Cisco Systems
Global networking infrastructure provider with deep ties to the Israeli military and surveillance apparatus. Cisco has been the primary server provider for the IDF, supplied surveillance technology to occupied Jerusalem, and established technology hubs in illegal West Bank settlements.
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- Strategic AnalysisIn-depth analysis and engagement strategy
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Material Risk Framing
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Cisco faces growing reputational risk as documentation of its military contracts, settlement infrastructure, and surveillance provision becomes more widely known. Employee activism with 1,770+ signatures on internal petition demonstrates internal dissent.
87% of Fortune 500 companies use Cisco products. Institutional pressure campaigns targeting major shareholders (Vanguard 10.46%, BlackRock 9.85%, State Street 5.73%) and government contract challenges present material financial risk.
Provision of critical infrastructure to the Israeli military, which the ICC has charged with crimes against humanity (November 2024), and settlement operations declared illegal by the ICJ (July 2024), create significant legal exposure under international law.
Tech worker activism across Silicon Valley and the formation of the Tech Divestment Network (Amazon, Apple, Cisco, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce) threatens operational disruption and talent retention.
Product Alternatives
Ethical replacements tagged by what matters to you: cost, quality, ethics, sustainability, or local sourcing. Make the switch today.
Enterprise Networking Equipment
Enterprise routers, switches, and network infrastructure alternatives with no documented Israeli military ties
Enterprise networking and security solutions provider
Strong enterprise presence, competitive with Cisco across product lines
Cloud networking solutions for data centres and enterprises
7.3% market share, preferred by hyperscale cloud providers
Video Conferencing
Alternatives to Cisco WebEx for enterprise video communications
Video communications platform for enterprise meetings
Market leader, extensive integrations
Integrated collaboration platform with video conferencing
Bundled with Microsoft 365, strong enterprise adoption
Cybersecurity Solutions
Alternatives to Cisco security products (Duo, Splunk, Meraki)
Comparison Legend
Strategic Analysis
In-depth assessment of the company's position, vulnerabilities, and recommended approaches for effective engagement.
High severity, lower vulnerability — requires long-term divestment pressure
Learn about our methodology — companies are categorised based on severity (harm potential) vs strategic vulnerability (campaign leverage).
Why do these scores change?
Unlike static boycott lists, our targeting model is dynamic. This company's position on the matrix is re-evaluated continually as we verify new contracts, divestments, or policy changes. Your reporting directly impacts this score.
Cisco Systems represents a critical infrastructure target in the B2B boycott strategy. As the dominant provider of enterprise networking equipment (55.7% market share), Cisco's deep integration with the Israeli military and settlement infrastructure makes it a high-value pressure point. The company has commercial ties with Israel, which the International Criminal Court has charged with crimes against humanity including extermination and starvation as a method of warfare (ICC, November 2024).
Key Leverage Points
- Government Procurement: Cisco holds extensive government contracts across the US, UK, and EU. Public procurement challenges citing human rights compliance can create material business impact.
- Institutional Investors: Major shareholders Vanguard (10.46%), BlackRock (9.85%), and State Street (5.73%) are increasingly subject to ESG pressure and shareholder activism.
- Employee Activism: 1,770+ employees signed internal petition in April 2024. The Tech Divestment Network connects activists across major tech companies for coordinated action.
- University Contracts: Extensive presence in higher education makes universities a natural divestment target, following successful BDS campaigns at other institutions.
- Enterprise Alternatives: Unlike highly specialized defense contractors, Cisco products have viable alternatives (Juniper, Arista, HPE) enabling procurement substitution.
Evidence Summary
Documentation from Who Profits, the BDS Movement, and UCL BDS establishes Cisco's role as primary server infrastructure provider to the Israeli Defence Forces from 2017-2022 under a $250+ million contract funded through US Foreign Military Sales. The contract supported establishment of "David's Citadel," the IDF's largest data centre integrating combat, intelligence, and command systems. Ministry of Defense procurement records show ongoing purchases totaling nearly $2 million in late 2023-early 2024 alone.
