Hybrid work is enhancing government’s impact at every level by improving collaborative outcomes and delivering better employee experiences. That’s why the ability of government to provide a secure and… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Hybrid work is enhancing government’s impact at every level by improving collaborative outcomes and delivering better employee experiences. That’s why the ability of government to provide a secure and user-friendly hybrid work environment has become a necessity. We’re seeing that the most successful government agencies are ones that have pivoted their services and work environments to be more flexible and resilient to accommodate hybrid work. And the results are positive, as revealed in the recent 2023 Hybrid Work in Government Survey conducted by Market Connections for Cisco.

Acceptance of hybrid work now normalized in government

According to the hybrid work survey, the acceptance of hybrid work by government employees across the state, local, and federal levels is strong, with the majority of respondents stating they spend three days, on average, working remotely with just two days in-office. This is down slightly from last year’s survey response of five days a week on average working remote, primarily due to many government agencies re-opening their offices fully. The fact that the majority of workdays remain remote reflects an acceptance of the hybrid work approach by workers, and a normalization of the strategy across government.

Hybrid work survey respondents are satisfied with their current remote work arrangement, with 88% very or somewhat satisfied. This mirrors last year’s results, again showing a stabilization in how the government workforce feels about hybrid work. Some key insights include over eight in ten respondents agreeing that implementing hybrid work has improved continuity of operations within their organizations. This suggests hybrid work policies bode well for efforts within government to increase resilience and break down silos. A similar number, 84%, also report an improved work-life balance. And 86% consider the ability to work remotely as important in any future role, a response that indicates hybrid work policies may help government’s ability to recruit and retain talent.

Hybrid Work in Government Survey reveals productivity is strong

The high number of respondents who feel their work-life balance has improved may be a key driver of similar attitudes towards productivity. The Hybrid Work in Government Survey results indicate that working remote is driving productivity, with 82% stating they feel just as productive, or more productive, than in the office. This high number potentially reflects the effectiveness of collaboration software, such as Cisco Webex for Government, to speed frictionless information sharing and communication both within and across teams.

In fact, respondents’ satisfaction with the collaboration software used in their agencies rose significantly, up 11% over last year to an astonishing 97%. When asked why they’re so satisfied, they report it is due to the software working as expected and having a real impact on their work. Also, that it is simple to use and “user friendly.”

Security in hybrid work

The need to keep security at the forefront when managing government networks, devices, and data is also reflected in workers’ reports of threats they’ve encountered over the last year. For example, four in ten indicate experiencing an increase in security threats encountered on the networks. The same number also feel secure access to the tools and resources they use daily, from anywhere on any device, must be balanced with the quality of user experience. Positively, government employees report that both concerns have declined year-over-year.

About three-quarters of all hybrid work survey respondents state they’re using a work-issued or personal smartphone to connect to virtual meetings. This suggests that acceptance of mobile devices for collaboration among government workers has gone mainstream. But it also reinforces the need for government organizations to prioritize multi-factor authentication tools, like FedRAMP Authorized Cisco Duo, and network security solutions like Cisco Umbrella for Government, to secure access to and for their networks.

The future

The public sector faces a much different technology landscape than just a four years ago, a trend accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is critical that IT leaders in government continue their push towards modernization, making sure their infrastructure can securely and reliably handle the long-term transition to hybrid work.

With the accelerated adoption of mobile wireless devices, virtual meeting and collaboration software has become a key tool for government. As hybrid work environments continue to mature as an accepted and beneficial part of life for government employees, we are confident that the positive trends indicated in the survey will continue. By working together, the public and private sector can continue to sculpt a hybrid work model for government that is secure, reliable, and trusted.

Additional resources

Cisco Hybrid Work in Government
Hybrid work innovations coming to the U.S. Government
Resiliency in emergency situations

"}]]  Are hybrid work policies increasing productivity, security, and resilience in government? Find out in the Hybrid Work in Government Survey.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Ushering in a New Era of Generative AI Technology

Cisco Live Amsterdam is almost here, Feb. 5th – 9th, 2024. Visit Outshift by Cisco (Booth #D10) to get the latest announcements on Cisco Cloud A… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Ushering in a New Era of Generative AI Technology

Cisco Live Amsterdam is almost here, Feb. 5th – 9th, 2024. Visit Outshift by Cisco (Booth #D10) to get the latest announcements on Cisco Cloud Application Security (also known as Panoptica).

