In today’s technology landscape, innovation is not optional. It is the difference between leading and following. At Cisco, innovation has fueled our progress for the past four decades, shaping the internet, transforming industries, and enabling our customers to connect, secure, and protect their organizations in ways previous generations could not imagine.
This month, we reached a milestone that underscores this legacy: Cisco has been granted its 25,000th U.S. patent. This is not just a number; it is proof of the scale, consistency, and depth of the ideas born inside Cisco.
The patent covers Cisco’s groundbreaking Hypershield technology, the first truly distributed, AI-native security architecture built for the AI era. It is the kind of innovation that strengthens our competitive edge while directly benefiting customers and partners. And yet, this achievement is about more than any one invention. It is about how Cisco protects our innovation as a strategic asset and why that matters more than ever.
Innovation as a Strategic Imperative
Patents are more than legal documents. They are the formal recognition of an idea’s originality, utility, and uniqueness. They are also essential tools that help a company like Cisco invest confidently in research and development. When we know that the ideas our engineers create will be protected, we are free to think bigger, move faster, and make the bold moves necessary to move the industry forward.
The impact of protection is profound. By safeguarding our intellectual property, whether it is a new networking architecture, a security protocol, or an AI-powered capability, we preserve the differentiated value that defines Cisco. This protection gives us more than competitive advantage; it enables collaboration, licensing, and ecosystem growth, creating ripple effects across our industry and the broader economy.
Cisco’s Role as an American Innovator
Cisco’s patent portfolio spans a vast range of technologies including networking, security, collaboration, cloud, optics, silicon, and AI. In a world where technology cycles are shorter and disruption comes from everywhere, sustaining American leadership depends on companies that couple deep technical expertise with disciplined protection of intellectual property.
This is a responsibility we take seriously, not just for our shareholders and customers, but for the broader innovation economy. Every patent adds to the collective body of human knowledge. Every protected invention lays the groundwork for future innovation. Every breakthrough has the potential to create new industries, strengthen cybersecurity, and expand economic opportunities.
The AI Era Demands New Thinking
We are entering one of the most transformative periods in history with the rise of artificial intelligence. AI accelerates invention but also challenges traditional notions of intellectual property. Algorithms can help generate code, designs, and solutions at speeds never before possible, yet the law remains unsettled about authorship, originality, and ownership.
At Cisco, our commitment to Responsible AI is grounded in a robust governance framework that guides how we develop and deploy AI-powered solutions. This commitment extends to ensuring that AI-assisted innovation receives appropriate intellectual property protection. Innovation, whether achieved through conventional means or with the assistance of AI, warrants robust legal protection.
Looking ahead to the next 25,000
Protecting innovation has always been at the heart of Cisco’s strategy, and it will only become more critical as technology continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace. Our 25,000th U.S. patent stands as a testament to the creativity and dedication of our teams, but it is also a reminder of the responsibility we carry. By defending the ideas that drive progress, we empower our people, our partners, and our customers to imagine what is possible.
As we enter the AI era and beyond, our commitment remains clear: we will continue to foster a culture where bold ideas are encouraged, safeguarded, and transformed into real-world impact. We will keep investing in the protection of intellectual property, not just as a legal necessity but as a catalyst for growth, trust, and leadership in a rapidly changing world.
