Government Affairs
Policy, government, and technology
Government Affairs develops and advocates for pro-technology policies and regulations that enable Cisco’s purpose: to Power an Inclusive Future for All.
Cisco's government affairs team, led by Senior Vice President Jeff Campbell, engages with governments at all levels and focuses on public policies that support Cisco, its partners, and its customers. Government Affairs also builds relationships with leaders worldwide to promote Cisco as a technology expert and a thought leader in the industry.
The team comprises former elected and appointed public officials and experienced government affairs professionals. Government Affairs is part of the People, Policy, & Purpose organization led by Executive Vice President and Chief People, Policy, & Purpose Officer Francine Katsoudas.
Cisco's policy priorities
Unlocking the power of the internet
Connectivity is synonymous with opportunity. Cisco supports policies to modernize infrastructure and bridge the digital divide in urban, rural, and remote areas.
Free trade and inclusive trade policies
Cisco supports policies that open markets for technology products and services, lower prices, increase choice, and promote innovation, as well as empower women, indigenous peoples, and disenfranchised communities.
Preserving an open Internet
Cisco has always supported regulations that incentivize network investment, drive innovation, and create flexibility to develop new business models.
Promoting investment
National tax policies should promote investment, encourage job creation, and incentivize innovation while also being consistent with existing global approaches to taxation.
Building next-generation wireless networks
Cisco encourages governments to make licensed and unlicensed radio spectrum available for growth and supporting technologies such as 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Internet of Things (IoT).
Supporting sustainability
Cisco supports industry-led energy efficiency efforts that lower emissions in carbon-intensive sectors and advocates for policies that embrace hybrid work, foster investments in green innovation.
Investing in people and knowledge
Cisco supports immigration policies that promote innovation, encourage hiring, and create a highly skilled workforce. We also advocate for diverse workplaces that create opportunities for all.
Protecting innovation
Cisco supports balanced intellectual property rules that incentivize innovation while also reducing the threat of unnecessary and harmful litigation.
Security against evolving threats
Governments, industries, and individuals should harness emerging technologies such as machine learning and AI to prevent cyberattacks that threaten critical infrastructure, economic growth, and innovation.
Get the latest policy updates
In our High Tech Policy blog and X feed, Government Affairs discusses public policy issues that are important to our business, and we provide insights into how we are working toward our policy goals.
The blog and X feed detail Cisco's positions on and advocacy efforts for policy priorities, including those listed above as well as others like education and cybersecurity. All of our stakeholders can follow the conversations and contribute through comments and other social media interactions.
U.S. federal lobby compliance
As part of Cisco’s federal lobbying activity in the U.S., Cisco files quarterly reports of our activities. See our recent federal lobbying disclosures below.
U.S. political disclosure
Cisco does not make political contributions to candidates for U.S. federal or state elective office, nor does Cisco make contributions to political parties or other committees for the purpose of influencing the election of candidates to federal, state, or local public office. Cisco also does not engage in independent expenditures or electioneering communications, nor do we make payments to trade associations or other industry groups to be used specifically for political purposes.
Cisco occasionally makes corporate contributions in support of U.S. local and state ballot measures on issues that would directly impact our operations and without regard for the private political preferences of executives. Cisco fully complies with all reporting requirements regarding such contributions and discloses those contributions on a quarterly basis.
The Government Affairs team reviews and analyzes Cisco’s political contributions regularly to ensure contributions made during the year are consistent with its political support guidelines. Cisco’s political contributions are reviewed with the Board’s Environmental, Social, and Public Policy Committee, which consists solely of independent directors, on at least an annual basis.
Trade associations
Government Affairs works closely with industry peers through trade associations to advance our policy priorities, monitor business trends, and build strong relationships with government leaders around the world. Participation in a trade association does not mean that Cisco is in agreement with all of the policy positions taken by or the issues prioritized by that organization.
Cisco makes payments to these associations, including membership fees and dues. It is the company’s policy to instruct U.S. trade associations not to use company funds for contributions to federal, state, or local candidates, independent campaign expenditures, or for other political purposes.
Employee Political Action Committee
Cisco’s employee-sponsored political action committee (ePAC) enables eligible U.S. employees to contribute to the campaigns of U.S. federal and state elected officials and political candidates who champion the technology industry’s public policy priorities. All campaign contributions made by Cisco’s ePAC are made according to a plan that supports Cisco’s policy objectives and is approved annually by the ePAC board, whose members include:
Jeff Sharritts
EVP and Chief Customer and Partner Officer
Chair, ePAC Board
Fran Katsoudas
EVP and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer
Jeff Campbell
SVP and Chief Government Strategy Officer
Ed Paradise
SVP, Security & Trust Organization
Mark Patterson
EVP and Chief Strategy Officer
We encourage civic engagement and provide educational opportunities for employees on specific issues, as well as opportunities to meet with political candidates through town hall meetings and other forums.
Cisco employees are guided by our Code of Business Conduct, which stipulates expectations regarding political activities and interactions with government entities and their employees or representatives.