Cisco released a new global study revealing a major architectural shift underway across enterprise networks. As AI assistants, agents, and data-driven workloads reshape how work gets done, they’re creating faster, more dynamic, more latency-sensitive, and more complex network traffic.
Combined with the ubiquity of connected devices, 24/7 uptime demands, and intensifying security threats, these shifts are driving infrastructure to adapt and evolve. The result: IT leaders are changing how they think about the network: what it is, what it enables, and how it protects the organization. The network they build today will decide the business they become tomorrow.
Six signals that an architectural shift is underway
- The network has become a strategic priority: 97% companies in the Philippines say a modernized network is critical to rolling out AI, IoT, and cloud. 99% of IT leaders plan to increase the share of their overall IT budget allocated to networking.
- Secure networking is mission critical: 98% say secure networking is important to their operations and growth; 77% say it’s critical. 97% believe an improved network will enhance their cybersecurity posture.
- AI intensifies demand for resilient networks: 98% of IT leaders say a resilient network is critical, at a time when 82% faced major outages – driven largely by cyberattacks, congestion, and misconfigurations – adding up to $160B globally from just one severe disruption per business, per year.
- Leaders look to AI to grow revenue: 45% of IT leaders say a modernized network’s greatest impact on revenue will come from deploying AI tools that automate and tailor customer journeys – enabling faster, more personalized experiences that can strengthen loyalty and drive growth.
- AI is reshaping computing infrastructure: 65% say their data centers can’t yet meet today’s AI demands, and 92% plan to expand capacity – on-prem, in the cloud, or both.
- Leaders want to make networks smarter: 99% say autonomous, AI-powered networks are essential to future growth – yet only 56% have deployed the intelligent capabilities – like segmentation, visibility, and control – to make their network adaptive.
“As businesses in the Philippines and around the world harness the power of AI, the network is the critical backbone that makes it all possible. To meet the needs of tomorrow’s businesses and protect against evolving threats, today’s networks must be faster, smarter, and more resilient. Businesses must recognize that a modernized network is key to driving future growth and success,” said Zaza Soriano-Nicart, Managing Director, Cisco Philippines.
The Network is the Value: Modern Infrastructure Unlocking Growth and Savings
IT leaders are already delivering financial value from today’s networks – largely by improving customer experiences (69%), boosting efficiency (73%), and enabling innovation (55%). But much of that value is at risk if it comes from infrastructure that hasn’t been designed for AI or real-time scale. To unlock the full growth and savings they expect, leaders have identified critical gaps they must close: siloed or partially integrated systems (58%), incomplete deployments (63%), and reliance on manual oversight (58%). Smarter, more secure, more adaptive networks are the business case for investment. Over 9 in 10 (93%) say improved networks will directly drive revenue, and almost everyone (97%) expects meaningful cost savings – driven by smarter operations, fewer outages, and lower energy use.
Worldwide, the C-suite is turning to IT leaders and partners to lead the architectural shift
Cisco’s recent research shows CEOs globally are aligned with IT leaders on the importance of infrastructure in the AI era. 97% are expanding the use of AI, and 78% rely on their CIO or CTO for investment decisions. But they also recognize the risk: 74% say outdated infrastructure is already holding back growth. As enterprise networks undergo a major architectural shift, the C-suite is backing their tech leaders to lead from the network – and 96% believe trusted partnerships will be critical to success.