Every year, Cisco Live draws thousands of tech enthusiasts, loyal customers, and partners all eager to learn about, and builda community around the latest product announcements and industry trends. With the increasing interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI), those attending the conference in Amsterdam will no doubt see a strong focus on it. A testament to Cisco’s commitment of delivering on what customers need next, Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica) has exciting news and product announcements for AI (GenAI Protection) and AI capabilities for our security product (Cisco AI Assistant). These advancements are set to elevate Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica) to new heights of accuracy, speed, and effectiveness.

A Sneak Peek at GenAI Protection and Cisco AI Assistant

GenAI Protection is an LLM security and protection tool integrated into Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica). It safeguards GenAI-based applications from top LLM risks identified by the Open Worldwide Application Security Project (OWASP). GenAI Protection detects and blocks malicious prompts by users and reports them in Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica) as part of API security.

On the other hand, the Cisco AI Assistant infuses Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica) with Gen AI capabilities. This generative AI-based security assistant within Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica) aims to help teams quickly understand their cloud risks. It provides advice on security findings, usage of Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica), and most importantly, helps in querying, sorting, and obtaining more context on risks through natural language Q&A.

With these innovative capabilities, we’re making bold strides in delivering next-level solutions for enterprises which underlines our commitment to stay ahead in the ever-evolving world of technology. News will be shared throughout the week at Cisco Live Amsterdam, so please stay-tuned and be sure to attend the Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica) breakout and DevNet sessions below to learn more.

Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica) Breakout and DevNet Sessions

(Note: all times are CET)

Monday, February 5th

Securing the Future: Enhancing Application Security with AI and for AI
DEVWKS-2774 | 1:30 PM – 2:15 P

Tuesday, February 6th

Prioritise Your Risks with Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica) Attack Path Analysis
DEVWKS-2780 | 10:30 AM – 11:15 AM

Application Security in the Cloud Native World
BRKSEC-1585 | 3:00 PM – 4:30 PM

Wednesday, February 7th

The Five Biggest Security Nightmares Waiting to Happen to Your Cloud Applications and How to Protect Your Business from Them
BRKETI-2903 | 10:45 AM – 11:45 AM

Embed Security Practices into DevOps with Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica)
DEVWKS-3002 | 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM

Securing Cloud Native Applications with Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica)
BRKETI-2511 | 2:30 PM – 3:30 P

Thursday, February 8th

5G Cloud Native Core Network Security with Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica)
DEVWKS-3003 | 9:30 AM – 10:15 AM

Business Risk Observability for traditional and modern applications
BRKAPP-2005 | 12:00 PM – 1:30 PM

Security at the speed of cloud – Security as code
DEVWKS-2255 | 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM

How to Leverage Generative AI to Protect Your Cloud Applications
BRKETI-2512 | 1:30 PM – 2:30 PM

Secure Your Kubernetes Runtime and Cloud Posture with Cisco Cloud Application Security (Panoptica)
DEVWKS-2771 | 4:30 PM – 5:15 PM

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage with some of the best and brightest minds in IT and join us as we build a world filled with people committed to doing the impossible — let’s go!

Register for Cisco Live EMEA

"}]]  Cisco is taking Cloud Application Security (Panoptica) to new heights of accuracy, speed, and effectiveness with new GenAI Protectionand AI capabilities. Come learn about the latest at Cisco Live EMEA 2024.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

E-rate, also known as the Schools and Libraries Program, is a federal program that provides discounts on services to ensure that schools and Libraries across the United States can receive affordable… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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E-rate, also known as the Schools and Libraries Program, is a federal program that provides discounts on services to ensure that schools and Libraries across the United States can receive affordable high-speed internet access to support online education and library services. E-rate helps bridge the funding gap to offset the costs of network upgrades and other telecommunication services.

Who is eligible for E-rate funding? What services are covered?

