The Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio for Europe’s AI future

Europe is a diverse and complex region. We have some of the brightest minds, biggest companies and most exciting start-ups. We are a business hub full of growth, with each organisation operating according to their distinct needs and requirements.

However, whether it’s a multinational bank, a healthcare or utility provider, our European customers are telling us they want choice over how they deploy technology, control over access to their systems and data, and autonomy over their digital infrastructure in the AI era.

Sometimes it’s not easy to deliver all these, and some customers have to compromise. But that compromise ends today.

I’m delighted to announce Cisco Sovereign Critical Infrastructure – a new hardware and software portfolio for European customers that enables more control, more autonomy and more resilience. It’s digital infrastructure for the AI era, controlled entirely by our customers, where and how they need it.

This is truly configurable infrastructure that customers can operate in their own air-gapped, ‘on-prem’ physical environments – a turning point for how Europe builds and protects its sovereign critical infrastructure in the AI era. It spans Cisco’s core product lines, from routing, switching, and wireless to collaboration, and is enhanced by Cisco and Splunk security and observability solutions.

Our teams and partners across Europe are available to discuss how Cisco Sovereign Critical Infrastructure can meet your needs today and in the future. For now, here are five things everyone needs to know:

How does Cisco Sovereign Critical Infrastructure work?

Cisco Sovereign Critical Infrastructure can be operated by customers, on their premises, according to their needs, and under their management. The devices will have standard product functionality but will operate in an air-gapped environment, which is, by design, not connected to the internet or Cisco’s systems.

Can customers configure and customize systems to their needs?

Yes. Customers can configure the Cisco Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio to meet their bespoke security and compliance needs, including customer-managed encryption. Customers can also deploy the infrastructure in hybrid environments to enable high-levels of on-prem control, alongside cloud-based services.

Does this portfolio protect European customers from extra-territorial access and interference?

The portfolio is configured to function in an air-gapped environment. Cisco will not be able to remotely access data or devices, or modify the functionality. This means Cisco cannot provide customer data in response to a government data access demand, or impair or terminate the operation of a product, and puts control entirely in the hands of customers.

What about compliance with European certifications?

We enable customers to meet compliance requirements by delivering solutions aligned with key foundational, EU and country certifications and standards. The majority of our on-premises solutions are certified IPv6-ready and Common Criteria, and we have a clear roadmap towards achieving the new European Union Cybersecurity Certification (EUCC).

Is this available outside of Europe?

Different countries and regions have different use cases and needs. Cisco Sovereign Critical Infrastructure was designed with specific European use-cases and EU certifications in mind. However, this is an ongoing journey and we will share updates on new initiatives, innovations and regional roll-outs as they happen.

A longstanding partnership with our European customers

The Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio adds to an ever-expanding ecosystem of digital solutions and programs, built by Cisco over the decades, and trusted by companies. It also represents our commitment to the growth and success of our customers in Europe.

This has been a journey of more than 30 years, providing the best technology, building a strong partner community and running Cisco Networking Academy, the world’s largest skills-to-jobs program. Through this, we have trained more than five million Europeans with the skills needed for the digital and AI-driven jobs of the future, as well as the core skills necessary to manage sovereign infrastructure.

The Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio is a turning point in how Cisco supports the next wave of AI-led innovation across Europe. It places control of digital infrastructure firmly in the hands of our customers, where it should be, so they can focus on building their future.

For more information about Cisco’s Sovereign Critical Infrastructure portfolio, read the Cisco press release and our global blog.