Cisco & NVIDIA unveil secure AI factory architecture

Cisco, in collaboration with NVIDIA, has introduced an AI factory architecture that prioritises security while aiming to simplify the deployment, management, and security of AI infrastructure across various scales.

The new offering, known as the Cisco Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA, is designed to enable customers to build and secure data centres specifically for AI tasks. The enterprises aim to embed security at every level, from applications and workloads to the infrastructure itself, utilising solutions such as Cisco AI Defense and the Hybrid Mesh Firewall.

In a statement, Chuck Robbins, Chair and CEO of Cisco, highlighted the potential of AI for enterprise opportunities. "AI can unlock groundbreaking opportunities for the enterprise," said Robbins. "To achieve this, the integration of networking and security is essential. Cisco and NVIDIA's trusted solutions empower our customers to harness AI's full potential simply and securely."

Jensen Huang, Founder and CEO of NVIDIA, emphasised the necessity of inherent security in AI factories, stating: "AI factories are transforming every industry, and security must be built into every layer to protect data, applications, and infrastructure. Together, NVIDIA and Cisco are creating the blueprint for secure AI — giving enterprises the foundation they need to confidently scale AI while safeguarding their most valuable assets."

The collaboration builds on the companies' capabilities to provide a flexible and robust AI factory architecture. The focus is on meeting the needs of scalable and high-performance infrastructure while integrating extensive security measures. This comprehensive architecture incorporates Cisco Hypershield, Cisco AI Defense, and other networking and storage advancements, forming a cohesive system to protect and optimise AI workloads.

Cisco and NVIDIA's partnership is underpinned by the NVIDIA Spectrum-XTM Ethernet networking platform, which supports the Secure AI Factory. Cisco is merging its security technologies to ensure comprehensive protection across the AI stack. The Secure AI Factory is expected to streamline design and deployment options for enterprise clients by offering flexible AI networking and full-stack technology support tailored to infrastructure requirements.

AI factories, which are data centres specifically built for AI workloads, require solutions that address both computational power and evolving security complexities. A recently released Cisco report outlines AI security challenges, noting organisations that synchronise their AI infrastructure and security strategies will likely benefit from enhanced agility and accelerated scaling.

The Cisco Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA will integrate technologies from multiple partners, offering components for compute, networking, storage, and software to create a comprehensive AI infrastructure solution. This includes Cisco's UCS AI servers, powered by NVIDIA HGX and MGX platforms, and networking solutions incorporating Cisco Nexus technologies.

Security features of the factory include a Unified Security Management System offering consistent policy across multiple enforcement points through technologies such as the Cisco Hybrid Mesh Firewall and Cisco Hypershield. These solutions are intended to provide deep security coverage and real-time threat management across AI workloads.

Storylines within the Cisco Secure AI Factory architecture are further strengthened with Cisco AI Defense, a tool designed to mitigate AI application risks. This tool assures safety and security throughout the AI development lifecycle and aligns with standards like NIST and OWASP.

Cisco and NVIDIA envisage that this factory will offer enterprise clients methods to deploy scalable, high-performance AI infrastructure suitable for various stages of their technological development. Options for deployment include ready-to-deploy solutions or custom build-your-own components.

Patrick Moorhead, Founder, CEO and Chief Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, commented on the venture, observing that businesses require comprehensive solutions beyond simple technological offerings. "In today's fast-moving market, businesses need more than just technology — they need end-to-end solutions that address their most pressing challenges," said Moorhead. "AI isn't easy but the combination of the two could be an 'easy button' for AI infrastructure. By making AI infrastructure easier to adopt and manage, they could empower enterprises to accelerate digital transformation and achieve their strategic goals with more confidence."

The solutions based on the Cisco Secure AI Factory with NVIDIA's architecture are intended to be available for purchase by the end of 2025.