Cisco’s acquisition history has shaped its evolution

Cisco is a dominant networking force — arguably the most dominant — but it didn’t get there alone or overnight.  In terms of sheer number of acquisitions, technology companies like Google, Oracle and Microsoft may have bigger totals, However, in the networking and data center world, Cisco boasts a long and rich history of acquiring companies that have helped it both solidify its leadership position in some categories and expand into new markets.

Its acquisition of Splunk for $28 billion last year is Cisco’s most significant one yet.  Splunk, a leader in data platform and observability solutions, should enhance Cisco’s capabilities in data management, analytics and security. Other significant acquisitions by Cisco include AppDynamics in 2017 for application performance monitoring and Acacia Communications in 2021 for optical networking.  Also in 2017, Cisco expanded its SD-WAN portfolio with its acquisition of Viptela for $610 million.

Below is a list of articles that are a part of Networkworld’s ongoing coverage of Cisco’s long history of acquisitions. Don’t expect its relentless pursuit of complementary technology to stop anytime soon, so be sure to check this page often.

Cisco snaps up AI security player Robust Intelligence

August 27, 2024: Cisco plans to integrate Robust Intelligence’s AI security platform with Cisco Security Cloud to streamline threat protection for AI applications and models and increase visibility into AI traffic.

Cisco completes $28 billion Splunk acquisition

March 18, 2024: Cisco will incorporate Splunk technologies across its portfolio, including its Full Stack Observability, Extended Detection and Response (XDR) and Security Cloud platforms.

Cisco significantly bolsters security portfolio with $28B Splunk buy

September 21, 2023: Looking to reinforce its security software portfolio, Cisco has struck a $28 billion cash deal to acquire enterprise and cloud protection company Splunk. Founded in 2003, Splunk’s software platform is known for its wide-reaching ability to search, monitor and analyze data from a variety of systems.

Cisco aims for AI-first security with Armorblox buy

May 31, 2023: Cisco plans to buy Armorblox, a six-year-old AI vendor, to help create “an AI-first Security Cloud.”  Founded in 2017, Armorblox employs 126 people and has raised a little over $46 million in funding.

Cisco buys Internet BGP monitoring firm Code BGP

August 1, 2023: Aiming to bolster its assessment of Internet traffic health, Cisco has acquired Code BGP, a privately held BGP monitoring startup, for an undisclosed amount.Code BGP will slide into Cisco’s ThousandEyes network intelligence product portfolio.

Cisco snaps up Oort to bolster identity management technology

July 14, 2023: Cisco is continuing its summer buying spree with the acquisition of security startup Oort for an undisclosed amount. Oort offers an identity threat detection and response platform for enterprise security.  Founded in 2019, Oort raised $15 million in Series A funding that included money from Cisco’s venture capital arm.

Cisco to buy network-monitoring firm SamKnows for better last-mile visibility

June 27, 2023: Cisco again opened its checkbook and snatched up broadband-network monitoring company SamKnows for an undisclosed amount. The firm uses a global network of software agents located in everything from home systems to mobile devices and service provider networks to get a real-time measurement of internet performance and customer experience.

Cisco is buying network monitoring, analysis firm Accedian Networks

June 21, 2023: Looking to improve network visibility, Cisco plans to buy Accedian Networks, makers of software for monitoring and analyzing network performance.Founded 2004, Accecian sells Skylight, a platform that diagnoses problems and recommends remediation to fix them.

Cisco grabs ThousandEyes for network-intelligence technology

May 28, 2020: Cisco says it will embed ThousandEyes technology in a variety of its products including its AppDynamics application performance, SD-WAN, WebEx and Meraki families. Founded in 2010, the 400-employee ThousandEyes firm offers a cloud-based software package that analyzes performance of local and wide-area networks and the internet.