Inside Cisco's Approach to Secure Networking

Description: The prevailing belief in artificial intelligence is that bigger models always equal better intelligence. But when it comes to high-stakes, specialized tasks like vulnerability discovery and code security, purpose-built models are rewriting the playbook. In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, our panel sits down with the engineering minds behind Antares-Cisco's specialized AI model designed to navigate real-world software repositories and pinpoint vulnerabilities with surgical precision. We explore how a compact, highly tailored model can rival and outperform massive frontier models on specialized domain tasks. 🔍 In This Episode, We Cover: Meet Antares: What Antares is, the critical problem it solves in the modern DevSecOps pipeline, and where it fits within the automated vulnerability discovery lifecycle. Specialization Over Scale: How the team engineered a small, efficient model to deliver world-class performance without the massive compute overhead of generalized frontier models. The Engineering Blueprint: The role of curated training datasets, advanced post-training, reinforcement learning (RL), and autonomous tool use in enabling agents to navigate complex codebases. Lessons from the Trenches: What worked, what failed, and how the team's methodology evolved through rapid experimentation. Introducing VLocBench: Why existing industry benchmarks fell short, what realistic vulnerability localization actually requires, and how VLocBench establishes a new standard for evaluating code security models. The Future of Specialized AI: What the success of Antares signals for the broader AI landscape, and where task-specific models will beat general-purpose LLMs in enterprise engineering. Whether you're a security researcher, software architect, or AI practitioner, this episode offers a deep technical look at the future of agentic security. Cisco guests Supriti VIjay, AI Research Scientist, Foundation AI Aman Priyanshu, AI Researcher Scientist, Foundation AI Cisco Champion Hosts Liam Keegan, VP of Technology, RX3 Communications, Inc. Rickey Keith, Vertical Systems Engineer, WWT Girard Kavelines, Network Security Engineer, Aqueduct Technologies Moderator Danielle Carter, Cisco, CCR Program/ Customer Voices

Explore how AI is reshaping the telecom landscape, moving from centralized training to distributed inference to meet the demand for low-latency, secure network services. We discuss how service providers can leverage Cisco infrastructure to unlock new revenue streams and transition toward outcome-based business models. Learn why observability and robust security are essential for managing these complex, increasingly upload-centric networks. Cisco guest Matt Price, VP Engineering, Cisco Provider Mobility  Cisco Champion Hosts Kelvin Brooks, Network Engineer, REV Fiber Alan Gardner, CEO, Current Technologies Computer Learning Center Jonathan Mahady,  Principal Engineer, BHP Moderator Danielle Carter, Cisco, CCR Program/ Customer Voices

AI workloads are pushing traditional network fabrics to their limits, often turning fragmented operational silos into significant bottlenecks. In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we move beyond the standard GPU-centric discourse to focus on the underlying architecture that determines whether your AI investments deliver real-world value. We are joined by Cisco experts Vimala and Sai to unpack the requirements for a truly unified AI infrastructure. If your network fabric is fragmented, or if your Kubernetes and networking teams are operating from disparate sources of truth, performance and security will inevitably lag the speed of your AI models. Key Topics Covered: The Unified Operating Model: We explore the Nexus One model and how it bridges the gap between on-premises data centers and cloud-native Kubernetes environments, creating a single source of truth for infrastructure and policy. AgenticOps and Cloud Control: Moving past basic automation, we discuss the role of AgenticOps and multi-agent architectures. Learn how Cisco’s cloud control provides the deep observability required to troubleshoot from the switch port to the GPU. Modern Data Center Security: As AI environments scale, so must your defense. We examine how Cisco’s involvement in Anthropic’s Project Glasswing and the use of the Mythos model are accelerating the discovery of zero-day and latent threats. We also break down the strategic implementation of Quantum-safe PQC and Live Protect to ensure infrastructure resilience against evolving cyber threats. Silicon Strategy for Scalable Systems: Raw bandwidth is only one piece of the puzzle. We dive into the technical realities of handling AI microbursts—focusing on deep buffering, deterministic low latency, and the strategic hardware innovations behind Cisco Silicon One and Cloud Scale platforms. Practical Tactics for Infrastructure Leaders: This conversation focuses on eliminating bottlenecks, bridging physical and cloud-native environments, and preparing for the next wave of infrastructure demands without the marketing fluff. Whether you are an infrastructure lead, a cloud architect, or a data center strategist, this episode provides the technical blueprint needed to build an AI-ready foundation that is fast, observable, and secure. Cisco guests Vimala Veerappan, Sr Director, Cisco Sai Natarajan, Sr. Director, Cisco Cisco Champion Hosts Michael Witte, Principal Solutions Architect, World Wide Technology Nathan Litz, Technical Solutions Architect, World Wide Technology

