The need to connect, secure, and optimize our critical roadways and intersections infrastructure is now clearer than ever. Roadways and intersections are being connected to traffic management centers… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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The need to connect, secure, and optimize our critical roadways and intersections infrastructure is now clearer than ever. Roadways and intersections are being connected to traffic management centers allowing the collection of roadside data for analysis, real-time control, and visibility. This is the foundation of automating outcomes and improving situational awareness to improve safety, efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases.

In the most recent episode of the Coffee and Conversations podcast, I joined Danny Vicente, Sabrina Gonzales, and Sean Caragata to discuss what is taking place in the connected roadways and intersections landscape across the globe and what innovations and technologies are shaping their future.

Throughout the episode, we discuss how a secure, resilient, and agile network can help traffic operators improve public safety, increase operational efficiency, and optimize traffic management. In addition, we touch on the following:

Electric vehicles and EV charging infrastructure
Smart mobility
Connected intersections
Cybersecurity
Autonomous operations
Sustainability

Watch or take a listen to the episode, available now!

Also available on:  Apple Podcasts    Spotify  

Today, I am thrilled to announce Cisco’s intent to acquire Splunk Inc., the leader in cybersecurity and observability. This will bring together two powerful innovation engines and create one of the l… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Today, I am thrilled to announce Cisco’s intent to acquire Splunk Inc., the leader in cybersecurity and observability. This will bring together two powerful innovation engines and create one of the largest software companies globally. This combination will accelerate Cisco’s strategy to securely connect everything to make anything possible.

Cisco and Splunk are two  leaders with complementary capabilities across AI, security, and observability, and together we will help make organizations of all sizes more resilient and secure in an AI-powered world.

The IT landscape has drastically changed as organizations around the world have digitized their businesses, and it will continue to evolve at an even more rapid pace with the acceleration and adoption of AI. While these new technologies create vast opportunities, they also add even greater complexity — unlike anything we’ve ever seen.

Data is one of the most powerful resources in business, with every organization relying on it to help stay securely connected, run their business, and make mission-critical decisions. However, customers need a better way to manage, protect, and unlock data’s true value while staying resilient and secure in a world that is constantly changing.

The Cisco Security Cloud has visibility into vast amounts of security data — network data, identities, emails, web traffic, endpoints, and processes. With Splunk, Cisco is adding one of the world’s best data platforms to Cisco’s robust security portfolio. The combination of Splunk and Cisco will help businesses move from threat detection and response to threat prediction and prevention, making organizations of all sizes more secure and resilient.

On top of the data and security challenges, Generative AI is rapidly transforming industries and creating new opportunities. Together, Cisco and Splunk see a broad range of data across applications, security, and the network. With  the scale we bring and a deep foundation of trust, we believe we’re very well positioned to provide customers visibility to their data and enable them to take advantage of the many opportunities with AI.

Together, Cisco and Splunk will address these challenges and create new opportunities for organizations around the world by offering best-in-class technologies to protect, connect, and advance their missions. We will strive to help our customers make sense of what’s happening in their infrastructure, make decisions and act on insights quickly, and help secure their data and their entire enterprise, all in one place.

Over the past few years, Cisco has been transforming our business to deliver more software and subscriptions, while still delivering best-in-class, high-performance hardware. With Splunk joining Cisco, we will accelerate our business transformation, which will allow us to put innovation in the hands of our customers faster, provide greater predictability and visibility in our business, and help drive growth and long-term shareholder value.

I’m also excited about the strong cultural fit between our two organizations with both Cisco and Splunk having similar values, strong cultures, and incredibly talented teams. Both Cisco and Splunk are regularly recognized as “Great Places to Work,” with Cisco achieving the top spot in the United States for three years in a row. I am so proud of what we’ve built as Cisco and believe that, together, we can make an even bigger impact as we set out to improve people’s lives and communities across the globe in powering a more inclusive future for all. I’m also thrilled that upon close of the acquisition, Splunk’s CEO, Gary Steele, will join Cisco’s Executive Leadership Team, reporting to me.

This is truly a historic day for Cisco. We have incredible momentum, and this will be strengthened further with the addition of Splunk to our team. Together, we will bring trusted innovation leadership, an outstanding go-to-market engine, and a world-class culture that will help our customers move with greater speed to rapidly unlock new opportunities ahead. I’m incredibly excited to see all that we can achieve together.

