Latest news with #Splunk
AU Financial Review
4 days ago
- Business
- AU Financial Review
Navigating Australia's evolving data landscape under new compliance pressures
In addition, fragmented systems create blind spots. This not only undermines compliance, but also makes it harder to detect security threats, innovate with confidence, or respond quickly to operational disruptions. 'Australian organisations are flooded with data. Data runs through every system [and] decision,' says Craig Bates, senior vice-president and general manager of Asia Pacific at Splunk, a leader in cybersecurity and observability. 'But the reality is, they're drowning in data but starving for insights.' Aurélie Jacquet, chair of the Standards Australia committee representing Australia at the International Standards on Artificial Intelligence, says many of these issues stem from a lack of continuous quality oversight. 'In the age of AI, ongoing data-quality management is inescapable,' she says. 'It is key for organisations [to] demonstrate how they manage data quality in a safe and responsible manner.' Governance gaps and regulatory pressure Poor enforcement of basic data policies remains a major vulnerability. According to the same Splunk report, many organisations still struggle to enforce key controls like where data should be stored, who should have access, and how long it should be retained. Bates says the pressure isn't just coming from local regulators. 'Global policies like the EU's General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR] are also shaping expectations, particularly for multinationals and any business working with customer data or deploying AI models.' Jacquet adds that regulatory pressure is accelerating a needed shift, pushing organisations to take a more deliberate, end-to-end approach to operational risk management, especially as AI becomes more deeply embedded in business operations. '[Organisations need to be asking:] What is good enough data quality that is appropriate to build data products or train AI systems safely and responsibly?' 'What are our data blind spots? How can we address them to ensure we deliver quality products and services?' Bates adds that leading organisations are finding ways to balance control and agility. 'They've put the right guardrails in place – and this includes clear policies, data quality standards, and visibility across environments.' Rising costs, slower decisions 'Today's biggest challenges – service disruptions, security incidents, flawed AI outputs – are all symptoms of poor data management,' says Bates. Disjointed data environments are costing Australian organisations in more ways than they realise. According to Splunk's report, 88 per cent of ANZ respondents say their data-management spend has increased in the past year. Bates says the cost burden goes beyond dollars and cents; it's also about speed and resilience. 'Compliance still matters, but it's not the full picture,' he says. 'More organisations are recognising that if they can't access reliable data quickly and securely, they're unable to respond effectively to threats, disruptions or even to change.' That's because fragmented systems obscure critical signals and force teams to work in silos. This slows down detection, delays recovery efforts, and makes it harder to launch or scale new initiatives. Practices like data federation — enabling organisations to access and analyse data without migrating — offers a path forward. Despite its benefits, only 20 per cent of ANZ respondents say they've fully implemented such capabilities. Those who have are seeing measurable gains including faster access to data. In fact, Australian organisations with a federated strategy have saved an average of AUD $1.9 million. Data governance in daily operations Clearly, navigating these fault lines successfully isn't just about technology. It's also about strategy and discipline. The organisations making real progress have moved beyond surface-level fixes. Governance is meaningfully embedded into daily operations. Visibility and data quality are also central. They prioritise trusted access to support confident decisions – and faster, more resilient responses. They also invest in modern data management practices like data reuse and tiering: global organisations that employ reuse are 46 per cent less likely to face hurdles with high data volumes, while 50 per cent of those using tiering report reduced storage costs. '[They've] made a clear decision to get their data house in order,' says Bates. 'Teams can get the right data at the right time, without delays or second-guessing.' Jacquet says positive progress is underpinned by intentionality and rigour. 'The more mature organisations have developed data-quality models,' she says. 'When they create or acquire datasets, these organisations set data-quality goals, data requirements and measurements that are specific to their use case.' From compliance to capability For leading organisations, compliance is only part of the puzzle. 'Make data your priority,' says Bates. 'If there's one thing to get right, it's building a trusted, usable data foundation that supports how your business actually runs. Without that, you can't scale AI responsibly, respond to data breaches quickly, or recover from downtime with confidence' he adds. 'Start small if you need to. But start.'
National Post
4 days ago
- Business
- National Post
Digital defence is the new corporate strategy—but are you ready?
