Agreement focuses on the areas of education, health, cyber security, agribusiness, public safety, energy and manufacturing
The initiative is part of Cisco's global program and aims to drive digital transformation and the use of new technologies to help the country's economic and social recovery
Cisco, the world leader in technology, today signed a collaboration agreement with the Ministry of Science, Technology, Innovation and Communications (MCTIC) to drive skills development and digital transformation in Brazil. the initiative MCTIC and Cisco: Accelerating Digital Transformation was announced during a virtual event with Minister Marcos Pontes, Executive Secretary of MCTIC, Julio Semeghini, Secretary of Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Paulo Alvim, Secretary of Telecommunications, Vitor Menezes, and Executives of Cisco Guy Diedrich, Vice President Global Innovation, John Kern, Senior Vice President and Country Sponsor of Brazil, Jordi Botifoll, President of Cisco Latin America and Senior Vice President of the Americas, and Laércio Albuquerque, President of Cisco do Brasil.
The agreement is part of a strategic investment by Cisco through the Country Digital Acceleration global program, called Digital and Inclusive Brazil, and released today also by Cisco. The program should help the country prepare for a new era of hyperconnectivity and digital economy, in addition to supporting it in social and economic recovery, as Brazil enters a new post-pandemic reality.
Aiming to promote economic growth and skills development, the program will focus on the areas of education, health, cyber security, agribusiness, public safety, energy and manufacturing, through partnerships with the public sector, industry and academia. Initiatives related to the government of President Jair Bolsonaro will be designed and carried out in conjunction with the MCTIC.
Among the initiatives of the Digital and Inclusive Brazil program are:
• Monitoring Platform of the National Science, Technology and Innovation System: Cisco will work together with MCTIC in the development of an intelligent digital platform to support the monitoring, management and definition of public policies in the country, through the consolidation of information on the various programs, actions, initiatives and actors, public and private , involved in research, technological development and innovation in Brazil. With this initiative, Cisco and the Ministry hope to contribute to the development of an even more prosperous and productive environment for innovation and industrial development in the country.
• cybersecurity: One of the big barriers to accelerating the adoption of new technologies and digitization is the concern about cyber threats and attacks to connected digital environments, the impact and consequences of these attacks.
o Cisco is working on several initiatives such as Cyber Education Program, which will be launched through the Cisco Networking Academy, which aims to impact around 7,000 young people in the country, developing new talent in cybersecurity to meet the growing demand for professionals in this area, in the public and private sectors of Brazil, in addition to stimulating employability in information technology.
o Cisco will also work with MCTIC to use analytics and intelligence, as well as exchange information about cybersecurity threats.
o Cisco also created a new regional platform through the Cybersecurity Innovation Council, in collaboration with the Organization of American States (OAS), for cybersecurity education, sharing of best practices, and collaboration that includes Brazil.
• Industry 4.0: creation of an Experience Center focused on supporting technologies for Industry 4.0 and advanced manufacturing, as well as the development of a training program for professionals to work in the segment, including knowledge and skills in the integrated use of information technologies and automation in environments industrial. With this initiative, Cisco intends to support the training of 2,000 professionals over the next three years.
• Response initiatives to COVID-19: Cisco is supporting healthcare institutions and making video conferencing technology available to facilitate remote care and better interaction between physicians and patients. In addition, Cisco has been providing technological infrastructure for some field hospitals set up to care for COVID-19 patients.
Another initiative in response to COVID-19 by the Brazil Digital and Inclusive program is the partnership with the National Council of Justice (CNJ) to provide a videoconference platform for virtual sessions, allowing the return of the activities of courts across the country during the pandemic.
• Cisco will also invest in initiatives in Brazil related to areas such as smart cities, Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, Wi-Fi 6, among others.
For the Minister of Science, Technology, Innovations and Communications, astronaut Marcos Pontes, Brazil needs to promote an intense integration between the public and private sectors in the development of innovations that meet the country's needs and improve the productive ecosystem. “This partnership between MCTIC and Cisco is an example of this transforming union. Science and technology are fundamental elements for Brazil's economic and social development”, says the minister.
“This announcement is an important milestone in our journey of digital transformation, supporting the Brazilian government and population, bringing economic growth and continued prosperity to the country”, emphasizes Cisco Vice President of Global Innovation, Guy Diedrich. According to him, through the digital acceleration program, Cisco has the opportunity to positively impact communities, governments and companies around the world.
“It is our responsibility as business leaders to help create an inclusive future for our communities, which now run an even greater risk of being left behind by digital barriers,” said Jordi Botifoll, president of Cisco Latin America. "We are proud of our longstanding commitment and presence in Brazil and recognize its economic significance for Latin America."
“Over the past 25 years, Cisco has played a key role in the development of Brazil's telecommunications infrastructure and networks,” says Laércio Albuquerque, president of Cisco do Brasil. "With this investment, we hope to strengthen Brazil's competitiveness with a resilient and well-trained workforce to meet market demands."
25 years of Cisco in Brazil
For 25 years in Brazil, Cisco has played an important role in the development of the country's telecommunications and connectivity infrastructure, essential to driving the digital economy and innovation. Cisco technology supports the main telecommunications and Internet networks in Brazil and its technology was present in important events, such as the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, considered the most connected and secure Games in history. Cisco has also been promoting innovation in Brazil, focused on solutions developed in partnership with start-up companies (startups), technological partners, academia and customers.
In the education area, Cisco operates in the country with its global Cisco Networking Academy program, which offers training in the IT and business areas, with a focus on employability and social development. The program is present in all Brazilian states and has more than 1,000 gyms in the country. In 2019, the program trained 67,205 people in Brazil, totaling more than 297,000 students since its arrival in the country.
About Cisco's Global Acceleration Program
Since its inception five years ago, Cisco's Country Digital Acceleration (CDA) program has developed strategic partnerships with governments around the world. Currently active in 34 countries, the projects are aligned with countries' priorities and bring digital solutions to unique social challenges. By helping governments realize their digital agendas, the program is helping countries spur economic growth and create an inclusive digital future where no one is left behind. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDA coordinated more than 70 assistance projects around the world.
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