Tech News

Cisco Reimagines Security for Data Centers and Clouds in Era of AI

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2024

News Summary:
Cisco powers and secures AI-scale data centers and clouds, safeguarding every application and device regardless of distribution or connectivity.

In today’s highly distributed landscape, the window from vulnerability to exploitation is shrinking rapidly.
Defending against this complex threat environment is beyond human scale.
Cisco Hypershield enables customers to deploy security wherever needed: in the cloud, data center, factory floor, or hospital imaging room.
With AI-native security, customers can autonomously segment networks, enjoy distributed and instant exploit protection without patches, and experience self-qualifying software upgrades with zero downtime.

News in Detail:
Cisco, the leader in security and networking, today unveiled a radically new approach to securing data centers and clouds in response to the increasing demands the AI revolution has put on IT infrastructure. Cisco is rearchitecting how we harness and protect AI and other modern workloads with industry-first, Cisco Hypershield. With this unprecedented innovation, Cisco is tipping the scales in favor of defenders, building on its recent announcements to accelerate AI infrastructure with Cisco’s ethernet switching, silicon and compute portfolio.

Cisco Hypershield protects applications, devices and data across public and private data centers, clouds and physical locations – anywhere customers need it. Designed and built with AI in mind from the start, Hypershield enables organizations to achieve security outcomes beyond what has been possible with humans alone.

“Cisco Hypershield is one of the most significant security innovations in our history,” said Chuck Robbins, Cisco Chair and CEO. “With our data advantage and strength in security, infrastructure and observability platforms, Cisco is uniquely positioned to help our customers harness the power of AI.”

Hypershield is a revolutionary new security architecture. It’s built with technology originally developed for hyperscale public clouds and is now available for enterprise IT teams of all sizes. More a fabric than a fence, Hypershield enables security enforcement to be placed everywhere it needs to be. Every application service in the datacenter. Every Kubernetes cluster in the public cloud. Every container and virtual machine (VM). It can even turn every network port into a high-performance security enforcement point, bringing completely new security capabilities not just to clouds, but to the data center, on a factory floor, or a hospital imaging room. This new technology blocks application exploits in minutes and stops lateral movement in its tracks.

“AI has the potential to empower the world’s 8 billion people to have the same impact as 80 billion. With this abundance, we must reimagine the role of the data center – how data centers are connected, secured, operated and scaled,” said Jeetu Patel, Executive Vice President and General Manager for Security and Collaboration at Cisco.

“The power of Cisco Hypershield is that it can put security anywhere you need it – in software, in a server, or in the future even in a network switch. When you have a distributed system that could include hundreds of thousands of enforcement points, simplified management is mission critical. And we need to be orders-of-magnitude more autonomous, at an orders-of-magnitude lower cost.”

Security enforcement with Hypershield happens at three different layers: in software, in virtual machines, and in network and compute servers and appliances, leveraging the same powerful hardware accelerators that are used extensively in high-performance computing and hyperscale public clouds.

Hypershield was built on three key pillars:

• AI-Native: Built and designed from the start to be autonomous and predictive, Hypershield manages itself once it earns trust, making a hyper-distributed approach at scale possible.
• Cloud-Native: Hypershield is built on open source eBPF, the default mechanism for connecting and protecting cloud-native workloads in the hyperscale cloud. Cisco acquired the leading provider of eBPF for enterprises, Isovalent, earlier this month.
• Hyper-Distributed: Cisco is completely reimagining how traditional network security works by embedding advanced security controls into servers and the network fabric itself. Hypershield spans all clouds and leverages hardware acceleration like Data Processing Units (DPU) to analyze and respond to anomalies in application and network behavior. It shifts security closer to the workloads that need protection.

Cisco, with its industry-leading expertise in networking, security and extensive partner ecosystem, together with NVIDIA, is committed to building and optimizing AI-native security solutions to protect and scale the data centers of tomorrow. This collaboration includes leveraging the NVIDIA Morpheus cybersecurity AI framework for accelerated network anomaly detection, as well as NVIDIA NIM microservices for powering custom security AI assistants for the enterprise. NVIDIA’s class of converged accelerators combine the power of GPU and DPU computing, to augment Cisco Hypershield with robust security from cloud to edge.

