With a unified approach, Cisco’s ‘Platform of Platforms’ is making the smart cities of tomorrow a reality – today
The concept of a smart city has been, for many years, just that: a concept. It’s easy to ruminate on the possibilities of what could be achieved with new technologies in a city context when given the space to let your mind run wild.
How can transport data be used for future city infrastructure planning? Could healthcare organisations (and their patients) benefit from real-time air quality data? Are there smarter energy systems that could make buildings better places to work in – and kinder to the environment too?
But the majority of smart city projects undertaken to date have had to face up to much more banal challenges. Typically, these revolve around solutions being restricted to single verticals – such as healthcare, travel, or energy – rather than being able to span these sectors to match the way that people actually interact with the services in their city.
Historically, the issue has stemmed from a siloed approach to data collection and processing. That is, that data gathered from a healthcare use case, for instance, won’t be available to those people working on new transport solutions.
A unified approach to data sharing
Cisco has taken a different approach. Over the past couple of years, Cisco has been leading the CityVerve smart city demonstrator project in Manchester, UK, which embodies this different, unified approach.
In CityVerve, transport use cases combined with healthcare, and environmental data can be used to inform transport and health in turn. And at the heart of the project was their Platform of Platforms.
This Platform acts as a unifying layer that sits on top of existing data hubs throughout a city and provides a secured single access point to the data being produced. It enables the intelligent collection, interpretation and use of data pulled from all over the city.
That can include anything from transport data, to energy, healthcare, crime, street furniture – the possibilities are pretty much limitless. Data can be collated from a diverse range of sources and then, crucially, be presented in a consistent format to developers, local authorities, or anyone interested in understanding the city through its data.
The benefit of this consistent, uniform format is that it provides a clearer picture of the city’s data as a whole – rather than having to analyse all the various datasets individually. In this way, the platform allows developers to consider the relationship between, for instance, travel data and healthcare data and then build solutions in accordance with those findings.
The result is a platform on which an almost infinite number of applications can be built as a city’s requirements evolve. It’s scalable too, so can be easily applied to cities of all shapes, sizes, ages and locations. It’s also a standalone platform that will enable a new commercialisation model to define the way that cities produce data and services in the future – driven and empowered by a more unified approach.
Enabling new innovations
Perhaps most significantly, though, it allows developers to combine datasets and innovate in entirely new ways. Just as mobile operating systems on phones created ‘smart’ phones and a whole host of new app-based solutions for everything from communication to transport planning, Cisco’s Platform of Platforms provides the same innovation opportunities but for ideas that can be applied on a citywide scale.
What could be discovered – and acted upon – by combining crime occurrence data with street lamp usage, for instance? Could looking at data from bike share schemes illustrate new ways to map out cycle lanes? And could the findings from that inform those working to improve air quality in the city?
That’s what has been achieved with CityVerve, which officially came to an end in June. All learnings from the project will be taken forward to help other cities around the world to become better connected.
The Platform of Platforms is designed on principles of collaboration and transparency, and the desire to bring a more unified approach to problem-solving – with a greater collective benefit in mind. That might sound idealistic, but with the Platform of Platforms we’re proving that it’s possible too. This is the future we’re creating today.
Source: investinmanchester
Latest Jobs
-
- Account Manager - IT Services
- Germany
- €90000 plus OTE and Car
-
Are you a deal closer with a hunter mindset? Do you know how to uncover business pain points, and turn them into long-term digital transformation partnerships? Our Client are growing their sales force across Germany and looking for an ambitious, straight-talking Account Manager to take the lead on new client acquisition. You’ll focus on mid-sized to large enterprises across Germany helping to shape their digital future with tailored IT solutions in Workplace, Cloud, and Security. • Drive Growth: Own the full sales cycle for new business across your region. • Solution Sell: Build bespoke offers in Security, Digital Workplace and Cloud solutions • Build Relationships: Establish a solid pipeline through smart prospecting, marketing-driven leads, and your own network. • Represent a brand known for trust, delivery, and tech excellence—with 4,000 employees globally and a growing team within Germany. What You Bring • Proven new logo sales experience in the IT services space (not hardware!) • Deep knowledge in one or more of: Cybersecurity, Digital Workplace, or Cloud • Confidence to lead enterprise deals and pitch directly to senior stakeholders • Fluent German and good English skills Sind Sie ein Abschlussprofi mit Hunter-Mentalität? Wissen Sie, wie man geschäftliche Pain Points identifiziert und in langfristige Partnerschaften zur digitalen Transformation verwandelt? Unser Kunde baut derzeit sein Vertriebsteam in ganz Deutschland aus und sucht eine ambitionierte, ehrliche Persönlichkeit als Account Manager, die den Lead bei der