Cisco AI Assistant Introduction

Cisco, a leader in enterprise networking and security, announces a groundbreaking stride with the introduction of the Cisco AI Assistant for Security. This innovative addition solidifies the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) within the Security Cloud, Cisco's comprehensive AI-driven security platform.

Cisco AI Assistant Features

Empowering Decision-Making: The AI Assistant aims to guide customers in making informed decisions, augmenting their tool capabilities, and automating intricate tasks, heralding a significant advancement in the realm of cybersecurity.

Insights from Cisco's Executive

Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and General Manager of Security and Collaboration at Cisco, highlighted the pivotal nature of leveraging data for AI advancements. Patel asserts that Cisco's rich native telemetry uniquely positions the company to deliver robust cybersecurity solutions that facilitate business operations at machine scale.

Evolution of Cyber Threats

Addressing Emerging Threats: With cyber attacks evolving, Cisco notes the persistence of ransomware and extortion attacks, constituting 20 percent of Cisco Talos Incident Response engagements. Furthermore, Talos reports an uptick in sophisticated attacks on networking devices, particularly by state-sponsored actors, necessitating the adoption of machine-scale defences.

AI Assistant Capabilities

Leveraging Unparalleled Data: Cisco's AI Assistant is trained on an extensive security-focused dataset, analysing over 550 billion security events daily across diverse domains. The AI Assistant's capabilities encompass event triage, impact analysis, root cause investigation, and policy design, aiming to bridge the gap between cybersecurity intent and outcomes.

Innovative Offerings by Cisco

Introducing AI-Powered Solutions: Cisco's continuous innovation brings forth two groundbreaking introductions:

AI Assistant for Firewall Policy

Embedded within the Cisco Cloud-delivered Firewall Management Center and Cisco Defense Orchestrator, this feature simplifies policy configuration, eliminating complexities and enhancing visibility.

AI-powered Encrypted Visibility Engine

This engine, integrated into the 7.4.1 Operating System across the Cisco Secure Firewall family, aids in decrypting encrypted traffic, determining the presence of malware, identifying originating operating systems, and client applications - all without the need for decryption.

Industry Perspective

Graham Robinson, Chief Technology Officer at Data#3, expresses excitement about the AI Assistant's potential to drive efficiencies for Cisco's partners and customers. Robinson emphasises the benefits, especially regarding quick and hassle-free policy changes within the Cisco Firewall Management Center.

The introduction of the Cisco AI Assistant for Security represents a significant leap in fortifying cybersecurity landscapes. Cisco's AI-driven solutions promise to revolutionise operational efficiencies, marking a crucial milestone in the evolving landscape of cyber defence.