Introduction

In today’s ever-changing digital landscape, there is a pervasive threat that continues to grow: phishing attacks.

Seriously, can’t Joe in finance resist clicking on that sketchy a… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Introduction

In today’s ever-changing digital landscape, there is a pervasive threat that continues to grow: phishing attacks.

Seriously, can’t Joe in finance resist clicking on that sketchy attachment? But here’s the thing, phishing attacks have evolved and it’s not just about sketchy attachments anymore. As technology zooms ahead and distractions pop up every second, it’s no wonder phishing attacks are multiplying at an astonishing speed.

Here are the top 5 emerging phishing trends that you need to be aware of (in no particular order):

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a game changer and has become a new favorite tool of cybercriminals to launch sophisticated phishing attacks. With AI technology, they can create fake profiles, chatbots, and convincing voice impersonations, making it harder for people to distinguish between real and fake messages. Cybercriminals have honed their skills to exploit our most human traits – trust, curiosity, and fear – with frightening expertise.
Throughout the Russia-Ukraine war, hackers have been using fake humanitarian campaigns and social media scams to lure people into downloading malware or giving away sensitive information.
Log4j exploitation attempts remain consistently high. Log4j is an exploitable weakness in a popular logging library for Java applications commonly used in enterprises, cloud hosting services and other critical systems. Cybercriminals use this gap to infiltrate and gain access.
Politically motivated attacks targeting critical infrastructure are on the rise, as national security and critical infrastructure remain top targets.
Newer work models, such as working from home (WFH) and hybrid models, have opened new opportunities for attacks. As workers stay connected to office networks from home devices, it becomes easier for attackers to access collaboration tools and create phishing emails.

To effectively combat these threats, organizations should consider adopting a holistic approach to cybersecurity. This involves implementing tools and systems that work collaboratively with users. Rather than pursuing piecemeal initiatives, this comprehensive strategy allows organizations to address vulnerabilities on all fronts. When the power of people and technology unite, the organization becomes a formidable force against phishing attacks. 

Cybersecurity as a Business Enabler

Contrary to popular belief, cybersecurity measures are not meant to create friction in business operations. In fact, they have the power to drive resilience, growth, and success by minimizing the risk of disruptions and financial losses caused by cyberattacks.

One of the key aspects of resilience is the ability to effectively manage change, whether it is positive or negative. By adopting a proactive cybersecurity approach, organizations develop the confidence and certainty to face threats head-on, anywhere, anytime.

Additionally, effective cybersecurity measures play a crucial role in ensuring compliance with industry regulations and standards. This goes a long way in shielding organizations from potential legal consequences and harm. Safeguarding sensitive information not only protects your business but also contributes to building a strong reputation and credibility.

Cisco can help prevent phishing attacks

At Cisco, we understand that effective security infrastructure takes more than just tools and systems. It requires the right people and a culture of cybersecurity to work together cohesively.

We’re excited to announce the launch of our newest ebook, Phishing for Dummies. This resource offers valuable insights into the latest threats and trends in phishing and can benefit everyone regardless of skill level. We’ve designed it to be accessible and informative, breaking down complex topics into simple, actionable steps for organizations of any size.

In our eBook, we explore:

New and emerging threats on the cybersecurity landscape
Key social, political, and technological trends driving cyberattack activity
Common weaknesses in infrastructure, training, and protocols that leave organizations vulnerable
Best practices and strategies for mitigating cybersecurity weaknesses and staying ahead of phishing threats
The Cisco Secure solutions that best combat phishing and provide strong defense against even the most sophisticated attacks

When people and technology join forces, they create a powerful alliance that paves the way for a safer, more secure digital world. Let’s embark on this journey together!

Click here to download the eBook

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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  Phishing attacks have evolved and it's no wonder phishing attacks are multiplying at an astonishing speed. Learn the top 5 emerging trends.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Co-authored by Ian Robertson, Global Business Development Executive of Cloud Computing and Hector Morales, Senior Lead Technical Solutions Architect in Global Partner Organization.

The network has… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Co-authored by Ian Robertson, Global Business Development Executive of Cloud Computing and Hector Morales, Senior Lead Technical Solutions Architect in Global Partner Organization.

The network has never been more important to running mission-critical IT applications and solving business needs. To drive business advantage, an organization’s network must support hybrid work and cloud-centric models, stay ahead of cybersecurity threats, while providing automation capabilities and network insights from real-time analytics.

This is further complicated by managing across multiple sites, meeting compliance standards, and monitoring a range of technologies from multiple vendors. Rearchitecting the campus network to accommodate these challenges can increase the burden on IT teams already struggling with skill shortages and staffing constraints.

The criticality of the network to the business underscores the importance of working with leading networking and IT services companies to overcome these challenges and provide the managed solutions and expertise enterprises require. That’s where NTT’s Managed Network Service for Cisco Catalyst Center, underpinned by NTT’s Spektra platform, comes in. NTT’s Managed Catalyst Center offer helps customers enhance network performance to meet the demands of the digital organization.

