Having critical insights at your fingertips and not taking action on them is like having the answers to a test in front of you but deciding to just bubble in random answers. That’s why, when Cisco released their AI Readiness survey results last year, they didn’t just post and move on—they took action. DJ Sampath, VP of Product, AI Software and Platform at Cisco, explained, “In both our survey results and my own conversations with business leaders, a common trend was evident. Despite growing pressures to harness this transformational technology, AI readiness seems to be declining.” With that information top of mind, Cisco created Cisco AI Defense.
Cisco AI Defense: A Game-Changer for AI Security
While AI is transforming the way businesses operate, security concerns have made many companies hesitant to fully embrace its power. Cisco AI Defense is designed to change that. It’s the first comprehensive solution that helps businesses develop, deploy, and use AI securely.
Sampath highlighted the growing risks, explaining, “AI’s rapid evolution has introduced risks that traditional cybersecurity solutions aren’t built to address. These risks can include unintended behaviors, data privacy breaches, algorithmic bias, and potential misuse of AI systems, potentially leading to reputational, financial, and legal consequences for businesses.”
For distribution partners, this new solution presents a major opportunity. AI Defense offers unparalleled visibility and protection for AI applications, helping businesses navigate the security challenges that come with AI adoption. The solution tackles two major risk factors: the exposure of sensitive data through third-party AI tools and the vulnerabilities in developing and deploying AI applications. By integrating Cisco AI Defense into their offerings, distribution partners can stand out in the market and empower businesses to embrace AI securely.
Key Components of Cisco AI Defense
To help organizations mitigate the risks associated with AI, Cisco AI Defense consists of four main components:
- AI Access: Enables security teams to monitor and manage the use of third-party AI applications, preventing unauthorized data sharing and mitigating the risks of shadow AI.
- AI Cloud Visibility: Provides deep insights into AI traffic across multi-cloud environments, allowing security teams to maintain full oversight of AI interactions.
- AI Model & Application Validation: Ensures AI applications are rigorously tested for vulnerabilities before deployment, minimizing risks of security breaches.
- AI Runtime Protection: Offers real-time monitoring and automated threat detection for AI models and applications, reducing potential attack vectors.
Why This Matters for TD SYNNEX Cisco Partners
As AI becomes more integrated into business operations, security is a top concern. That’s where TD SYNNEX Cisco distribution partners come in. With Cisco AI Defense, partners can help their customers break through security barriers and adopt AI with confidence.
This solution allows distribution partners to expand their cybersecurity and AI security offerings, positioning them as leaders in the space. It gives them the ability to help customers protect against AI-related security threats, prevent data leaks, and maintain compliance with evolving industry standards and regulations. Plus, by providing enhanced visibility into AI usage and vulnerabilities, Cisco AI Defense strengthens customers’ overall cybersecurity posture while enabling them to drive AI innovation forward.
As Sampath put it, “Until today, security concerns have blocked the wide-scale development and deployment of enterprise AI applications—and understandably so. Cisco AI Defense addresses AI risk from beginning to end, giving business and security leaders the confidence to bring AI applications to market.”
To learn more about how Cisco AI Defense can support your business and enhance your portfolio, visit the Cisco AI Defense product website here.
