Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning , Network Detection & Response , Next-Generation Technologies & Secure Development

What Cisco's Purchase of Splunk Means for Cybersecurity, AI

Jeetu Patel on How Buying Splunk Will Fortify Cisco's Security, AI and Data Muscle
Jeetu Patel, executive vice president and general manager, security and collaboration, Cisco (Image: Cisco)

Cisco's $28 billion acquisition of Splunk will reshape the security landscape by bringing Cisco's networking and cyber expertise together with Splunk's robust data capabilities.

See Also: Network Threat Trends Research Report

Ingesting the San Francisco-based security operations behemoth will provide existing Cisco customers with better observability, more reliable networking, cost-effective security solutions and enhanced AI capabilities, said Jeetu Patel, executive vice president and general manager for security and collaboration. Superior data insights will allow Cisco and Splunk to offer unparalleled security, observability and AI efficiency (see: Jeetu Patel on Having a Consistent Design at Cisco Security).

"I don't think today you can be a world-class networking and connectivity company if you're not also a security company," Patel said. "I don't think you can be a world-class security company if you're not an AI company because you have to deal with threats at machine scale. You can't deal with it at human scale. And I don't think you're going to be a great AI company if you're not a great data company."

In this video interview with Information Security Media Group, Patel also discussed:

  • The importance of AI in preempting and responding to cyberthreats effectively;
  • How the acquisition aims to simplify and enhance security operations for Cisco and Splunk;
  • How the deal will streamline AI processes and offer more cohesive, predictive security.

Patel, who has led Cisco's security and collaboration business units since August 2020, previously spent more than five years leading Box's product and platform strategy, setting the company’s long-term vision and road map for cloud content management in the enterprise. He previously served as general manager and chief executive of EMC's newly acquired Syncplicity business unit, a cloud service for enterprise file sync sharing and collaboration.


About the Author

Michael Novinson

Michael Novinson

Managing Editor, Business, ISMG

Novinson is responsible for covering the vendor and technology landscape. Prior to joining ISMG, he spent four and a half years covering all the major cybersecurity vendors at CRN, with a focus on their programs and offerings for IT service providers. He was recognized for his breaking news coverage of the August 2019 coordinated ransomware attack against local governments in Texas as well as for his continued reporting around the SolarWinds hack in late 2020 and early 2021.




Around the Network

Our website uses cookies. Cookies enable us to provide the best experience possible and help us understand how visitors use our website. By browsing govinfosecurity.com, you agree to our use of cookies.