Shaping the Future of Work: Insights from CiscoLive

The workplace has been on a transformative journey carrying us from widespread remote work to hybrid working models. But we have now approached the stage where there is an expectation to work from any device, on any network, in any location, and at any time.

The rhythm of our work lives has never been more fluid, yet the question that stands prominently at the threshold of our tech-infused future is, "What's next? How do we further refine and elevate the future of work?" These probing questions and numerous other pertinent discussions were the highlights of this year's CiscoLive event in Las Vegas.

I had the privilege of meeting the inspirational Lorrissa Horton , the recently-appointed Chief Product Officer at 网迅 , who is shaping the future of hybrid work and collaboration technologies. We spoke at length about the recent Gen AI announcement from Webex and their intriguing partnership with AT&T .

We unpacked Webex's vision for the future of customer experience powered by artificial intelligence, as well as the remarkable strides they have made in the realm of cloud calling. You can listen in to our thought-provoking conversation on the future of work, the role of AI in customer experience, and the intriguing crossroads of technology, leadership, and work-life balance by clicking on the episode below.

In his opening keynote, Cisco's CEO, Chuck Robbins, unveiled the company's visionary roadmap for empowering businesses to shape the future of work. He underscored the importance of five key themes that form the bedrock of Cisco's strategy going forward.

Each significant announcement during the event was seen through these thematic lenses:

1. 'Reimagining your Applications'
2. 'Powering your Hybrid Work'
3. 'Transforming your Infrastructure'
4. 'Securing your Enterprise'
5. 'Your Journey to Sustainability.'

Each theme echoes the profound resonance of our technological evolution and represents the pillars upon which the future of work will be built and improved.

Javed Khan , SVP and GM of Cisco Collaboration joined me in a discussion about the world of Hybrid Work. Javed revealed the approach of Cisco Collaboration in leveraging AI to deliver unrivaled experiences for both organizations and contact center agents. We explored the impact of AI on teamwork, decision-making, and efficiency, transforming the very way we understand and approach work.

Javed also discusses the concept of the 'mobile office', giving us a glimpse into the future of work. He shared his vision of a seamless blend of technology and connectivity where geographical boundaries cease to restrict productivity and innovation. If you are interested in the future of work, AI or just curious about what comes next, you won't want to miss our chat from the show floor.

Jeetu Patel , Cisco's EVP and General Manager for Security & Collaboration, affirmed that security remains a top priority for all Cisco customers. Drawing a parallel between security services and an orchestra, he emphasized the importance of harmonious orchestration in security services to avoid clashing and to ensure comprehensive defenses.?

Patel highlighted the role of Cisco in offering such a synchronized platform through their Security Cloud. Reflecting on the year since the announcement of the Cisco Security Cloud, Patel hailed it as a year of substantial innovation, bolstered significantly by advancements in AI. He also underlined the importance of achieving zero trust and striving for zero friction, thereby simplifying the security process for users.?

The newly introduced Cisco Secure Access is touted as a step in that direction. It offers a seamless, single sign-on experience, enabling users to connect to any application from any device on any network.

Cisco Secure Access is enhanced to work in synergy with Apple iCloud Private Relay, further simplifying access.?He also announced the integration of Cisco Secure Access and Thousand Eyes, aiming to provide users with an easily manageable security offering.

However, AI's influence was further evident as Patel shared the announcement of an AI-powered SOC Assistant. It aims to assist users in spotting and managing security incidents, suggesting optimized remediation tactics. This assistant is anticipated to be Cisco's most potent AI-driven launch and is scheduled for a mid-2024 release.

After the keynote, I sat down with him to discuss these new announcements and some of the innovative features for 网迅 - Cinematic Meetings and Meeting Zones. These features are expected to revolutionize virtual meetings by offering smart camera and audio functions, keeping everyone engaged, and facilitating an immersive meeting experience.

We also discussed the upcoming AI assistant for managing security policies, marking another milestone in integrating AI into cybersecurity. This feature promises to redefine how security rules are managed and help maintain cybersecurity hygiene.

