What's Happening?
Cisco has announced an expansion of its Secure AI Factory in collaboration with Nvidia and VAST Data, introducing new infrastructure capabilities to support enterprise adoption of agentic AI. The new features focus on accelerating retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) pipelines, enabling faster and more secure data access for AI agents at scale. Cisco's AI PODs, infrastructure modules combining compute, storage, and networking, are now available with VAST Data's InsightEngine, built on the Nvidia AI Data Platform reference design. This integration aims to lower latency in AI applications by pairing Nvidia's accelerated computing and software with Cisco's high-performance Ethernet networking. The Secure AI Factory framework also integrates with Splunk for observability and Cisco AI Defense for security guardrails.
Why It's Important?
The collaboration between Cisco, Nvidia, and VAST Data represents a significant advancement in AI infrastructure, addressing enterprise concerns around data access, governance, and performance. By reducing RAG pipeline latency from minutes to seconds, the system aims to provide near-real-time AI responses, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of AI applications in business settings. This development supports multiple agents and workloads simultaneously, incorporating role-based access controls and audit readiness to protect sensitive information. The integration of advanced AI capabilities into enterprise systems can unlock new business insights and operational efficiencies, driving innovation and competitiveness in various industries.
What's Next?
Enterprises are expected to increasingly adopt the Secure AI Factory framework to leverage AI for solving complex business challenges. This may lead to further collaborations and innovations in AI infrastructure, as companies seek to optimize data access and processing capabilities. The focus on security and governance will likely drive the development of new standards and best practices for AI deployment in enterprise environments. As AI technology continues to evolve, organizations will need to adapt their strategies to harness its potential while ensuring data protection and compliance with regulatory requirements.
