Cisco Antares AI, Managed Networking and SSE Expansion

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By: Network-Switch.com | July 27, 2026

Table of contents

 

Cisco's most relevant developments during the period centered on practical security AI, consolidated branch operations, firewall modernization, cloud-delivered security and technical skills development. The five stories below were published within the specified window and were not included in the previous Network-Switch.com Cisco roundup.

Cisco News Cover Image - Global Network Security Intelligence

Cisco Releases Antares Security AI Models

On July 21, Cisco released Antares-350M and Antares-1B, two open-weight small language models designed to locate known vulnerabilities inside software repositories. The models can run locally, allowing organizations to analyze sensitive code without sending it to an external cloud service.

Cisco said its benchmark showed that the compact models completed vulnerability-localization tasks at substantially lower cost and runtime than larger comparison models. The announcement extends Cisco's security strategy beyond network telemetry and enforcement into software-development workflows.

Cisco and Lumen Consolidate Managed WAN and LAN

On July 21, Cisco and Lumen detailed a managed networking model that brings WAN, LAN and security operations into a unified service. Lumen handles design, deployment, monitoring and optimization, while Cisco supplies the cloud-managed networking and security platform.

The offer targets distributed organizations that want one operating model across branches. It includes centralized visibility, zero-touch provisioning, SD-WAN, firewall capabilities and continuous monitoring, reducing the operational gaps created when WAN and LAN are managed separately.

Cisco Introduces Firewall Migration Manager

On July 23, Cisco introduced Firewall Migration Manager, a locally deployed application for moving firewall configurations to Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense. The initial release supports Cisco ASA migrations, with additional Cisco and third-party firewall platforms planned.

The tool provides guided parsing, mapping, validation and deployment workflows. It can pause and resume interrupted projects, retain migration records and manage as many as ten concurrent migrations, making it relevant to partners and enterprises executing multi-site security refreshes.

Tech Mahindra and Cisco Launch Managed SSE Offering

Tech Mahindra announced on July 24 that it had partnered with Cisco to deliver an AI-driven Security Service Edge offering for global enterprises. The service combines Tech Mahindra's managed security and integration capabilities with the Cisco Secure Access platform.

The joint offer consolidates secure web gateway, cloud access security broker, zero trust network access, firewall-as-a-service and data loss prevention functions. Its purpose is to simplify policy enforcement across users, devices, applications, networks and cloud environments, including emerging generative-AI and AI-agent use cases.

Cisco Networking Academy Reaches One Million Learners in Nigeria

On July 23, Cisco reported that Networking Academy had trained more than one million learners in Nigeria. The program works with government agencies, universities and training partners to deliver networking, cybersecurity and broader digital-skills education.

The milestone also includes accessibility initiatives such as the IT Bridge Academy, which adapts CCNA-oriented training for people with disabilities. For Cisco's regional ecosystem, the program expands the pool of technicians and entry-level professionals able to support enterprise digitization across Africa.

What the Updates Mean for Enterprise Buyers

The week's announcements show Cisco placing greater emphasis on operational simplification. Antares moves specialized security AI closer to local development environments. The Lumen and Tech Mahindra partnerships package Cisco technology as managed services. Firewall Migration Manager addresses the practical risk of replacing legacy security platforms.

For buyers and integrators, the immediate priorities remain straightforward: verify migration-source support, confirm licensing and managed-service responsibilities, test interoperability, and size hardware and subscriptions against the actual branch, firewall and security-access requirements.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

What is Cisco Antares?

Cisco Antares is a family of small language models designed to locate known software vulnerabilities within code repositories. Cisco released Antares-350M and Antares-1B as open-weight models.

What does the Cisco and Lumen managed networking service cover?

The service combines Cisco-powered WAN, LAN and security with Lumen-managed design, deployment, monitoring and optimization for distributed enterprise locations.

What is Cisco Firewall Migration Manager?

Cisco Firewall Migration Manager is a locally deployed application that guides, validates and tracks migrations to Cisco Secure Firewall Threat Defense.

What is included in the Tech Mahindra and Cisco SSE offering?

The managed offering combines Tech Mahindra services with Cisco Secure Access, including zero trust network access, secure web gateway, CASB, firewall-as-a-service and data loss prevention capabilities.

Why is Cisco Networking Academy's Nigeria milestone significant?

Cisco reported that Networking Academy has trained more than one million learners in Nigeria, expanding access to networking, cybersecurity and broader digital skills.

Sources

  1. Cisco Blogs - Introducing Antares: Highly Efficient Open Weight AI Models for Vulnerability Localization, July 21, 2026.
  2. ITPro - Cisco Launches Antares-350M and Antares-1B, July 21, 2026.
  3. SDxCentral - Lumen Refreshes Cisco Cloud Management Service, July 21, 2026.
  4. Cisco Blogs - Cisco-Powered Networking, Managed by Lumen, July 21, 2026.
  5. Cisco Blogs - Cisco Firewall Migration Manager, July 23, 2026.
  6. PR Newswire - Tech Mahindra and Cisco Partner on AI-Driven SSE, July 24, 2026.
  7. The Times of India - Tech Mahindra and Cisco Launch AI-Driven Security Service Edge, July 25, 2026.
  8. Cisco Blogs - One Million Learners: Scaling Digital Skills and Inclusion in Nigeria, July 23, 2026.