Improve network performance with NTT and Cisco

NTT’s Managed Network Services with Cisco Catalyst Center provides a cloud-based network automation, advanced monitoring and management solution. Cisco Catalyst Center becomes the brain of the network – monitoring and automating network management and providing event correlation, real-time analytics and insights. Catalyst Center is underpinned by AI-enabled network management that can streamline configuration, troubleshooting and operational functions by making recommendations based on Machine Reasoning Analytics.  NTT’s network transformation platform, SPEKTRA, delivers an additional layer of AI-enabled automation, predictive analytics and event correlation techniques.

This integrated solution uses advanced AIOps to deliver innovation and intelligent workplace features by using Cisco Catalyst Center DevOps API services layer. Monitoring, event correlation, automation and real-time analytics provide the insights that network administrators need to manage the IT ecosystem more efficiently. End-to-end managed services encompass design, support, delivery, and lifecycle services with a single, unified services portal.

Benefits of true integration and managed solutions

NTT’s technical expertise brings the full range of Catalyst Center features into its Managed Networks solution to provide numerous advantages, including:

Real-time analytics helps administrators quickly identify and resolve network and security issues before they become major problems.
Automation of up to 90 percent of network management tasks reduces the workload and lowers downtimecaused by manual configuration errors and troubleshooting.
Simplified network management with a single dashboard view covers the entire network.
Proactive management and operations by using advanced monitoring and event management keep the network running smoothly, 24x7x365.
Access to technical expertise for managing and supporting the solution reduces the pressure on in-house IT staff.

This solution can be adapted to meet infrastructure needs across a range of situations: large, complex networks that require automation, segmentation, and real-time analytics; network management for multisite organizations; and migrations to the cloud with automation and real-time analytics that support cloud-based services.  Additionally, NTT helps customers meet compliance requirements with policy-based access control and network segmentation.

Unlock the potential of advanced functionality

“Our Managed Cisco Catalyst Center offering is another example of how we combine innovation in AI with our network management expertise to help our clients improve their network performance and find operational efficiencies while simplifying management requirements,” said Amit Dhingra,Executive Vice President: Managed Network Services at NTT in his blog, Introducing NTT’s Managed Cisco Catalyst Center. 

NTT’s Managed Catalyst Center offering uses a framework of platform, people, and process to redesign the network and deliver operational excellence.

To learn more, download the whitepapers on NTT Managed Catalyst Center – Monitoring and NTT Managed Catalyst Center – Automated Operations.

Get started by requesting a Network Assessment with NTT

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

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Cisco Launches Country Digital Acceleration Program in Ukraine

Since the war in Ukraine began, Cisco has stood by the country’s side: helping defend its critical infrastructure against cyberattacks, e… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Cisco Launches Country Digital Acceleration Program in Ukraine

Since the war in Ukraine began, Cisco has stood by the country’s side: helping defend its critical infrastructure against cyberattacks, establishing Wi-Fi connectivity for Ukrainian refugees, and providing Ukrainians with IT education to build their digital skills and employability through  Start IT. Cisco4Ukraine. Many of these initiatives were spearheaded and carefully coordinated by Cisco’s Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program, in partnership with local ecosystem partners and supported by the Ukrainian government.

This summer, we were proud to expand on our commitment by launching the next wave of Cisco’s CDA program initiatives in Ukraine. At the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, CDA Vice President for EMEA Chris Reeves and I joined Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development Михайло Федоров/Mykhailo Fedorov and Deputy Minister for Eurointegration, Ministry of Digital Transformation Валерія Іонан/Valeriya Ionan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to help further secure the country’s critical infrastructure, promote ubiquitous internet connectivity, and offer training in cybersecurity and networking through the Cisco Networking Academy.

Ukraine is now one of 49 countries participating in Cisco’s CDA program, a strategic partnership with government leadership to bring to life elements of a national digital agenda and create new value for a country, its industries, and citizens. As part of the program, Cisco and the Ukrainian government will collaborate on the following critical areas:

Михайло Федоров/Mykhailo Fedorov, Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development in Ukraine

Cisco Networking Academy and Talent Bridge — Growing Ukraine’s Digital Workforce

At a time when the only constant is uncertainty, at least two things are clear: digital skills are in demand everywhere, and when the war is over, Ukraine will need a workforce ready to rebuild and protect its critical IT infrastructure from day one. To help citizens reskill and upskill for the digital economy no matter where they are, Cisco Networking Academy training courses in networking, cybersecurity, data science and more will be made available on the Diia.Education platform, Ukraine’s free digital learning hub that connects users to employers by creating individualized education roadmaps.

Cisco Networking Academy is one of the longest-standing IT skills-to-jobs programs in the world, training learners in critical digital skills and enabling them to earn industry-recognized Digital Badges and certifications that unlock employment opportunities in the digital economy. The Diia.Education platform will also connect to the Cisco Talent Bridge Matching Engine, a tool that makes it easier for HR managers to find candidates in 190 countries and helps learners find and apply for jobs that match their skill level.

