Cisco is integrating AI technology into its infrastructure, changing the way networks are managed and secured. By leveraging eBPF within the Linux kernel, the company’s new Live Protect feature can intercept system calls and block specific malicious actions at the process level.
Live Protect: AI-powered vulnerability shielding
The challenge of continuous vulnerability scanning and patching is a major pain point for IT teams everywhere. With the rise of cloud and hybrid networks, it’s become increasingly difficult to keep systems updated and secure. Live Protect aims to address this challenge by using AI to automate vulnerability shielding. By analyzing network traffic and system calls in real-time, AI can identify potential vulnerabilities and block malicious activity before it causes harm.
This is made possible by the use of eBPF, a technology that allows for the creation of custom kernel modules. eBPF within the Linux kernel enables Live Protect to intercept system calls and block specific malicious actions at the process level. This approach is more effective than traditional network-based security solutions, which can be evaded by clever attackers. With AI-powered vulnerability shielding, organizations can rest assured that their systems are protected from even the most sophisticated threats.
AI-driven VM migration
Cisco’s AI-powered infrastructure is not just limited to security. The company is also using AI to automate VM migration and improve overall network performance. By analyzing network traffic and system performance, AI can identify the most efficient migration routes and ensure that VMs are relocated without disrupting critical applications.
This approach has several benefits, including reduced downtime and improved resource utilization. By automating VM migration, organizations can ensure that their systems are always running at peak performance and that resources are allocated efficiently. This is particularly important in cloud and hybrid environments, where resources are shared across multiple applications and services.
What this means
The integration of AI and eBPF into Cisco’s infrastructure represents a major shift in the way networks are managed and secured. By automating vulnerability shielding and VM migration, organizations can improve their overall security posture and reduce downtime. As the threat landscape continues to evolve, the use of AI-powered security solutions will become increasingly important. Cisco’s Live Protect feature is a significant step forward in this direction, and we can expect to see similar innovations from other vendors in the coming months.
