Cisco Appoints New CFO as AI Infrastructure Orders Hit $2 Billion

Cisco Systems has named Mark Patterson as its new chief financial officer, as the company continues to capitalize on a surge in demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure, with $2 billion in related orders reported for fiscal 2025. The San Jose-based networking giant, ranked No. 83 on the Fortune 500, posted Q4 revenue of $14.7 billion—a 8% increase year-over-year and slightly exceeding analyst expectations of $14.62 billion [1].

AI infrastructure orders from webscale customers alone reached $800 million in the fourth quarter, contributing to a total of over $2 billion in AI-related business for fiscal 2025. This figure far exceeds the initial $1 billion target set in Q4 fiscal 2024, signaling a significant acceleration in Cisco’s AI strategy [1]. Patterson, a 25-year veteran of Cisco, succeeds Scott Herren, who retired after four years in the role. Herren is credited with transitioning the company toward software and recurring revenue streams [1].

Patterson outlined key priorities during his first earnings call as CFO, emphasizing the opportunities in AI infrastructure, including the growing enterprise AI market and the development of sovereign AI and neo-cloud environments. “We have significant opportunities—whether in AI infrastructure for the webscale space, the nascent but growing enterprise AI market, or the buildout of neo-clouds and sovereign AI,” he said [1]. Patterson also highlighted the importance of maintaining disciplined financing and delivering sustainable growth.

Cisco’s strategic shift toward AI infrastructure has been underscored by major investments, including its $28 billion acquisition of Splunk in 2024—a move that has strengthened the company’s cybersecurity and analytics capabilities. The company has also launched Hypershield, an AI-native system that integrates security across network components, from servers to public and private clouds [1].

Patterson, who previously served as chief strategy officer, brings extensive experience across finance, strategy, and operations. His career has included leadership roles across sales, covering all customer segments and geographies. “You can expect that I will focus on durable, profitable growth,” he said, reiterating a commitment to funding long-term success [1].

As enterprises increasingly adopt agentic AI solutions, Cisco’s ability to maintain momentum in the AI infrastructure market will be a key determinant of its future performance. The company is also focused on campus modernization and strengthening its cybersecurity offerings through the integration of Splunk’s technologies.

Cisco’s recent results suggest the company is on a strong trajectory, with robust revenue growth and exceeding analyst forecasts. The appointment of Patterson marks a pivotal moment as the company continues to adapt to a rapidly evolving technological landscape.

Source: [1] New Cisco CFO takes helm amid $2 billion in AI orders (https://fortune.com/2025/08/14/new-cisco-cfo-takes-helm-amid-2-billion-ai-orders/)