Education for CDTOs — Supporting Ukraine’s Chief Digital Transformation Officers

Working with the Ministry of Digital Transformation (MDT), Cisco will support the technological development of Ukraine’s Chief Digital Transformation Officers (CDTOs), the leaders of the county’s digitization efforts at the ministry and local government level. In addition to leveraging in-country resources, Networking Academy instructors, and local learning partners, Cisco will provide CDTOs with access to our offices, labs, and briefing centers across the world to learn about the latest technologies, best practices, and trends in the digitalization sector.

Collaborating with the Ministry of Digital Transformation — Helping to Protect Ukraine from Cyberthreats

We will build on our existing commitments to helping restore critical telecommunications infrastructure and protecting Ukraine’s communities from cyberthreats through Cisco security technologies and our threat intelligence team at Cisco Talos.

We’re All in This Together

Cisco’s CDA commitment is a testament to the power of working together, starting with Cisco’s team on the ground in Ukraine, who, despite extraordinarily difficult circumstances, continue to support Ukrainian customers and live up to their mission of making Ukraine “attractive, comfortable, and safe.”

Rebuilding Ukraine’s digital infrastructure and workforce requires that companies, governments, and institutions from around the world work together in new and innovative ways. This is what Cisco’s CDA program was made for. Collaboration across government, industry, and academia is in our DNA, and I’m heartened to see that our efforts are taking place against a backdrop of enormous international support.

The war in Ukraine is not over, and the road to recovery is rough. But Cisco, along with more than 400 companies from 38 countries who signed the Ukraine Business Compact, is in it for the long haul. Wıth hope and determination, we look forward to rebuilding a stronger, more connected, more secure Ukraine. Together.

“Cooperation with Cisco opens up new opportunities . It is important to pay attention to the development of human capital as countries compete for talents and specialists. The memorandum with Cisco is an investment in our future and a signal to the whole world to work with Ukraine. Jointly, we will implement technological tools and innovative solutions in educational projects, share experiences in the field of digitalization, and use the content and best practices of one of the top companies globally.”

—Михайло Федоров/Mykhailo Fedorov, Ukraine’s Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development

Guy Diedrich (Cisco SVP & Global Innovation Officer), Михайло Федоров/Mykhailo Fedorov (Ukraine Vice Prime Minister for Innovation, Education, Science and Technology Development), Валерія Іонан/Valeriya Ionan (Ukraine Deputy Minister of Digital Transformation), and Chris Reeves (Cisco VP of Country Digitization, EMEA)

  Cisco is launching the next wave of Country Digital Acceleration program initiatives in Ukraine to help secure the country’s critical infrastructure, promote connectivity, and provide critical workforce development training.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

How many times have you signed up to join a community or become a member of a site that had valuable information and they asked you “what is your title?” It seems like an innocuous question designed… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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How many times have you signed up to join a community or become a member of a site that had valuable information and they asked you “what is your title?” It seems like an innocuous question designed to understand the demographics of their site visitors. If they are a little more advanced in their approach, they might attempt to tailor their content to you based on your title.

Looking at it from the experience provider side, the title doesn’t turn out to be a very useful piece of information to capture.  When someone says their title is “Systems analyst,” what does that imply? Are they a programmer? A data cruncher of some kind? Possibly in the operations end of IT?  It is really hard to tell. Among the members who have joined the Cisco DevNet Developer Community to gain access to our curated learning experiences there were in fact more than 2000 unique titles entered over a 6 year period!

Initially, we sought to normalize these titles by analyzing similarity or cross-checking with LinkedIn, but still this didn’t help much to segment our audience for the purpose of personalizing content. Also – it takes a lot of time.

So, what should we do? Our goal is to provide direction to two key initiatives:

make sure that when we send out developer information, it is relevant to the recipient
provide metadata so that we can create personalization of content shown on the web site based on audience needs

Our solution was to think about this challenge in a different way. Rather than asking and attempting to infer their role, why don’t we just ask, “What is the primary area you work in now?”  This creates much more relevant metadata for the goal.  We implemented the change to our membership sign-up page, and also created a process to ask existing members when they log in to update their area of focus. Within 3 months or so, we had an actual idea of our real audience.

Now we could stop telling other teams within the company broad generalizations about our primary audience (network engineers) vs. some of the audiences we are working to reach (SRE/DevOps and software developers).  This also means that we can properly resource in our developer advocates, and community teams to spend effort where it will have the most impact. We actually were reaching more of our second two audiences than we thought, and that explained some of the traffic numbers hitting one kind of content type vs. another.

How about your team? Do you still primarily collect titles from your visitors? If you do ask about role, how has that impacted your investment in resources? Send me a comment in the field below.

Find the Cisco developer community that can help you in your role.

