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Cisco Systems Inc. is a technology company that designs and sells a broad range of solutions for networking, security and cloud-based applications.
Founded in 1984 by Leonard Bosack and Sandra Lerner, the company has established itself as one of the leading providers of computer-networking, cybersecurity and digital-infrastructure solutions.
Since its inception, Cisco has played a pivotal role in the development of the internet, supplying essential technologies to enterprises, governments and service providers worldwide. The founders’ original motivation was to develop solutions that enabled interoperability among different networks, facilitating communication and information exchange.
Cisco operates across four main business segments:
Infrastructure Platforms, which include routers, switches and data-center products;
Applications, encompassing cloud solutions and enterprise software;
Security, offering network-protection products and cyber-threat management tools;
Services, providing technical support and consulting aimed at optimizing digital infrastructure.
The company maintains a global footprint, serving international markets across multiple regions. Its products and services are used by customers ranging from small businesses to large corporations and government institutions.
Cisco operates throughout North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia and other strategically relevant regions for digital transformation. Key market drivers include the growing demand for connectivity solutions, the increasing need for digital security and the rapid adoption of cloud-based technologies.
With ongoing investments in innovation, the company continues to acquire businesses and develop new solutions to meet the requirements of an increasingly digitized world.
Cisco employs approximately 77,500 people and maintains a robust operational structure composed of offices, research centers and manufacturing facilities worldwide. Its business model includes both direct equipment sales and the provision of services and software through subscription and licensing models.
History and Foundation
Cisco Systems Inc. was founded in December 1984 in San Jose, California, by Leonard Bosack and Sandra Lerner, both computer scientists at Stanford University. The original concept was to develop solutions that enabled the interconnection of local networks, allowing more efficient communication among different devices.
In its early years, Cisco gained prominence with innovative routers and switches—products that became fundamental to corporate networking. Demand for these solutions grew rapidly, driving the company’s expansion.
In 1990, just six years after its founding, Cisco completed its initial public offering (IPO), raising USD 224 million. That same year, its founders sold their stakes and left the company. Even so, Cisco continued its growth trajectory, increasing investment in research and development and expanding its product portfolio.
Throughout the 1990s and early 2000s, Cisco broadened its presence into additional areas such as IP telephony, digital security and data-center infrastructure. The company executed several strategic acquisitions, one of the most notable being the purchase of Linksys, a manufacturer of consumer-grade networking equipment.
During the height of the dot-com boom in the late 1990s, Cisco became one of the most valuable companies in the world. Even after the bubble burst, it remained among the sector’s leaders by adapting to new market demands.
In recent years, from 2020 to 2024, Cisco has focused on strengthening its cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and 5G networking capabilities. The company has also expanded its cloud-based service offerings, adopting a business model that integrates hardware sales with software subscriptions and technical support.
Cisco additionally maintains a strong commitment to sustainability and technological innovation, investing in artificial intelligence, network automation and advanced connectivity solutions to address growing industry demands.
The company remains one of the most influential players in the global technology market, supported by ongoing digital transformation and rising demand for secure and efficient connectivity.
Additional Information
The Company Cisco Systems Inc. (United States), is listed on Nasdaq with a market cap of $ 299.43 Billions, having an equity of $ 46.87 Billions.
With a total of 77.500 employees, the company is listed in the sector of Technology and categorized in industry of Communications Equipment.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 57.70 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 10.60 Billions.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 28.24, a P/BV ratio of 6.39 and in the last 12 months the dividend yield of CSCO was at 2.15%.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker CSCO.
