Cisco to 'push the boundaries of AI security' with new acquisition
Cisco announces its intent to acquire Robust Intelligence
Cisco has announced its intent to acquire Robust Intelligence to pursue its AI strategy and accelerate security innovation in the space.
This deal follows the vendor's shift of millions of dollars into AI and the layoff of seven per cent of its workforce.
Robust Intelligence enables enterprises to secure their AI transformation with an automated solution to protect against security and safety threats.
A merger between the two companies will aim to deliver AI security processing into the existing data flows, by inserting it into Cisco security and networking products.
Robust Intelligence's technology will provide Cisco with visibility into all of a customer's AI traffic, enabling customers to build, deploy, and secure AI applications. This will eventually enhance AI security, accelerate innovation, and simplify operations across the brand.
"Our team is excited about the integral role our platform will play in shaping the future of the Cisco security cloud, providing end-to-end AI security and leading the AI revolution with Cisco," said Robust Intelligence co-founder and CEO Yaron Singer.
Long-term AI strategy
This new acquisition intent is proof of Cisco's commitment to its AI strategy, and the company's desire to win the AI battle.
With Mark Patterson, Cisco's executive VP and chief strategy officer , telling CRN that "AI is going to live up to the hype" earlier this year, and CEO Chuck Robbins sharing that the vendor is "going to power the AI revolution", the company seems more motivated than ever to be at the forefront of what seems to be a technological Eldorado.
Cisco also announced a $1bn global AI investment fund in June, targeting strategic investments in start-up companies that build offerings based on Cisco's strategy and infrastructure.
The company also purchased Splunk in one of the biggest tech acquisitions of 2024, buying the unified security and observability platform for $28bn in March 2024. The vendor has also recently teamed up with two major AI actors: NVIDIA and Lenovo.
"Together, we'll push the boundaries of AI security, empowering organisations to embrace the full potential of AI while safeguarding their critical assets," said Tom Gillis, SVP and GM of Cisco.