“Enterprises across all industries are seeking the security that can protect them against ever expanding cyber threats,” said Kevin Deierling, Senior Vice President of Networking at NVIDIA. “Together, Cisco and NVIDIA are leveraging the power of AI to deliver powerful, incredibly secure data center infrastructure that will enable enterprises to transform their businesses and benefit customers everywhere.”

As a revolutionary new security architecture, Hypershield is solving three key customer challenges in defending against today’s sophisticated threat landscape:

• Distributed Exploit Protection: Attackers are adept at weaponizing newly published vulnerabilities faster than defenders can patch. With defenders seeing nearly 100 new vulnerabilities every day, according to Cisco Talos Threat Intelligence, this can lead to catastrophic results. Hypershield delivers protection in minutes by automatically testing and deploying compensating controls into the distributed fabric of enforcement points.
• Autonomous Segmentation: Once an attacker is in the network, segmentation is key to stopping their lateral movement. Hypershield perpetually observes, auto-reasons and re-evaluates existing policies to autonomously segment the network, solving this in large and complex environments.
• Self-qualifying Upgrades: Hypershield automates the incredibly laborious and time-consuming process of testing and deploying upgrades once they are ready, leveraging a dual data plane. This completely new software architecture allows software upgrades and policy changes to be placed in a digital twin that tests updates using the customer’s unique combination of traffic, policies and features, then applying those updates with zero downtime.

Built into the Security Cloud, Cisco’s unified, AI-driven, cross-domain security platform, Cisco Hypershield is expected to be Generally Available in August 2024. With Cisco’s recent acquisition of Splunk, customers will gain unparalleled visibility and insights across their entire digital footprint for unprecedented security protection.

“AI is not just a force for good but also a tool used for nefarious purposes, allowing hackers to reverse engineer patches and create exploits in record time. Cisco looks to address an AI enabled problem with an AI solution as Cisco Hypershield aims to tip the scales back in favor of the defender by shielding new vulnerabilities against exploit in minutes – rather than the days, weeks or even months as we wait for patches to actually get deployed,” said Frank Dickson, Group Vice President, Security & Trust at IDC. “With the number of vulnerabilities ever increasing and the time for attackers to exploit them at scale ever decreasing, it’s clear that patching alone can’t keep up. Tools like Hypershield are necessary to combat an increasingly clever malicious cyber adversary.”

“Cisco Hypershield takes aim at the complex security challenges of modern, AI-scale data centers. Cisco’s vision of a self-managing fabric that seamlessly integrates from the network to the endpoint will help redefine what’s possible for security at scale,” said Zeus Kerravala, Founder and Principal Analyst of ZK Research. “For instance, this level of visibility and control across a hyper-distributed environment prevents lateral movement of attackers, enabled through a unique approach to segmentation that’s autonomous and highly effective. While this may seem fantastical, the time is right given recent AI advances combined with the maturity of cloud-native technologies like eBPF.”

“At AHEAD we believe cybersecurity should be integrated into everything we do. Bolted-on security is more expensive and less effective,” said Steven Aiello, Field Chief Information Security Officer at AHEAD. “Cisco Hypershield ensures that cyber protections are included into the fabric of the enterprise. Distributed Exploit Protection will be a massive win for blue teams – legacy synthetic patching was primarily limited to edge devices, allowing lateral movement once an attacker breached the perimeter. It’s a great day for cyber-defenders!”

Tech News

TALLY SOLUTIONS OPENS NOMINATIONS FOR THE 6TH EDITION OF TALLY MSME HONOURS, CELEBRATING INSPIRING ENTREPRENEURS

Published

1 week ago

June 3, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Tally Solutions, a leading international technology provider of business management software, has announced the launch of the sixth edition of its flagship annual initiative, Tally MSME Honours. With an aim to recognize and celebrate emerging entrepreneurs, the initiative builds on the momentum of five successful years and continues to champion the future of the UAE’s MSME ecosystem by spotlighting innovation, resilience, and meaningful impact.

