Last updated 09-02-2026
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Cisco AI Defense (formerly Robust Intelligence)
Cisco AI Defense is an enterprise machine learning security platform that protects organizations building, deploying, and using AI across multi-cloud environments. It covers both sides of AI risk: algorithmic red teaming that finds model vulnerabilities before production, and network-embedded guardrails that block prompt injections, denial of service, and data leakage in real time.
Where most AI security tools require agents or SDKs inside each application, Cisco AI Defense enforces protection at the network layer. That decouples security from development teams and gives visibility into AI traffic without rewriting code. The platform also inventories AI workloads, models, data sources, and shadow AI usage across distributed clouds.
Security teams, ML engineers, and enterprise IT leaders use it to validate proprietary models, govern employee access to third-party AI apps, and align with NIST, MITRE ATLAS, and OWASP LLM Top 10 standards through a single integration. Cisco acquired the company behind this platform in 2024, and the product now lives under the Cisco security portfolio.
Algorithmic red teaming assesses model safety and security vulnerabilities in seconds
Network-embedded runtime guardrails block prompt injections, DoS, and data leakage without agents
Explorer Edition at explorer.aidefense.cisco.com offers free red teaming with an in-depth report in minutes
Discovers AI workloads, models, data, and users across distributed cloud environments
Maps to NIST, MITRE ATLAS, and OWASP LLM Top 10 through a single integration
AI Access surfaces third-party AI apps in use and enforces employee access policies
Network-layer enforcement removes the need for per-application agents or SDKs.
Free Explorer Edition gives builders a fast path to red team models before an enterprise purchase.
Covers both pre-deployment validation and real-time runtime protection in one platform.
Aligns with NIST, MITRE ATLAS, and OWASP LLM Top 10 through a single integration.
Full enterprise deployment requires a Cisco sales engagement rather than self-serve signup.
Network-level protection delivers the most value for organizations already in the Cisco security stack.
Standalone AI security startups may offer faster onboarding for teams without existing Cisco infrastructure.
What does Cisco AI Defense protect against?
Cisco AI Defense protects against prompt injections, denial of service attacks, data leakage, model denial of service, code detection threats, and off-topic attacks on production AI applications. It also identifies misconfigurations and security vulnerabilities during model validation before deployment.
Is there a free tier for Cisco AI Defense?
Yes. Cisco AI Defense Explorer Edition at explorer.aidefense.cisco.com lets AI builders red team their applications for free and receive an in-depth security report in minutes. The full enterprise platform requires a demo request through Cisco sales.
How does Cisco AI Defense differ from app-level guardrails?
Cisco AI Defense embeds security guardrails in the network fabric rather than requiring agents or libraries inside each AI application. This gives network-level visibility into AI traffic and decouples security enforcement from the development lifecycle.
What AI security standards does Cisco AI Defense support?
Cisco AI Defense aligns with NIST, MITRE ATLAS, and OWASP LLM Top 10 through a single integration. Cisco also contributes to AI security standards bodies and publishes an annual State of AI Security report.
Who is Cisco AI Defense built for?
Cisco AI Defense serves organizations using third-party AI applications and those developing proprietary AI models. Security teams gain visibility into shadow AI usage, while ML engineers can validate models at scale and protect production AI apps in real time.
What are the main components of Cisco AI Defense?
Cisco AI Defense includes AI Model and Application Validation, AI Runtime Protection, AI Cloud Visibility, AI Access for third-party app governance, and AI Supply Chain Risk Management. Together they cover discovery, validation, runtime defense, and access control.