the device will be allowed to send at all. Without AFC, incumbents could face interference, which would degrade their ability to communicate within the 6 GHz band.

Using standard power requires the AFC to know the location of the access point. All Cisco Wi-Fi 6E access points, regardless of the stack, can support GPS/GNSS or use geo-location propagation techniques for location determination. Using this location data, the AFC system queries an FCC database to identify incumbents in the vicinity of the 6 GHz signal. If incumbents exist, the AFC will automatically block certain channels or reduce power to parts of the spectrum.

The Cisco AFC solution interfaces with AFC cloud services, per FCC requirements, and provides administrators with granular visibility into the available spectrum and channels, as well as the power allocation for each.

AFC is simple to configure via the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controller or with the Meraki dashboard.

Figure 1. AFC status monitoring on the Meraki dashboard.

Figure 2. Standard-power configuration in the Cisco Catalyst 9800 Wireless Controller.

The need for standard power

Why would anyone need standard power? There are several reasons, but the main purpose is to broadcast Wi-Fi in the 6 GHz band with more power in both outdoor and indoor areas. This includes indoor locations with lofty ceilings and large open environments. Additionally, outdoor areas can now broadcast in the 6 GHz band, which is only allowed in standard-power mode. The overall goal is to provide reliable, fast, and uninterrupted services to users.

Let’s talk about a few examples. Think about outdoor areas at resorts and sports stadiums and how they connect guests to point-of-sale systems, ticketing, and more. Another example is in manufacturing. Imagine a factory floor with automated guided vehicles (AGVs) and autonomous mobile robots (AMRs) connected reliably over distance.

To learn more about 6 GHz Wi-Fi in manufacturing, make sure to register for this upcoming webinar.

Healthcare is another example—massive buildings with long hallways and soaring atriums as well as large outdoor spaces. Doctors, staff, and patients need to remain connected to ensure quality care and access to resources.

Adventist Health, a Cisco customer, weighed in on the announcement. “We’re excited about certification for AFC and standard power. With standard power, we can extend 6 GHz Wi-Fi across our campuses,” said Ed Vanderpool, Senior Network Manager at Adventist Health. “This will provide our caregivers, staff, and patients the speed and quality of 6 GHz Wi-Fi wherever they chose to roam, with jitter-free voice and video communications, fast access to critical data files, and reliable access to cloud applications. When it comes to Wi-Fi and the recent FCC certifications, we trust Cisco for its reliability, capability, and innovation.”

Register for our 6 GHz webinar with Adventist Health here.

Additionally, with standard power 6 GHz Wi-Fi, mobile service providers can densify and extend 5G with powerful and reliable Wi-Fi when and where available. Likewise, retail, education, government, smart buildings, smart cities, and more can take advantage of standard power 6 GHz wireless to improve connectivity and deliver applications at higher speeds with enhanced security, both indoor and outdoor. Quality wireless is a mission-critical service for all these industries.

Wi-Fi 6E, Wi-Fi 7, and beyond

Cisco has the most comprehensive Wi-Fi 6E portfolio on the market, and as we see Wi-Fi 7 standards emerge, we’ll continue to gain even more capabilities to support a growing number of use cases. Wi-Fi 7 builds on the work we have done in Wi-Fi 6E and will take full advantage of AFC to enable the full power of the 6 GHz band.

One of my team members and fellow wireless product marketers, Stefani Johnson, mentioned in her recent blog post that, “Wi-Fi 7 presents an opportunity to land an exceptionally differentiated customer experience, increased revenue and efficiency, and reduced time-to-value for digital initiatives.”

Cisco Wireless expert Anand Gurumurthy also writes about Wi-Fi 7 and says in his latest post, “[Wi-Fi 7] offers super low latency, more robust connection, higher spectral efficiency, better interference mitigation, more power-saving techniques, better roaming experiences, and increased security.”

