Security Program Controls/Technologies, Cloud Security, Channel partners

Cisco Unveils New Cloud Management Tools, Risk-Based Capabilities at Cisco Live EMEA

BARCELONA, SPAIN – FEBRUARY 28: A logo sits illuminated outside the Cisco booth at the SK telecom booth on day 1 of the GSMA Mobile World Congress on February 28, 2022 in Barcelona, Spain. The annual Mobile World Congress hosts some of the world’s largest communications companies, with many unveiling their latest phones and wearables ga...

Cisco Systems has announced new cloud management tools for industrial Internet of Things (IoT) applications and other innovations designed to help organizations see and secure their industrial assets, according to the company.

What's New From Cisco?

Cisco unveiled the innovations at its Cisco Live EMEA event in Amsterdam. Here's a look at the new innovations:

  • Integration of cloud services into Cisco's IoT Operations Dashboard allow organizations to "increase industrial asset visibility and securely manage assets from anywhere," the company said.
  • The Cisco Cyber Vision operational technology (OT) security tool integrates into the IoT Operations Dashboard, which provides IT and operations teams with visibility into their organizations' devices.
  • Cisco ThousandEyes Internet and cloud intelligence support for the OpenTelemetry open-source framework and industry standard allow its partners, customers and providers to generate, collect, process and export cloud-native and distributed telemetry data.

Hybrid, Cloud Protection Added

Along with these innovations, Cisco now offers risk-based capabilities across its security portfolio "to better protect hybrid work and multi-cloud environments," the company indicated. These capabilities include:

  • Risk-Based Authentication consists of single sign-on (SSO) and Wi-Fi Fingerprint capabilities that enable end-users to log in to their applications, devices and networks without collecting their personal or private location information.
  • Business Risk Observability provides business risk scores that organizations can use to analyze security risks and find ways to protect against them.
  • Extended Support for Cisco+ Secure Connect lets organizations use the Cisco+ Secure Connect secure access service edge (SASE) solution with Cisco SD-WAN fabrics using the company's Viptela technology to secure Internet access and access to private applications.

At this point, Cisco is "building an end-to-end portfolio of security solutions and integrating them into a single platform," said Jeetu Patel, EVP and GM of security and collaboration at Cisco. In doing so, Cisco is helping organizations simultaneously minimize risk and provide their end-users with frictionless experiences.

Cisco to Offer Cybersecurity and Digital Skills Training

In addition to announcing new innovations, Cisco has pledged to train 10 million people in cybersecurity and digital skills over the next 10 years across Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

As part of its pledge, Cisco has partnered with HR services company Randstad. Together, Cisco and Randstad plan to "re-skill and upskill 300,000 people in cybersecurity, programming and infrastructure automation," the companies stated. They are currently working with people in the Netherlands and Italy and plan to engage with individuals in other countries later in 2023.

Cisco offers application, cloud, network and other security products to global organizations. The company also works with MSSPs, MSPs and other technology providers through its partner program.

Dan Kobialka

Dan Kobialka is senior contributing editor, MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E. He covers IT security, IT service provider business strategies and partner programs. Dan holds a M.A. in Print and Multimedia Journalism from Emerson College and a B.A. in English from Bridgewater State University. In his free time, Dan enjoys jogging, traveling, playing sports, touring breweries and watching football.