Schools, school districts, libraries, and library systems are eligible for E-rate funding and can apply individually or as part of a consortium. Most of the nation’s schools and libraries participate in the program and over $4.5 billion dollars is available for discounts each year. Check to see if your school or library is eligible.

Services that are eligible for discounts fall under two main category types:

Category one – Internet access
Category two – Internal connections and related services.

Understanding the E-rate process

We’re often asked, “exactly how does the E-rate program work and what can we expect throughout the process?” The process can be tricky due to the many deadlines involved. But with discounts ranging from 20% to 90% of the costs of eligible services, it is well worth the effort. It’s important to note that the E-rate process has many requirements, such as the amount of discounts depends on the level of poverty of the students’ household and the urban or rural status of the school district or library system.

To help you better understand these rules and navigate the process, we put together an easy to read infographic that breaks the process into 6 simple steps. Plus, we included direct links to key E-rate pages that provide more detailed information, so you don’t have to dig to find them yourself.

Our funding team is here to help.

We pulled together key resources to help you navigate and

maximize E-rate for your school or library.

Top 10 Tips to Maximize E-rate for Schools and Libraries

For two decades, E-rate funds have made technology more affordable for schools and libraries across the U.S. In that time, many have discovered how to make the most of the dollars available to them. We’ve taken their input—as well as recommendations from E-rate consulting firm Funds for Learning—and developed this list of best practices for both schools and libraries:

Top 10 E-rate Tips for Schools
Top 10 E-rate Tips for Libraries

Learn about the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) for K-12 Schools and Libraries

Another key thing to remember is the Children’s Internet Protection Act (CIPA) for K-12 Schools and Libraries. Commonly referred to as CIPA, the Act requires libraries and schools that receive E-rate funding to be compliant with its regulations as a condition of receiving funding. To help you better understand CIPA and how it can impact your E-rate strategies, we created an easy-to-read overview, Understanding and Developing Strategies that Benefit your Community, to help guide your compliance for eligibility.

Ready to get started?

As you begin developing your strategy for applying to E-rate, we encourage you to reach out to us. Remember, Cisco is here to help. If you’re looking for more information on E-rate or other funding options, feel free to schedule a meeting with our E-rate funding experts or explore additional funding resources available on-demand.

While E-rate is a U.S.-based program, funding sources similar to it may be offered in other countries. Explore Cisco’s global funding programs and learn what programs best fit your needs.

"}]]  It's time to talk E-rate! With over $4.5 Billion in funded discounts available, affordable high-speed internet access, network upgrades, and other telecommunication services are now within your reach.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Cisco Live EMEA is quickly approaching! Next week, starting on February 5, we kick things off in Amsterdam. Cisco Customer Experience (CX) has a lot to share at Cisco Live, including all the demos I… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Cisco Live EMEA is quickly approaching! Next week, starting on February 5, we kick things off in Amsterdam. Cisco Customer Experience (CX) has a lot to share at Cisco Live, including all the demos I mentioned last week.

This year’s Cisco Live Customer Experience theme of ‘Jump into the future. Together.’ is all about building a better future with our expertise, innovation, and unwavering commitment to Cisco customers and partners. Cisco CX takes every step along with you, including at Cisco Live. We’ve put together a fantastic program that weaves through many aspects of this year’s event. If you’re in Amsterdam next week, come by the Cisco Customer Experience booth and learn how Cisco CX can help you achieve your business outcomes.

You can always stay up-to-date on the CX presence at Cisco Live EMEA on our CX at Cisco Live web page. From Keynotes to Innovation Sessions to the CX Booth, you have a multitude of ways to interact with CX next week. Much like I highlighted the demos last week though, today I would like to touch on a couple of other particularly exciting engagements next week.

Next Stop, The Future Sweepstakes

If you are attending the event in Amsterdam, as you explore everything Cisco Customer Experience has in store for you, you can participate in our Next Stop, The Future Sweepstakes. You’ll have a chance to win an incredible racing and gaming-themed prize package, featuring virtual reality headsets, a gaming system with games, smart sunglasses, CX and racing swag, and a subscription to Cisco U. (all worth a total value of more than 4,800 euros).

Simply scan the QR codes you will find in our demos, lightning talks, and other locations around the show floor. Review the rules for all the details.

