Cisco Unveils Secure Network Architecture to Accelerate Workplace AI Transformation

Rhea-AI Summary

Cisco (CSCO) has unveiled a revolutionary network architecture designed for AI-powered enterprises, featuring unified management, next-gen devices, and advanced security. The solution addresses critical challenges including network traffic growth, uptime requirements, and security threats. Key components include AgenticOps (AI-driven operations platform), new Smart Switches (C9350 and C9610) delivering up to 51.2Tbps throughput, Secure Routers (8100-8500 series), expanded Wi-Fi 7 portfolio, and quantum-resistant security features. The architecture includes Cisco AI Assistant and AI Canvas for simplified network management. According to Cisco's survey, 97% of businesses need network upgrades for AI initiatives, with potential outage losses reaching $160 billion globally. The new hardware is orderable this month through Cisco and certified partners, with unified management platform available now and AI features rolling out in phases.

Positive

• New Smart Switches deliver impressive 51.2Tbps throughput and sub-5 microsecond latency for AI workloads
• Unified management platform simplifies operations by combining Meraki and Catalyst device management
• New Secure Routers offer 3x throughput improvement over previous generations
• Integration of quantum-resistant security features protects against future cyber threats
• AI-powered management capabilities reduce task time from hours to minutes

Negative

• Significant infrastructure upgrade requirements may lead to substantial costs for enterprises
• Phased rollout of AI features means not all capabilities are immediately available
• Complex implementation process involving multiple new hardware and software components

Radically simplifies network operations, delivers exponential performance with next-generation devices and fuses security into the network

News Summary:

• Cisco's new secure network architecture addresses the urgent challenges for enterprises in the AI era: explosive network traffic, mission-critical uptime requirements, and intensifying security threats.
• New AI-powered management capabilities, next-gen high-capacity and low-latency network devices, and a quantum-resistant security model simplify complex IT and OT operations and enhance workforce productivity.
• Cisco's unified management platform manages the AI-ready network securely and with simplicity, empowering enterprises to confidently adopt and scale AI solutions, giving them a competitive edge.

SAN DIEGO, June 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CISCO LIVE -- Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) today unveiled a new network architecture to power the campus, branch, and industrial networks of the future. The new architecture delivers unmatched operational simplicity through unified management, next-generation networking devices purpose-built for AI workloads, and advanced security capabilities embedded into the network.

Cisco is setting a new standard for how organizations navigate the challenges of skyrocketing traffic, rising cyber threats, and critical uptime requirements created as enterprises rush to harness the potential of AI in the workplace. According to the Cisco IT Networking Leader Survey, 97% of businesses believe they need to upgrade their networks to make AI and IoT initiatives successful, and the stakes are high: a single severe outage can inflict nearly $160 billion in losses globally. Faced with these challenges, IT teams need a new approach to scale operations, reduce downtime, and unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation.

"As AI transforms work, it fuels explosive traffic growth across campus, branch, and industrial networks, overwhelming IT teams with complexity and novel security risks at a time when downtime has never been more costly," said Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer, Cisco. "With a new architecture, breakthrough devices optimized for AI, and AgenticOps, we're leapfrogging the industry and reimagining how networks are managed and secured."

Simplifying Operations with Unified Management and AgenticOps
Operational complexity is among the greatest challenges facing IT teams today. Cisco's unified management platform addresses this by bringing together management of Meraki and Catalyst devices, along with support for next-gen wireless, switching, routing, and industrial networks—all in a single platform that supports any cloud, on-prem, or hybrid deployment.

Cisco's unified management platform is further differentiated by ThousandEyes assurance—which now extends to mobile endpoints, and industrial IoT—and delivers deeper, more actionable visibility into enterprise networks and Microsoft Azure. A new ThousandEyes and Splunk integration adds real-time insights from network to application. This multilayered approach delivers comprehensive assurance and observability across both owned and unowned infrastructure, helping ensure consistent performance and operational resilience.

Supercharging the platform is AgenticOps, Cisco's AI-driven approach to running modern IT operations that turns real-time telemetry, automation, and deep domain expertise into intelligent, end-to-end actions —at machine speed and with IT teams still in control. Cisco's AgenticOps capabilities are powered by a new Deep Network Model— a domain-specific LLM trained on decades of Cisco expertise, from CCIE-level content to Cisco U. courseware.

The Deep Network Model also powers the Cisco AI Assistant, a natural language interface that identifies issues, diagnoses root causes, and automates workflows. The result is AI that understands networks and works the way IT does, reducing task time from hours to minutes. Also, Cisco is introducing the all-new AI Canvas, a new AgenticOps capability, a generative AI user interface for customer dashboards that enables NetOps, SecOps, and DevOps teams to collaborate, optimize operations, and reduce IT strain.