Forward-Looking Statements

This blog contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those referred to in the forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “will,” “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “estimates,” “strives,” “goal,” “intends,” “may,” “endeavors,” “continues,” “projects,” “seeks,” “targets,” or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, as well as similar expressions) are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. For example, statements regarding integration plans and the expected benefits to Cisco, Splunk, and their respective customers from completing the transaction are forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and assumptions include those described in the press release announcing our proposed transaction with Splunk and in Cisco’s SEC reports (including but not limited to its most recent report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on September 7, 2023, respectively). These documents are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by going to Cisco’s Investor Relations website at https://investor.cisco.com. If any of these risks or uncertainties materializes or any of these assumptions proves incorrect, Cisco’s results could differ materially from its expectations in these statements. Cisco undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statement for any reason, except as required by law.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the proposed transaction and required stockholder approval, Splunk will file with the SEC a preliminary proxy statement and a definitive proxy statement. The proxy statement will be mailed to the stockholders of Splunk. Splunk’s stockholders are urged to carefully read the proxy statement (including all amendments, supplements and any documents incorporated by reference therein) and other relevant materials filed or to be filed with the SEC and in their entirety when they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction and the parties to the transaction. Investors may obtain free copies of these documents (when they are available) and other documents filed with the SEC at its website at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, investors may obtain free copies of the documents filed with the SEC by Splunk by going to Splunk’s Investor Relations page on its corporate website at https://investors.splunk.com or by contacting Splunk Investor Relations at ir@splunk.com.

Participants in the Solicitation

Splunk and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from Splunk’s stockholders with respect to the transaction. Information about Splunk’s directors and executive officers, including their ownership of Splunk securities, is set forth in the proxy statement for Splunk’s 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on May 9, 2023, Form 8-K filed with the SEC on September 21, 2023, and Splunk’s other filings with the SEC. Investors may obtain more detailed information regarding the direct and indirect interests of Splunk and its respective executive officers and directors in the transaction, which may be different than those of Splunk stockholders generally, by reading the preliminary and definitive proxy statements regarding the transaction, which will be filed with the SEC.

In addition, Cisco and its executive officers and directors may be deemed to have participated in the solicitation of proxies from Splunk’s stockholders in favor of the approval of the transaction. Information concerning Cisco’s directors and executive officers is set forth in Cisco’s proxy statement for its 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on October 18, 2022, annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on September 7, 2023, Forms 8-K filed with the SEC on February 21, 2023, July 19, 2023, and September 21, 2023, and Cisco’s other filings with the SEC. These documents are available free of charge at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or by going to Cisco’s Investor Relations website at https://investor.cisco.com.

  Cisco announces its intent to acquire Splunk Inc. Together, we will drive the next generation of AI-enabled security and observability.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Co-authored by Zaheer Aziz
Services Incubation Lead, Cisco CX

The increasing adoption of cloud and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a sign of how rapidly the world of networking and security is… Read more on Cisco Blogs

​Co-authored by Zaheer AzizServices Incubation Lead, Cisco CX

The increasing adoption of cloud and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a sign of how rapidly the world of networking and security is transforming. Organizations are adopting the cloud to streamline and deliver cost-effective, scalable infrastructure. In fact, we have now surpassed the tipping point where more data reside in the cloud than on premises, so working to identify and exploit routes into the cloud data environment has become a go-to for hackers.

It is in this context that we share the story of how a team of security experts from the Cisco Advisory team helped a large, major financial institution successfully transform their traditional networking and security architecture to the cloud and optimize network performance, using SASE to bolster their security posture.

The challenges

While keen to embrace cloud and SASE, our client also faced the challenge of having over 40 stakeholders, each of whom had their own list of requirements and expectations. They needed to be able to harmonize various requirements and expectations related to zero trust, SD-WAN, operations, firewall, Security Operations Centers, endpoint, and others. With so many stakeholders to please, the engagement would require seamless collaboration, effective communication, and a deep understanding of the diverse aspects of networking and security.

The Cisco SASE Advisory Service team loves a challenge, and we were excited to meet this one head-on! We assembled a cross-functional group of Cisco experts representing SD-WAN, security, program management, and product management. Our mission was to work closely with the customer, understand their unique needs, and provide them with requirements and design documentation and journey maps to guide them through a successful SASE implementation.

The engagement process

Over several months, the Cisco SASE Advisory Service team conducted numerous workshops, meetings, and brainstorming sessions with the client’s teams. The focus was on creating a customized solution that catered to their unique requirements as a financial institution operating in a highly regulated industry.

During the engagement, our team:

Conducted a thorough assessment of the client’s existing network and security infrastructure.
Identified areas of improvement and opportunities for optimization.
Developed a detailed SASE migration plan considering both technological and organizational aspects of the transition.
Provided comprehensive requirements documentation and journey maps, outlining the necessary steps for a successful SASE implementation.
Delivered design documentation that served as a blueprint for the client’s SASE architecture.