With an unprecedented number of devices connecting to today’s wireless networks, along with anticipated growth, we are seeing a transformational shift in connectivity across the places we work, shop, and live. It’s in this uber-connected wireless-first world that 6 GHz Wi-Fi and the next generation of applications are driving a new wireless reality.

We have AFC now, it’s time to start dreaming up new use cases. Look at your needs, evaluate your network, and see how you can benefit from standard-power Wi-Fi 6E.

To learn more about the Cisco Wi-Fi 6E portfolio, visit the Cisco Wireless product page

"}]]  The FCC has granted standard-power certification to a range of Cisco Wireless Wi-Fi 6E access points. This means you’ll be able to take full advantage of the 6 GHz band to support your wireless-first strategy.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Join us as we dive deeper into Cisco and Cisco partner technology deployed at the Cisco Store! We asked Ali McKeand (Chief Technologist for Innovation at CAE Labs) to discuss how their technology… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Join us as we dive deeper into Cisco and Cisco partner technology deployed at the Cisco Store! We asked Ali McKeand (Chief Technologist for Innovation at CAE Labs) to discuss how their technology boosts sustainability efforts at the Cisco Store and larger retail environments. His work is focused on Cisco-based innovation and programmability, and he has been working with Cisco and various technologies over the last two decades.

How do CAE Labs improve a retailer’s and shopper’s in-store and/or virtual shopping experience? What problem is it solving?

We want to expedite how quickly we can deliver the value of new technology to both the retailer and their end customers. CAE Labs’ innovation enables and provides capabilities that deliver rapid adoption of Cisco technology, which in turn drives down project costs and time. We’ve built up deep domain knowledge and experience over the last three decades in retail and can effectively provision a new store location of Cisco technology in a couple of seconds rather than what traditionally might have taken numerous hours.

Buyers are far more conscious about the products and services they purchase, especially with brands that are driving decarbonization. Utilizing powerful programmatic platforms, such as Cisco Meraki (Cisco Networking Cloud), and solutions such as WiserWatts from CAE Labs help to optimize network services to only be delivered during core operating hours, powering them off for the remaining parts of the day. It really is making an impact in the sustainability space: so far, we are saving over 10,000 kWh of energy waste per 30 days across our customer base and saving many metric tons of carbon emissions.

CAE Labs dashboard

What would you like people to know about WiserWatts when they see it in action at the Cisco Store Tech Lab?

I’d love people to know how the blend of Cisco technology with API programmability, through solutions such as WiserWatts, can lead to a much more carbon-friendly, energy-conscious approach to powering the Cisco Store’s technology — only when it’s needed during core hours as opposed to a typical always-on approach.

We saw WiserWatts showcased at Cisco Live: through the combination of its use with smart power controllers (Meraki MT40), power consumption can be tracked and device usage can be live scheduled, supporting the retailer to only power ‘on’ their devices during core operational hours. WiserWatts has also been implemented in a live environment at Cisco’s San Jose campus, realizing a 66% reduction in power consumption.

More than anything, I’d want people to see how we’ve been able to optimize the network at scale through refined automation. When it comes to decarbonization and saving on energy waste, there’s thousands of ways to do that, and most of those are quite difficult: not just to implement, but more importantly to track and measure and report on what’s been saved.

But our work at the Cisco Store showed that there are some easy-to-obtain use cases, such as powering off PoE (Power over Ethernet) drawing devices that aren’t needed 24/7. Another use case is being able to automate the turning off and on of smart power controllers [Meraki MT40] every day; that goes way outside of just the lens of networking. Anything that connects to a standard power cable (C13 plug) can be influenced and we can eliminate that energy waste, which then leads to saving even more on overall run costs or operating expenses and removes carbon emissions. It’s a great opportunity for Brian [Domine, the Cisco Store Tech Lab manager] and the Cisco Store team to be able to benchmark what the energy consumption is in that space for the first time.

Ali McKeand (CAE Labs, center) and Brian Domine and Kaleigh Bisconti (Cisco Store) at Cisco Live EMEA 2024

How do you envision CAE Labs’ technology being used in retail environments in the future?