  When someone says their title is “Systems Analyst,” what does that imply? Are they a programmer? A data cruncher? Possibly in the operations end of IT?   Read More Cisco Blogs 

Exciting things have been happening since we announced the two new entry-level Cisco certifications, the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity and Cisco Certified Support Technician … Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Exciting things have been happening since we announced the two new entry-level Cisco certifications, the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Cybersecurity and Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking.

It’s no secret the tech industry is vying for not only qualified but certified employees these days. And from the looks of the participation in these two new certs, students are jumping on board the tech train to get in on this new training opportunity. Since the CCST Cybersecurity exam became available on March 1, 2023, more than 136 people have passed the CCST Cybersecurity certification exam. More than 231 people have passed the CCST Networking certification exam since it went live on April 26, 2023. And we’re just getting started. 

The curriculum and certifications for both Cybersecurity and Networking give students a jump start in prepping for entry-level jobs, internships, and apprenticeships. Students who achieve the CCST Cybersecurity certification can qualify for Cybersecurity Technician, Cybersecurity Analyst, and Tier 1 Help Desk Support job roles. Those who gain their CCST Networking certification are ready to apply for Network Support Technician, Entry-level Help Desk Technician, and IT Support Specialist job roles. We’re already seeing employers include these certs on job postings for IT roles.  

Transitioning to Cisco associate-level certifications 

Yes, these certs are all that and a bag of chips, but the real beauty of the new CCST certs is their double duty as a direct path of stepping stones to Cisco associate-level certs, such as CCNA and CyberOps Associate. High school students can build on this early, achievable milestone to start their tech careers and move seamlessly into Cisco certifications. Workers just starting out in tech can gain the knowledge and skills they’ve been seeking to pivot from other sectors and advance through the progression of Cisco certifications. 

Completing the picture with entry-level curriculum 

Of course, Cisco certifications wouldn’t be complete without training to back them up, and these entry-level certs are no exception. Cisco Networking Academy offers free, online, self-paced courses so learners can learn at their own pace, on their own schedule, and even from a mobile device. Or they can get the richness of an instructor-led experience through an academy, with a pre-built curriculum and teaching resources licensed free to educators.   

Take a look at these two career paths that offer valuable self-paced options: 

Junior Cybersecurity Analyst Career Path 

This free self-paced curriculum through Skills for All from Cisco Networking Academy is designed to give learners the knowledge and skills to tackle the entry-level CCST Cybersecurity certification exam. It also preps them for entry-level cybersecurity positions, such as Cybersecurity Technician, Cybersecurity Analyst, or Tier 1 Help Desk Support roles.

It teaches vital skills, such as threat intelligence, network security, and risk management, to help protect individuals and organizations from cyberattacks. The cybersecurity field is perfect for puzzle solvers who are passionate about technology and thrive working in teams.

Network Technician Career Path 

Also through Skills for All from Cisco Networking Academy, this learning path arms students with knowledge to take on the entry-level CCST Networking certification, as well as entry-level roles, such as Network Support Technician, Entry-level Help Desk Technician, or IT Support Specialist. This learning path teaches students how networks operate, including the devices, media, and protocols that enable network communication. They’ll develop key skills to perform basic troubleshooting, using effective methodologies and help desk best practices.

Offering essentials for instructors 

Educators are at the heart of every successful educational institution, and our community of talented educators has tremendous impact, providing critical technical skills training around the world. For CCST certification-aligned curriculum, educators have options: self-paced or instructor-led courses.   

Ready-made self-paced courses offer educators a quick-start, low-touch option to offer a learning experience that easily aligns with certifications. We’ve already seen the popularity of this option grow for non-profit organizations as well as educators already teaching associate-level courses who want to provide an on-ramp experience for future students.   

Educators can also choose to teach instructor-led courses that come with their own unique teaching tools and resources, including a pre-built curriculum with flexibility to curate and customize assignments. 

 To top it off, the courses meet funding requirements through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (the Perkins CTE Act), which is the main federal funding source for high school and postsecondary CTE programs.  

Powering an inclusive future for all

After all this learning, training, and opportunities for upskilling, it’s safe to say Cisco is on a mission to empower all people with career possibilities. That means giving learners from all backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, a pathway to a career in tech. With these new courses and certifications at the fingertips of tech-curious high school students, career changers, and entry-level professionals, we’re making it easier to achieve early milestones and build successful careers. If early classes are any indicator, today’s learners are ready for this training, and Cisco will continue to be ready for them. 

For more information, check out Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST).

Join the Cisco Learning Network today for free.

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Enabling autonomous operations and understanding the location of people and assets in real time are necessary for realizing fully operational smart mines. Smart mines require the ability to make good… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Enabling autonomous operations and understanding the location of people and assets in real time are necessary for realizing fully operational smart mines. Smart mines require the ability to make good decisions based on large volumes of data, specifically within tunnels. This capability requires enhanced network availability and corresponding visualization tools to provide an intuitive understanding of the large amount of information generated.

