Cisco facts for kids
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Building 10 of the Cisco San Jose Main Campus
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| Public | |
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| ISIN | [https://isin.toolforge.org/?language=en&isin=US17275R1023 US17275R1023] |
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| Founded | December 10, 1984 in San Francisco, California, U.S. |
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U.S.
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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| Products | List of Cisco products |
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Operating income
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Number of employees
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90,400 (2024) |
| Footnotes / references Financials as of July 27, 2024[update]. |
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Cisco Systems, Inc. (also known as Cisco) is a big American company. It makes technology that helps computers and devices connect and talk to each other. Cisco creates networking hardware (like routers and switches), software, and other high-tech products.
The company is based in San Jose, California. Cisco is known for its work in areas like the Internet of things (IoT), which connects everyday objects to the internet. They also work on internet security, videoconferencing (like Webex), and managing energy use.
Cisco Systems was started in December 1984 by Leonard Bosack and Sandy Lerner. They were computer scientists at Stanford University. They helped connect computers at Stanford and came up with the idea of using a special router to link computers far apart.
The company became public in 1990. By 2000, Cisco was one of the most valuable companies in the world. Its stock is traded on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
Contents
History of Cisco Systems
How Cisco Started (1984–1995)
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Cisco Systems was founded in December 1984 by Sandy Lerner and her husband Leonard Bosack. Sandy managed computer systems for Stanford University's business school. Leonard was in charge of the computer science department's computers at Stanford.
Cisco's first product came from technology used at Stanford University. In the early 1980s, people at Stanford linked all the school's computers together. They used a special box called the "Blue Box" that acted like a router. This box helped different computer systems communicate.
In 1987, Stanford University allowed Cisco to use its router software and computer parts. The name "Cisco" comes from "San Francisco". The company's logo looks like the two towers of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Cisco Systems became a public company on February 16, 1990. This meant people could buy shares of the company. Cisco was one of the first companies to sell successful routers that could connect many different types of networks. Their early devices were flexible and could be updated with new software. This helped them keep up with changing technology.
In 1995, John T. Chambers became the CEO of Cisco.
Internet Growth and New Technologies (1996–2005)
The Internet Protocol (IP) became very popular in the late 1990s. Cisco made many products for the internet, becoming a big player in the market. In March 2000, Cisco was the most valuable company in the world.
Other companies started making new ways to process internet data faster. Cisco responded by developing its own special chips and fast processing cards. In 2004, Cisco also started using new high-end hardware and software.
Connecting People (2006–2012)
Around 2006, Cisco started using the shorter name "Cisco" and launched an ad campaign called "The Human Network." This was to make Cisco a more well-known brand, especially for home products.
Cisco kept improving its products for connecting networks, switching data, and security. The company also grew a lot in India. In 2009, they bought a company called Starent Networks that specialized in mobile technology.
In 2011, Cisco reduced some of its staff to lower costs. In 2013, Cisco sold its Linksys home-router business. This showed the company was focusing more on selling to businesses instead of individual customers.
Recent Developments (2013–Present)
In 2013, Cisco bought Sourcefire, a company focused on cybersecurity. Cisco also announced it would reduce about 4,000 jobs. At the end of 2013, Cisco's sales were lower in some markets.
In April 2014, Cisco started funding new companies that focus on the Internet of Things. Later that year, the company announced more staff reductions.
On May 4, 2015, John Chambers stepped down as CEO. Chuck Robbins became the new CEO. Cisco also sold its TV set-top-box business. This was part of Cisco's plan to focus more on cloud-based products for businesses.
In 2016, Cisco invested in VeloCloud, a company that helps manage networks using software. In 2017, Cisco launched Cisco Umbrella, a cloud-based service for safe internet access. In December 2017, Chuck Robbins also became the chairman of the company.
In 2019, Cisco bought CloudCherry, a company that helps manage customer experiences. They also acquired Voicea, an artificial intelligence company. Cisco also introduced a new powerful chip called "Silicon One."
In 2022, Cisco stopped selling its equipment in Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine. In February 2024, Cisco announced it would reduce about 4,000 employees. In March 2024, Cisco received approval to buy the cybersecurity company Splunk for $28 billion. This was Cisco's biggest purchase ever. In April 2024, Cisco's CEO, Chuck Robbins, met with Pope Francis and signed an agreement about using AI responsibly.
Cisco's Financials
For the year 2023, Cisco earned about $12.6 billion. Its total yearly income was about $57 billion. Cisco's shares were worth over $43 each in September 2018.
How Cisco is Organized
Companies Cisco Has Bought
Cisco has bought many different companies over the years. This helps them get new products and talented people. For example, in 2003, Cisco bought Linksys, which made home routers. In 2010, they bought Tandberg, a company known for video conferencing. These purchases helped Cisco offer more products and services.
In 2007, Cisco bought IronPort, a company known for email security. This helped Cisco improve its security products. In 2012, Cisco acquired NDS Group, a TV software developer.
Cisco has also bought many cybersecurity companies, like Sourcefire in 2013 and Splunk in 2023. These acquisitions help Cisco protect computer networks from threats.
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