Cisco Earnings Preview: Microsoft Integration, Security Growth And Switching Revenue Decline

Double Digits Security Growth? Imperva Acquisition?

Cisco’s security business has been growing by double-digits over the past two quarters, increasing 17 percent year-over-year in the third fiscal quarter and 11 percent in the second.

The 28,000 attendees at Cisco Live last month heard more about security compared to any other market segment. With Cisco striving to become the security market leader, the company must report another positive quarter.

A key area for Cisco in security is acquisitions. The company has acquired three security vendors – Lancope, Portcullis and CloudLock – over the last 12 months. Channel Partners say security provider Imperva should be next for Cisco as it fills in gaps in Cisco’s end-to-end security strategy. Although Cisco likely will not discuss potential acquisitions, it will be interesting to hear what executives say if analysts ask about the possibility of an Imperva acquisition.