The drive to digitize and automate underground operations requires the gathering of real-time data. Underground smart mines deal with complexities such as operations occurring in three dimensions over hundreds to thousands of kilometres; power, ventilation, and airflow considerations; potential for personal safety concerns with ambient temperatures sometimes over 45 degrees Celsius (113 degrees Fahrenheit); and airborne pollutants that can impact worker health. It is imperative for both safety and efficiency that an underground mine be able to locate people and assets as close to real time as possible.

Improving workforce productivity while increasing safety and optimizing fleet productivity and payload are key objectives in underground mining. Visualizing worker and asset locations and producing useful metrics from the increasingly digitized operational technology (OT) edge has been shown to be helpful in achieving these goals. These metrics provide inputs into both environmental management and cultural heritage protection systems, which show proximity to protected areas and prevent operations on impinging via alerts or geofencing.

Cisco’s forward thinking and commitment to the future of mining aims at digitization, automation, and net-zero emissions outcomes in mines. These objectives require network and communication reliability in order for customers to achieve high levels of visibility over their operations. To deliver on this goal, Cisco collaborates with ecosystem partners that deliver complementary solutions like GeoMoby. GeoMoby provide blueprints for reliable operational environment network infrastructure combined with a sensor-driven visualization layer that brings real-time insight into mining operations.

Solutions and benefits

Underground mining benefits from ecosystem-based, end-to-end solutions to fulfill specific requirements for sensor-driven connectivity and augmentation such as last-mile connectivity, temporary coverage, and low-bandwidth coverage for areas without Wi-Fi.
Cisco Spaces provides location and telemetry data for indoor and outdoor use cases. This data produces connectivity, environmental, and location-based insights for ecosystem-based solutions.

Opportunity with GeoMoby

Reduction or elimination of gaps in network connectivity and communication
All-in-one 3D map and real-time location, including existing Cisco tags and infrastructure
Convergence between OT/IT: traffic management, ventilation automation, IoT sensors, data collection, etc.
New solution blueprint that extends value for customers using Cisco solutions and specialist ecosystem partners such as GeoMoby

The common goal of GeoMoby and Cisco is to accelerate the digitalization of the mining industry. GeoMoby uses, extends, and enhances Cisco technology within mining operations. The result is a readily implementable mining platform that enables continual optimization of operations and safety in underground mining.

Use cases

Objective
Description
Use Cases
Improve workforce productivity

Monitor employee and contractor movements and record any delays in order to provide insightful data that can help identify areas for improvement.
Enhance visibility into operations in order to optimize decision-making and increase productivity.

Contractor management
Workforce management
Automatic check-in and check-out
Idle time detection
Ventilation on demand

Increase operational efficiency of assets

Monitor vehicle movements and record any speed excess in order to identify where and when vehicles are being underutilized or overutilized.
Increase efficiency by reducing fuel consumption and overall costs.
Promote compliance with safety regulations.

Predictive maintenance
Driver management
Maintenance management
Speed management
Ventilation on demand

Increase worker health and safety

Monitor critical health metrics, such as temperature and blood oxygen (Spo2) levels, in real time.
Enable proactive intervention by sending instant notifications in case of emergency, enabling prompt action to mitigate potential health issues and risks.
Provide insightful data that can be used to evaluate the overall health of operations and make informed decisions for improved safety and productivity.

Health and safety management
Collection of health metrics
Enhanced compliance with regulation

Increase fleet productivity and payload

Track and analyze the payload of every asset with time stamps, distance travelled, and in-use time, enabling informed decisions on resource allocation and waste reduction.
Help to increase productivity and efficiency by reducing cycle times and optimizing truck utilization.

Payload management
Fleet management
Payload budgeting
Performance tracking

Visualize people and assets with an electronic tag board

Display real-time location data for both people and vehicles on a map and a table.
Enable optimization of operations by improving safety, productivity, and efficiency.
In emergency situations, help to locate personnel and assets and facilitate a prompt response by visualizing people inside the refuge room and the closest refuge room for people in danger.

Electronic tag board
Emergency response management
Historic location data of people and assets
Offline navigation to refuge chambers or fresh air bases

Environmental management system

Provide real-time environmental data and quickly identify potential environmental risks and hazards.
Send alerts for anomalies and safety risks.
Provide historical data on environmental performance, enabling tracking performance over time and making data-driven decisions about operations.

Air quality management
Temperature management
Gas monitoring system
Historical data management

Cultural heritage protection system

Track people and assets and sends alerts when they are nearing or inside protected areas.
Improve compliance with regulations in order to prevent potential abuses and disruptions.
Help to ensure that only authorized individuals are granted access to protected areas.

