Cisco Partners with Other Paris Olympic Partners
The key lesson from Cisco is their proactive approach—they build partnerships, go beyond the standard, exceed expectations, embrace innovation at each step of the process.
Highlights
Cisco CSCO 0.00%↑ ensures robust cybersecurity and reliable network infrastructure for Paris 2024, using AI to prevent cyberattacks.
Cisco partners with Atos, Intel, and Orange to enhance communication and broadcasting with 5G and video conferencing.
Cisco commits to sustainability, aiming for net-zero emissions by 2040 and environmentally friendly products for the Games.
In the high-stakes world of the Olympics, where milliseconds decide victory and a global audience tunes in, cybersecurity takes center stage. That's why Cisco, a tech leader in digital communication, stepped up as an early partner for the Paris 2024 Games. Announced in September 2017, this collaboration goes beyond just infrastructure – Cisco is bringing its expertise to a new discipline: cyber defense.
This article delves into how Cisco builds a secure foundation for Paris 2024, ensuring an unforgettable experience for athletes, fans, and everyone involved.
Powering Performance at Paris 2024
At the partnership's core lies Cisco’s approach to enhancing networking infrastructure, cybersecurity, and video conferencing solutions. Nevertheless, this does not limit the company’s capabilities to surprise you. For instance, in Tokey 2020, Cisco’s role extended beyond networks and IoT technologies – they supported athletes through data use, diversity initiatives, and cybersecurity training.
As you might have guessed, Cisco is doing the same thing: exceeding everyone's expectations for the Olympics and Paralympics Games in Paris. However, they are working with others towards this goal. In fact, they have partnered with their long-time allies, Atos, to deliver innovative solutions that will help visitors, volunteers, and organizers connect, communicate, and collaborate most effectively.
Besides enhancing the network infrastructure, Cisco aims to detect and prevent potential cyberattacks during the Games. Internally, they call it “Cyber Defense Discipline,” and we must agree that this is an integral part of the event. There is speculation that the rise of cyberattacks could be tenfold compared to Tokyo 2020.
To combat such a threat, Cisco and Atos plan to use AI primarily to “distinguish between a minor inconvenience and a major disaster.” Take, for example, Cisco AI Assistant for Security, which is trained on one of the largest security-focused data sets in the world, with a capability of analyzing more than 550 security events, from web and email to endpoints, networks, and even apps. Together, these technologies will provide a safe digital environment to the Games, providing network access, securing users’ internet flows, protecting emails, offering visibility, and detecting cybersecurity events.
Even here, Cisco’s initiatives towards the Games do not end. Remember that we mentioned video conferencing solutions? Here is your answer: the company will connect venues, teams, volunteers, and fans to create new experiences through communication and entertainment. More than 50,000 users will be able to collaborate securely with the highest level of privacy across 500 locations at the event.
At the same time, broadcasters and journalists will benefit from new technology, making high-resolution footage faster and easier to upload and distribute. Olympic organizers launched this initiative to improve broadcasting technology cost-effectively. Furthermore, Cisco has partnered with Intel and Orange to develop an end-to-end solution consisting of wireless 5G broadcast and mobile cameras connected to a private 5G network. This technology is speculated to be set up alongside existing wired infrastructure at five Olympic venues and the opening ceremony, enhancing the viewing experience for fans worldwide.
Of course, Cisco is also committed to sustainability, aiming to create a positive and lasting impact on the environment and bring communities together. The partnership aims to create sustainable and climate-conscious digital solutions that promise inclusive growth and opportunity for the French nation.
Cisco has set a science-based target to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across its value chain in 2040. It aims for 100% of new products and packaging to incorporate circular design principles by 2025. This commitment to sustainability underscores the broader goals of the Paris 2024 Olympics.
This is not Cisco’s first appearance in the Olympics. The company has a rich history with the Games, having served as a network equipment partner for London 2012, Rio 2016, and the postponed Tokyo 2020 Games.