The areas we’re focused on are looking at how we provide retailers with service assurance when navigating their store infrastructure to the cloud — certainly Cisco Networking Cloud for Meraki and Catalyst devices. A lot of the capabilities we’ve been developing over the years have been around service assurance and sustainability, as well as refined automation and orchestration, which are looking at how we can make changes at scale with a store-as-code approach.

We’ve got great co-innovation experience with a large national retailer in the UK over the past 5+ years, where, for example, we were able to execute a change at scale across thousands of locations within an hour; it would have traditionally taken them around 3 months to implement such change and at a much higher cost. From an e-commerce business perspective, that rapid change helped them onboard new business partnerships far quicker with the likes of Amazon and Deliveroo.

We take this hyper Cisco focused programmatic codified approach to be able to manage, maintain and deliver value to large or small store estates. CAE Labs is trying to productize that approach, making it really easily accessible to consume and adopt.

That’s where I see our API-integrated value deliver at its best for customers: large multi-site customers that can be retail, but can equally benefit healthcare and schools with hundreds of locations. In retail, it’s about leveraging platforms like Cisco Meraki that help retailers adjust and adapt to forever-changing challenges as well as innovate quicker; the key to this is having a unified networking solution and foundation throughout all locations that enables a programmatic API-first approach.

What do you think will be a priority for shoppers in the next 5 years?

Frictionless experiences. We’ve seen that over the last few years with several retailers we’ve worked with: they’re spending significant amounts of energy, time, and money figuring out what great looks like in the form of frictionless consumption. One example is that self-checkout experiences have continually expanded, and a lot of our retailers have far fewer manned checkout lanes. We’re figuring out new ways in how we can leverage technology such as smart cameras and IoT sensors to improve the overall customer journey — from when they come in to when they leave — and we want to see how we can remove those friction points that hinder their experience.

Over the next 5 years, I can foresee there being less human presence in store estates, and more refinement on how we can get from A to B as quickly as possible using technology as the enabler. The Cisco Meraki platform is one of the best networking platforms out there to do that, as it combinates in solving many problems for retailers outside of just pure network connectivity like other competing vendors.

Likewise, what do you think will be a priority for retailers in the next 5 years?

Simplification of their technology stacks. Retail has gotten complex over the last five years, and especially over the pandemic a lot of ‘temp-tech’ was deployed to solve a pertinent timely problem, but not necessarily fully utilized and adopted. The bedrock and foundation of any retailer is the underlying infrastructure on which different colleague and customer experiences (and other retail technologies) operate and layer on top. The dawn of more easily attainable automation potentially helps this simplification as well.

We also can’t ignore security. The programmatic, scalable, and secure architecture from Cisco has been the winning platform for a lot of retail projects that we’ve done over the past decade.

Interested in learning more about CAE Labs? Visit our page or reach out now.

"}]]  CAE Labs Chief Technologist for Innovation, Ali McKeand, discusses how their technology is used to promote sustainability at the Cisco Store.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Welcome to the immersive world of gamified learning, where the addictive pull of mobile gaming and the interactive rewards system of apps like Duolingo are not just for play—they’re the driving force … Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Welcome to the immersive world of gamified learning, where the addictive pull of mobile gaming and the interactive rewards system of apps like Duolingo are not just for play—they’re the driving force behind our approach to Cisco Black Belt Academy gamification. We strive to transform enablement by harnessing the potent allure of game mechanics, making the learning process not just more engaging but also more impactful. Discover how we integrate the principles of game design to elevate and energize conventional enablement methodologies.

Black Belt gamified enablement incorporates game elements like points, badges, challenges, customizable avatars and themed stories into the learning process, to encourage user interaction and competition via leaderboards. Our objective is to make acquiring new knowledge more engaging and interactive, fostering a sense of accomplishment, and healthy competition among learners.

Classic versus Contemporary: A Comparative Outlook

During our research into gamified learning, we found that traditional training methods often struggle to keep learners engaged, leading to decreased retention and motivation.