Environmental, social and governance framework (ESG) reporting
Compliance with regulations

Learn more

CVD for Underground Mining with Sandvik
GeoMoby with Cisco Wireless Solution for Underground Mines
GeoMoby – Underground Mining Reimagined – Eyes in the Dark

  GeoMoby and Cisco deliver reliable network connectivity and communication to achieve high levels of visibility for mining operations.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Over the last two months, excitement has been building toward this moment: when the finalists are announced for the Alumni Awards. Not a moment too soon for all the candidates who shared their… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Over the last two months, excitement has been building toward this moment: when the finalists are announced for the Alumni Awards. Not a moment too soon for all the candidates who shared their heartfelt and amazing stories with us. I personally thank you for participating and making the competition so meaningful—and challenging for our judges.

We have read your stories: how you embraced the unknown, stepped outside your comfort zones with a spirit of boldness; how you pushed the limits of what’s possible, attaining new heights with confidence and adaptability. You are true believers, explorers, and our select group of finalists for the Cisco Networking Academy Alumni Awards.

Congratulations to Our Finalists

Changemaker Award

Omotola Sunday Akinyeoluwa
Roberta Do Espírito Santo Martins
Roberth Gonzalez
Emmanuel Gyedu
Heath Joseph
Jezeiyn Naidoo
Ram Gowtam Seelam
Eleftherios Xinaris

Rise Above Award

Murat Akpunar
Marleese Attilakos
Ciara Cannon
Henry Christian
Dave Cook
Philippe Du Fresnay
Chandralekha Gadiraju
John Gillespie
Jessica Brasil Santos Hingel
Ohimai Roland Imoudume
Dexter King
Travis Schuch
Kutlwano Zitha

Future Leader Award

Smart Beyioku
Ireoluwatonde Fasanu
Merve Karagöz
John Clever Mancilla Rocabado
Sanyukta Pawaskar
Tatiana Claudia Rengel Tarquino
Syed Mohsin Rizvi

Innovation Architect Award

Tobi Rasheed Ayanwoye
Reese Babington
Timothy King
Annie Vu

Influencer Award

Muhammad Awais Afzal
Armand Carr
Moises Andre Nisenbaum
Andrew Smith

Winners Announced During Event on August 15

Everyone is invited to our live broadcast naming the five award winners on August 15 at 8:00 a.m. PT. This upbeat, fun event will also announce which winner is the Shooting Star prize recipient—the brightest star in the Networking Academy orbit. Register now.

To all finalists, feel free to invite your family, friends, and colleagues to this special event.

Helping to Define Destinies

In life, many factors define one’s destiny. But, as the VP and general manager of Cisco Networking Academy, I am both humbled and incredibly proud that our long-running digital skills training program (in its 25th year) has played a pivotal role in the lives of our alums.

  We are excited to announce the finalists for the Cisco Networking Academy Alumni Awards.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

What better time to discuss the breadth and impact of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on enhancing global security resiliency than as they begin their second half-century of… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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What better time to discuss the breadth and impact of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) on enhancing global security resiliency than as they begin their second half-century of focus on cybersecurity?  The 50th anniversary of cybersecurity at NIST celebrations is winding down, and it is clear that NIST has established itself as one of the world’s premier organizations in helping safeguard our cybersecurity digital landscape.

NIST Cybersecurity Framework (CSF) 2.0

And what better way to highlight NIST’s impact than to discuss the impending arrival of their Cybersecurity Framework 2.0.  Arguably one of their most impactful cybersecurity efforts, the current NIST Cybersecurity Framework (Version is 1.1) and associated cybersecurity mission best practices are used by all 16 Critical Infrastructure Sectors in the United States, more than 20 States, and dozens of countries worldwide.

NIST’s Cybersecurity Framework is now being expanded beyond its current emphasis on traditional critical infrastructures and industries into a tool that can help to more broadly address cybersecurity risk and help better protect the “critical infrastructures” of every organization’s and business’ mission outcomes.

Cisco recently had the pleasure of sitting down with Cheri Pasco, Senior Technology Policy Advisor at NIST and their Cybersecurity Framework Program Lead for CSF 2.0 for one of our “Coffee and Conversations” podcasts hosted by Danny Vicente.  My colleague, Peter Romness, a Cybersecurity Principal in our CISO Advisors Office, and I had what I think you’ll find to be a stimulating, informative, and FUN conversation about the key changes and impacts that CSF 2.0 is expected to bring (and, yes, I said FUN)!

Some of the highlights of our CSF 2.0 “Coffee and Conversation” podcast include:

Key changes that are being made to more effectively address cybersecurity risk for all organizations and businesses;
Discussion of the expanded supply chain risk focus; and
Expanding the CSF Core to add “Govern” as a Function can help drive the needed support from an organization’s leadership to produce the expected outcomes across the organization’s processes, people, and technologies.

Listen to our NIST “Coffee and Conversations” podcast and stay tuned over the coming year for Cisco’s perspectives on enhanced security and operational resiliency and the mission and business outcomes they help enable.

Coffee and Conversations: Cybersecurity Framework 2.0

Also available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Additional resources:

Download the NIST Cybersecurity Framework
Journey to the NIST CSF 2.0

  Learn about the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0, exploring its broadening impact and vital role in safeguarding organizations' mission outcomes.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

This post was authored by Ruffina Perlintina, a recent technical consulting engineering intern on the Enterprise Networking TAC Team.