This article was created by StackCommerce. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through our links on this page. Article content The cybersecurity job market in Canada is surging, but the talent pipeline isn't keeping up. According to a 2023 report from ICTC (Information and Communications Technology Council), over 25,000 cybersecurity roles in Canada could go unfilled by 2025 due to a lack of qualified professionals. This skills shortage isn't just an IT problem — it's a business risk. Article content Article content As organizations invest heavily in security operations centres (SOCs), threat monitoring tools like Splunk are becoming a central part of modern infrastructure. Once considered niche, Splunk is now the go-to data platform for managing everything from SIEM (Security Information and Event Management) dashboards to compliance audits and real-time anomaly detection. Article content But here's the challenge: learning to effectively operate and manage Splunk isn't something most business professionals — or even IT staff — can pick up without targeted training. That's where low-cost, practical upskilling resources are gaining traction. Article content One example is the 2025 Complete Splunk Beginner Bundle, a self-paced, four-course training program. The bundle encompasses over 23 hours of content, beginning with the fundamentals of data indexing and visualization, and progressing to advanced tasks such as configuring distributed search and passing Splunk's official certification exams. Article content Article content The bundle includes: Article content Article content While the courses are online and self-directed, they emphasize applied learning — skills that businesses can immediately leverage. As cyberattacks on Canadian businesses increased by 27 per cent in 2023, according to a report from the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security, the need for agile, informed professionals is more urgent than ever. Article content
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Cisco's Strong Portfolio Aids Product Revenues: A Sign of More Upside?
Cisco Systems CSCO is expanding its lead in network security and intelligent infrastructure through an innovative portfolio. In the third quarter of fiscal 2025, the company reported product revenues of $10.37 billion, up 15% year over year, and accounted for more than 73% of total revenues. This growth was led by a 54% surge in Security products, 24% growth in Observability, 8% in Networking and 4% in company's product ARR rose 8%, reflecting the growing adoption of software-based offerings and signaling a successful shift toward a more predictable, margin-rich revenue model. This strong performance highlights Cisco's ability to meet enterprise demand for secure, scalable and intelligent infrastructure latest innovation, AI Canvas, further accelerates this momentum. Positioned as a unified platform for AI-powered IT operations, it brings together real-time telemetry, intelligent automation and cross-domain collaboration in a shared interface. Integrated with Cisco's major platforms, including Meraki, ThousandEyes, Catalyst and Splunk, AI Canvas increases operational efficiency and shortens problem-solving cycles across NetOps, SecOps and is leveraging its collaboration with NVIDIA to strengthen its footprint in the AI infrastructure domain. It secured AI infrastructure orders worth more than $1 billion to date in fiscal 2025, a quarter ahead of schedule. These latest solutions are expected to drive further growth. Fortinet FTNT and Juniper JNPR offer significant competition to Cisco's growing AI is a formidable competitor to Cisco in AI-enhanced cybersecurity, with strengths in next-gen firewalls, Secure SD-WAN and SASE. With its unified FortiOS platform and AI-driven SecOps tools, Fortinet continues to challenge Cisco's dominance in enterprise network security. Its deep experience and consistent delivery of mission-critical solutions support its growing share in the cybersecurity excels in AI-powered networking, SDN and high-level routing, led by innovations like Mist AI and the Marvis virtual assistant. Juniper's Junos OS, with open SDK support, streamlines large-scale configuration and enables AI-native automation. With ongoing investments in AI-native infrastructure, Juniper is emerging as a strong competitor to Cisco in cloud-managed networking and enterprise automation. Shares of Cisco have gained 8.3% year to date compared with the Zacks Computer – Networking industry's return of 8%.Image Source: Zacks Investment Research From a valuation standpoint, CSCO appears overvalued, trading at a forward 12-month price-to-sales ratio of 4.31, higher than the industry's 4.11. Cisco carries a Value Score of Source: Zacks Investment Research The Zacks Consensus Estimate for CSCO's fiscal 2025 revenues is pegged at $56.59 billion, indicating 5.18% year-over-year growth. The consensus mark for CSCO's 2025 earnings is pegged at $3.79 per share, which increased 1.6% over the past 30 days. The earnings figure suggests 1.61% growth over the figure reported in fiscal 2024. Image Source: Zacks Investment Research CSCO stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report Cisco Systems, Inc. (CSCO) : Free Stock Analysis Report Juniper Networks, Inc. (JNPR) : Free Stock Analysis Report Fortinet, Inc. (FTNT) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Channel Post MEA
11-06-2025
- Business
- Channel Post MEA
Cisco Unveils Secure Network Architecture For AI Transformation In Workplace