Cisco Champions Paris 2024 Athletes
As the Official Partner of Paris 2024, Cisco is not only providing technological support but also backing four exceptional athletes in their preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games:
Vincent Luis is a renowned triathlete known for his unwavering determination and fierce competitive spirit. He is a double WTS world champion and one of the finest physical specimens in triathlon’s elite ranks.
Pauline Deroulede, a professional French wheelchair tennis player, has been passionate about sports since she was young. She has won the French championship three years running, in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and is ranked 13th globally.
Sasha Zhoya is a French athlete champion and world record holder for under 20s in 110m hurdles. At just 21, Zhoya is already the 2021 European and World Junior 110m hurdles champion.
Ladji Doucoure, a former athlete of 110m hurdles and champion of Europe and the world, is also part of Team Cisco.
These athletes, with their diverse backgrounds and achievements, embody the spirit of the Games and Cisco’s commitment to supporting excellence and fostering a culture of resilience and determination.
What Do People Say?
The answer to the question, “What do people think about Cisco’s involvement in the Olympics?” is crystal clear—they are all Team Cisco. In particular, Cisco's involvement in the Paris 2024 Games is met with enthusiasm. “We are extremely honored to have the opportunity to support the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. This is a historic moment to host one of the most inclusive, sustainable, and technologically advanced events. We are excited to help further France’s goal to build a strong digital foundation to drive future growth,” said Chuck Robbins, Chairman and CEO of Cisco.
Similarly, Cisco’s spokesman highlights the innovative approach to the Games. “Our ambition is to organize spectacular and innovative Games open to anyone who wants to watch the competition, interact with the athletes, get engaged in the project, join the Paris 2024 Club, become a volunteer, and participate in the first Olympic and Paralympic mass events,” he says.
Paris 2024 President Tony Estanguet welcomes Cisco's expertise: “Cisco is a world leader in networking equipment, cybersecurity infrastructure, and collaboration, and their expertise will help us bring to life our ambition to open the Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
Learning from Cisco at the Olympics
The key lesson we can learn from Cisco is their proactive approach—they build partnerships within partnerships, go beyond the standard, exceed expectations, embrace innovation at each step of the process, and remain sustainable.
Such an approach truly stands out, showing other stakeholders that Cisco cares about the partnership's success and will do everything possible (and even impossible) to reach the set targets – whether it is bringing advanced technologies such as AI and 5G to the table, supporting athletes, or just aligning with SDGs.
Even a high-tech company can show “humanity.” When building partnerships and positioning itself on the market, this is the most important part—you need to show who stands behind the technology.
While Cisco showcased a compelling example of partnership best practices and pitfalls, a lingering question hangs in the air: why the elaborate display? Is this a strategic move to solidify their branding, or a carefully orchestrated marketing ploy capitalizing on the Olympic spotlight? The true leader in Cyber Defense will be revealed as the Olympics unfold. Still, Cisco's motivations in this grand display remain shrouded in secrecy.
Financial Outlook CSCO 0.00%↑
$12.7 billion in revenue, down 13% year over year, in line with expectations and reflects our customers' continued implementation of products on-hand.
Revenue by geographic segment was: Americas down 15%, EMEA down 9%, and APJC down 12%.
In the third quarter of fiscal 2024, we returned $2.9 billion to stockholders through share buybacks and dividends. We declared and paid a cash dividend of $0.40 per common share, or $1.6 billion, and repurchased approximately 26 million shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program at an average price of $49.22 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 billion. The remaining authorized amount for stock repurchases under the program is $7.2 billion with no termination date.
Our Q4 FY 2024 guidance includes $950 million to $1 billion in revenue from Splunk and a negative impact to non-GAAP EPS of approximately ($0.03) as the interest impact from financing the acquisition more than offsets the operating benefit. For FY 2024, Cisco is guiding revenue between $53.6 billion to $53.8 billion. See more of Cisco’s Q3 earnings here.
