Cisco Champion Radio

In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we dive into the future of meeting room technology and the innovations reshaping hybrid collaboration. From the shift to AV over IP and the power of Cisco Vision PTZ to the AI-driven features in RoomOS 26, Cisco is redefining what’s possible in modern meeting spaces.

Discover how AI enhances audio and video experiences, how Control Hub provides actionable insights into device health and workspace usage, and how advancements like Power over Ethernet and auto camera modes make meetings more seamless and immersive. We’ll also explore how simplifying installation, improving interoperability, and enabling smarter device discoverability are transforming large-scale meeting room deployments.

Whether you’re building smarter environments or optimizing hybrid work experiences, this conversation highlights the breakthroughs driving clarity, flexibility, and impact in every meeting.

Resources

https://www.webex.com

https://www.webex.com/us/en/devices/room-devices.html

Cisco guest

Rich Bayes, Sr. Director of Product Management, Cisco

Cisco Champion hosts

Amr Nasher, Founder/CEO, Twaasol

Jason Dave, Infrastructure and Security Director, AbelsonTaylor

Rickey Keith, Vertical Systems Engineer, World Wide Technology

Sijbren Beukenkamp, Director/Owner, 3Corners

Moderator

Danielle Carter, Customer Voices and Cisco Champion Program

Tune into Tech Unscripted for an unfiltered discussion on digital resilience with leaders from WWE, Carnival Cruise Lines, and Customers Bank. This episode explores how organizations stay securely up and running amidst disruptions, covering everything from managing unexpected outages and third-party challenges to leveraging automation, data analytics, and AI. Discover real-world strategies for proactive incident management, fostering strong vendor relationships, and ensuring continuous, secure operations in today's dynamic tech landscape.

Participants:  

Ralph Riley, Director of IT Broadcast Systems, WWE

Evan Mintzer, Director of Production Infrastructure, Customers BankCustomers Bank

Dexter King, Senior NetDevOps Engineer, Carnival Cruise Lines Carnival Cruise Lines

Moderator

Meg Diaz, Senior Director, Cross-Portfolio Messaging​

In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we spotlight Cybersecurity Awareness Month and the resources available to help you strengthen your skills and defenses in an evolving threat landscape. With cyberattacks growing more sophisticated and the industry facing a global shortage of 4 million professionals, the need for education and training has never been greater.

Our experts break down Cisco’s latest initiatives, including the consolidation of certifications under the CCNA umbrella, free training and labs through Cisco U and Networking Academy, and a new video series—Security Unlocked—hosted by Kyle Winters. Plus, discover October-exclusive perks like free courses, tutorials, and a 25% discount on select premium content.

Whether you’re just starting your cybersecurity journey or looking to sharpen your expertise, this episode highlights the tools, training, and best practices to help you stay ahead.

Resources

Cybersecurity Training and Certification Giveaway: https://mkto.cisco.com/cybersecurity-giveaway-oct-2025.html?utm_campaign=csg25&utm_source=web&utm_medium=champions

Upcoming Cisco Learning Network Store Sale: https://learningnetworkstore.cisco.com/specials/?src=cybrsec25_chmp

Learn with Cisco Cybersecurity Awareness page: https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/learn/training-certifications/cybersecurity-awareness.html?utm_campaign=csm25&utm_source=web&utm_medium=champions 

Rev Up to Recert: Security Solutions: https://u.cisco.com/paths/enhancing-cisco-security-solutions-with-data-analytics-10327?utm_campaign=revup_ss&utm_source=web&utm_medium=champions 

Cisco guest

Kyle Winters, Technical Consulting Engineer, Cisco

Cisco Champion hosts

Liam Keegan, Advisor

Jonathan Mahady, Principal Network Engineer, BHP

David Penaloza, Assoc. Director - LAN Network Architecture, Novartis

Moderator

Danielle Carter, Customer Voices and Cisco Champion Program

Sustainability is no longer a “nice to have”—it’s quickly becoming a priority for businesses, boards, and communities across the globe. In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we explore how IT is playing a central role in driving sustainable outcomes and reshaping the future of buildings, products, and customer experiences.

Our experts unpack Cisco’s initiatives and partnerships designed to reduce environmental impact—from sustainable product design and fully recyclable packaging to refurbished solutions that are cost-effective and eco-friendly. We also discuss how data generated by IT assets can optimize energy consumption, and why integrating IT solutions early in building projects is critical for long-term efficiency.