The Gamification initiative began to further improve and innovate Black Belt Academy enablement. In today’s fast-paced world, keeping our learners engaged and up-to-speed is crucial. Gamified enablement is a dynamic approach that addresses this by tapping into our natural desire for competition, recognition, and accomplishment.

Our objective has been to use gamification to drive Black Belt participation on a broader level with our partners while deepening their knowledge and making it more fun and hands-on for the learners. ​

Innovation and Opportunities

Partners with 30% of employees engaged in Black Belt grew 10% basis points faster and Partners with above average participation grew 3% faster. Adding layers of gamification will give us the opportunity to increase enablement engagement driving more users, improved completion rate & higher continuation rates (S2/S3), and higher user loyalty.

Cisco Black Belt Academy has planned and implemented gamification strategies in three categories:

Single Tournaments are where partner individuals register to compete against others in a single/one-off lab-like (short period) environment where the individual who gets the most points wins.
Journey Competitions are where partner individuals register to compete against other individuals over a long period of time with the end goal to get to the top of the tournament table.​
Races are where partner individuals register to race against others by completing trainings the quickest. Only a certain number of individuals are rewarded in the end.

Our innovative Escape Room has been met with widespread acclaim and attention. In this space-themed adventure, participants are cast as crew members of a spaceship that has crash-landed on an alien planet. To escape, they must leverage their Cisco Security expertise to locate and gather essential repair elements (crystals) needed to restore their spacecraft.

Our team at Cisco Black Belt Academy is committed to enhancing the partner experience by infusing our platform with engaging value communications. We are focused on integrating gamification elements, create captivating content that keeps learners engaged throughout their gaming experience while also providing meaningful rewards and incentives that align with their in-game achievements.

We hope to see you at the games and Happy Learning!

Check out the Cisco Black Belt Partner Academy here! 

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

Cisco Partners Facebook  |  @CiscoPartners X/Twitter  |  Cisco Partners LinkedIn

"}]]  Cisco Black Belt gamified enablement incorporates game elements like points, badges, challenges, customizable avatars and themed stories into the learning process. Our objective is to make acquiring new knowledge more engaging and interactive, fostering a sense of accomplishment, and healthy competition among learners.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Do you want to improve your skillset in network assurance? Or are you wanting to better understand how you can ensure a good digital experience, now that many of your applications have moved to the… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Do you want to improve your skillset in network assurance? Or are you wanting to better understand how you can ensure a good digital experience, now that many of your applications have moved to the cloud? Or have you already passed the Implementing and Operating Cisco Enterprise Network Core Technologies (350-401 ENCOR) certification and are looking for a concentration so you can earn a CCNP Enterprise certification?

If so, you may be interested in our new Designing and Implementing Enterprise Network Assurance training, which aligns with the accompanying certification exam topics. The training will be available as an instructor-led course and a self-paced Learning Path in Cisco U. in late April 2024. However, you can start learning enterprise network assurance today, with free access to the first track of the ENNA Learning Path in Cisco U.

Designing and Implementing Enterprise Network Assurance (ENNA) training

This network assurance training includes introductions to various network assurance platforms, including Cisco Catalyst Center Assurance, Cisco AppDynamics, Cisco Catalyst SD-WAN Analytics, Cisco ThousandEyes, and Cisco Meraki Insights.

The training covers key aspects of the ThousandEyes platform, such as cloud, enterprise, endpoint agents, and various tests (network, web, DNS, voice, and BGP). You will also have the chance to learn through various real-world scenarios; troubleshooting issues by analyzing data in Cisco ThousandEyes. You will also explore Internet Insights and learn how to configure alerts and create custom dashboards within Cisco ThousandEyes.

Finally, the training covers Cisco Meraki Network Assurance, where we explore Meraki Health and Meraki Insights.

Of course, the training includes plenty of labs for hands-on fun and learning. You also have access to 13 labs and three troubleshooting scenario activities.

