How Cisco is securing the NFL’s Global Expansion
American Football, once the reserve of purely North America is expanding past its borders as the popularity continues to grow abroad.
For the NFL, this is a welcomed development, yet the expansion brings with it new challenges. Despite being a very visceral game, technology underpins everything from the internal comms, video streams and even analytics software.
Enter Cisco. Already partnering on various solutions, the NFL has decided to expand the agreement so Cisco can help the sporting giant secure its expansion ambitions by securing the enterprise networking and cybersecurity solutions for its international games through 2024 and 2025.
Securing the games
This collaboration, which began in 2021 with Cisco being named the NFL's Official Enterprise Networking Partner and an Official Cybersecurity Partner, has now evolved to encompass a broader scope.
The partnership will play a crucial role in the NFL's upcoming matches in São Paulo, London, Munich, and Madrid, marking a significant milestone in the league's global expansion efforts.
As the NFL ventures into these new territories, the need for a secure, reliable network becomes paramount, and Cisco's involvement addresses this need head-on.
At the heart of this partnership lies Cisco's crucial role in providing not just robust network infrastructure, but also cutting-edge cybersecurity measures.
As we continue to expand our presence globally, Cisco's proven track record in delivering on the biggest stages, in constantly evolving, digital environments, allows us to execute with confidence."
Cisco's involvement will see them offering a comprehensive suite of technologies designed to ensure seamless operations across international venues.
The cybersecurity challenge
The expansion of American football into new markets presents unique technological challenges, particularly in terms of network security.
This understanding of the need is well-founded. During Super Bowl LVIII in February 2024, Cisco's integrated security deployment successfully thwarted a staggering 39,000 security intelligence events and blocked 354,000 connections to or from blacklisted areas globally. This comprehensive protection ensured 100% network uptime throughout the event, a critical factor for the smooth execution of such a large-scale spectacle.
This is because Cisco's solutions are designed to address the unique challenges posed by high-stakes, fast-paced live events in diverse international venues.
Rob McQueen, Vice President of Global Sponsorships at Cisco, underscores the significance of the partnership: "The NFL International Games presents an enormous opportunity for the NFL, so we are proud to be the partner they trust to deliver the connectivity and security required to operate globally."
Cisco is therefore offering a number of such proven solutions to the international games.
The NFL will implement Cisco's advanced switching technology for networking. This technology enables the interconnection of multiple devices on a computer network, facilitating efficient data transfer and communication. Cisco's switches are known for their high performance and reliability, crucial factors in managing the complex networking needs of large-scale sporting events.
Equally, to protect its digital assets and ensure the integrity of its operations, the NFL will deploy a combination of on-premises hardware and cloud-based software from Cisco's security portfolio. A key component is Cisco Umbrella, a cloud security platform that provides protection against cyber threats by analysing and blocking malicious requests. It offers a first line of defence, especially important for an organisation operating across multiple international locations.
Another critical element is Cisco XDR (Extended Detection and Response). This system correlates security data from multiple sources to detect and respond to threats more effectively. XDR provides a comprehensive view of the NFL's security landscape, enabling rapid threat detection and response.
Beyond game day
Cisco's involvement with the NFL extends far beyond international games. Every NFL stadium's replay control room is built on Cisco technology and connected to the Art McNally Gameday Central in New York via a Cisco network. This setup allows for real-time video review and decision-making during games, enhancing the accuracy of officiating.
Moreover, nearly all of the league's official partners and two-thirds of NFL stadiums rely on Cisco technology for their networking and cybersecurity needs. This widespread adoption highlights the trust placed in Cisco's solutions across the NFL ecosystem.
As the NFL continues to push the boundaries of its global reach, the importance of reliable, secure technology cannot be overstated.
"Failure is not an option in these dynamic, high-pressure environments, and Cisco technology continues to deliver for the biggest leagues, teams, events and stadiums everywhere," Gary concludes.
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