Tune in to hear how Cisco and its partners are empowering organizations to achieve their sustainability goals while delivering business value.

Resources

https://blogs.cisco.com/industries/energy-management-in-the-ai-era-ciscos-digital-transformation-advantage

https://distilledbuildingstech.com

https://meraki.cisco.com/en-uk/customers/wrexham-county-borough-council/

https://news-blogs.cisco.com/emea/2024/05/23/cisco-partners-with-cambridgeshire-schools-to-make-their-classrooms-more-sustainable/

https://www.thisiscae.com/blog/moving-away-from-an-always-on-culture-whitepaper

Cisco guest

Jason Shearer, Director, Solutions Engineer, Cisco

Cisco Champion hosts

Girard Kavelines , Network/Security Engineer, Aqueduct Technologies, Inc.

Simon Robert, President, Novbox

Ali McKeand, Chief Technologist, Innovation, CAE Technology Services Limited

Moderatore

Danielle Carter, Lifecycle Marketing, Cisco

Tune in to hear CIOs Nicole Coughlin and Darrell McMillon share their unfiltered insights on strategic IT management and digital transformation. They reveal how to identify opportunities for change, build compelling business cases through practical demonstrations, and navigate the complexities of gaining buy-in and managing organizational change. Discover their people-first approach to technology, emphasizing purpose-driven outcomes and real-world strategies for overcoming tech challenges.

Moderator:

Todd Shimizu, Vice President, Customer Lifecycle Marketing

Participants:

Nicole Coughlin, CIO of the Town of Cary, North Carolina

Darrell McMillon, VP of IT and CIO of Delaware State University

Resources:

https://blogs.cisco.com/insidervoices/tech-unscripted

From AI-powered robots to autonomous vehicles and data-hungry cameras, the next generation of connected assets is pushing wireless networks to their limits. While Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 deliver leaps in speed, bandwidth, and capacity, some applications demand even more—ultra-low latency, higher reliability, and seamless connectivity.

In this episode, we dive into the exciting evolution of Wi-Fi, how Ultra-Reliable Wireless Backhaul (URWB) delivers ultra-reliability beyond what Wi-Fi can deliver, and how organizations are combining Wi-Fi and URWB to unlock new use cases.

We will also unpack:

What sets Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 apart from earlier generations?

The new possibilities these Wi-Fi advancements enable—and where they fall short.

Cisco’s innovation for ultra-reliable wireless connectivity: URWB

Real-world examples of URWB-powered solutions

How Cisco is making URWB more accessible and simpler to deploy alongside Wi-Fi.

Resources

https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/networking/industrial-wireless/index.html#tabs-9da71fbd27-item-1288c79d71-tab

https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/products/networking/industrial-wireless/ultra-reliable-wireless-backhaul/index.html?ccid=cc002272&oid=powit024681&dtid=ooteotr001729#tabs-9da71fbd27-item-1288c79d71-tab

Cisco guest

Bibin Raveendran, Product Manager, IoT (Industrial Wireless), Cisco

Cisco Champion hosts

Len Ledford, Architect II, Advisory Services, Insight

Jonathan Mahady, Principal Network Engineer, BHP

Peter Foppen, Technical Solutions Architect, Comstor Nederland

Rickey Keith, Vertical Systems Engineer

Moderator

Danielle Carter, Customer Voices and Cisco Champion Program

In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we dive into the ever-evolving security landscape, with a focus on the rise of identity-based attacks, third-party risk, and the challenges of integrating security tools in modern operations.

Join security experts and Champions as they unpack how cybercriminals are bypassing traditional defenses—exploiting user fatigue with MFA, launching advanced phishing campaigns, and targeting third-party vulnerabilities. The discussion also highlights why security teams must go beyond metrics to focus on real threats, and how collaboration with business units can enhance security outcomes.

Whether you're in SecOps, vulnerability management, or vendor risk assessment, this conversation offers practical insights into building a more resilient and integrated security ecosystem.