Build your skills in network assurance

You can start your network assurance learning journey now, with free access to Track 1 of the Designing and Implementing Enterprise Network Assurance | ENNA Learning Path ahead of its full release (arriving in late April 2024). If you are interested in getting Cisco Certified in network assurance, you can download the exam topics for the Enterprise Network Assurance Specialist certification exam, which will open for testing at the end of May 2024. 

I hope you are as excited about this training as we are, and I wish you the best in your journey into network assurance. To stay ahead of all things Cisco Enterprise Network Assurance, sign up for updates.

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

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Read next:

Meet ENNA, the New Cisco Enterprise Network Assurance (ENNA) Specialist Certification

Navigating the Multicloud Journey with Cisco’s New Certifications [Infographic]

"}]]  Free access to Track 1 of the new Designing and Implementing Enterprise Network Assurance | ENNA Learning Path is available now, ahead of its full release in late April 2024.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Navigating the complexities of large-scale technology investments can often be met with skepticism from key stakeholders. In this insightful Q&A, learn from the experience of Ron at Bush Brothers &… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Navigating the complexities of large-scale technology investments can often be met with skepticism from key stakeholders. In this insightful Q&A, learn from the experience of Ron at Bush Brothers & Company, who successfully championed a significant network infrastructure overhaul.

Q: Hi Ron, thanks for joining us! Tell us about yourself and your time working at Bush Brothers & Company.

A: Hey there! I’m Ron Grohman, and I’ve been with Bush Brothers for over 10 years, overseeing infrastructure and security. My background includes work in healthcare, finance, and higher education, tackling various IT headaches across these major industries.

Q: What were you setting out to achieve when you proposed a complete network refresh?

A: We aimed for a network that was enterprise-class, offering flexibility in hardware and configurations. Our goal was to design something robust, allowing us to get a good 8 to 10 years out of our investment. It was about having a system that could grow with the company without needing fundamental changes.

Q: Which Cisco products did you end up deploying?

A: We utilized Cisco’s hardware portfolio, including robust SD-WAN and Industrial Ethernet Switches. Cisco’s SD-WAN solution optimized our network’s performance and adaptability, ensuring high availability and efficient traffic management for critical applications. The deployment of Cisco’s Industrial Ethernet Switches provided durable and high-speed connectivity that could withstand the demanding conditions of our manufacturing settings.

We also implemented Cisco Identity Services Engine (ISE) for device  management, using nearly every feature it offers. ISE revolutionized our network security by enabling comprehensive access control and policy enforcement, significantly enhancing our overall security framework.

Additionally, by integrating Cisco LoRaWAN, we expanded our IoT capabilities with long-range, low-power connectivity, allowing for efficient asset tracking and environmental monitoring across extensive areas. In fact, we were among the pioneering U.S. adopters of LoRaWAN, receiving specialized training to maximize the potential of the technology

Q: What outcomes did you see from the implementation?

A: The project was extremely successful, increasing visibility for troubleshooting and decreasing downtime. We were able to grow our infrastructure footprint by up to 400% without changing the core architecture. The design minimized middle-of-the-night emergency calls and created a more resilient environment.

Q: How did SHI, your Cisco Partner, play a role in this?

A: SHI was like an extension of our team. They helped us stay educated on the latest Cisco equipment and provided architecture advice. We leveraged their insights into other companies’ approaches to similar problems, which helped us in our decision-making process.

Q: You mentioned that you had to frame this idea of “ripping and replacing” the network as the right path forward to your stakeholders. What advice do you have for readers who may be experiencing similar conversations?

A: The key is reframing your message to align with your audience’s perspective. Understand there’s a difference between knowing something and understanding it. Translate technical details into risks and returns they grasp. Build trust with successful projects, and the subsequent conversations will be easier. Use the language of risk and return when speaking with finance folks, for instance. And always prepare thoroughly to convey a deep understanding of your proposal.

