Q: Why is Cisco acquiring a security company like OpenDNS now? What does this mean for Cisco's current security network/platform?

A: Customer networks are rapidly becoming more decentralized as more and more user traffic is bound for the internet and SaaS based applications. This often takes the form of a direct Internet connection from a remote site or a direct connection from a mobile device. As this happens traditional security capabilities and controls must also shift to the cloud. Cisco is always focused on anticipating and capturing disruptions and OpenDNS positions Cisco to accelerate this disruption.



This acquisition builds on Cisco's Security Everywhere approach by adding broad visibility and threat intelligence from the OpenDNS cloud platform, accessed by more than 65 million users daily. OpenDNS' Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform is fast and easy to deploy, accelerating time to value for customers as part of their defense architecture or incident response strategies. OpenDNS' threat protection capabilities complement and enhance Cisco's current cloud security offerings across the Cisco franchise. After close we will integrate them as combined offers with greater value and differentiated capabilities. Together, Cisco and OpenDNS will enhance advanced threat protection across the full attack continuum — before, during and after an attack.

Q: Can you explain OpenDNS' technology or product offerings?

A: OpenDNS offers a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform that is fast and easy to deploy, accelerating time to value for customers as part of their defense architecture or incident response strategies. OpenDNS provides broad visibility and threat intelligence from their cloud platform, which is accessed by more than 65 million users daily.

Q: What is Cisco's security strategy?

A: Cisco provides one of the industry's most comprehensive advanced threat protection portfolio of products, solutions and services that is integrated, pervasive, continuous and open. Cisco's threat-centric approach to security reduces complexity, while providing unmatched visibility, consistent control and advanced threat protection across the entire attack continuum — before, during, and after an attack.

As more workloads move to the cloud, adding complexity to the extended network, Cisco further leverages the power of the cloud and cloud-delivered security, using it to accelerate time to value and enhance threat visibility for faster discovery of advanced threats that may have penetrated defenses. By embedding security everywhere across the extended network, security becomes an enabler for business to take full and secure advantage of opportunities presented by new digital business models and the Internet of Things (IoT).

Q: What product gaps in Cisco's security portfolio did the business try to address with this acquisition?

A: This acquisition builds on Cisco's Security Everywhere approach adding broad visibility and threat intelligence from the OpenDNS cloud platform, accessed by more than 65 million users daily. OpenDNS' Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform is fast and easy to deploy, accelerating time to value for customers as part of their defense architecture or incident response strategies. OpenDNS' threat protection capabilities complement and enhance Cisco's current cloud security offerings across the Cisco franchise. After close we will integrate them as combined offers with greater value and differentiated capabilities. Together, Cisco and OpenDNS will enhance advanced threat protection across the full attack continuum — before, during and after an attack.