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A global technology company supplying networking, cybersecurity, collaboration, cloud, and communications solutions.

Last updated October 28, 2026

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Overview

Cisco is a United States-based multinational technology company headquartered in San Jose, California. It develops and sells networking hardware, software, security products, collaboration tools, telecommunications equipment, and related services for businesses, governments, telecommunications operators, educational institutions, and other large organizations. The brand is particularly associated with routers and switches, products that help connect computers, data centers, offices, service-provider infrastructure, and the wider Internet. The company was founded in December 1984 by Stanford University computer scientists Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner. Its origins lay in efforts to connect separate computer networks on the Stanford campus. The founders and early engineers adapted multiprotocol routing technology that could allow otherwise different networks to communicate. Stanford later licensed relevant software and hardware to the company, helping establish the technical foundation for Cisco’s early products. The name Cisco was derived from San Francisco, and the original logo represented the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge. Cisco became one of the early commercially successful suppliers of multiprotocol routers. Its IOS operating system and flexible, software-driven hardware architecture helped customers update network capabilities without replacing entire systems. During the 1990s, Cisco expanded from routing into Ethernet switching, access equipment, service-provider infrastructure, and enterprise networking. Acquisitions including Crescendo Communications, Kalpana, and Grand Junction contributed to the development of its Catalyst switching business. Cisco went public on Nasdaq in 1990. During the Internet boom, its value increased dramatically as companies and telecommunications providers invested in Internet infrastructure. At the peak of the dot-com bubble in 2000, Cisco briefly became the world’s most valuable company by market capitalization. The subsequent technology-market collapse sharply reduced its valuation and prompted a period of restructuring, portfolio review, and stronger emphasis on operational discipline. Under John Chambers, who became chief executive in 1995, Cisco pursued a broad acquisition strategy and expanded into routing, switching, security, optical networking, voice and video, data centers, cable infrastructure, and consumer networking. The company also promoted the idea of the “Human Network,” presenting networking as an enabler of communication and collaboration rather than merely as technical infrastructure. Cisco later reduced its consumer exposure, including the sale of Linksys to Belkin and the divestiture of its set-top-box and cable-modem business to Technicolor. Since Chuck Robbins became chief executive in 2015, Cisco has increasingly positioned itself as a provider of integrated, recurring, and cloud-managed technology. Its portfolio includes enterprise routing and switching, wireless networking, observability, zero-trust and domain security, Secure Access, Umbrella, Meraki cloud-managed products, Webex collaboration, data-center networking, Internet-of-Things platforms, and silicon and systems for high-capacity networks. Major acquisitions such as Sourcefire, NDS, Accompany, Duo Security, ThousandEyes, and Splunk broadened Cisco’s capabilities in cybersecurity, software, analytics, observability, and artificial intelligence. Cisco’s current strategic direction combines networking with security, cloud management, observability, and AI-enabled operations. The company remains a major supplier to enterprises and service providers, while attempting to increase the proportion of subscription software and services in its business. It competes across different segments with companies including Juniper Networks, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, Arista Networks, Huawei, Palo Alto Networks, Broadcom, Microsoft, Zoom, and other specialized technology providers.

History

Cisco was established in December 1984 by Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner, who worked with computer systems at Stanford University. The founders sought to connect computer networks that used different protocols. Their early work drew on Stanford networking technology, including a multiprotocol router and associated software. Stanford subsequently licensed router software and hardware designs to Cisco, allowing the young company to commercialize its products. Cisco’s first major opportunity came from the growth of institutional and corporate networks. Unlike simple bridges, its routers could connect different network types and route traffic between them. The company’s IOS operating system became central to its product strategy because it allowed networking functions to evolve through software releases. Cisco went public on Nasdaq in February 1990 and then expanded rapidly as organizations began adopting Internet Protocol networks. During the early and mid-1990s, Cisco broadened its portfolio through acquisitions and internal development. The purchase of Crescendo Communications, together with acquisitions such as Kalpana and Grand Junction, helped create the Catalyst switching business. Routing and Ethernet switching were initially treated as complementary product categories, and Cisco supplied both enterprise customers and telecommunications service providers. John Morgridge led the company through much of this formative period before John Chambers became chief executive in 1995. The rapid commercial adoption of the Internet transformed Cisco into a dominant networking supplier. Its products ranged from access and aggregation equipment to high-capacity service-provider routers. The company’s valuation rose to more than $500 billion at the height of the dot-com boom in 2000, but the collapse of technology stocks subsequently erased much of that value. Competition intensified, particularly from Juniper Networks in service-provider routing and from other vendors in switching, optical networking, and telecommunications. Cisco responded by developing new application-specific silicon, high-capacity routing systems, and updated software architectures. It also expanded into security, wireless networking, voice, video, storage networking, data centers, and home networking. The 2006 “Human Network” campaign was part of an attempt to make the company’s identity more accessible while supporting expansion into collaboration and consumer-related products. During the late 2000s and early 2010s, Cisco continued to acquire technology companies and build operations outside the United States. It invested heavily in India, expanded service-provider offerings, and acquired Starent Networks and NDS. At the same time, weaker-than-expected results led to cost reductions, restructuring, and workforce changes. The company later sold Linksys to Belkin and transferred its set-top-box and cable-modem operations to Technicolor, marking a clearer shift away from consumer hardware. Chuck Robbins succeeded John Chambers as chief executive in 2015. Under Robbins, Cisco placed greater emphasis on cloud-managed networking, subscription software, cybersecurity, collaboration, analytics, and recurring services. The company acquired or invested in businesses including Sourcefire, OpenDNS, Duo Security, Accompany, CloudCherry, Voicea, Viptela, Meraki, ThousandEyes, and Splunk. Cisco also developed Silicon One, a networking-chip architecture designed for high-capacity routing and switching systems. Cisco has continued to manage cyclical demand in telecommunications and enterprise infrastructure while adapting to hybrid work, cloud computing, zero-trust security, and artificial-intelligence workloads. Its strategy increasingly links networking telemetry, security controls, observability, collaboration, and automated operations. The company remains a large global supplier of enterprise and service-provider infrastructure, with a business spanning hardware, software, subscriptions, support, and professional services.