Another seasoned veteran in the network and security space is TK Keanini?who joined me in a conversation about Secure Access Service Edge (SASE), implementing AI assistants in security, and the ever-evolving capabilities of firewalls and multi-cloud defense.?

I also caught up with Ken Martin , the Managing Director of Global Sports, Media & Entertainment at Cisco. As the strategic advisor to the world's premier sports leagues, venues, and organizations, Martin has been a key player in transforming the digital landscape of stadiums globally, setting the pace for the future of fan experiences.

From pioneering video delivery in stadiums 15 years ago to architecting high-density Wi-Fi and IP Fabric for broadcast, Cisco is now at the forefront, enabling more than 460 stadiums worldwide to deliver personalized, immersive experiences to their audiences. With advanced technologies such as AI, Wi-Fi 6, Wi-Fi 6E, and dynamic security tools, Cisco is revolutionizing the guest and fan experiences by enhancing convenience, customization, and personalization.

During our conversation, Ken shared insights on how Cisco's technology underpins the infrastructure of the most technologically advanced venues, such as SoFi, State Farm, and Allegiant Stadiums, which hosted the 2022, 2023, and 2024 Super Bowls. But this technology was brought to life with some breathtaking stats around the digital transformation of live events and customer expectations for superior live experiences.

We also discussed Cisco's partnerships with organizations like the NFL to ensure enterprise-level security during events. From handling 100 million DNS requests and blocking 200,000 of them during the 2023 Super Bowl to analyzing 800,000 suspicious files using secure Malware analytics, Cisco's role in cybersecurity in the live events industry was somewhat of an eye-opener.

After delivering his first main stage at CiscoLive Keynote, Alistair Wildman , Senior Vice President of Cisco Global Customer Experience (CX) took time to shine a light on the award winners, sharing the transformative stories of each customer Hero. The message was clear, together with their partners, they can deliver unified customer experiences & securely connect everything to make anything possible.

Alistair's passion for customer success is evident as he proudly detailed the groundbreaking work these companies have achieved with the aid of Cisco's cutting-edge technology. From NYC Health + Hospitals' secure network initiative to Nationwide's digital transformation, Princess Cruises' innovative customer experiences, and Honeywell's automation triumph, it was an enlightening conversation about inspiring innovation.

With ten interviews recorded from the show floor, I also enjoyed a great conversation with Bryan L. , Carhartt's Manager of Application Performance. He shared with me Carhartt 's approach to IT infrastructure and operations, reducing downtime and improving performance to meet the growing demands of their customer and associate base.?

Elsewhere, I caught up with Nathan Bullock , IT Operations Manager at Interstates , who shared how they simplified and accelerated their data center operations. The result? A whopping 75% acceleration in deployments to manufacturers, providing them with the efficient, high-quality service they need to remain competitive in today's fast-paced business landscape.

As the insightful sessions of CiscoLive concluded, it became abundantly clear that, even though this was a tech conference, technology was not the sole protagonist. The people, the partners, the sense of community, and, perhaps most importantly, the face-to-face exchange of ideas truly stole the limelight.

As I packed my bags to return home, these deeply enriching conversations and joyous reunions with my fellow tech journalists etched this event into my memory.

In our rapidly evolving digital world, where we speak of constructing a new future of work and envision AI taking center stage, it is essential to remember that human beings remain the driving force propelling everything forward. In all its brilliance, technology is a tool that we leverage to simplify our tasks, enhance our skills, and scale new heights. Yet, at its core, the human spirit - the ability to ideate, empathize, collaborate, and innovate - makes any tool or technology truly meaningful and impactful.

As I reflect on the enriching experiences and forward-thinking discussions at CiscoLive, I am reminded of the strength of human connections, the power of shared ideas, and the indomitable spirit of innovation inherent to us. These reminders breathe life into our technology-rich landscape and fuel our collective journey forward. Amidst all the transformative tech discussions and announcements, this realization should serve as a grounding force and a beacon of hope that ushers us into the exciting future that lies ahead.