The outcome

This complex engagement resulted in a highly satisfied client who now has a clear roadmap for their SASE journey. By working with this financial institution to provide requirements documentation, journey maps, and design documentation, the Cisco Advisory team helped our client clearly define a path to transition from traditional networking and security architectures to a modern, cloud-based SASE model.

Not only did our team address the technical aspects of our client’s migration, but they also focused on the human side of the equation by ensuring that the various teams within the organization were equipped to adopt and manage the new SASE infrastructure.

Navigating IT complexity with Cisco expertise

This successful engagement underscores the importance of collaboration, expertise, and adaptability in navigating the complex world of networking and security—and the Cisco Advisory Services team brings all this and more to the table. As the industry continues to evolve, organizations who plan to transition to a SASE model can greatly benefit from Cisco’s expertise and guidance to realize the outcomes they seek. We can provide the guidance, support, and customized solutions that you need to ensure a seamless, successful migration.

Visit Cisco Security Services to learn more.

  The increasing adoption of cloud and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) is a sign of how rapidly the world of networking and security is transforming.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

The energy sector is facing greater challenges than ever before. Grids must now handle more distributed and variable energy sources from renewables. They must be ready to face dramatic environmental… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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The energy sector is facing greater challenges than ever before. Grids must now handle more distributed and variable energy sources from renewables. They must be ready to face dramatic environmental impacts, such as devastating fires and extreme weather conditions like heat waves that can fry a grid causing blackouts for days.

On top of that, energy utilities face demand from a rapidly transforming industry: not only must they ensure constant reliability and availability of power, they must also adhere to stringent security regulations and meet power grid management requirements.

Just a few days ago, Europe’s Energy Commissioner Kadri Simson published an Opinion piece outlining the critical need to update the power grid for Europe to meet its climate goals. As she rightly highlighted, the answer to the grid challenge does not necessarily mean building more physical infrastructure, but rather, how digital technologies can support this transition.

“Europe faces a fundamental challenge in ensuring its energy independence and deliver on its climate goals. It is time to shift our attention from targets and rules to what is needed to make things happen. This means placing the issue of grids at the heart of the debate. Upgrading the power grid will plug Europe into a sustainable future.”
Kadri Simson, European Commissioner for Energy

A European Action Plan to Digitalise the Energy System

In 2022, the European Commission published its Action Plan to Digitalise the Energy System in the European Union (DoEAP). In the Action plan, the Commission notably addresses the need to use technologies to integrate renewables into the grid, improve its efficiency and manage the balance between power supply and demand, thereby saving costs for consumers and companies whilst advancing the clean energy transition.

The Action Plan also calls on EU Member States to enhance the cyber defence of critical entities such as data centres, water utilities and energy infrastructure, all of which have become targets for threat actors.

During her 2023 State of the European Union address, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “modernisation and decarbonisation can go hand in hand”, referring to the next phase of the European Green Deal. At Cisco, we have developed solutions in many of the priority areas highlighted by the European Green Deal and DoEAP.

Energy grids under deep digital transformation

To thrive in this new era, utilities are investing in more efficient, automated, and resilient energy grids that require advanced telecommunications systems. By connecting the energy ecosystems, technology helps optimise production and demand. The backbone of these new systems consists of IP-based, packet-switched networks, providing system interoperability and enabling a spectrum of new applications that improve grid security, control, and much-needed flexibility.

Smart grids connect the entire supply, grid, and demand elements via an intelligent communication system. This allows for better oversight of supply and demand with advanced analytics that help optimise energy usage, and ultimately reduce costs. Our White Paper on the Digitalisation of the Energy System gathers details on the technologies that enable this transformation.

Increased energy needs for data centers

With the exponential amount of data combined with the impact of the climate crisis, 75% of organisations are predicted to have a data center sustainability program in place by 2027, according to a recent Gartner research.

This is an approach we also observe at Cisco as every year more and more of our customers decide to put sustainability at the center of their purchasing and deployment decisions. We need to enable them to better balance the performance needed to tackle compute-intensive workload like Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning with their growing focus on sustainability.

We are proud that last June, Cisco’s servers, networking, and storage unified system, UCS X-Series, has earned the 2023 SEAL[1] Sustainable Product Award, which honors products that are “purpose-built” for a sustainable future. The latest-generation of the UCS X-Series is 54% more energy efficient at the processing level than previous generations. It is managed by Cisco Intersight, enabling constant monitoring of energy usage with visibility of compute power across data centers, sites, and locations in one tool, enabling customers to dynamically adjust power usage for optimal efficiency.

