Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins expressed confidence in the company’s enduring leadership in networking at the 2024 XChange Best of Breed Conference in Atlanta. Despite new competition from HPE, which is set to acquire Juniper Networks, Robbins stated, “You look at data center infrastructure, campus networking with wireless, observability, security—we have more technology that brings more value to our customers in the infrastructure layer than anybody else.”
Robbins also discussed the $28 billion acquisition of Splunk and how it is being integrated thoughtfully within Cisco. The integration aims to enhance cyber threat intelligence and security monitoring capabilities.
Cisco has already started filtering high fidelity alerts through Splunk’s platform, with plans for further integrations to be revealed at an upcoming partner summit. “To ensure we do things right, we have implemented a bonus program where Cisco’s sales force introduces the Splunk sales team to CIOs of customers not yet using Splunk,” Robbins explained. Highlighting the importance of AI, Robbins emphasized, “If we aren’t as good or better at leveraging AI on the most comprehensive data set that you can possibly have of threat intelligence—then you’re going to lose.
HPE’s acquisition reshapes networking landscape
We believe that integrating networking and AI can provide our customers with unprecedented insights into their infrastructure and security.”
The former CEO of Splunk, Gary Steele, who joined Cisco after the acquisition, has been making significant contributions. He has been focusing on simplifying coverage and engagement models, as well as evolving the partner program, which will be discussed further at the Cisco Partner Summit.
“Steele brings a fresh perspective, often asking, ‘Why do we do that?’ which is always healthy,” Robbins stated. Steele’s efforts are intended to maintain a balance between pushing the Splunk portfolio and ensuring that Cisco’s core networking products continue to thrive. Robbins concluded with a strong assertion of Cisco’s comprehensive capabilities, “We are the only company that can bring networking, observability, security to our customers—all integrated together.
We believe that all these combined elements are more crucial now than ever, and that’s what we aim to deliver—a secure networking company with an AI-ready data center and a future-proof workplace.”
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