In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we discuss the latest updates to the CCNP security certification, highlighting the integration of modern topics like Zero Trust and AI to address the evolving cybersecurity landscape. We also explore how resources like Cisco U and practical tools such as Cisco Modeling Labs empower professionals to bridge the cybersecurity skills gap and maximize their security technology investments. Resources: LWC: https://learnwith.cisco.com/30-day-challenge.html?utm_campaign=fy27-cs-challenge&utm_source=web&utm_medium=champions SCOR LP: https://blogs.cisco.com/learning/cisco-security-certification-updates-your-questions-answered CCNP FAQ blog: https://blogs.cisco.com/learning/cisco-security-certification-updates-your-questions-answered SCOR LP: https://u.cisco.com/paths/implementing-operating-cisco-security-core-technologies-21906?utm_campaign=fy27-cs-awareness&utm_source=web&utm_medium=champions Cisco guests Kyle Winters, Senior Technical Advocate, Cisco Francois Caen, Technical Product Manager, Cisco Cisco Champion Hosts Rickey Keith, Vertical Systems Engineer, WWT Richard Cordan, Cyber Range Master, TD SYNNEX Moderator Danielle Carter, Cisco, CCR Program/ Customer Voices

Speakers: Jack Klecha, VP, Information Security, Security & Trust Organization and Jon Woolwine, VP, Cisco IT Description: Join Cisco IT and security leaders John Woolwine and Jack Klecha for an in-depth conversation about why network infrastructure has become the biggest target in today's threat landscape, and how Cisco's IT and security teams partnered to implement a layered, integrated approach that fuses security directly into the network fabric — from campus and branch to data center and cloud. Key topics covered: -The network as the ultimate prize: Why attackers have shifted their focus from endpoints to the network, and why the network must now serve as our most critical line of defense. -Our layered, integrated approach: Moving beyond "bolting on" tools to a unified fabric that integrates security from the campus and branch to the data center and cloud. -Treating security as a team sport: How Cisco IT and Security align on shared visibility, planning, and goals to strengthen operations and resilience. -Best practices: Strategies for building a resilient, secure infrastructure and achieving measurable security outcomes.

In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of Cisco’s stack automation. As network complexity continues to grow, the need for simplified workflows and streamlined infrastructure management has never been more critical. We explore how Cisco is rising to the challenge by moving beyond individual component offerings to deliver complete, curated AI solutions. Key Highlights from This Episode: The Shift to Simplicity: Discover how Cisco’s stack automation is transforming network management, enabling users to deploy curated solutions without the need for extensive coding expertise. Empowering Personas: Whether you are a "Consumer" looking to implement pre-built solutions or a "Producer" crafting custom blueprints, the platform provides a flexible, consistent framework for all your automation needs. The Power of Collaboration: Learn about the synergy between Cisco and Quality, and how this partnership enhances the stack automation ecosystem, making resource provisioning more efficient than ever. Openness and Extensibility: We discuss how Cisco’s strategy has evolved to embrace openness, including seamless integration with third-party products to expand functionality. A New Approach to AI: Get a preview of the upcoming October release, which shifts the focus toward providing complete AI solutions, simplifying the purchasing experience for our customers. Governance and Workflows: We break down the technical distinction between stateless workflows and stateful management, providing insights on how to maintain effective infrastructure governance. Join our panel of experts as we discuss how these advancements are not just changing the way we scale networks today, but how they are paving the way for the future of AI-driven Learn more about Stack Automation: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/data-center/stack-automation-quali/index.html Create an account and start a trial: https://stackautomation.cisco.com/login Cisco guests Carlos Campos Torres, Senior Director, Product Management. – AI, Compute, and Ecosystem Software, Cisco Pablo Urcid, Product Manager – AI, Compute, & Ecosystem Automation, Cisco David Ben Shabat, VP R&D, Quali Cisco Champion hosts Liam Keegan, VP of Technology, RX3 Communications, Inc. Dan Wade, Practice Lead, Network & Infrastructure Automation Marco Krauss, IT Senior Consultant Network Automation, Computacenter Moderator Danielle Carter, Cisco, CCR Program/ Customer Voices