Cisco has unveiled a new network architecture to power the campus, branch, and industrial networks of the future. The new architecture delivers unmatched operational simplicity through unified management, next-generation networking devices purpose-built for AI workloads, and advanced security capabilities embedded into the network. Cisco is setting a new standard for how organizations navigate the challenges of skyrocketing traffic, rising cyber threats, and critical uptime requirements created as enterprises rush to harness the potential of AI in the workplace. According to the Cisco IT Networking Leader Survey, 97% of businesses believe they need to upgrade their networks to make AI and IoT initiatives successful, and the stakes are high: a single severe outage can inflict nearly $160 billion in losses globally. Faced with these challenges, IT teams need a new approach to scale operations, reduce downtime, and unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation. 'As AI transforms work, it fuels explosive traffic growth across campus, branch, and industrial networks, overwhelming IT teams with complexity and novel security risks at a time when downtime has never been more costly,' said Jeetu Patel, President and Chief Product Officer, Cisco. 'With a new architecture, breakthrough devices optimized for AI, and AgenticOps, we're leapfrogging the industry and reimagining how networks are managed and secured.' Simplifying Operations with Unified Management and AgenticOps Operational complexity is among the greatest challenges facing IT teams today. Cisco's unified management platform addresses this by bringing together management of Meraki and Catalyst devices, along with support for next-gen wireless, switching, routing, and industrial networks—all in a single platform that supports any cloud, on-prem, or hybrid deployment. Cisco's unified management platform is further differentiated by ThousandEyes assurance—which now extends to mobile endpoints, and industrial IoT—and delivers deeper, more actionable visibility into enterprise networks and Microsoft Azure. A new ThousandEyes and Splunk integration adds real-time insights from network to application. This multilayered approach delivers comprehensive assurance and observability across both owned and unowned infrastructure, helping ensure consistent performance and operational resilience. Supercharging the platform is AgenticOps, Cisco's AI-driven approach to running modern IT operations that turns real-time telemetry, automation, and deep domain expertise into intelligent, end-to-end actions —at machine speed and with IT teams still in control. Cisco's AgenticOps capabilities are powered by a new Deep Network Model— a domain-specific LLM trained on decades of Cisco expertise, from CCIE-level content to Cisco U. courseware. The Deep Network Model also powers the Cisco AI Assistant, a natural language interface that identifies issues, diagnoses root causes, and automates workflows. The result is AI that understands networks and works the way IT does, reducing task time from hours to minutes. Also, Cisco is introducing the all-new AI Canvas, a new AgenticOps capability, a generative AI user interface for customer dashboards that enables NetOps, SecOps, and DevOps teams to collaborate, optimize operations, and reduce IT strain. Next-Gen Network Devices Designed to Scale for AI To meet the unprecedented demands AI workloads will place on networks, Cisco is unveiling purpose-built hardware that delivers low latency, high capacity, and robust security for the AI-powered enterprise. Each device is tailored to meet the specific demands of its environment: New Cisco C9350 and C9610 Smart Switches to Power Campus Networks: Cisco is launching a new generation of Cisco Smart Switches, powered by Silicon One, that delivers up to 51.2Tbps of throughput, below 5 microsecond latency and quantum-resistant secure networking to power high-stakes AI applications. Cisco is launching a new generation of Cisco Smart Switches, powered by Silicon One, that delivers up to 51.2Tbps of throughput, below 5 microsecond latency and quantum-resistant secure networking to power high-stakes AI applications. New Cisco 8100, 8200, 8300, 8400 and 8500 Secure Routers: As AI transforms branch operations and customer interactions, new Cisco Secure Routers offer native SD-WAN and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) integration, next-generation firewall (NGFW), and post-quantum security into a single-box WAN solution—with up to three times the throughput of previous generations. As AI transforms branch operations and customer interactions, new Cisco Secure Routers offer native SD-WAN and Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) integration, next-generation firewall (NGFW), and post-quantum security into a single-box WAN solution—with up to three times the throughput of previous generations. Expanded Wireless Portfolio: Cisco is extending its Wi-Fi 7 portfolio with the Cisco Wireless 9179F Series Access Points for stadiums and large venues, and is delivering seamless, cloud-managed roaming for large campuses with the new Cisco Campus Gateway. Cisco is extending its Wi-Fi 7 portfolio with the Cisco Wireless 9179F Series Access Points for stadiums and large venues, and is delivering seamless, cloud-managed roaming for large campuses with the new Cisco Campus Gateway. Expanded Industrial Portfolio: To meet the rigorous performance and reliability demands of