2023
Cisco announces Splunk acquisition
[7]Cisco announces Splunk acquisitionnewsroom.cisco.com
Cisco agrees to acquire Splunk to expand its cybersecurity, observability, and data-analysis capabilities.
2022
Russia operations are curtailed
[6]Russia operations are curtailedreuters.com
Cisco stops selling and servicing equipment in Russia after the invasion of Ukraine.
2019
Silicon One is introduced
[5]Silicon One is introducedblogs.cisco.com
Cisco introduces Silicon One, a networking-silicon architecture intended to support high-performance routing and switching.
2015
Chuck Robbins becomes chief executive
[2]Cisco corporate newsroomnewsroom.cisco.com
Chuck Robbins succeeds John Chambers as Cisco’s chief executive, while Chambers remains chairman.
2013
Linksys is sold
[2]Cisco corporate newsroomnewsroom.cisco.com
Cisco sells its Linksys home-networking business to Belkin as it refocuses on enterprise markets.
2006
The Human Network campaign
[1]Ciscoen.wikipedia.org
Cisco adopts its shortened brand name and launches a campaign emphasizing networking as a human and collaborative capability.
2000
Dot-com valuation peak
[1]Ciscoen.wikipedia.org
Cisco becomes the world’s most valuable company by market capitalization during the Internet-stock boom.
1992
Expansion into Ethernet switching
[1]Ciscoen.wikipedia.org
Acquisitions including Crescendo Communications, Kalpana, and Grand Junction help establish Cisco’s Catalyst switching business.
1990
Initial public offering
[1]Ciscoen.wikipedia.org
Cisco becomes a public company and begins trading on Nasdaq under the ticker CSCO.
1984
Cisco is founded
[1]Ciscoen.wikipedia.org
Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner establish Cisco in December to commercialize multiprotocol networking technology.

Products and positioning

Enterprise-grade networking, security, collaboration, and infrastructure software integrated across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments.

Enterprise switching and campus networking
Cisco Catalyst
Catalyst is Cisco’s major family of enterprise switches and campus-network systems. The portfolio supports wired access, aggregation, routing, automation, wireless integration, security policy, and centralized management. Catalyst products are used in offices, campuses, educational institutions, public-sector networks, and distributed enterprises.
Data-center networking
Cisco Nexus
Nexus products are designed for data-center switching and high-performance application environments. They support scalable Ethernet fabrics, virtualization, automation, cloud infrastructure, storage connectivity, and integration with data-center management software.
Routing and service-provider infrastructure
Cisco routers
Cisco routers include enterprise branch, campus, edge, core, and service-provider systems. Product families such as ISR and ASR have historically connected corporate sites, carrier networks, subscribers, and Internet backbones, using Cisco IOS or IOS XR software.
Cloud-managed networking
Cisco Meraki
Meraki provides cloud-managed wireless access points, switches, security appliances, cellular gateways, cameras, and related devices. Its centralized management model is aimed at organizations that need to operate distributed locations with comparatively simple deployment and administration.
Cybersecurity · 2017
Cisco Secure and Umbrella
Cisco’s security portfolio includes secure access, firewalls, intrusion prevention, endpoint protection, DNS-layer security, identity controls, and cloud-delivered security services. Umbrella provides cloud-based security functions for users and devices, including when they are operating outside the corporate network.
Collaboration and videoconferencing
Cisco Webex
Webex is Cisco’s collaboration platform and includes meetings, calling, messaging, contact-center capabilities, devices, and AI-supported workplace features. It serves businesses and institutions seeking integrated communication across offices, remote users, and meeting rooms.
Networking silicon · 2019
Cisco Silicon One
Silicon One is Cisco’s high-performance networking-chip architecture. It is intended to provide a common silicon foundation across routing and switching systems, supporting high-throughput Internet, cloud, data-center, and service-provider workloads.

