Cisco Systems, Inc. was founded in 1984 by a small group of computer scientists from Stanford University. Since the company's inception, Cisco engineers have been leaders in the development of Internet Protocol (IP)-based networking technologies. Today, the Cisco name has become synonymous with the Internet as the worldwide leader in networking, providing solutions for business, education, government and home communications.

Cisco's wide range of hardware, software, and service offerings are used to create Internet solutions that allow individuals, companies and countries to increase productivity, improve customer satisfaction and strengthen competitive advantage.