Cisco has conducted multiple rounds: approximately 9,800 eliminated in February-August 2024 (the primary wave, approximately 5% of workforce), followed by approximately 4,000 additional cuts announced in May 2026 targeting AI, silicon photonics, and security investments. Total across all rounds exceeds 13,800.
Start Free AI Mock InterviewIssue 04
AUGUST 2024
5,600
Cisco announced a second restructuring cutting 7% of global workforce (~5,600 jobs) to shift investment toward AI, cybersecurity, and Splunk integration.
Issue 03
FEBRUARY 2024
~4,000 (May 2026) + ~13,000 (2024 waves)
Cisco conducted multiple restructuring rounds in 2024 (approximately 4,000 in February, approximately 4,000 in April, and approximately 5,000 in August — approximately 13,000 total). In May 2026, an additional approximately 4,000 roles were eliminated as CEO Chuck Robbins redirected spending toward AI infrastructure, custom silicon (Silicon One), and cybersecurity. Cisco simultaneously raised its full-year AI infrastructure order forecast from $5 billion to $9 billion. Severance for the 2026 round included pro-rated FY26 bonuses and one year of free Cisco U training access.
Cisco conducted multiple restructuring rounds in 2024 (approximately 4,000 in February, approximately 4,000 in April, and approximately 5,000 in August — approximately 13,000 total). In May 2026, an additional approximately 4,000 roles were eliminated as CEO Chuck Robbins redirected spending toward AI infrastructure, custom silicon (Silicon One), and cybersecurity. Cisco simultaneously raised its full-year AI infrastructure order forecast from $5 billion to $9 billion. Severance for the 2026 round included pro-rated FY26 bonuses and one year of free Cisco U training access.
Issue 03
FEBRUARY 2024
~4,000 (May 2026) + ~13,000 (2024 waves)
Issue 02
Networking · Sales · Engineering
Cuts focused on legacy networking, sales operations, and engineering teams overlapping with Splunk acquisitions — as Cisco rebalances toward AI and security.
Issue 02
Networking · Sales · Engineering
Cuts focused on legacy networking, sales operations, and engineering teams overlapping with Splunk acquisitions — as Cisco rebalances toward AI and security.
Issue 01
Tenure-based + Outplacement
Cisco offers severance scaled to years of service (typically 2 weeks per year + base), healthcare continuation, RSU vesting acceleration through next vest, and outplacement support.
Cisco offers severance scaled to years of service (typically 2 weeks per year + base), healthcare continuation, RSU vesting acceleration through next vest, and outplacement support.
Issue 01
Tenure-based + Outplacement
Compensation
Cisco's documented separation agreements scaled pay to base salary plus years of service.
Standard package
~4 months base pay + tenure recognition (signing required)
Healthcare
~4 months of grossed-up COBRA premium payments
Notice / release
60-day WARN; pay-in-lieu of notice; release waiver
PTO
Accrued PTO historically paid; ended after the US shift to unlimited VTO
Equity / RSUs
RSU vesting through the next scheduled vest (reported)
Outplacement
Career transition via LHH/Randstad, ~3 months
Details come largely from employee-reported separation agreements, not official Cisco policy, and vary by role, tenure, and location.
Org Impact
The cuts landed unevenly across the org chart. These groups absorbed the bulk of the roles eliminated.
Legacy networking hit hardest as product revenue fell and Cisco pivoted to AI silicon and optics.
Overlapping roles cut to remove redundancies after the $28B Splunk integration.
Engineers and managers cut via California WARN filings (310 in San Jose, 52 in Milpitas).
Go-to-market and sales ops rebalanced under Splunk-integration leadership.
Flat-revenue collaboration unit trimmed amid the AI/security pivot.
The Playbook · 30 Days
Read the separation agreement carefully before you sign — most have a 21-day window. You have time, so don't be rushed into waiving anything you don't understand.
File for unemployment in your state right away. In most states benefits are backdated to your separation date, so there's no upside to waiting.
Decide between COBRA and an ACA marketplace plan within 60 days. Marketplace plans are often cheaper than COBRA for comparable coverage.
If you're on an H-1B, start the visa-transfer clock immediately. The 60-day grace period is non-negotiable.
Common challenges Cisco employees face after a layoff — and how Final Round AI helps you overcome them.
Cisco-specific certifications (CCIE, CCNP) and product codes (Catalyst, Nexus, ACI) need re-framing for cloud-native or non-networking ATS systems.
Many Cisco engineers have 15+ years tenure — modern system design and behavioral rounds at FAANG, AWS, or AI startups feel unfamiliar.
Cloud-native and AI-driven networking (Arista, Palo Alto, AWS) is winning share. Pivoting to cloud, security, or AI infrastructure opens broader options — but requires repositioning.
We also cover workforce reductions at peer companies so you can compare context and prepare cross-company. Explore more layoff trackers related to Cisco.
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