Data in motion, security by design: Architecting for the intelligence era

Data in motion, security by design

Global, Apr 24, 2026

Author: Anita Swann, Vice President of Alliances, Logicalis

In my recent discussions with technology leaders, a common theme has emerged: 

We are entering a new, more demanding phase of digital transformation. It is no longer just about moving to the cloud or digitising workflows; it is about the "intelligence era."  

However, as we look toward the potential of AI, there is a palpable sense of caution mixed with ambition. At Logicalis, we believe that true transformation isn't found in a single piece of software or a lone hardware upgrade. It is found in the strength of an ecosystem. Our long-standing partnership with Cisco is designed to simplify the complex and turn technological potential into measurable business outcomes.  

The reality of "learn as we go”

Our 2026 Logicalis Global CIO Report highlights a fascinating, if challenging, trend. While 72% of organisations plan to increase their investment in Generative AI over the next year, a staggering 89% describe their current approach as “learning as we go.” This experimentation is vital, but it comes with risks. Nearly 62% of CIOs are not yet confident that these AI investments have delivered real value, often because they are hitting a wall of infrastructure limitations and internal skills gaps.

This is where the partnership between Logicalis and Cisco can change remove hurdles. We aren’t just delivering technology; we are providing the "unified digital fabric" that allows enterprises to scale AI responsibly and securely.

Building an AI-ready foundation

Infrastructure is often the invisible barrier to innovation. You cannot run next-generation AI workloads on yesterday’s network. Through our Intelligent Connectivity approach, we leverage Cisco’s innovative platforms - from high-density switching to AI-powered automation - to ensure your environment is resilient and observable before you even begin to scale.

With over 130 Cisco Certified Internetwork Experts (CCIEs) on our team, we bring a level of technical excellence that de-risks modernisation. We help you move away from fragmented, legacy environments toward a high-performance architecture that offers full visibility. This visibility is brought to life via our proprietary dashboard, which pulls telemetry directly from the Cisco ecosystem to turn "invisible" network performance into tangible business intelligence.

Security: A fabric, not a reactive layer

As AI usage grows, so does the threat landscape. Our research shows that 57% of CIOs believe employees are already putting data security at risk through ungoverned AI usage. In this environment, security cannot be an afterthought; it must be "security-first" by design.

Logicalis and Cisco have redefined managed security by baking identity control and policy enforcement directly into the network fabric. We were proud to be the first Cisco partner worldwide to launch Cisco’s Extended Detection and Response as a Managed Service (MXDR). Our security know-how allows us to combine Cisco’s advanced security AI with our global SOC footprint to provide 24/7 threat hunting and automated response, effectively extending your internal team’s capacity and closing the skills gap.

Maximising value through lifecycle management

One of the most significant burdens on modern IT teams is the administrative weight of managing fragmented global contracts and architectures. Our partnership is built on a lifecycle approach. We don't just deploy and depart. We continuously monitor usage to ensure your Cisco Enterprise Agreements (EAs) are optimised. This means you never overpay for what you don't use and never face surprises at renewal. Our goal is to ensure your infrastructure evolves at the same pace as your business, shifting your focus from reactive support to proactive management.

A partnership grounded in trust

The "Intelligence Era" is full of promise, but it requires a partner who can provide thoughtful guidance and a secure foundation. For over 25 years, Logicalis and Cisco have helped organisations navigate change. As one of very few Global Cisco Partners capable of end-to-end lifecycle management, we offer a uniform standard of support across more than 30 territories.

Together with Cisco, Logicalis is committed to helping you turn your infrastructure investment into a competitive engine for growth - reducing complexity today so you are ready for what tomorrow brings.

Visit our hub to learn more: https://www.logicalis.com/cisco-global 

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