To learn more, check out:

Cisco Portfolio Explorer for Manufacturing
Bush Brothers cans old networking equipment and gains fast, future-proof upgrades with SHI

"}]]  Navigating the complexities of large-scale technology investments can often be met with skepticism from key stakeholders. In this insightful Q&A, learn from the experience of Ron at Bush Brothers & Company, who successfully championed a significant network infrastructure overhaul.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

The Empowering Partner Success blog series highlights the African American Cisco Partner Community (AACPC), supporting channel partners, and individuals positively impacting partner diversity and the… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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The Empowering Partner Success blog series highlights the African American Cisco Partner Community (AACPC), supporting channel partners, and individuals positively impacting partner diversity and the communities they serve.

Celebrating Women’s History Month recently inspired us to kick off the first installment in this series by featuring three African American Cisco Partner Community (AACPC) members that are women-led. Cisco committed $50 million to the AACPC to diversify our partner ecosystem as part of its commitment to social justice.

Technology Group Solutions, KeepWOL, and Turia Technology are Cisco partners that provide a wide range of technology solutions and services—and each has a female founder/CEO at the helm.

Technology Group Solutions: Full Service Consulting and Giving Back to Communities

Technology Group Solutions—better known as TGS—is a Cisco Integrator Partner. A full-service IT consulting firm, TGS manages all aspects of a client’s IT environment, including data centers, software, security platforms, and end-user devices.

When CEO Lenora Payne founded the company in 2005, she committed to a customer-centric, holistic approach that centers on integrity, honesty, and dependability. It’s a way of doing business that aligns to Cisco’s purpose, to power an inclusive future for all.

TGS’s growth has been fueled in part by their work with Cisco. TGS was an early member of the African American Cisco Partner Community.

As a result of TGS’s relationship with Cisco, TGS has been able to expand their business into reselling, logistics, shipping, and customer experience. They have also strengthened their role in their customers’ supplier diversity programs with major companies ranging from financial services to consumer-packaged goods to retail.

While growing their business, TGS also always seeks to give back to their communities. One of the ways they have done that is through their philanthropic SHIPs program. SHIPs empowers students through six programs focused on partnership, mentorship, scholarship, internship, apprenticeship, and leadership.

Since TGS first became a Cisco partner, the company has grown tremendously. In the early years, Payne could only dream of reaching $1 million in annual revenues. Since then, they’ve seen that number of $100 million and the company boasts an impressive roster of customers, including being the Official Information Technology provider for the National Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs franchise.

KeepWOL: Fostering Connections and Improving Team Performance

As a Cisco Developer Partner, KeepWOL took its team effectiveness platform and turned it into a Webex integration designed to enhance communication and collaboration for virtual teams.

KeepWOL—short for Keep Wondering Out Loud—is an AI-powered platform that addresses the pervasive challenges of collaboration and communication in today’s business landscape.

While working as an engineering and technology development people leader, Lauren Fitzpatrick Shanks wanted to efficiently get to know the people on the teams she led. So, she built a tool to help people connect, listen, and learn. She gamified the approach, making it simple and entertaining. It was a way to break down walls and jumpstart meaningful relationships—and that led directly to her teams shipping products faster than others.

She turned her solution into something all teams can use and founded KeepWOL, where she serves as CEO.

Now, customers can use KeepWOL directly from Webex. By integrating KeepWOL into video conferences, teams enjoy more collaborative virtual meetings that increase human connectivity among globally dispersed teams.

“In a world where 86% of workplace failures stem from ineffective communication and collaboration, KeepWOL ensures that every employee’s voice is heard and understood. At the same time, it tracks key performance indicators across six critical areas, enabling a continuous data stream for decision-makers.” – Lauren Fitzpatrick Shanks, CEO of KeepWOL

That’s a powerful tool for companies to integrate into the video meeting platform their employees use every day.