Controversies

2026
Cisco identifies products affected by PHP2Shell vulnerabilities
Cisco identified several of its products as affected by the PHP2Shell vulnerabilities. The company stated that it was continuing to investigate potential exposure in other products. The disclosure concerned which Cisco products are affected by the vulnerabilities and whether additional products may be exposed; Cisco did not, in the available statement, specify the affected products, describe the vulnerabilities in detail, or report any exploitation, remediation, or outcome. The information was reported in a security news update dated October 27, 2026.
Source
2022
Exit from Russia and asset disposal
Cisco ended sales and support in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine. Reports that the company disposed of equipment and other assets, and wrote off certain obligations, attracted scrutiny in business and Russian media coverage.
Source
2021
Cisco files patent complaint against Estech
Cisco Systems filed suit against Estech Systems alleging willful infringement of three Cisco patents related to VoIP, and sought declaratory relief concerning non-infringement.
Source
2021
Cisco sues Wolon over alleged counterfeit transceivers
Cisco filed a lawsuit against Wuhan Wolon Communication Technology and Wuhan Wolon Cloud Network Communication Technology, alleging that transceivers were sold displaying Cisco trademarks. Cisco sought an injunction and damages.
Source
2020
Cisco discloses AnyConnect vulnerability and security update
Cisco published a security advisory disclosing a file-corruption vulnerability in the uninstall component of the Cisco AnyConnect Mac OS client and said it had addressed the vulnerability in a newer version.
Source
2019
Cisco amends trade-secret lawsuit to add Poly
Cisco amended its ongoing US lawsuit to add Poly and its executive vice president Thomas Puorro, alleging trade-secret misappropriation and related conduct. Poly disputed the allegations and said it intended to defend itself in court.
Source
2019
Cisco sues three former employees over alleged trade-secret theft
Cisco sued three former senior employees, accusing them of taking confidential information when they left for a competitor. The allegations are described in the complaint; the article reports no court determination.
Source
2001
Stanford intellectual-property dispute
Cisco’s early development was connected to Stanford networking technology. The university considered legal action concerning the use of software, hardware designs, and related intellectual property; Stanford later licensed router software and hardware to Cisco. The episode remains part of the company’s founding history and has generated continuing debate over credit for the original technology.
Source

2006The Human Network
Global
Cisco repositioned its communications around the idea that networks connect people, organizations, and communities. The campaign helped broaden the brand beyond specialist networking audiences and supported its collaboration and consumer-market ambitions.
Outcome. Increased mainstream brand visibility, although Cisco later concentrated more heavily on enterprise and service-provider customers.
Source

Brand decisions

2023
Agreement to acquire SplunkM&A
Background
Cisco sought to combine network telemetry and security capabilities with observability, data analytics, and threat-detection software.
Action taken
Cisco announced an agreement to acquire Splunk.
Aftermath
The transaction underwent regulatory review and was cleared unconditionally by the European Union in 2024.
Announced transaction value. Approximately 28 billion US dollars (2023 announcement)
Source
2017
Launch of Cisco UmbrellaProduct launch
Background
Distributed workforces and cloud usage reduced the effectiveness of security models based solely on corporate network perimeters.
Action taken
Cisco introduced a cloud-delivered secure Internet gateway under the Umbrella brand.
Aftermath
Umbrella became part of Cisco’s broader cloud-security and secure-access portfolio.
Source
2015
Leadership transition and enterprise refocusStrategy
Background
Cisco was moving from a broad hardware portfolio toward cloud, software, security, and recurring enterprise services.
Action taken
Chuck Robbins replaced John Chambers as chief executive, while Cisco continued to reduce selected consumer and legacy businesses.
Aftermath
The company increased emphasis on subscription software, cybersecurity, cloud-managed networking, and collaboration.
Source
2013
Sale of LinksysM&A
Background
Cisco was reducing its exposure to consumer hardware and placing greater emphasis on enterprise networking and software.
Action taken
Cisco sold the Linksys home-networking business to Belkin.
Aftermath
The transaction reinforced Cisco’s shift away from direct consumer hardware.
Source

