Cisco, a global leader in networking and cybersecurity technology, has introduced a range of new security products and networking solutions tailored to support small-to-medium businesses (SMBs) in their digital acceleration efforts across Asia-Pacific. Presented at Cisco Live Melbourne, the Cisco Catalyst 1200 and 1300 Series switches, along with the Cisco Meraki MX, aim to simplify and expedite network and security setup, addressing the specific requirements and budgets of the SMB sector.
Hana Raja, Managing Director at Cisco Malaysia, emphasized the unique challenges facing small businesses amid rapid technological changes. SMBs need to cater to tech-savvy customers while securing their enterprises against an expanding threat landscape. The goal of these new offerings is to provide SMBs with a straightforward network and security management platform, enabling them to focus on business growth without the burden of complexity.
Cisco’s advancements are expected to contribute to Malaysia’s economy, where SMBs play a vital role, contributing 38% to the country’s total gross domestic product (GDP). The Catalyst 1200 and 1300 Series switches aim to streamline network setup for SMBs, offering secure connectivity crucial for accelerating their digital journeys. These switches can be deployed on-premise or as cloud-based managed solutions, facilitating technology adoption and digitization benefits for SMBs.
The introduction of the Cisco Business Dashboard, a centralized network management tool, complements the new catalyst switches. This tool automates the lifecycle management, deployment, and monitoring of networking devices, reducing the complexity of managing a business network. The Cisco Business mobile app further simplifies setup and management.
Cisco also unveiled the Meraki MX, an integrated solution for security and SD-WAN, addressing SMBs’ cybersecurity needs. With features like application-based firewall, content filtering, threat protection, Cellular failover, VPN, and more, the Meraki MX streamlines installation and remote management through its fully cloud-managed setup. Equipped with ThousandEyes Enterprise Agents, it provides deep insights into SaaS performance and network health.
To further support SMBs, Cisco introduced MSP Express for SMB, offering scalable Managed Services for partners to provide flexibility based on SMBs’ technology adoption priorities. This initiative aligns with Cisco’s commitment to collaborating with partners to enhance services for SMB customers, demonstrated through a customized Cisco Partner Journey for SMB partners, consolidating resources and tools for optimal outcomes across the region.