Who doesn’t enjoy an extended weekend?

Yes, work is fun, keeps u… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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This post was authored by Ruffina Perlintina, a recent technical consulting engineering intern on the Enterprise Networking TAC Team.

Who doesn’t enjoy an extended weekend?

Yes, work is fun, keeps us interested and on our toes, but as humans, we all need breaks. One such break I experienced as an intern at Cisco was the Day For Me!

It was the first time I had come across such a thing, and it was truly something I’d never heard of. On a recent Monday, most of my friends from other companies were working. However, I took the opportunity to spontaneously go on a small weekend getaway to the beach city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, India.

It was a 6-hour journey by car, 345 km away from my hometown, Salem. I listened to music along the journey as the scenic views of the cotton-like clouds, bluish-grey lakes, brown hills, and green mountains mesmerized me. As poetic and exaggerative as it sounds, nature did do a number on me, leaving me with the curiosity to explore more, but the scorching heat of the sun kept me from leaving the car.

In Chennai, I got to meet a childhood friend I hadn’t seen in a very long time, go on a shopping spree, enjoy some games at the play zone, take a stroll along the beautiful glistening waters of the beaches at night, and even try out the delicious and mouth-watering South Indian seafood cuisine. Oh, and did I mention? I also took some beautiful pictures for my Instagram.

Drinking cup after cup of filter coffee, eating some tirunelveli halwa (an Indian sweet), sipping on a strong glass of cardamom tea, and savouring some fresh mangoes, I knew those flavours were going to be remembered for a lifetime and will take me back to Tamil Nadu soon.

The best part is that I was able to wind down without having to rush back to anything. That’s because one of the biggest benefits of the Day for Me is that everyone at Cisco enjoys the same day off each quarter. So, no one returns to an inbox full of unanswered emails or Webex messages to catch up on. We all start the week fresh and refreshed together.

My Key Takeaways

A Day for Me Needn’t Be Extravagant.

We needn’t make a perfectly pre-planned and structured trip or getaway. It can simply be spending a day doing what we enjoy the most, be it painting, watching a movie, or simply doing nothing. Take a day to turn off all devices, shut down the outside noises, and tune into a quieter, slower life.

It’s the Small Things That Count.

It isn’t about the expensive business class ticket or the hotel suite, but the moments and the memories, like looking outside a cafe with a beautiful view, reading a book when it rains, sitting around watching your favourite show with loved ones, or jogging on an empty pathway with earphones in that really counts.

Slow Down, and Be Grateful.

We tend to get caught up in a competitive cycle of either stepping up a hierarchy or targeting to make more money so often that we forget how necessary it is to slow down, pause, look around, cherish what we have right now, and be grateful about it. It isn’t the goal but the progress and journey we should focus on.

With Cisco, I’ve had this chance to rediscover my long-lost skill and love for writing. The opportunities I get to put myself out there are numerous. It’s been 5 months here, the 6th running, and I wouldn’t change a thing. There is so much to learn from so many inspiring people in and around my department, across the globe, and as I embark on this beautiful pathway, I will always come back to my days as an intern and how it all began.

As Cisco employees, we all have first-hand experience with the perfect work-life balance, flexibility, and well-being prioritization. To make the best out of it lies in our hands. Although I had heard so much about Cisco’s commitment to its employees before starting, I was able to truly cherish every moment of it throughout this internship. And honestly, I can’t wait for my full-time role to begin to explore more as a Cisco TAC Engineer and enjoy more Days for Me!

Interested in a Cisco internship? Explore opportunities with Emerging Talent.

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  Ruffina shares tips for making the most of Cisco's "Day for Me," a day off each quarter for all employees to unwind and recharge, and a highlight of her internship experience.  Read More Cisco Blogs 

Cisco hosted 1700 hundred interns this summer as part of its commitment to developing emerging talent that might one day work at Cisco. The intern program has been around for decades, which Chris… Read more on Cisco Blogs

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Cisco hosted 1700 hundred interns this summer as part of its commitment to developing emerging talent that might one day work at Cisco. The intern program has been around for decades, which Chris Harrison knows very well. He started as an intern and is in his 26th year at Cisco. We celebrated National Intern Day by sharing his story.

Treat the Entire Internship as an Interview

As Program Manager, Role Strategy and Enablement, Chris Harrison manages tools and programs to help employees leverage the skills that they have. It’s a fitting role for someone who got his start thanks to natural curiosity, an ability to connect the dots between jobs and take risks to learn new things.

Born and raised in New York City, Chris studied electrical engineering technology at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York where students were required to complete co-ops (internships) as a part of their sophomore/junior and junior/senior years. His first internship was with Motorola.

“At Motorola, I was turned on to Cisco because I was in the customer support organization trouble-shooting their modems, and every call I got was, ‘I have a Motorola modem connected to a Cisco router’ so I wanted to learn more about how this Cisco router worked with the Motorola modem,” said Chris.