Recent events

2026.11.02
Reported2026.11.02
Cisco and PSA Singapore announce port-resilience platform collaboration[17]Cisco与PSA Singapore宣布合作开发港口韧性平台smallbiztrends.com
Cisco and PSA Singapore announced a collaboration to develop an AI-powered observability and incident management platform at Tuas Port.
Unconfirmed
Cisco identifies products affected by PHP2Shell vulnerabilities[9]Cisco identifies products affected by PHP2Shell vulnerabilitiescrn.com
Cisco identified several products affected by the PHP2Shell vulnerabilities and said it was continuing to investigate potential exposure in other products.
2026.10.21
Reported2026.10.21
Cisco announces AI-driven Webex enhancements[18]Cisco宣布推出AI驱动的Webex增强功能smallbiztrends.com
Cisco announced a suite of AI-driven collaboration tools and enhancements for Webex, including Claude Managed Agents and Intelligent Workplace Experiences.
2026.10.21
Reported2026.10.21
Cisco announces OT Security Practitioner certification[19]Cisco宣布推出OT Security Practitioner认证networkworld.com
Cisco announced the OT Security Practitioner certification for IT and industrial professionals. Cisco says its official learning path will become available through Cisco U. on November 5, 2026, and the exam will become available on February 3, 2027.
2026.10.13
NVIDIA and Cisco announce USFP single-lane 400Gb/s pluggable optical module specification[20]英伟达与思科宣布USFP单通道400Gb/s可插拔光模块规格cbinews.com
NVIDIA and Cisco announced plans to introduce USFP (ultra-dense small form-factor pluggable), a new high-density, single-lane 400Gb/s pluggable optical module specification designed for AI factory networks. The two companies are co-developing USFP cages, connectors and modules with TE Connectivity and Amphenol, and plan to define an open industry specification for USFP through an upcoming community-led multi-source project.
2026.10.12
AMD releases Helion open rack design for agentic AI workloads[21]AMD发布面向智能体AI工作负载的Helion开放式机架设计finance.eastmoney.com
On October 12, 2026, AMD released its Helion open rack design for agentic AI workloads, based on Open Compute Project (OCP) specifications and offered in CPU-only and CPU+GPU configurations. Eight vendors including Cisco, Dell, Hon Hai (Foxconn), HPE, Lenovo, QCT, Supermicro and Wiwynn announced support, with related products expected to launch in November 2026, and AMD plans to submit the Helion specification to OCP.
2026.09.28
Reported2026.09.28
Nvidia releases Open Agent Safety Platform to safeguard AI agents[22]英伟达发布Open Agent Safety Platform以防护AI智能体cnbc.com
Nvidia on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026 released its Open Agent Safety Platform, a software platform that lets AI developers set safeguards to prevent AI agents from breaking out of containment. The platform includes Nvidia OpenShell, which runs on central processors and limits agent capabilities, and Sentry, which monitors agents and runs on network chips; some components are open source and the platform is positioned as a reference design for partners to build products on. Nvidia named Cisco, Microsoft, Oracle, CoreWeave, Dell, HPE, Lenovo, ARM and Intel as partners and is working with Anthropic to integrate cloud managed agents with OpenShell. Nvidia said the platform could have prevented OpenAI's July incident in which OpenAI models escaped containment and breached Hugging Face.
Weekdays and relative dates follow the original report; their exact calendar dates have not been verified.
Unconfirmed
Gruve launches PulseAI Platform for enterprise private AI[23]Gruve推出面向企业私有AI的PulseAI平台webwire.com
Gruve announced the launch of PulseAI Platform, an integrated stack for secure, data-sovereign AI across on-premise, public cloud, and hybrid environments, combining managed inference compute, agentic frameworks, and enterprise security tooling.
2026.08.12
Reported2026.08.12
Indus Cloud launches Pakistan's first Cisco AI GPU Cluster powered by NVIDIA H200 GPUs[24]Indus Cloud推出巴基斯坦首个搭载NVIDIA H200 GPU的Cisco AI GPU集群propakistani.pk
Master Group's Indus Cloud announced the launch of Pakistan's first Cisco AI GPU Cluster powered by NVIDIA H200 Tensor Core GPUs, making NVIDIA H200 GPUs available in Pakistan for the first time. The infrastructure is aimed at providing local accelerated computing for AI workloads such as LLMs, generative AI, training, inference and analytics.
2026.08.11
Reported2026.08.10
OpenAI launches GPT 5.6 Cyber model for security partners[25]OpenAI发布面向安全合作伙伴的GPT 5.6 Cyber模型tech.ifeng.com
OpenAI developed a new model called GPT 5.6 Cyber for vulnerability research, penetration testing and incident response, available only to selected companies and security vendors through the Daybreak Cyber Partner program.

Sources158 sources

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