Cisco’s 2026 Data and Privacy Benchmark Study, based on responses from 5,200 IT, technology and security professionals across 12 global markets, reveals that 90% of organizations have expanded their privacy programs to support AI initiatives and 93% plan further investment in the next 12 months. Notably, 38% of respondents allocated at least $5 million to privacy initiatives in the past year, up from 14% in 2024. The study found that 96% of organizations view robust privacy frameworks as essential for AI agility, while 95% see them as critical to building customer trust in AI-powered services. However, only 12% of companies describe their AI governance structures as mature, and 65% report difficulty in accessing high-quality data efficiently, underscoring a need for better data hygiene and oversight.

As AI places new demands on data flows, 81% of organizations face heightened pressure to localize data, with 85% reporting that these requirements add cost and complexity to cross-border service delivery. Seventy-seven percent say localization limits their ability to provide seamless, 24/7 services across markets, and 83% of survey participants advocate for harmonized international data transfer rules. Meanwhile, confidence in local storage as a security measure declined from 90% in 2025 to 86% in 2026. Cisco executives emphasize that global consistency in data governance is now an economic necessity for organizations seeking to scale AI responsibly and maintain competitive advantage.

Evercore ISI raised its recommendation on Cisco shares from In Line to Outperform following a review of the company’s AI-driven security and networking roadmap. The firm cited Cisco’s strong positioning in AI-native infrastructure and its track record of converting recurring software revenues as key drivers of upside potential. The upgrade reflects confidence in Cisco’s ability to sustain mid-single-digit revenue growth and expand margins through a shift toward subscription offerings and integrated security solutions.

Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. boosted its holdings in Cisco by 4.3% during the third quarter, acquiring an additional 24,033 shares to reach a total position of 588,908 shares valued at approximately $40.3 million. The move underscores growing institutional conviction in Cisco’s long-term growth, as hedge funds and other institutional investors collectively control over 73% of the company’s shares. Other notable changes in the period include double-digit position increases by a range of boutique asset managers, reflecting broad interest in Cisco’s blend of networking, security and AI-enablement offerings.