Cisco Redefines Security for the Agentic Era with AI Defense Expansion and AI-Aware SASE

Core Insights - Cisco announced a significant evolution of its security portfolio aimed at enabling enterprises to adopt agentic AI confidently, focusing on agent protection, interaction governance, and resilient connectivity for AI-driven workflows [2][3]. Group 1: Security Enhancements - The expansion of Cisco AI Defense introduces new features to secure agents and the AI supply chain, helping teams inventory and govern AI assets while identifying vulnerabilities earlier in the development lifecycle [5]. - AI Defense has aligned with leading AI frameworks from organizations like NIST, OWASP, and MITRE, and now includes mapping to Cisco's Integrated AI Security and Safety Framework [6]. - New runtime protections include integration with NVIDIA NeMo Guardrails, providing a modular architecture for real-time protection of AI systems in production [7]. Group 2: Governance and Risk Management - Cisco's AI BOM (Bill of Materials) offers centralized visibility and governance for AI software assets, enhancing the security of the AI supply chain [9]. - The MCP Catalog helps discover and manage risk across MCP servers and registries, strengthening AI governance [9]. - Advanced algorithmic red teaming expands AI security assessments, while real-time guardrails monitor agent interactions to detect unsafe behavior [9][10]. Group 3: Connectivity and Performance - Cisco's IOS XE 26 introduces full-stack post-quantum cryptography (PQC) protections, aligning with evolving regulatory guidance and defending against device tampering [13]. - The new capabilities in Cisco SASE are designed to govern agent interactions and ensure reliable AI traffic, addressing the complexities of AI-driven workflows [11][12]. - AI traffic optimization techniques are implemented to maintain low-latency interactions during high-load periods, ensuring predictable performance [17]. Group 4: Additional Features - Cisco Duo is enhancing visibility and protection for on-premises identity infrastructure, addressing legacy gaps in modern controls and multi-factor authentication [18]. - New agentic capabilities in Cisco Security Cloud Control will proactively analyze firewall traffic and configurations to surface recommendations and autonomously remediate issues [18].