Cisco Crisis Response: Connectivity & Security for Humanitarian Aid
Enabling Connectivity in Crisis Situations
In today's world, connectivity is not just an advantage—it is often a necessity for accessing essential aid. Services such as beneficiary registration, digital cash transfers, relief assistance, and social service applications all rely on secure and stable connections. Cisco plays a vital role in providing this critical infrastructure.
Cisco Crisis Response (CCR) stands out as a key private-sector leader in addressing humanitarian challenges. Working alongside government agencies, emergency response teams, and affected communities, CCR helps bridge the connectivity gap in times of crisis.
CCR’s contributions include deploying secure connectivity, collaboration tools, and cybersecurity solutions for both communities in need and the organizations supporting them. Additionally, CCR offers training programs to strengthen emergency preparedness, response effectiveness, and long-term resilience for nonprofits assisting crisis-impacted populations. To further aid humanitarian organizations, CCR provides financial support, technology donations, and expert consultation on network design and emergency connectivity solutions.
Delivering Critical Communications on the Ground
Cisco’s Network Emergency Response Vehicles (NERVs) play a crucial role in restoring communications when existing networks are compromised. These vehicles, offered at no cost, are equipped with state-of-the-art Cisco Meraki networking systems for uninterrupted communication, a hyperconverged Cisco UCS compute cluster, and Cisco Industrial IoT solutions for real-time monitoring and control. Additionally, they feature a rechargeable hybrid power system that ensures sustained deployment, operational readiness, and energy efficiency.
In fiscal year 2024, CCR introduced advanced solutions to extend connectivity even further. This includes Line-of-Sight 2.0 kits, which leverage Cisco’s Ultra Reliable Wireless Backhaul technology to enhance the NERV’s reach in areas where traditional wired networks or WiFi are unavailable. A Starlink High-Performance solution was also integrated to expand backhaul connectivity options.
Addressing Homelessness
In 2018, Cisco pledged US$50 million in grants over five years to combat homelessness in Santa Clara County, California. Surpassing its original goal, Cisco has now invested US$130 million globally in housing and homelessness initiatives, including US$22 million in donated technology for service providers and housing developments. In Santa Clara County alone, Cisco’s contributions have leveraged over US$1.5 billion in public funding, creating 3,500 homes. Additionally, through partnerships with Destination: Home, Cisco has helped prevent 7,200 households from experiencing homelessness.
Supporting Maui Wildfire Recovery
When wildfires devastated Hawaii in August 2023, many residents were left without connectivity, making it difficult to access financial services or purchase necessities. In response, CCR worked swiftly to restore vital internet, wireless, and phone services for government agencies and humanitarian groups. Cisco also launched an employee donation-matching campaign, raising US$360,000 to aid relief efforts through organizations such as the American Red Cross, Americares, the Maui Food Bank, and World Central Kitchen.
Strengthening Cybersecurity for NGOs
Many nonprofit organizations lack enterprise-level cybersecurity, making them vulnerable to cyber threats that can disrupt emergency operations or compromise sensitive data. CCR collaborates with NetHope to enhance cybersecurity for nonprofits by providing cutting-edge technology, expertise, and cooperative security measures. Cisco’s networking solutions are designed to be highly secure, even in crisis situations, while AI-powered monitoring helps detect and neutralize cyber threats in real time—ensuring the safety of both data and those receiving aid.
In today's world, connectivity is not just an advantage—it is often a necessity for accessing essential aid. Services such as beneficiary registration, digital cash transfers, relief assistance, and social service applications all rely on secure and stable connections. Cisco plays a vital role in providing this critical infrastructure.
Cisco Crisis Response (CCR) stands out as a key private-sector leader in addressing humanitarian challenges. Working alongside government agencies, emergency response teams, and affected communities, CCR helps bridge the connectivity gap in times of crisis.
CCR’s contributions include deploying secure connectivity, collaboration tools, and cybersecurity solutions for both communities in need and the organizations supporting them. Additionally, CCR offers training programs to strengthen emergency preparedness, response effectiveness, and long-term resilience for nonprofits assisting crisis-impacted populations. To further aid humanitarian organizations, CCR provides financial support, technology donations, and expert consultation on network design and emergency connectivity solutions.
Delivering Critical Communications on the Ground
Cisco’s Network Emergency Response Vehicles (NERVs) play a crucial role in restoring communications when existing networks are compromised. These vehicles, offered at no cost, are equipped with state-of-the-art Cisco Meraki networking systems for uninterrupted communication, a hyperconverged Cisco UCS compute cluster, and Cisco Industrial IoT solutions for real-time monitoring and control. Additionally, they feature a rechargeable hybrid power system that ensures sustained deployment, operational readiness, and energy efficiency.
In fiscal year 2024, CCR introduced advanced solutions to extend connectivity even further. This includes Line-of-Sight 2.0 kits, which leverage Cisco’s Ultra Reliable Wireless Backhaul technology to enhance the NERV’s reach in areas where traditional wired networks or WiFi are unavailable. A Starlink High-Performance solution was also integrated to expand backhaul connectivity options.
Addressing Homelessness
In 2018, Cisco pledged US$50 million in grants over five years to combat homelessness in Santa Clara County, California. Surpassing its original goal, Cisco has now invested US$130 million globally in housing and homelessness initiatives, including US$22 million in donated technology for service providers and housing developments. In Santa Clara County alone, Cisco’s contributions have leveraged over US$1.5 billion in public funding, creating 3,500 homes. Additionally, through partnerships with Destination: Home, Cisco has helped prevent 7,200 households from experiencing homelessness.
Supporting Maui Wildfire Recovery
When wildfires devastated Hawaii in August 2023, many residents were left without connectivity, making it difficult to access financial services or purchase necessities. In response, CCR worked swiftly to restore vital internet, wireless, and phone services for government agencies and humanitarian groups. Cisco also launched an employee donation-matching campaign, raising US$360,000 to aid relief efforts through organizations such as the American Red Cross, Americares, the Maui Food Bank, and World Central Kitchen.
Strengthening Cybersecurity for NGOs
Many nonprofit organizations lack enterprise-level cybersecurity, making them vulnerable to cyber threats that can disrupt emergency operations or compromise sensitive data. CCR collaborates with NetHope to enhance cybersecurity for nonprofits by providing cutting-edge technology, expertise, and cooperative security measures. Cisco’s networking solutions are designed to be highly secure, even in crisis situations, while AI-powered monitoring helps detect and neutralize cyber threats in real time—ensuring the safety of both data and those receiving aid.
Companies