Beyond military contracts, Cisco has established government-subsidised technology hubs in at least 5 illegal West Bank settlements and 2 locations in the occupied Golan Heights. The 2017 Jerusalem "Smart City" pilot deployed Cisco surveillance technology, including CCTVs with facial recognition and voice detection, to monitor Palestinian residents in occupied East Jerusalem. The company has invested over $7.2 billion in Israeli acquisitions across 20+ companies, including an $18 million investment in Team8, a venture capital firm founded by veterans of the Israeli military's Unit 8200 surveillance unit.
Engagement Strategy
Campaign efforts should prioritise institutional pressure through government procurement challenges and shareholder activism targeting major institutional investors. University divestment campaigns offer high-visibility opportunities with established precedents. Internal employee organising should be supported and amplified through the Tech Divestment Network. Enterprise customers, particularly those with public sector contracts or ESG commitments, can be approached with procurement substitution proposals highlighting viable alternatives and human rights compliance obligations. The company's March 2025 decision to restrict internal discussion of Middle East issues indicates sensitivity to sustained pressure.
Evidence & Sources
Verified sources including NGO reports, regulatory filings, and primary documents. Use these to substantiate your correspondence.
Central campaign resource documenting ongoing military contracts, employee activism, and pressure points.
Open sourceAmerican Friends Service Committee investigation into Cisco's Israeli military and settlement connections.
Open sourceDocuments employee resignation citing genocide profiteering and company's response to internal dissent.
Open sourceComprehensive documentation of Cisco's military contracts, settlement hubs, and surveillance provision. Details $250M+ IDF server contract and ongoing procurement.
Open sourceInternal employee petition with 1,770+ signatures raising concerns about Cisco's provision of technology to Israeli military.
Open sourceDetailed report on settlement technology hubs, $2B+ investment in Israeli companies, and Jerusalem surveillance system partnership.
Open sourceReports on multi-million shekel contract to upgrade military defence networks through Israeli integrator Bynet.
Open sourceDocuments major communication equipment supply contract with Israeli military.
Open sourceUpdates & Milestones
- Internal speech restrictions imposed
Executive Francine Katsoudas announces 'guardrails' prohibiting discussion of Middle East issues in company meetings
- Robust Intelligence acquisition
Cisco acquires Israeli-founded AI security company for $400M, continuing pattern of Israeli tech investment ($7.2B total)
- Employee open letter
1,770 employees sign internal petition to CEO Chuck Robbins raising concerns about technology provision to Israeli military
- Ofakim expansion announced
Cisco announces new branch in Ofakim, Israel, expanding its 800-person workforce across 6 development sites
- Ongoing military procurement documented
IMOD procurement database reveals nearly $2M in Cisco server purchases across 8 contracts between Nov 2023-Jan 2024
- IDF Unified Communications System deployed
Cisco begins providing military communications system enabling data, voice, and video sharing across military units
- 90 million NIS hub expansion
Israeli government allocates approximately $25M for 45 additional Cisco-equipped technology hubs, including in settlements
- Settlement technology hubs launched
First digital hubs opened in illegal West Bank settlements and occupied Golan Heights as part of government partnership
- Jerusalem Smart City surveillance pilot
Cisco provides free surveillance technology to Jerusalem Municipality, including CCTVs with facial recognition and voice detection for monitoring Palestinian areas
- IDF server contract awarded
Selected as sole provider of servers for Israeli Ministry of Defense, replacing HP Enterprise. Contract valued at minimum $250M through US Foreign Military Sales program
- Digital Israel National Initiative partnership
Three-year partnership with Israeli government announced for nationwide digital infrastructure
- $150M Israeli Army Contract
Cisco wins tender to supply communication equipment to the Israeli military