Partnering with Cisco made sense for KeepWOL. First, because KeepWOL’s approach to communication and collaboration is designed to become a natural part of an employee’s regular workflow. With Webex becoming an increasingly integral part of employees’ workdays, an integration maximizes the effectiveness of both Webex and KeepWOL. Second, because KeepWOL’s mission is to create a world built on a foundation of always seeking to understand instead of a world built on assumptions and judgments. That strongly aligns to Cisco’s Conscious Culture where our purpose is to power an inclusive future for all.

The proof of their approach is in not only the growth of their customer base, but also the results KeepWOL delivers. At one multinational pharmaceutical and life sciences company, for example, team engagement improved by 49% and job satisfaction went up 20%. That resulted in a 20% increase in retention likelihood, which is saving the company nearly $200,000 in hiring costs per team. It’s no surprise, that 94% of users recommend KeepWOL.

Turia Technology: Innovating at the Intersection of Technology and Sustainability

As a Cisco Integrator Partner with an Environmental Sustainability Specialization, Turia Technology helps public and private sector customers navigate the intricacies of cloud migration while significantly reducing their carbon footprints through eco-friendly practices.

“We deliver scalable, secure, user-friendly cloud solutions that boost operational performance and optimize digital infrastructure while leveraging Cisco’s technologies and expertise. Partnering with Cisco positions us to provide cutting-edge solutions aligned with social impact goals.” – Binta Kindle, Co-Founder and CEO of Turia Technology

There are plenty of companies offering to help customers with cloud migrations, but Turia takes their services to the next level with eco-friendly practices, including energy-efficient hardware, virtualization, and cloud computing.

Like Cisco, Turia believes that running a business doesn’t have to be at odds with caring for and contributing to our communities and our planet. Their solutions both contribute to environmental conservation and result in cost savings for their clients. Turia’s commitment to leaving a positive environmental legacy for future generations aligns strongly with Cisco’s purpose to power an inclusive future for all.

Partnerships Powering an Inclusive Future for All

Payne, Shanks, and Kindle each saw a need and an opportunity and founded a technology company based on that vision. By partnering with Cisco, they have been able to accelerate their companies’ growth while also making the world a better place for companies, employees, their communities, and the world.

Learn more and connect with our Cisco partners here

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

Cisco Partners Facebook  |  @CiscoPartners X/Twitter  |  Cisco Partners LinkedIn

"}]]  Meet three Black women tech founder CEOs who have used the power of the Cisco Partner program to grow their businesses.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Renewable energy technologies now form a key part of the modern electric grid. Most countries globally are investing in renewable energy generation to accelerate the move towards being carbon… Read more on Cisco Blogs

​[[{"value":"

Renewable energy technologies now form a key part of the modern electric grid. Most countries globally are investing in renewable energy generation to accelerate the move towards being carbon neutral. The following technologies are now considered mainstream and being deployed at some pace:

Onshore and offshore wind
Onshore solar farms
Onshore battery storage

Other renewable technologies are also being researched and developed (e.g. wave, tidal, other storage technologies), and we will start to see more innovative renewable energy deployments in the foreseeable future.

To deploy and operate these renewable technologies, often in harsh and remote locations, a secure and reliable network is required. This is where the Cisco Industrial IoT portfolio provides the secure foundation for the network.

Offshore wind farms are large infrastructure deployments with multiple locations. They generally consist of the following main building blocks:

Onshore substation
Offshore substation (platform offshore)
Offshore wind turbines (ranging from 50 to 300 turbines)
Onshore operations and maintenance offices
Offshore Service Operations Vessels (worker accommodation, offices, and workshops while offshore)

Cisco has developed a complete Validated Design (CVD) for these offshore wind farm projects in conjunction with various customers and suppliers. This enables customers (windfarm developers and/or operators) to have a blueprint solution during all phases of a project (from specification and procurement to deployment).

The solution includes networking infrastructure from the offshore wind turbine itself through the offshore platforms to the onshore WAN interface point and connectivity to the wind farm operators control center. Cybersecurity also forms a key part of the Validated Design. Providing segregation of critical and non-critical traffic, inspection of traffic, firewalling, and encryption services.

