AI + Security: The Future of Networking is Human-Led

Even as AI becomes more powerful, one thing hasn’t changed: people are still the key to progress.

Reflecting back on this year’s Cisco Live 2025 event in San Diego sent a loud and clear message - AI isn’t just a tool anymore. It’s the fabric of tomorrow’s networks. From autonomous agents and intelligent firewalls to AI-ready data centres, Cisco unveiled a future where automation and security are baked into every layer of infrastructure.

But here’s the real story: it’s not just about AI. It’s about how humans and machines are working together to solve problems, create smarter networks, and keep everything secure.

So what does that look like in practice — and more importantly, what does it mean for the people who design, build, and manage these networks?

Key Takeaways from Cisco Live 2025

1. AgenticOps — AI Agents That Assist, Not Replace

Cisco is moving beyond traditional AIOps and into AgenticOps, where autonomous AI agents proactively manage networks. Their new Deep Network Model (DNM) is designed to understand how networks behave and to flag anomalies in real time. Using AI Canvas, engineers can collaborate across SecOps and NetOps to train, test, and deploy AI policies that drive automation securely.

What it means: Engineers won’t be replaced — they’ll be augmented. Your ability to work alongside AI, train models, and interpret outputs will set you apart.

2. Security is Now Part of the Infrastructure

Zero Trust isn’t just a policy anymore — it’s a design principle. Cisco’s Hybrid Mesh Firewall brings deep security into routers and switches. Tools like Hypershield enforce access policies at the network edge, while Universal ZTNA enables secure access for hybrid users.

What it means: Security isn’t a silo — it’s everyone’s responsibility. Even infrastructure and cloud engineers are expected to understand secure configuration and policy enforcement.

3. AI-Ready Data Centres

With the rise of GenAI and large-scale inference workloads, Cisco is deploying AI Pods, NVIDIA-powered architecture, and 400G optics to support AI pipelines. Tools like Cisco Nexus Dashboard unify infrastructure views across ACI, EVPN, and VXLAN, making it easier to support AI use cases.

What it means: Roles in DevOps, infrastructure automation, and observability are becoming central. Hybrid cloud skills are in high demand, especially for those who can work across Cisco and public cloud platforms.

4. Observability = Competitive Advantage

With Cisco’s acquisition of Splunk now complete, they’re building a Secure AI Factory, combining observability, telemetry, and monitoring into a unified, real-time view of network health and threat exposure.

What it means: The ability to interpret data is now a frontline skill. Engineers with data fluency, able to use Splunk, BigQuery, or similar tools, are highly sought after.

What This Means for Hiring and Career Development

The shift we’re seeing is as much about people as it is about platforms. AI might be transforming the technology stack, but it’s also reshaping roles and talent priorities.

For Employers:

• Reskilling is critical – Even experienced engineers will need AI literacy and security awareness.
• Security is everyone’s job – Expect to look beyond traditional security specialists to include NetOps and platform engineers with strong secure-by-design knowledge.
• Cloud-native experience is no longer optional – Especially across hybrid deployments and SaaS models.
• Observability is a top priority – Candidates who understand how to turn data into insight will add immediate value.

For Candidates:

• Lean into AI – You don’t need to be a data scientist, but you should understand how AI tools work, what they’re automating, and how to guide their outputs.
• Upskill around security – Understanding secure access controls, firewall policy, and Zero Trust models will open doors.
• Get comfortable with platforms like Splunk, BigQuery, Vertex AI – These are becoming core tools in the AI-powered network stack.
• Soft skills still matter – Strategy, stakeholder engagement, and problem-solving are still uniquely human, and just as critical.

Innovation Is a Human+AI Story

As Cisco CEO Chuck Robbins said at the event, this is “the most consequential Cisco Live in the past decade.” Why? Because AI isn’t a concept anymore — it’s here, live, and operational. But at the heart of every intelligent system, we still need human talent to design, interpret, and improve it.

At Hamilton Barnes, we’re helping forward-thinking organisations build teams for the networks of the future, and we’re supporting candidates who want to grow their careers in this new AI-secure world.

Final Thought

AI is here to stay — but so are you.

If you’re a hiring manager wondering how to future-proof your team, or a candidate exploring how to stay ahead, let’s talk.

As experts in the network recruitment space, we have the industry know-how and an extensive candidate network to source the best talent on the market. Our specialist recruiters are here to guide you through the hiring process, connecting you with the contract and permanent professionals you require.

So what are you waiting for? Get in touch with our experienced network recruitment consultants and find the network engineer you need to help you achieve your hiring goals.

Sources & Further Reading

1. TechTarget: Cisco Live 2025 set the tone for AI security in networking
   https://www.techtarget.com/searchnetworking/opinion/Cisco-Live-2025-set-the-tone-for-AI-security-in-networking

2. Cisco Newsroom: Cisco Live 2025 Highlights
   https://newsroom.cisco.com/press-release-content?type=webcontent&articleId=2212785

3. Cisco Blog: Agentic Operations – The Next Evolution of AIOps
   https://blogs.cisco.com/news/cisco-live-2025-agentic-operations

4. Network World: Cisco unveils AI-driven Hybrid Mesh Firewall at Cisco Live
   https://www.networkworld.com/article/3714285/cisco-unveils-hybrid-mesh-firewall-ai-powered-network-security.html

5. Cisco and NVIDIA: Partnering on Secure AI Infrastructure
   https://newsroom.cisco.com/c/r/newsroom/en/us/a/y2025/m06/cisco-nvidia-ai-partnership.html

6. Splunk: Observability and Security in Cisco’s AI Factory
   https://www.splunk.com/en_us/blog/partners/splunk-cisco-live-2025-secure-ai-factory.html