Neukundengewinnung übernimmt. Ihr Fokus liegt auf mittelständischen bis großen Unternehmen in Deutschland, denen Sie mit maßgeschneiderten IT-Lösungen in den Bereichen Workplace, Cloud und Security den Weg in die digitale Zukunft ebnen. Ihre Aufgaben • Wachstum vorantreiben: Verantwortung für den gesamten Vertriebszyklus im Neugeschäft Ihrer Region. • Lösungsorientierter Vertrieb: Entwicklung individueller Angebote in den Bereichen Security, Digital Workplace und Cloud-Lösungen. • Beziehungen aufbauen: Aufbau einer stabilen Pipeline durch gezielte Ansprache, marketinggenerierte Leads und Ihr eigenes Netzwerk. • Marke repräsentieren: Werden Sie Teil eines Unternehmens mit 4.000 Mitarbeitenden weltweit und einem stark wachsenden Team in Deutschland – bekannt für Vertrauen, Verlässlichkeit und technologische Exzellenz. Was Sie mitbringen • Nachgewiesene Erfahrung in der Neukundenakquise im Bereich IT-Services (kein Hardwarevertrieb!) • Fundiertes Wissen in mindestens einem der Bereiche: Cybersecurity, Digital Workplace oder Cloud • Selbstbewusstes Auftreten im Umgang mit Enterprise-Deals und Entscheidungsträgern auf Top-Level • Verhandlungssichere Deutschkenntnisse und gute Englischkenntnisse
-
- Senior SOC Analyst Level 3. Microsoft Security stack | Ability to achieve SC Clearance
- London
- To attract the right person
-
Job Title: Senior SOC Analyst Level 3. Microsoft Security stack | Ability to achieve SC Clearance Location: Hybrid remote | London / Berkshire Overview: Senior SOC Analyst Level 3 to join a specialist Managed Security Services business. You will be responsible for advanced threat hunting / triage, incident response etc with a strong focus on the Microsoft Security Stack. Key Responsibilities: Lead and resolve complex security incidents / escalations Conduct advanced threat hunting using the Microsoft Security Stack. Build, optimise and maintain workbooks, rules, analytics etc. Correlate data across Microsoft 365 Defender, Azure Defender and Sentinel. Perform root cause analysis and post-incident reporting. Aid in mentoring and upskilling Level 1 and 2 SOC analysts. Required Skills & Experience: The ability to achieve UK Security Clearance (SC) – existing clearance ideal. (Sorry no visa applications) Current experience working with a SOC environment Microsoft Sentinel: Development and tuning of custom analytic rules. Workbook creation and dashboarding. Automation using Playbooks and SOAR integration. Kusto Query Language (KQL): Writing complex, efficient queries for advanced threat hunting and detection. Correlating data across key tables (e.g., SignInLogs, SecurityEvent, OfficeActivity, DeviceEvents). Developing custom detection rules, optimising performance, and reducing false positives. Supporting Sentinel Workbooks, Alerts, and Playbooks through advanced KQL use. Deep understanding of incident response, threat intelligence and adversary techniques (MITRE ATT&CK framework). Strong knowledge of cloud and hybrid security, particularly within Azure. Additional Requirements: Must hold or be eligible to achieve a minimum of Security Clearance (SC) level. Nice to have certifications (e.g., SC-200, AZ-500, GIAC) are desirable. Strong problem-solving and analytical skills. Excellent communication for clear documentation and team collaboration. Please follow Wheaton’s Law.
-
- New Business Sales Hunter | Cyber Security (UK Based)
- London
- To attract the right person
-
New Business Sales Hunter needed | Cybersecurity (UK Based) Are you looking for uncapped commission, a fun and sociable team that drives success with no politics? If so...You must Be UK based - and able to achieve UK SC clearance. (sorry no visas) Have a demonstrable history of sales success in Cyber Security Follow Weatons law. The role: Seeking a proven New Business Sales Hunter to join an established, successful and expanding cyber security firm. New business focused - £1m GP year one target (ramped). Sell a blend of security services & professional services. Ideal experience selling some or all of the following Cyber strategy & risk management Managed detection & response (MDR) Penetration testing Compliance & audit support You: Strong cybersecurity/IT services sales track record. Confident selling into mid-market & enterprise. UK based - London commutable 1x per week. Hunter mindset, full sales cycle ownership. Don't just send an email to apply give me a call on 07884666351
-
- CyberArk Architect
- London
- Upto £110,000 plus bonus and benefits
-
Are you ready to lead from the front and drive innovation in the Identity & Access Management (IAM) space? We’re looking for a seasoned CyberArk Architect who has CDE-CPC ideally or experience with privilege Cloud, someone who can lead with vision, execute with precision, and inspire teams to deliver excellence. As a key leader in our organisation, you’ll bring your strong business acumen and a technology-focused, innovative mindset to the table. You’ll be driving strategic initiatives, shaping transformation programs, and empowering teams to think big and deliver even bigger. Acting as a subject matter expert in CyberArk Leading strategic transformations in: Identity Governance Privileged Access Management (PAM) Access Management Customer Identity and Access Management (CIAM) Building and maintaining strong, collaborative relationships within the team Communicating clearly and confidently — both written and verbal — to deliver updates, raise potential issues, and share insights If you are interested in the above position we are looking for people with: deep expertise and a successful track record in IAM strategy, delivery, or assurance with CyberArk Hold relevant certifications such as CDE in Privileged Cloud or Guardian Have experience in a client-facing role (preferred, but not essential) Thrive in a hybrid working environment and are available to work from our or client London office three days a week Lead with clarity, communicate with impact, and adapt quickly to changing priorities