industrial AI use cases, Cisco is introducing new ruggedized switches in a variety of form factors to support applications including visual quality inspections and autonomous mobile robots. Additionally, new critical wireless use cases are now connected with the integration of Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) together with Wi-Fi technology in a single access point. Security Integrated Seamlessly into the Network Today's enterprise networks face a complex and dynamic security landscape. To combat these continually evolving threats, Cisco is integrating advanced security seamlessly into the network, and is unveiling new protections across three critical layers: Securing Network Infrastructure: New Cisco Live Protect provides kernel-level compensating controls, block exploits and defend campus switches and routers — without requiring reimaging or downtime. New Cisco Live Protect provides kernel-level compensating controls, block exploits and defend campus switches and routers — without requiring reimaging or downtime. Defending Data in Transit: To safeguard data in transit, Cisco has added post-quantum-ready MACsec, WAN MACsec, and IPsec encryption to defend against 'harvest-now, decrypt-later' attacks. In addition, the new Cisco C9000 Smart Switches are Hypershield-ready. This will help enhance network segmentation to contain threats at machine speed. To safeguard data in transit, Cisco has added post-quantum-ready MACsec, WAN MACsec, and IPsec encryption to defend against 'harvest-now, decrypt-later' attacks. In addition, the new Cisco C9000 Smart Switches are Hypershield-ready. This will help enhance network segmentation to contain threats at machine speed. Protecting Users, Endpoints, and Applications: Starting from a strong foundation of microsegmentation, AI-powered device classification, and common policy, Cisco is extending protections for every device and application connected across the network. With intelligence from Cisco Identity Services Engine, Cyber Vision, and Cisco Talos combined with Cisco Secure Access SSE, organizations can enforce security effectively at every point in the network. 'Organizations are at a critical juncture. The promise of AI is immense, but the reality is that existing enterprise networks are simply not equipped to handle the scale, security, and reliability requirements that AI demands,' said Matt Eastwood, IDC. 'Cisco's new secure network architecture marks a critical evolution in networking and provides a future-ready foundation for enterprises to confidently embrace AI without sacrificing performance or security.'
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Open to acquisitions to boost vision: Cisco's Jeetu Patel
The US multinational Tuesday said that it is ready to opportunistically acquire companies ans a part of strategy to achieve a broader vision. "If an acquisition can help accelerate achieving vision, then we won't be shy to apply our knowledge into it," Jeetu Patel , President and Chief Product Officer at Cisco Systems told ET, adding that the company's "acquisition strategy is opportunistic." Over a period of more than three decades, the US multinational acquired over 200 mid-to-large sized companies. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Container Houses Indonesia (Prices May Surprise You) Container House | Search ads Search Now Undo Cisco is aggressively driving its artificial intelligence (AI)-led portfolio across networking, security and data centres. Last year, San Jose-based Cisco acquired Splunk in a $28 billion deal in a bid to advance AI-driven portfolio and future-proof its customers. The merger enabled Cisco to become one of the largest software companies worldwide. Live Events Also Read: Cisco's $28 billion Splunk deal may ignite software deal frenzy Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories "If something comes up that we think is going to go on further or pause, we won't be shy to deploy our balance sheet, but otherwise we are building, we are going to be great builders first, and we will acquire opportunistically when we want to make sure that we can augment in the building exercise," the top executive said. Back in 2020, it had also acquired ThousandEyes Inc. , a cloud intelligence platform provider to offer customers a visibility into the digital delivery of applications and services over the internet, enabling them to find deficiencies and improve network and application performance across enterprise and cloud networks. In 2017, Cisco acquired AppDynamics , which is now a part of the company's Observability portfolio. Also Read: Here's why Cisco paid a whopping $3.7 billion to AppDynamics The company said that it is reinventing infrastructure for the next wave of AI. "The success of AI as we go forward is this notion of trust where safety and security are prerequisites for AI taking off," Patel said separately. "Cisco is the infrastructure provider that's going to work with the ecosystem for AI build-outs and we are going to make sure that we help with the transition to the agentic era for every company of every size whether it's a hyperscaler, neocloud, service provider or an enterprise of any size or scale." With an array of innovations around feature-proofing workplaces, Cisco said that it has refreshed and simplified its portfolio to make it more user-friendly. These include Agile Service Networking, Unified Nexus Dashboard, Live Protect, Unifying Catalyst and Meraki, Smart Switches, and Cisco Cloud Control.
