Cisco has introduced Hypershield, a new data center security system set to revolutionize automated security practices. Departing from its traditional hardware-centric approach, Hypershield marks Cisco's foray into pure software solutions, aiming to address new buying centers and use cases. Scheduled for release in July 2024 as part of Cisco Security Cloud, Hypershield initially focuses on safeguarding software, VMs, and containerized applications running on Linux, with plans to expand its protection to encompass non-Linux servers and IoT devices in the future.
Powered by the extended Berkeley Packet Filter (eBPF) in the Linux kernel, Hypershield leverages AI-driven distributed exploit protection and autonomous segmentation modules to detect vulnerabilities, prioritize threats, and enforce security policies. Despite its current limitations, Hypershield's potential extends beyond eBPF dependency, hinting at broader intelligence integration through agents in top-of-rack switches and data processing units. Cisco's strategic shift towards unified security solutions underscores its commitment to AI-driven security advancements and the integration of disparate network security products into a cohesive ecosystem through Cisco Security Cloud.