Over the last five editions, Tally MSME Honours has received more than 70,000 nominations globally, with over 20% of entries from women-led ventures, making it one of the biggest global platforms to celebrate MSMEs. This year, Tally expects 20,000 nominations across categories. The honours will also bring forth MSME success stories from across India, Africa, Bangladesh, and Nepal, in addition to the Middle East. The entries can be submitted by interested businesses or people who know such businesses via this link.

As part of this year’s edition, participants can submit video entries, ensuring representation from different emirates across the UAE. To further strengthen the evaluation process, Tally is also deploying an AI-led shortlisting framework that will help validate and assess entries more comprehensively by analyzing publicly available business information, ensuring deserving businesses receive due recognition for their impact and growth.

Speaking about the initiative, Vikas Panchal, General Manager – MENA, Tally Solutions, said, “MSME Honours is not just an award platform; it is a celebration of the resilience, ambition, and entrepreneurial spirit that drives small businesses forward every day. Across the UAE and the wider MENA region, we continue to witness inspiring MSMEs building innovative businesses, creating employment, and contributing meaningfully to economic growth. This becomes even more relevant as the UAE continues to place strong focus on strengthening its SME ecosystem as a key pillar of the country’s long-term economic vision. Through MSME Honours, we aim to spotlight these stories of determination and impact, while encouraging more entrepreneurs to share and celebrate their journeys.”

With a strong focus on enabling long-term growth and visibility, Tally MSME Honours extends beyond recognition to create a platform that continuously supports entrepreneurial journeys. Over the years, past winners have become part of a growing network of business leaders and changemakers, gaining opportunities to participate in industry discussions, ecosystem forums, and business-led conversations. These engagements help entrepreneurs showcase their journeys, build meaningful collaborations, exchange insights, and further strengthen their impact within the broader MSME ecosystem.

Tally MSME Honours 2026 will feature the following award categories:

Business Maestro: Established businesses that have mastered the art of thriving and sustaining success.
Wonder Woman: Outstanding women-led businesses making a remarkable impact.
NewGen Icon: A new generation of business owners innovating and paving the way for exponential growth.
Tech Transformer: Businesses leveraging new technology to drive efficiency and scale.
E-preneur Icon: Purpose-driven businesses contributing meaningfully to society and the environment

The entries will be judged by an esteemed panel comprising experts from the field of technology, the MSME domain, and the media.

Tech News

BELKIN’S LILYPAD IPAD CASE TURNS THE FAMILY IPAD INTO A FUN, FRIENDLY SIDEKICK INSPIRED BY DISNEY AND PIXAR’S “TOY STORY 5”

Published

1 week ago

June 3, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Belkin, a global leader in consumer electronics for over 40 years, today announced a real-world special edition iPad case inspired by Lilypad, the high-tech frog-shaped smart tablet character from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” in theaters June 18.

Designed to transform an iPad into a fun character companion, the Lilypad iPad Case blends protection with subtle character-inspired features, turning tablet use into an imaginative, playful experience connected to the world of “Toy Story 5.”

“Lilypad represents a modern take on how kids interact with technology,” said Steve Malony, CEO of Belkin. “With this collaboration, we wanted to create an accessory that captures the character’s personality while still delivering the quality, durability, protection, and thoughtful design families expect from Belkin.”

Turning an iPad into Lilypad

Designed, for families and Disney collectors, the Lilypad iPad Case combines durable EVA foam construction with character-inspired details like a built-in carry handle and foldable kickstand, allowing users to comfortably hold, carry, and use their device for watching, drawing, or learning on the go.

Key features include:

Official Lilypad Character Design – Inspired by Lilypad from Disney and Pixar’s “Toy Story 5,” the case gives iPad (10^th and 11^th generation) expressive eye details and a character-inspired design.
Kid-Proof Protection – Durable EVA foam construction helps absorb bumps and drops during everyday play.
Soft, Grippy Edges – Easy for small hands to hold securely, helping reduce slips and accidental drops.
Built-In Carry Handle – Integrated handle provides easy portability, designed to keep up with everyday use.
Built-In Kickstand – Foldable kickstand supports hands-free viewing for drawing, watching, or playing.
Exclusive Digital Wallpapers – Each case includes a QR code to download complimentary Lilypad-themed wallpapers for home and lock screens, making the iPad feel even more like the character.
Safe & Parent-Approved Materials – Made with non-toxic materials and wipe-clean surfaces for easy maintenance.

