Cisco, a global leader in security and networking, will launch Cisco AI Defense in March to help enterprises secure their AI transformations.

The solution is designed to address emerging risks that traditional security tools cannot handle, particularly in developing and deploying AI applications.

“Business and technology leaders can’t afford to sacrifice safety for speed when embracing AI,” Cisco executive vice president and chief product officer Jeetu Patel said.

Speed decides the winners

“In a dynamic landscape where competition is fierce, speed decides the winners. Fused into the fabric of the network, Cisco AI Defense combines the unique ability to detect and protect against threats when developing and accessing AI applications without tradeoffs.”

A 2024 AI Readiness Index from Cisco revealed that only 35 percent of respondents in the Philippines feel prepared to detect and prevent tampering with AI systems.

The increasing complexity of AI applications, which spans multi-cloud environments and proprietary data, highlights the need for stronger security measures.

Cisco AI Defense provides tools to protect AI systems from attacks, validate models, and ensure continuous data security while maintaining compliance.

It integrates with Cisco’s Security Cloud and uses proprietary machine learning and threat intelligence from Cisco Talos. The solution also aligns with standards from MITRE, OWASP, and NIST.

New risks

“The adoption of AI exposes companies to new risks that traditional cybersecurity solutions don’t address,” said Kent Noyes, Global Head of AI & Cyber Innovation at World Wide Technology.

“Cisco AI Defense represents a significant leap forward in AI security, providing full visibility of an enterprise’s AI assets and protection against evolving threats,” he added.

Building on previous innovations like Cisco Hypershield, AI Defense offers a unified approach to securing AI systems and accelerating innovation, making it an essential tool for enterprises embracing AI.