Cisco launches Cybersecurity Readiness Index with other announcements at CIS 2023

• Report highlights where businesses are doing well and where cybersecurity readiness gaps will widen if global business and security leaders don’t take action.
• Cisco Expands data center footprint in India to unlock full potential of cloud-delivered security to help companies protect devices, remote users, and distributed locations
• Launches new capabilities across Zero Trust and cloud application to help customers in India address growing cybersecurity needs
• Cisco’s flagship program, Networking Academy announcing today its goal to train 500,000 people with cybersecurity skills over the next 3 yearsAims to train 500,000 cybersecurity professionals over 3 years across India

During Cisco India Summit 2023, Cisco has announced substantial security innovations and investments in security infrastructure in India, doubling down on its commitment to the nation and assisting businesses in becoming more resilient and addressing cybersecurity concerns in a hybrid environment.

The company introduced new risk-based capabilities across its security portfolio for hybrid and multi-cloud environments in India. These capabilities demonstrate progress towards realizing the full vision of the Cisco Security Cloud, which will safeguard the integrity of an organization's entire IT ecosystem. This includes the latest innovations in Zero Trust, application security, and secure connectivity.

A strong security posture in the digital world is rooted in the Zero Trust security framework. Ciscoannounced the launch of several new features for its Duo Risk-Based Authentication solution. These features address security issues, including remembered devices and Wi-Fi Fingerprint to authenticate less often in trusted situations, Verified Push to protect against phishing attacks, and expanded SSO capabilities that notify and allow users to reset their passwords before they expire, improving productivity for modern enterprises.

Also, today saw the release of Cisco's Cybersecurity Readiness Index. The index was created in the context of a hybrid, post-COVID environment in which users and data must be protected wherever work is done. The research outlines areas where firms are succeeding and areas where, if global business and security leaders do nothing, cybersecurity capability gaps will worsen.

Daisy Chittilapilly, President, Cisco India & SAARC, said, "The world is becoming increasingly hybrid and organizations have to adapt quickly. Their success hinges in large part on their ability to tackle the cybersecurity risks that this presents. At Cisco, we are committed to helping Indian organizations enhance security resilience so they can turn their digitization into a competitive advantage. We are introducing innovative cyber capabilities, expanding our security data center footprint, and continuing to build a dedicated engineering workforce in India to help organizations fortify their defenses and catalyze their transformation in the digital age.’’

Cisco's Cybersecurity Readiness Index Findings  

India scored high in the global chart in terms of maturity (24%), performing above the global average of 15% on cybersecurity readiness. About 38% of companies in India fall into the Beginner or Formative stages. While organizations in India are faring better than the global average, the number is still very low, given the risks.

This readiness gap is telling, not least because 90% of respondents said they expect a cybersecurity incident to disrupt their business in the next 12 to 24 months. The cost of being unprepared can be substantial as 80% of respondents said they had a cybersecurity incident in the last 12 months, and 53% of those affected said it cost them at least US $500,000.

“Organizations have moved from an operating model that was largely static to a hybrid world, which presents new and unique cybersecurity challenges. In this environment, understanding how organizations are preparing to deal with these new challenges is critical. The Index has been built with a focus on five core pillars of identity, devices, network, applications, and data, and examines organizational postures in securing these,” said Vish Iyer, Vice President, Architectures, Cisco APJC.

“These five pillars need to be protected with a mix of point tools and integrated platforms to achieve security resilience while reducing complexity. Only then will businesses be able to close the cybersecurity readiness gap.”

Business leaders must establish a baseline of ‘readiness’ across the five security pillars to build secure and resilient organizations. This need is especially critical given that 95% of the respondents plan to increase their security budgets by at least 10 percent over the next 12 months. By establishing a base, organizations can build on their strengths and prioritize the areas where they need more maturity and improve their resilience.

“Cybersecurity is a top priority for businesses as they continue their digitization journey. With hybrid work becoming mainstay and services being application-driven, it is critical that organizations close the security readiness gap,” said Samir Mishra, Director, Security Business Group, Cisco India & SAARC.

In India, Cisco declared its intention to train 500,000 individuals in cybersecurity over the next three years.

This objective is a component of Cisco's 10-year plan to equip 25 million individuals worldwide with digital skills through its Networking Academy. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the flagship show. The programme has now touched 17.5 million students in 190 countries over this time. Through 718 relationships with educational institutions and organisations that offer Networking Academy courses, it has trained 1.2 million students since it began operations in India.

Laura Quintana, Vice President, and General Manager, Cisco Networking Academy, said, "Amidst the ever-changing threat landscape, the need to invest in cybersecurity skilling and develop the next generation of security leaders has never been greater. For 25 years, the Cisco Networking Academy has been empowering learners worldwide. India has always been and continues to be a critical talent hub for us, and we are proud to expand our training and education opportunities to provide its people the digital skills necessary to build an inclusive future for all."

"As technology becomes all-pervasive, India's vision for a prosperous and inclusive future will be rooted in digital trust. To make this happen, a skilling revolution, especially in cybersecurity, is vital," said Daisy Chittilapilly, President, Cisco India and SAARC. "Today, we are doubling down on our commitment to help build future-ready workforces through the Networking Academy program. We aim to empower India’s youth to leverage the cyber opportunities emerging in the hybrid, digital-first world.”