How Chris Chose Cisco and Vice Versa

Recruiters came to Chris’ college campus looking for interns. Chris interviewed with Cisco after his curiosity was sparked interning at Motorola. Soon after, Chris was flown to San Jose to meet the hiring manager and three test engineers who drew on the whiteboard and asked how he would solve different situations.

“When I landed [in New York], I already had a voice message saying, ‘Congratulations, you’ve been chosen for this internship,’” says Chris. The intern position was a test engineer on Cisco’s Repair Operations team. Chris had the opportunity to go back to Motorola, but he was impressed that Cisco flew him to San Jose for an interview and still remembers the fully stocked break rooms with free drinks, popcorn, and candy – different from anything he’d experienced on the East Coast. It seemed worth the risk to try something new rather than going back to Motorola.

“People were walking around in shorts and flip-flops,” said Chris. “In my mind, this was so California, a little laid back. Northern California and Silicon Valley in the 90s had a different vibe, and that was something I was interested in.” He moved to San Jose and lived in the dorms at San Jose State University for the summer.

Connecting the Dots Between Work and the Classroom

The Cisco internship was totally hands-on. The Repair Operations team had to manage devices in for repair from the moment they arrived until they were shipped back out. “Before, I sat in the cubicle,” said Chris. “With this job, I went to the factory floor.”

They were responsible for the flow, the test scripts to make sure things were working correctly, and for updates. Chris would rotate every two weeks to learn different parts of the process. They also developed a test line on the manufacturing floor and sometimes simulated a failure and asked where the problem was.

“Learning how to find where things were broken helped me learn how they worked, and my internship experience was very good,” says Chris.

Chris quickly made the connection between the repair work he was doing at Cisco and the technical support work from his Motorola experience and tied it all back to what he was learning for his Electrical Engineering Technology degree. It all came together, and he could also apply what he learned on the job to the theory he was studying in school.

Surprise on the Job

One Saturday, Chris surprised his boss. “It was Saturday, all my friends were, out and I had nothing to do, so I decided to go to Cisco, go to the lab and do some work,” he said. “I put together some test racks to take to the factory, blasted the music, and closed the doors behind me. Then all of a sudden, the music stops,” said Chris.

It was his manager, who looked at him and asked, “What are you doing here?” Chris explained and then asked his manager the same question. His manager said his family was away camping and invited Chris to the movies and then dinner. It was an unexpected moment that left an impression on both of them.

Chris returned to school around the Thanksgiving holiday. Weeks passed. Then, on January 5, Cisco’s recruiter phoned Chris. “How’d you like to come to Cisco full-time when you graduate?” asked the recruiter.

Chris was shocked at how early the offer arrived, as full-time offers are usually made in the spring. According to his manager, “Any 20-year-old willing to come in on a Saturday is someone I’d love to have on the team.”

Chris doubts that this one incident was responsible for his landing the job but insists that it was the serendipity of this event and the positive impression he made with team members as someone easy to work with that contributed to this outcome.

Twenty-six years and many roles later, Chris is still enjoying the opportunities at Cisco, and much of his work today involves leaving a legacy for future generations to develop and grow satisfying careers.

He attributes longevity at Cisco to the ability to have multiple opportunities and different careers and the support of leaders and mentors throughout the company.

“It was life-changing for me to go back to college after the internship,” says Chris. “It was a lot of work, but I didn’t think of it as a job. It’s always been about fun and learning. This is why I’ve stayed as long as I have.”

His advice for those seeking internships and job opportunities?

“When you’re here [in the job or internship] it’s always an interview, even when you don’t think others are paying attention. The opportunity to make a good impression isn’t when you get the internship. It happens the minute you walk through the door.”

Think of the entire experience as an interview, because you’re not just interacting with your team and other teams.

Chris says this experience gave him his first glimpse into what professionalism meant, how people interacted and engaged, and helped him mature in his career as he returned to college.

“Even if you’re there for three months, you don’t know what [others] will think,” says Chris. “Even though you may be classified as an intern, think of it as an interview to see how you work in that environment.”

Chris’ Advice for Interns

-Don’t be afraid of the opportunity; the employer doesn’t expect you to know everything.

-Employers want fresh perspectives from a college student – fresh ideas and new set of eyes.

-Don’t be afraid to engage and meet new people within new organizations and this may expand your network within that organization including with your peers. (Chris is still friends with members of his co-op group from college, many of whom are now directors and VPs at other companies.)

-Networking is key with organization and with your peers as well. Learn as much as you can during and after the internship.

  Cisco hosted 1700 hundred interns this summer as part of its commitment to developing emerging talent that might one day work at Cisco. The intern program has been around for decades, which Chris Harrison knows very well. He started as an intern and is in his 26th year at Cisco. We celebrated National Intern Day by sharing his story.  Read More Cisco Blogs