As one of the world’s biggest tech companies, Cisco provides the foundations for the world to go online. We spoke to its Dutch MD Edwin Prinsen to find out more about its mission to help digitalise the world.

Building the internet and a better world

“We sometimes say that we build the internet, because we connect it all.” It might seem like Cisco Netherlands’ MD Edwin Prinsen is beginning our interview with an outrageous claim, but it’s one that he can back up with facts: Cisco develops products, provides services and delivers integrated solutions to connect networks around the world. Its technology and services include video, mobility, security, collaboration, data centre and analytics products, and it recorded revenues of just over $50bn in 2019.

“Building the internet” is the key phrase here. As one of the world’s biggest technology firms it doesn’t just sell products and services, but takes a leading role in global digitisation. This includes everything from training people in digital and entrepreneurial skills to providing access to affordable housing, clean drinking water and sanitation. It has a bold goal: to positively impact one billion people through digital solutions by 2025.

“Our vision is that we want to give the world population access to the internet,” explains Prinsen. “If you look at developing countries, once you connect someone to the internet, they can have schooling, healthcare, they can start their own little business online, they can reach the world. It can help unemployment, can create all kinds of new jobs and boost economies. We also put money into educating people. We are a commercial operation; we are on the stock exchange. But we really believe if we invest money into helping develop things, it’s part of our corporate social responsibility. And, at the end of the day, it will come back to us if we help take a country or company to the next level.”

In the last decade or so this process has accelerated rapidly, and as artificial intelligence and technologies associated with the Internet of Things (IoT) improve, Prinsen thinks that we’ll start to see more smart solutions become an everyday part of life. “We’re already seeing how tech is connecting devices and data,” he explains, “We call it DNA spaces. That when you’re when you walk into a building, you know, the Wi-Fi can do all kinds of things for you – connect your air conditioning, your heating etc. And that can be for a building, an app, whatever. So, that is one thing we’re helping to build for the future: one in which there will be no digital boundaries anymore, and the whole world is connected in a safe and secure way.”

Cisco’s commitment to the digital agenda

For the past two and a half years, Cisco has worked closely with the Dutch government to help drive the digitisation of the Dutch economy and society. Through the Digital Acceleration Netherlands (DVN) programme, Cisco contributes to the government’s Digital Agenda, with a focus on infrastructure and transport, cybersecurity, education, innovation, IoT & smart cities and healthcare.

The programme is part of Cisco’s global Country Digitization Acceleration Initiative, which is designed to help countries digitise their economies. “Our DVN team has worked with many organisations on more than 60 projects,” explains Prinsen. “These are all helping to accelerate the digital transformation in the Netherlands.”

One part of that is the Networking Academy, which educates students and helps to certify teachers so that they pass on those skills to students. Free courses include certificates in networking, cybersecurity, IoT, Linux, programming and computer skills for high schools. “We have a great shortage of experts and professionals, so we contribute to solving this,” Prinsen adds.

Of course, Cisco can’t remain a key driver for global digitisation without constantly innovating. It does that through investing in buying companies, as well as having a network of partnerships with the world’s biggest brands and industry leaders. “Our innovation budget is also one of the biggest in the world. We’re in a software-driven world, so we’re constantly integrating new tech into what we do. And we are helping people, and our products can help countries and businesses to thrive. So, people see us as a partner. If our success also means we can give back a little, then that makes it all worth it.”