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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

July 14, 2023: Cisco continues its acquisition streak this summer, purchasing security startup Oort. The deal amount remains undisclosed. Oort, established in 2019 and had previously raised $15 million from a Series A funding round, provides an identity threat detection and response platform tailored for enterprise security. Remarkably, Cisco’s venture capital arm previously invested in Oort.

June 27, 2023: Cisco again made a significant acquisition by purchasing SamKnows, a broadband-network monitoring firm, for an undisclosed sum. SamKnows uses a comprehensive network of software agents distributed across residential systems, mobile devices, and service providers’ networks, enabling real-time insights into internet performance and user experience.

June 21, 2023: In its quest to enhance network transparency, Cisco announced its intent to acquire Accedian Networks, a company that develops software for network performance monitoring and analysis. Accedian, founded in 2004, markets Skylight, a platform adept at diagnosing issues and suggesting fixes.

May 28, 2020: Cisco revealed plans to integrate the technology from ThousandEyes into various Cisco products such as AppDynamics, SD-WAN, WebEx, and Meraki units. ThousandEyes, established in 2010 with around 400 employees, provides a cloud-based solution that scrutinizes the performance of local, wide-area, and internet networks.

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