HINT: You’ll find QR codes throughout the CX Booth, by the giant CX, and throughout various CX presentations and sessions during Cisco Live EMEA so be ready to enter the sweepstakes with each QR scan. Be sure to also take a spin in one of the F1 racing simulators you’ll find at the CX Booth. (There’s a hidden QR code there, too!)

Cisco Customer Experience Live Trivia

On February 5-8, we’re excited to host Live Trivia in the Cisco Customer Experience Theater in our booth twice a day with rapid-fire questions about technology based on our demos and CX sessions. This is another chance for you to win a great prize so come by and join the competition.

Live Trivia will be held at 12:15 p.m. and again at 3:15 p.m. each day. You’ll have the opportunity to take home a Yeti Hopper Flip Cooler (valued at 230 euros). We’re awarding two coolers per day, so you have two shots to earn a “cool” prize by showing off your knowledge of Cisco CX. Of course, you can attend our demos and sessions to learn more about Cisco Customer Experience and increase your chances of winning.

The Cisco Customer Experience team is ready to welcome you to Cisco Live EMEA. I can’t wait to hear feedback on next week’s event. Safe travels to everyone attending the event live, and Let’s jump into the future. Together.

"}]]  Cisco Live EMEA is quickly approaching! Next week, starting on February 5, we kick things off in Amsterdam. Find out more about our sweepstakes and trivia in the Cisco Customer Experience Booth.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

As we stride confidently into 2024, Cisco’s commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership with our esteemed global partners remains unwavering. The past year witnessed the remarkable p… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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As we stride confidently into 2024, Cisco’s commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership with our esteemed global partners remains unwavering. The past year witnessed the remarkable prowess of our robust partner ecosystem, impressively contributing an approximate 90 percent to Cisco’s sales and delivering an unparalleled customer experience. This momentum serves as the cornerstone upon which we are poised to build greater success.

For Cisco and its Global Partner Engineering (GPE) team, the success of our partners and customers is synonymous with our own success. In a dynamic landscape marked by technological evolution and shifting customer expectations, GPE champions a resolute approach to accelerating transformation and promptly addressing customer needs. We aim to empower partners and customers alike, enabling them to achieve business outcomes with unprecedented speed.

Momentum that Drives Success

Guided by the vision of enhancing customer experiences through the world’s premier partner technology community, Cisco and the GPE team are on a mission to expedite customer technology adoption. Our team of experts and digital transformation architects is dedicated to collaborating with our partners every step of the way. This involves proactively preparing partners for the future by upskilling and reskilling at a pace that outpaces industry norms. Crucially, it necessitates mindfully delving into the heart of partners’ experiences and providing the support needed to accelerate sales.

Greater Together

In our journey, the ethos of “Greater Together” is not just a tagline but a guiding principle. Every initiative we undertake is a collaborative effort with our partners, shaping Cisco’s technology strategy, responding to industry demands, and aligning with customer expectations. Our partner technical community, a powerhouse of technology and technologists, is the driving force behind this collaborative approach.  Embracing this philosophy, we persist in generating momentum that fosters the precise kind of success essential for our team, partners, and customers. Our aim is not only to address their challenges but to empower them to thrive.

The Power of Listening

Partner listening and feedback are fundamental to our collaborative culture and permeate every phase of the development lifecycle, enriching advancements and outcomes. Our commitment to partnering early with both partners and customers in their lifecycle journey, coupled with the creation of programs and processes centered around intensive listening, enables us to generate superior outcomes that transform possibilities into realities.

Our approach goes beyond merely creating opportunities to hear partners’ voices; it involves actively responding to their feedback. From Technical Advisory Groups (TAG) and the Demos Reimagined Pilot Program to Shogun and Black Belt Academy—and everything in between—partner input serves as the bedrock that informs Cisco’s investment decisions and in particular GPE’s activities and investment decisions. It ensures a laser focus on areas that demand the most attention and programs that lead to partner success. Furthermore, this feedback directly influences the enhancement of product quality, contributing to a continuous cycle of improvement and innovation.

