As our customers’ businesses evolve in complexity and scale, we are hyperaware of our responsibility as a data steward to protect the privacy and trusted relationships that drive our business forward.

For many years, Cisco has published* the number of demands for customer data that we receive from law enforcement and governments around the world. In an age of growing geopolitical tensions, evolving threat landscapes, and increasing demands for corporate transparency, tech companies must stay focused on the steps they are taking to ensure customer privacy is recognized as a human right and a business imperative. A human focus is at the heart of every aspect of Cisco innovation, and we continuously work to make this apparent to our customers.

We listen to our customers’ security and privacy concerns as a guide to help shape our company and practices, all with a goal of being a trusted partner at every step. In response, we have refreshed our Transparency Report to answer our customers’ top questions about government data demands. Our leading additions are outlined below.

Global Map

The interactive map display gives geographic granularity into the very limited number of demands we receive from around the world. It illustrates the total disclosures of customer data by country and notes why some demands did not result in disclosure. One of the key metrics included in each country breakdown is the number of demands Cisco rejects during the given timeframe. We firmly hold law enforcement and governments accountable to our commitments to protect customer data, and this often includes rejecting requests that don’t meet our standards. Additionally, often Cisco does not have the data law enforcement is looking for, as illustrated by the no data disclosed metric.

Law Enforcement Guidelines

For the first time, we are publishing law enforcement guidelines to inform our customers and law enforcement agencies about the ways we protect customer data. It outlines the legal burden required of law enforcement agencies and governments when demanding customer data, and the laws to which these demands are subject. Cisco recognizes and appreciates government efforts to thwart bad actors and deter criminal activity. Nonetheless, we remain committed to ensuring that access to our solutions and services are protected from unlawful intrusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

At Cisco, we are constantly working on clear and simple communication to our customers, especially when it comes to important topics, like the ways in which we are protecting your data. We’ve added a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to guide customers through this crucial discussion. In this section, we reiterate that Cisco never allows backdoors or gives governments or law enforcement agencies direct access to content or non-content data without following appropriate legal process.

Our commitment to customers is to be open and transparent, particularly as it relates to issues that could potentially impact their business. As such, Our Principled Approach continues to guide every decision we make regarding government demands for customer data. It details the commitments we have made to protect customer privacy, minimize disclosure, and ensure we uphold and respect human rights.

To learn more about Cisco’s commitment to Transparency and Accountability, please visit our Trust Center or view our Global Data Demand Infographic. Questions about our Transparency Report or Our Principled Approach? Email: govt-data-requests@cisco.com

*Transparency report data is published twice yearly, covering a reporting period of either January-to-June or July-to-December. Cisco publishes this data six months after the end of a given reporting period, in compliance with legal restrictions on the timing of such reports.