The Cisco CVD is modular to allow for varying wind farm sizes (i.e. design can flex to cope with increased number of turbines), provides resilient architectures to allow for fault conditions, and includes cybersecurity built in from the start.

Offshore wind farms are very challenging to deploy, and automation is a key component during the deployment phase. Cisco Catalyst Center provides a single platform allowing zero touch deployment of infrastructure (switch and routers) at Day 0 and the ongoing management of the network.

Additional use cases include Service Operations Vessel (SOV) connectivity using Cisco Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul to provide high bandwidth connectivity while the SOV is offshore in the windfarm.

The Cisco Offshore Wind CVD provides the following benefits:

Pre-validated design and configurations
Product choices and validated firmware versions
Automation through plug and play capabilities in Cisco products
Centralized security policies including segregation of services
Modular designs to flex for bigger projects
Validated resilient topologies
Platform architecture to support existing and future devices
Validated QOS and security configurations

In summary, the offshore wind farm solution provides a proven and validated blueprint for connecting devices and production assets, improving industrial security, and improving data access and operating reliability. Following this best practice blueprint with Cisco market-leading technologies will help decrease deployment time, decrease risk, decrease complexity, and improve overall security and operating uptime.

Learn more

Check out the updated solution brief, design and implementation guides for the Offshore Wind Validated Design 1.1 here.
Read the ScottishPower Renewables case study.

"}]]  Connecting highly distributed offshore wind resources requires an advanced communications infrastructure.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

It’s time to expand your multicloud expertise. According to the Cisco 2022 Global Hybrid Cloud Trends Report, 93 percent of organizations already operate in multicloud environments. As the migration… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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It’s time to expand your multicloud expertise. According to the Cisco 2022 Global Hybrid Cloud Trends Report, 93 percent of organizations already operate in multicloud environments. As the migration from private to public and hybrid cloud continues at a breakneck pace, there’s never been a better time to amp up your professional reputation and elevate your tech game to the cloud.

Cisco’s new multicloud training and certifications are your ticket to building the multicloud proficiency you need to deploy, secure, manage, and monitor complex multicloud networks.

Let the following infographic be your guide to navigating the multicloud journey with Cisco Learning and Certifications.

Introducing Cisco Multicloud Certifications [Infographic]

[View as pdf]

[View as pdf]

Begin your journey to multicloud proficiency with Cisco Learning and Certifications

Cisco Multicloud Specialist Certifications prove you have what it takes to deploy, secure, manage, and monitor complex multicloud networks.

If you’re working with Cisco cloud and network management solutions like Cisco ThousandEyes, Meraki, Catalyst SD-WAN, or AppDynamics, you may already have the skills to certify. What’s more, if you are working towards a CCNP Enterprise or CCNP Security certification, earning a Multicloud Specialist certification can complete your concentration exam requirement.

Each of our Multicloud Specialist certifications has its own Learning Path designed for your Cisco certification success:

Cloud Connectivity Specialist Certification | 300-440 ENCC
Validate your knowledge of designing and implementing cloud connectivity, including architecture models, IPsec, SD-WAN, operation, and design.
Secure Cloud Access Specialist Certification | 300-740 SCAZT
Validate your knowledge of designing and implementing cloud security architecture, user and device security, network and cloud security, application and data security, visibility and assurance, and threat response.
Enterprise Network Assurance Specialist Certification | 300-445 ENNA
Assess your knowledge of network assurance design and implementation, including platforms and architecture, data collection and implementation, data analysis, as well as insights and alerts.First day to test: May 20, 2024

For a limited time, you can enjoy free access to Track 1 of each Cisco Multicloud Specialist Certification Learning Path. Log in to Cisco U. and start today.

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

Follow Cisco Learning & Certifications

Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram | YouTube

Use #CiscoU and #CiscoCert to join the conversation.

"}]]  Prepare to thrive in the rapidly growing fields of multicloud strategy and management, including multicloud connectivity, cloud security, and cloud network infrastructures.  Read More Cisco Blogs