Among the many achievements of the marquee programs within GPE, a handful stand out which set the stage for a successful 2024:

Partner Product Pulse Surveys: The semi-annual surveys achieved record participation from partners, attributed in part to the expansion into eight languages. This inclusive approach garnered insights from a broader spectrum of partners worldwide, showcasing their invaluable perspectives. The latest survey marked a significant milestone with a 43 percent increase in global responses and a notable 25 percent increase in product ratings. This enhanced understanding of product sentiment enables us to delve deeper into the heart of the partner experience, facilitating the acceleration of their sales.
Global Partner Technical Executive Council (PTEC): Each of these events, featuring around 30 of Cisco’s top global partners, offered valuable insights, questions, and commentary focused on Security, Collaboration, and Enterprise Networking. The active engagement showcased the immense value that our partner ecosystem contributes to shaping Cisco’s strategic trajectory and, in turn, the success of our partner community.
Partner Innovation Challenge (PIC): The sixth annual PIC witnessed a significant upswing in submissions, enrollments, and team participation. The astounding 198 percent surge in enrollments showcases the profound creativity, expertise, and unwavering passion that characterize our partner technical community on our open platform. Going beyond delivering substantial value to customers and carving out their distinctive presence in the market, partners’ enthusiastic engagement with the new award category, Partnering for Purpose, reaffirms their dedication to supporting social and environmental causes.
Global Partner Solution Advisors (GPSA): Our high-touch technical and service support empowers partners with the knowledge and tools essential for successful customer engagements. In the fiscal year 2023, with over 100 partner engagements, GPSA played a pivotal role in influencing $200M in pipeline bookings, creating lucrative opportunities in collaboration with our partners.

As we embark on the journey of 2024, we remain committed to the principles of partnership, collaboration, and responsiveness. Together with our partners, we will continue to pave the way for success, leveraging innovation, strategy, and agile implementation to create a future that is truly “Greater Together.”

Visit the Global Partner Engineering SalesConnect Hub

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

"}]]  For Cisco and its Global Partner Engineering (GPE) team, the success of our partners and customers is synonymous with our own success, and as we stride confidently into 2024, Cisco’s commitment to fostering a mutually beneficial partnership with our esteemed global partners remains unwavering.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Since its launch in 2014, Cisco DevNet has been more than just a platform for developers and IT professionals. It has been a thriving community of like-minded individuals driven by their passion for… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Since its launch in 2014, Cisco DevNet has been more than just a platform for developers and IT professionals. It has been a thriving community of like-minded individuals driven by their passion for technology and their desire to collaborate on best practices and discover most efficient tools and techniques for building solutions, solving problems.

DevNet has been a playground for application developers and network automation professionals, helping them to solve issues and build solutions across networking, security, IoT, full-stack observability, and more. Providing tools and resources such as:

API, SDK, and data model documentation
Learning labs
Sample code
Sandboxes

Celebrating Innovation: The Big Events

Signature events like the DevNet Zone at Cisco Live! and DevNet Create (which began in 2017) have always “trended” across social media platforms. These aren’t your average tech meets; they’re where people from all backgrounds and experiences come to play, share, and learn.
DevNet Create for instance, successfully blended DevOps, SecOps, and more, drawing widespread participation.

The Heart of DevNet: Our Community

At its core, DevNet’s essence lies in its community. We’re enhancing our community experience, starting with a an updated name: the “DevNet Hub.” This new name better reflects our identity and offers the same excellent experience. Check out the revamped platform at DevNet Hub.
We’ve also renamed each item in the DevNet Hub menu to make the experience feel seamless.

The Next Chapter of DevNet

Please keep an eye out for more updates coming over the next few months, because we’re always looking for your input! Drop a thread to us here if you see a change that doesn’t make sense, if you have a suggestion, or spot an issue. Also, be on the lookout for polls as we test out ideas. Your input is always welcome.

DevNet’s story isn’t just about tech evolution – it’s about connections, growth, and a shared passion for innovation. All to help you meet the demands of your ever changing workloads.

Want to be part of this journey? Join the community discussions, share your ideas, and get involved. And for the latest insights, make sure to say hello to @JeffBullTech on Threads.

"}]]  DevNet has been a playground for application developers and network automation professionals, helping them to solve issues and build solutions.  Read More Cisco Blogs