Tech News

VERTIV EXPANDS LIQUID COOLING PORTFOLIO IN EMEA TO ACCELERATE AI‑READY DATA CENTER DEPLOYMENTS

Published

1 week ago

June 3, 2026

Integrator Web-Admin

Vertiv (NYSE: VRT), a global leader in critical digital infrastructure, today announced the expansion of its end-to-end thermal chain with the availability of the Vertiv™ CoolChip CDU 2300 and Vertiv™ CoolChip Fluid Network Row Manifolds in Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). These liquid cooling technologies support the growing demands of AI and high-density, next-generation compute to help customers deploy high-density infrastructure faster and operate more efficiently.

The Vertiv CoolChip family is a core building block of the Vertiv thermal chain, an end-to-end portfolio including direct-to-chip cooling, immersion cooling, rear-door heat exchangers, coolant distribution, heat rejection, intelligent controls, and lifecycle services into a single, cohesive thermal management system.

The newly announced solutions will be on display at Datacloud Global Congress in Cannes (June 1–4), where Vertiv will participate as a Patron Sponsor and showcase its latest technologies at booth n. 123.

“The rapid growth of AI workloads is driving a fundamental shift in how data centers are designed, cooled, powered and operated,” said Paul Ryan, president for EMEA at Vertiv. “At Datacloud Global Congress, we’re showing how Vertiv is expanding its end‑to‑end portfolio, combining high-density power solutions, liquid cooling, heat rejection, intelligent controls, and lifecycle services, to help customers deploy AI-ready infrastructure faster and operate more efficiently over time.”

As a critical link in the Vertiv™ thermal chain, the Vertiv CoolChip CDU 2300 is a liquid-to-liquid coolant distribution unit delivering 2.3 MW of cooling capacity in a compact footprint, offering one of the highest capacity-to-footprint ratios available in the market. Its smaller cabinet supports flexible placement, including in‑row or in adjacent mechanical areas, helping operators reduce floor space requirements and the number of CDUs needed in large‑scale, high‑density deployments.

Vertiv™ CoolChip CDU systems span from 100 kW to 2.3 MW and support direct‑to‑chip liquid cooling as well as rear‑door heat exchangers. The integrated Vertiv™ CoolChip CDU controller allows temperature and flow to adapt to workload demands, while features such as redundancy, unit‑to‑unit communication, and remote monitoring help enhance system availability and simplify operations. This controller-level intelligence enables the CDU to operate in coordination with other elements of the thermal chain, enabling consistent thermal performance across the entire infrastructure.

Complementing the CDU within the thermal chain architecture, the new Vertiv™ CoolChip Fluid Network Row Manifolds provide the physical connectivity layer between coolant distribution units, server-level cooling hardware, and heat rejection systems. Each manifold assembly is flushed, passivated, pressure-tested, and sealed to deliver superior cleanliness, corrosion resistance, and leak-free performance. The configurable design provides full system compatibility across direct-to-chip cooling, immersion cooling, and rear-door heat exchangers while simplifying coolant routing. It also enables fast deployment for new builds or retrofits, helping operators scale liquid-cooling infrastructure in weeks rather than months.

Vertiv complements its portfolio with Vertiv™ Liquid Cooling Services, covering design support, installation, and ongoing maintenance. This lifecycle approach is designed to help customers maximize efficiency, maintain system availability, and support consistent performance as liquid cooling becomes an integral part of modern data center operations.

Vertiv experts will be available throughout Datacloud Global Congress at booth #123 to discuss Vertiv’s end‑to‑end portfolio of power, cooling, and converged infrastructure solutions designed to support high‑density, AI‑ready data centers. Explore insights and resources at Vertiv.com/AI.