In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we dive deep into the evolving landscape of network management with our guest, Balaji Venkatraman. As IT environments become increasingly distributed, the challenge of maintaining visibility and control across disparate systems has never been greater. In this conversation, we explore the concept of Cloud Control—Cisco’s strategic vision for the convergence of the management plane across our entire portfolio. What you can expect to learn: The Vision for Convergence: How Cisco is moving toward a unified management plane to simplify operations and reduce complexity. Breaking Down Silos: Why bringing disparate management tools together is critical for the modern enterprise. Strategic Impact: How this shift empowers network administrators to manage their infrastructure with greater agility and consistency. The Future of Cisco Solutions: Insights into how Cloud Control will shape the way you interact with your Cisco environment moving forward. Whether you are managing campus, data center, or cloud-native infrastructure, this episode provides a clear look at how Cisco is streamlining the "how" behind your network management. Listen now to get the latest on the future of Cisco’s management strategy. Cisco Champions Maikel van der Roest, Sr. Network Specialist David Penaloza, Assoc. Director, Novartis Nathan Litz, Technical Solutions Architect, World Wide Technology Cisco guest Balaji Venkatraman, VP of Products, Cisco

Description: In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we explore the evolution of edge computing and how Cisco is helping organizations bridge the gap between distributed locations and centralized control. We sit down to discuss the Cisco Unified Edge platform, a modular solution launched in November 2022 that is redefining how industries manage their infrastructure. Designed to meet the demands of modern enterprise environments, Unified Edge integrates compute, networking, and storage into a single, streamlined chassis, making it easier than ever to deploy and scale workloads—including AI and IoT applications. Key topics covered in this episode include: Modular Efficiency: How the platform’s modular design allows for easy upgrades, maintenance, and flexible remote management across diverse industries. Intersight Integration: A look at how Unified Edge operates exclusively in Intersight-managed mode to provide seamless provisioning and configuration. Simplified Fleet Management: How Cisco leverages intent-based automation to simplify policy creation and deployment across multiple edge sites. Validated Blueprints: Insights into how Cisco Validated Designs serve as a roadmap for managing complex clusters and workloads at scale. Whether you are managing a small distributed network or a large-scale industrial deployment, this episode provides a comprehensive look at how Unified Edge simplifies infrastructure and empowers your team to focus on innovation. Cisco guest Ronnie Chan, Leader, Product Management, Edge AI Platform Cisco Champion Hosts Liam Keegan, VP of Technology, RX3 Communications, Inc. Rickey Keith, Vertical Systems Engineer, WWT   Elliot Dierksen, Distinguished Engineer, Greyson Technologies, Inc. Moderator Danielle Carter, Cisco, CCR Program/ Customer Voices Listen now to learn how you can transform your edge strategy.

Join Cisco CTO of Wireless Matt Macpherson to explore the future of Wi-Fi, AI, and enterprise networking. Live from the bustling floor of Cisco Live, we sit down with Matt Macpherson, Cisco’s CTO of Wireless, to explore the rapidly evolving landscape of connectivity. In this episode, our Cisco Champions dive deep into the latest advancements in wireless technology, tracing the evolution of Wi-Fi from its foundational roots to the cutting-edge capabilities of today’s networks. Throughout the discussion, Matt shares exclusive insights into Cisco’s recent product and technology announcements, detailing how the company is driving innovation to meet the demands of a hyper-connected world. From the impact of new standards to the strategic role Cisco plays in shaping the future of enterprise and industrial wireless, this conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to stay ahead of the curve in networking. Key Topics Covered: The Evolution of Wi-Fi: A retrospective on how wireless standards have transformed the modern workplace. Cisco Live Highlights: An inside look at the most significant announcements made during the event. The Future of Wireless: How Cisco is leveraging AI, automation, and security to redefine wireless performance. Cisco’s Strategic Vision: Insights from the CTO on the challenges and opportunities in the wireless market. Tune in to hear how the experts are navigating the next generation of wireless connectivity and learn how Cisco is building a more resilient, intelligent network infrastructure. Insider guests: Dan Jones, Solutions Engineering Director, Hamina Wireless Maikel van der Roest, Sr. Network Specialist Sebastian Kozankiewicz , Network and Voice Architect, NORMA Group Tony Dous, Network Security Section Head, Wadi Degla Holding Explore Cisco Wireless Solutions : https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/networking/wireless/index.html Discover how Cisco is transforming industries with cutting-edge technology and business-driven innovation.

How are Mercy Ships and Milton Keynes Hospital using data collection to transform accessing health? In this episode of Tech Unscripted, we explore the future of Tech for Healthcare and its role in improving global patient outcomes. Join us as we sit down with Grady Nichols from Mercy Ships and Ollie Chandler from Milton Keynes University Hospital to discuss how cutting-edge technology is bridging the gap in underserved regions and optimizing clinical decision-making. Moderator Luke Paddington, Creative Director, Cisco Participants:    Mercy Ships – Grady Nichols, Senior Director of IT Operations Milton Keynes Hospital  - Ollie Chandler, Director of Technical Services