In addition, we have been taking several steps to make our own data centers more sustainable, from energy management and streamline hardware, to reducing data center energy consumption, optimisation of heating, ventilation, air and much more.

Today, Cisco’s data centers are powered by 72% renewable energy. These actions have allowed us to reduce Cisco data centers’ power needs by 40% (compared to 2016), redeploy 58% of server cabinets removed from service, and reuse 43 tons of cabling equipment saved from e-waste.

Investing in the energy system and collaborating for greater results

As leaders meet in New York for the 2023 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Summit and Climate Week, Cisco looks forward to working with policymakers, public officials, utilities and the private sector to ensure that Europe’s energy system continues to evolve and transforms itself for the next phase of the EU Green Deal. It has the potential to deliver on many of the SDGs goals such as affordable and clean energy (SDG7), resilient industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG9), sustainable cities and communities (SDG11) and climate action (SDG13).

Digitalising the energy system is a crucial step in the climate transition, not only in ensuring that the energy sector works better for consumers, but more importantly that it works better for the planet and its resources. By investing in cutting-edge technologies and integrating them into the energy infrastructure, we can deliver more efficient and automated operations.

From transmission and distribution system operators (TSOs and DSOs) creating a digital twin of Europe’s energy system, to national regulatory authorities working on common principles, and universal guidelines on data center sustainability, Cisco will continue to collaborate with organisations – public and private – on energy digitalisation, particularly in the context of the EU Action Plan on Digitalising the Energy System.

For more information, see our White Paper on the digitisation of the energy system

[1] SEAL is an organisation that drives accountability for environmental progress.

  Utilities are investing to connect the energy grid and make it more efficient, automated, and resilient. This blog looks at how the European Action Plan to Digitalise the Energy System addresses the need to use technologies to reach climate objectives.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Cecilia Correa joined Cisco as the Senior Director of Security Brand Marketing just over a year ago. How did she cultivate a career she loved? By following what energized her most: enabling creatives… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Cecilia Correa joined Cisco as the Senior Director of Security Brand Marketing just over a year ago. How did she cultivate a career she loved? By following what energized her most: enabling creatives to do their best work in a field that impacts every single industry in the world. If you also want to do work that is energizing and meaningful, visit our openings.

Consider where your passions intersect

What led you to marketing in technology?

Cecilia Correa: I’ve always been drawn to the intersection of business and storytelling. There is no better space to bring those two things together than the tech category where markets are constantly being shaped and made. There is so much innovation and always new stories to be told. I love how marketing helps us all see opportunities and make sense of the fast-paced digital transformation we live and experience every day.

Technology ultimately touches every industry, every system of the world. It’s such an essential part of what every organization is driving in service of delivering better value and outcomes to the audiences that they serve. It’s a privilege to work in technology because it impacts simply everything. Cisco is helping businesses leverage technology to transform and drive better outcomes and experiences for everyone, powering an inclusive future for all. It feels so meaningful to be a part of that — and help steward what the brand stands for in the security space.

Do work that excites you

What advice do you have for other leaders?

Cecilia Correa: I’ve always loved working with creative teams and projects. Ideating, building, making things together. I chose to stay focused on the more creative side of marketing, even though other areas maybe would’ve given me faster paths for promotions because there were more senior roles available. And I don’t regret that. I think we all should follow our instincts to focus on the things that truly motivate us. What I love about my job at Cisco and the work that I’ve done over the past 25 years is the collaboration on meaningful work with creative thinkers and makers: from designers to writers, strategists, illustrators, photographers and filmmakers. I prioritized that over everything else.

“What I love about my job at Cisco and the work that I’ve done over the past 25 years is the collaboration on meaningful work with creative thinkers and makers: from designers to writers, strategists, illustrators, photographers and filmmakers. I prioritized that over everything else.”
– Cecilia Correa

What career advice do you give your daughters?

Cecilia Correa: Early on in my career, I think I took everything way too seriously and was pretty hard on myself. Over time, I learned to relax more and have fun along the way – and it made such a difference. When you can let your guard down at work, be more open, be more vulnerable, there are so many more connections that are built and so much more creativity.

“When you can let your guard down at work, be more open, be more vulnerable, there are so many more connections that are built and so much more creativity.”– Cecilia Correa

Ready to find a career you love?

Stay tuned for more career insights from Cecilia Correa during National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. If you’re also driven by creative enablement across industry, check out our open roles.

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

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  Senior Director of Security Brand Marketing Cecilia Correa has built a career she loves. Learn how to follow your passions to find a career you love.  Read More Cisco Blogs