Next-Gen Network Devices Designed to Scale for AI
To meet the unprecedented demands AI workloads will place on networks, Cisco is unveiling purpose-built hardware that delivers low latency, high capacity, and robust security for the AI-powered enterprise. Each device is tailored to meet the specific demands of its environment:

• New Cisco C9350 and C9610 Smart Switches to Power Campus Networks: Cisco is launching a new generation of Cisco Smart Switches, powered by Silicon One, that delivers up to 51.2Tbps of throughput, below 5 microsecond latency and quantum-resistant secure networking to power high-stakes AI applications.
• New Cisco 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400 and 8500 Secure Routers: As AI transforms branch operations and customer interactions, new Cisco Secure Routers offer native SD-WAN and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) integration, next-generation firewall (NGFW), and post-quantum security into a single-box WAN solution—with up to three times the throughput of previous generations.
• Expanded Wireless Portfolio: Cisco is extending its Wi-Fi 7 portfolio with the Cisco Wireless 9179F Series Access Points for stadiums and large venues, and is delivering seamless, cloud-managed roaming for large campuses with the new Cisco Campus Gateway.
• Expanded Industrial Portfolio: To meet the rigorous performance and reliability demands of industrial AI use cases, Cisco is introducing new ruggedized switches in a variety of form factors to support applications including visual quality inspections and autonomous mobile robots. Additionally, new critical wireless use cases are now connected with the integration of Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) together with Wi-Fi technology in a single access point.

Security Integrated Seamlessly into the Network
Today's enterprise networks face a complex and dynamic security landscape. To combat these continually evolving threats, Cisco is integrating advanced security seamlessly into the network, and is unveiling new protections across three critical layers:

• Securing Network Infrastructure: New Cisco Live Protect provides kernel-level compensating controls, block exploits and defend campus switches and routers — without requiring reimaging or downtime.
• Defending Data in Transit: To safeguard data in transit, Cisco has added post-quantum-ready MACsec, WAN MACsec, and IPsec encryption to defend against "harvest-now, decrypt-later" attacks. In addition, the new Cisco C9000 Smart Switches are Hypershield-ready. This will help enhance network segmentation to contain threats at machine speed.
• Protecting Users, Endpoints, and Applications: Starting from a strong foundation of microsegmentation, AI-powered device classification, and common policy, Cisco is extending protections for every device and application connected across the network. With intelligence from Cisco Identity Services Engine, Cyber Vision, and Cisco Talos combined with Cisco Secure Access SSE, organizations can enforce security effectively at every point in the network.

"Organizations are at a critical juncture. The promise of AI is immense, but the reality is that existing enterprise networks are simply not equipped to handle the scale, security, and reliability requirements that AI demands," said Matt Eastwood, IDC. "Cisco's new secure network architecture marks a critical evolution in networking and provides a future-ready foundation for enterprises to confidently embrace AI without sacrificing performance or security."

Availability
With hardware orderable this month through Cisco or Cisco certified partners, this new architecture is powered by a single platform, with unified management, licensing and support, and the flexibility to deploy in the cloud, hybrid, or on-premises. The unified management platform is available now, Cisco AI Assistant is in public beta, and Cisco AI Canvas will be tested with select customers this fall.

Additional Resources:

• Visit the Cisco Newsroom for all Cisco Live 2025 announcements.
• Cisco Customer Experience helps customers get more from their technology investments.
• Cisco Capital payment solutions provide choices – ways to pay for your technology in more than 100 countries.
• Support AI-ready outcomes with new skills training in Cisco U.

About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide technology leader that is revolutionizing the way organizations connect and protect in the AI era. For more than 40 years, Cisco has securely connected the world. With its industry leading AI-powered solutions and services, Cisco enables its customers, partners and communities to unlock innovation, enhance productivity and strengthen digital resilience. With purpose at its core, Cisco remains committed to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all. Discover more on The Newsroom and follow us on X at @Cisco. 

Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at http://www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word 'partner' does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.

Disclaimer: Many of the products and features mentioned are still in development and will be made available as they are finalized, subject to ongoing evolution in development and innovation. The timeline for their release is subject to change.

 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cisco-unveils-secure-network-architecture-to-accelerate-workplace-ai-transformation-302477452.html

SOURCE Cisco Systems, Inc.

FAQ

What are the key features of Cisco's new network architecture announced in June 2025?

Cisco's new architecture includes unified management platform, AgenticOps AI-driven operations, Smart Switches with 51.2Tbps throughput, Secure Routers with 3x performance improvement, expanded Wi-Fi 7 portfolio, and quantum-resistant security features.

How much throughput do the new Cisco C9350 and C9610 Smart Switches deliver?

The new Cisco Smart Switches, powered by Silicon One, deliver up to 51.2Tbps of throughput with below 5 microsecond latency.

What security features are included in Cisco's new network architecture?

The security features include Cisco Live Protect for kernel-level controls, post-quantum-ready MACsec, WAN MACsec, IPsec encryption, and Hypershield-ready capabilities in C9000 Smart Switches.

When will Cisco's new network architecture and AI features be available?

The hardware is orderable in June 2025, the unified management platform is available now, Cisco AI Assistant is in public beta, and AI Canvas will be tested with select customers in fall 2025.

What percentage of businesses need network upgrades for AI initiatives according to Cisco's survey?

According to Cisco's IT Networking Leader Survey, 97% of businesses believe they need to upgrade their networks to make AI and IoT initiatives successful.