Cisco Champion hosts

Zoe Rose, Security Operations Manager, Canon EMEA

Timothy Harmon, Tech Associate, Journey Community Church

Gert-Jan de Boer, Networking Archeologist, aaZoo

Jason Dave, Infrastructure and Security Director, AbelsonTaylor

Moderator

Danielle Carter, Customer Voices and Cisco Champion Program

The tech landscape never stops evolving — and neither does Cisco's commitment to keeping IT professionals ahead of the curve. In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we dive deep into the latest updates to the Cisco Certification Portfolio, designed to better align with the skills, roles, and technologies shaping the future of networking.

Join us as we unpack what’s new across key domains — from DevNet’s expanded focus on automation and programmability, to Cybersecurity certifications that reflect today’s threat landscape, to innovations in Collaborationand Data Center tracks that mirror real-world infrastructure demands.

Whether you're just starting out, looking to upskill, or guiding your team’s learning journey, this conversation will give you insider insights into how these updates can support your career path and help you stay competitive in an ever-changing industry.

No buzzwords. No fluff. Just real talk from Champions and Cisco experts who live this stuff every day.

Resources

Rev Up: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/question/0D5Kd0000BSI6CwKQL/-learn-and-earn-up-to-45-continuing-education-ce-credits-with-the-latest-rev-up-to-recert-bonus-launching-today-?ccid=revup-bonus25&dtid=web&oid=champions-podcast

DevNet Sandboxes: https://developer.cisco.com/site/sandbox/

Certification Roadmaps: https://learningnetwork.cisco.com/s/cisco-certification-roadmaps?ccid=revup-bonus25&dtid=web&oid=champions-podcast

CML: https://developer.cisco.com/docs/modeling-labs/

Cisco guest

Mubasher Nawaz, Cisco Certification Portfolio Manager for Learn, Cisco

Cisco Champion hosts

Liam Keegan, Advisor

David Penaloza, Assoc. Director – LAN Network Architecture, Novartis

Andreas Baekdahl, Senior DevNet Architect, Wingmen Solutions

Elliot Dierksen, Distinguished Engineer, Greyson Technologies Inc.

Moderator

Danielle Carter, Customer Voices and Cisco Champion Program

Join us to explore the exciting evolution of Cisco AI PODs. We're expanding beyond inferencing to offer designs for training and hybrid workloads, incorporating key integrations that we'll discuss. At the heart of this is a modular, fabric-centric architecture, designed to scale seamlessly from small deployments to massive clusters while ensuring a secure and compliant environment for your AI. You won’t want to miss our discussion of how the present and future of a fundamental building block of Cisco’s Secure AI Factory will enable you to confidently deploy AI in your enterprise.

Resources

https://www.cisco.com/site/us/en/solutions/artificial-intelligence/infrastructure/ai-pods.html

Cisco guest

John Cuneo, AI Solutions Engineer, Cisco

Cisco Champion hosts

Mark Sibering, Expert Director, Devoteam

Rickey Keith, Consulting Systems Engineer, World Wide Technology

Amr Nasher, Founder and CEO, Twaasol

Donald Robb, Principal Network Architect - Studios, The Walt Disney Company

Moderator

Danielle Carter, Customer Voices and Cisco Champion Program

In this episode of Cisco Champion Radio, we explore how Cisco XDR (Extended Detection and Response) is transforming cybersecurity through automation and seamless integration with leading security tools. Our experts break down how Cisco XDR reduces alert fatigue, automates incident handling, and streamlines workflows to enhance security operations.

We also discuss how automation rules in XDR help prioritize incidents, integrate with tools like Splunk and CrowdStrike, and bridge the skill gap between junior and senior analysts. While there’s a learning curve, understanding basic programming and authentication concepts can help security professionals unlock the full potential of automation.

Want to see Cisco XDR in action? Learn how to start with DCloud instant demos or hands-on labs at DevNet (developer.cisco.com). Whether you're looking to improve efficiency, reduce manual tasks, or enhance threat detection, this episode is packed with insights to help you leverage automation for stronger security.

Resources

https://developer.cisco.com/docs/cisco-xdr

Cisco guest

Christopher Van Der Made, Engineering Product Management Leader, Cisco XDR

Cisco Champion hosts

Marc Luescher, Sr. Solution Architect, AWS

Gert-Jan de Boer, Network Archeologist, aaZoo Network Solutions

Donald Robb, Principal Network Architect, Disney

Nate Haleen, DevOps Technical Lead, Procellis Technology Inc

Moderator

Danielle Carter, Customer Voices and Cisco Champion Program