Purpose-built for enterprises to confidently develop, deploy, and secure AI applications.
San Jose, Calif., January 15, 2025 — Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO), a global leader in networking and security, has unveiled Cisco AI Defense, a revolutionary solution designed to address the unique safety and security challenges of artificial intelligence (AI) in the enterprise landscape. As organizations increasingly rely on AI to drive innovation and productivity, the risks associated with its misuse, data breaches, and sophisticated threats demand cutting-edge protection. Cisco AI Defense is purpose-engineered to empower enterprises to confidently develop, deploy, and safeguard AI applications at every stage.
“Organizations cannot afford to compromise safety for speed in the race to embrace AI,” stated Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco. “In a competitive environment where agility determines success, Cisco AI Defense ensures enterprises can innovate securely. By integrating advanced protection capabilities directly into the network fabric, we provide a robust shield against the dynamic risks posed by AI adoption.”
Tackling Complex AI Security Challenges
According to Cisco’s 2024 AI Readiness Index, only 29% of surveyed organizations feel adequately prepared to detect and prevent unauthorized tampering with AI systems. The evolving AI landscape introduces challenges that traditional security solutions are not equipped to handle, particularly with multi-model and multi-cloud applications. Vulnerabilities can occur at various levels, from model tuning to proprietary data training, exacerbating the potential risks.
Cisco AI Defense provides a unified layer of safety and security for AI adoption, addressing two critical areas of concern:
1. Developing and Deploying Secure AI Applications
As enterprises scale their AI initiatives, developers require a standardized set of safety protocols to protect AI systems across platforms. Cisco AI Defense offers:
- AI Application Discovery: Comprehensive detection of shadow and authorized AI applications across public and private clouds, ensuring clarity on usage and data sources.
- Model Validation: Automated testing that identifies vulnerabilities and unexpected outcomes in AI models, using advanced AI-driven “red team” algorithms to recommend robust guardrails.
- Runtime Security: Continuous monitoring to counteract threats such as prompt injection attacks, denial-of-service incidents, and sensitive data leaks.
2. Securing Access to AI Applications
To prevent data leakage and safeguard proprietary information, Cisco AI Defense provides:
- Enhanced Visibility: A clear view of sanctioned and unsanctioned AI tools within the enterprise ecosystem.
- Access Controls: Policy enforcement to restrict unauthorized use of AI applications.
- Data and Threat Protection: Ongoing safeguards to prevent breaches and ensure compliance with security standards.
Setting New Standards in AI Security
Cisco AI Defense is designed to operate seamlessly in multi-model environments, leveraging proprietary machine learning models and threat intelligence from Cisco Talos to detect emerging threats. By integrating with Cisco’s Security Cloud platform, AI Defense delivers unparalleled visibility and control, enabling enterprises to secure their AI systems at the network level.
“Traditional cybersecurity measures fall short in addressing the unique risks posed by AI,” said Kent Noyes, Global Head of AI & Cyber Innovation at World Wide Technology. “Cisco AI Defense provides an innovative approach to AI security, offering enterprises the tools they need to safeguard their AI transformations against rapidly evolving threats.”
Availability and Additional Innovations
Cisco AI Defense builds upon the company’s extensive portfolio of AI-driven security solutions, including Cisco Hypershield. The solution will be available in March 2025, offering enterprises a comprehensive toolkit to navigate the AI revolution securely.
For more information, visit cisco.com/go/ai-defense.
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is a leading global technology company dedicated to securely connecting the world in the AI era. With a legacy spanning over four decades, Cisco continues to drive innovation, enhance productivity, and strengthen digital resilience through its AI-powered solutions and services. Guided by a commitment to inclusivity and connectivity, Cisco envisions a future where technology empowers all communities.
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