Technology giant Cisco is cutting nearly 4,000 jobs, or around 5% of its workforce, despite reporting better-than-expected profit and revenue in its fiscal third quarter.
The networking equipment maker said it is reducing its headcount in order to change its “cost structure” and invest in AI and cybersecurity.
Cisco’s decision follows a recent trend of tech companies increasingly citing a priority on AI spending as a reason to let employees go. Cloudflare and General Motors have both laid off staff in recent days, despite reporting strong financial results.
Cisco said it plans to invest more in cybersecurity, as the company continues to contend with a slew of security vulnerabilities in its routers and firewalls that have allowed hackers to break into the networks of its corporate customers, including the U.S. government . Cisco last year also experienced a data breach in which customers’ personal information was affected.
In a blog post published Wednesday, Cisco’s chief executive Chuck Robbins touted the company’s “record revenue” and “double-digit growth,” while acknowledging that Cisco was making strategic investments “in our employees’ use of AI across the company.”
According to public filings , Robbins was slated to earn more than $52 million in executive compensation during 2025. When reached by TechCrunch, a Cisco spokesperson did not comment beyond Robbins’ statement, or say, when asked, if Robbins plans to reduce his compensation.
This is the latest round of job cuts at Cisco in recent years. The company laid off thousands of employees during two separate layoffs in 2024 and cut over 150 jobs in 2025.
StrictlyVC Athens is up next. Hear unfiltered insights straight from Europe’s tech leaders and connect with the people shaping what’s ahead. Lock in your spot before it’s gone.
Newsletters See More Subscribe for the industry’s biggest tech news
Every weekday and Sunday, you can get the best of TechCrunch’s coverage.
TechCrunch Mobility is your destination for transportation news and insight.
Startups are the core of TechCrunch, so get our best coverage delivered weekly.
Provides movers and shakers with the info they need to start their day.
By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice .
Cisco cuts nearly 4,000 jobs to spend more on AI, reports ‘record quarterly revenue’ Zack Whittaker 5 hours ago X LinkedIn Facebook Instagram youTube Mastodon Threads Bluesky TechCrunch Staff Contact Us Advertise Crunchboard Jobs Site Map Terms of Service Privacy Policy RSS Terms of Use Code of Conduct Anthropic SAP Samsung Marc Lore TechCrunch Disrupt Tech Layoffs ChatGPT © 2026 TechCrunch Media LLC.
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
-- --
PLEASE LIKE IF YOU FOUND THIS HELPFUL TO SUPPORT OUR FORUM.
