Cisco AI security strategies will be introduced at RSA Conference 2026 with a focus on addressing AI-related challenges and supporting broader adoption.
Cisco Systems has unveiled security innovations focused on the agentic AI ecosystem, where AI systems perform actions beyond simply answering questions. The solutions, presented at RSA Conference 2026, aim to address security challenges associated with AI while supporting the adoption of agent-based technologies.
Security challenges in the agentic AI era
The company integrates security measures into AI implementations through a combination of methods, including identity establishment, enforcing Zero Trust Access controls, protecting AI agents, and expanding security organization (SOC) capabilities.
According to a Cisco survey, 85 percent of large enterprise customers are experimenting with AI agents, while 5 percent have implemented them in production. In response, Cisco is focusing on three areas: limiting unintended agent actions, protecting agents from external influence, and improving detection and response to AI-related incidents.
AI agents require clearly defined identities, assigned functions, and responsibilities linked to human owners. At the same time, many organizations today lack transparency into which agents are being used and how responsibilities are allocated.
Cisco's Zero Trust Strategy for AI Agents
Cisco is extending its Zero Trust Access model to AI agents and introducing access controls powered by Duo IAM capabilities. Organizations can register AI agents and associate them with human owners, enabling identity verification, activity monitoring, and control over how agents are used.
AI Defense Explorer Edition and risk analysis
As organizations scale their AI implementations, Cisco is also updating its AI Defense offerings, including Cisco AI Defense: Explorer Edition, a self-service tool for testing and evaluating AI agents before deploying them in agent-based environments.
The solution includes features such as dynamic red teaming of agents, security testing, and reporting, which helps organizations identify risks and vulnerabilities.
Splunk and the evolution of SOC with AI
Cisco also integrates AI capabilities into security operations through its Splunk platform. Features like exposure analysis and detection aim to enable continuous risk assessment and help SOC teams prioritize and manage threats.
The use of specialized AI agents within security workflows is expected to automate certain processes and enable faster response times, reflecting how organizations are adapting to a rapidly changing threat landscape.
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