Cisco Live 2026: what you definitely shouldn’t miss​

Book your sessions and plan your agenda: Block’s techies break down everything you need to know to maximise your learning experience in Amsterdam.

Cisco’s technology has global reach, so it’s no wonder its annual conference, Cisco Live, is equally a behemoth. The event has built quite the reputation over the past 30 years, not just because of Elton John’s surprise appearance at the 2024 event in Las Vegas. It’s collection of technical seminars, learning maps, technology tracks, talks and much more place it at the heart of any tech innovator’s calendar. 

However, the sheer scale of Cisco Live – which takes place in Amsterdam between 9th-13th February 2026 – provides ample opportunity for you to miss the sessions capable of most enhancing your knowledge surrounding networks, collaboration, and smart buildings. 

In an effort to avoid Cisco Live overwhelm, the technical specialists here at Block have provided their tried and tested tips to conquering the conference, including the sessions that have piqued their interest this year. 

Pre-book sessions: whisper suites, engineer meetings, and breakout sessions

Cisco Live is vast with a jam-packed agenda of activities for you to get involved in. Many of these are drop-in, but there are some worth booking. This includes the whisper suites which are ideal if you’re keen to be one of the small group of people to know about new releases before they’re announced to the world. 

“This is a section of the event where customers and partners can hear from Cisco, under NDA about new products and features,” explains Rob Brady, Head of Solutions. 

He also recommends booking in any one-to-one meetings with senior Cisco engineers in advance, giving you the opportunity to do a tech deep dive on something specific to your interests. 

Break-out sessions also provide a level of concentrated analysis on specific technology, but not at a one-to-one level. “These are big room presentations covering every element of Cisco tech,” says Rob. “These need to be booked in advance but even if they’re full you can usually queue up and get in once it’s started.” 

Depending on your pass type, you may also be able to book a free exam, which could be worth taking advantage of. 

If you’re feeling disappointed because one of your wish list sessions is fully booked, it’s worth turning up anyway as they may let you in if there’s capacity. 

View and book via the Session Catalogue here.

Capture the Flag sessions​

Head to the hands-on labs to get up close and personal with tech in real world settings. Underpinned by a competitive Capture the Flag game, you’ll be tasked with solving real lab challenges using Cisco technologies, including brand new products.  

This is your chance to earn points, climb the leader board while also learning new skillsets. Plus, taking part in some challenges will give you the opportunity to earn Cisco Continuing Education Credits which can go towards your recertification. 

“The Capture the Flag sessions are a great way to get hands on with the tech in a real world setting and are actually one of the best things about Cisco Live,” says Rob. “All the big room presentations can be watched back any time, free of charge, but getting hands on with the tech will be of real value in my opinion.” 

Don’t worry if you’re not a pro – the sessions are open to all levels. And for those victorious, there’s an official awards ceremony on Thursday, 12th February to collect your winnings. 

Other hands-on activities available this year also include AI Hacking, Design Clinic, Squid Trials – Securing AI, Security is a Vibe – Project Codeguard, and Splunk Arcade. So make sure to have some fun and get stuck in! 

Don’t sweat, there’s an on-demand library

If there’s too much to see, and too little time, don’t worry about missing the high profile sessions because they’re all recorded for future use. (You can access them by registering at www.ciscolive.com.)

It might be worth focusing on the rarer and highly prized hands-on and NDA sessions, while dedicating some time to watching the sessions back at a later date.

“We’d encourage you to invite your colleagues to register at Ciscolive.com for access to all historical recordings,” confirms Paul Yarwood, Architect – Enterprise Solutions.

Down to the important sessions

• • Agents assemble: Exploring agentic AI options for network operations 

    “We always want to identify and fix network issues as quickly as possible. This session looks at using AI assistants with MCP servers and covers how they can be used to improve NetDevOps and Network Automation. Hank Preston is delivering this one and his sessions are always excellent,” says Adam Husband, Networks Architect. 

    “The session is aimed at looking into the options in integrating AI with network operations roles, and how that can improve the daily life of engineers, and aid in improved issue detection and MTTR,” says James Galliers-Parker, Enterprise Networks Technical Success Specialist.

  • What’s new in Webex programmability: Innovate across suite and contact center 

    “Learn how the latest capabilities enable smart collaboration, smoother integrations with your business tools, and more personalised customer experiences. See real-world examples and live demos that show how organisations are simplifying workflows, improving meetings and messaging, and delivering better customer interactions in the contact centre,” says Rich Booth, Collaboration Technical Success Specialist. 

  • Preparing for post-quantum threats: Enabling post-quantum cryptography (PQC) on Cisco C9000 Smart Switches 

    “Concerns are mounting about the implications of quantum computing which threatens to make current encryption standards obsolete. Understanding these risks and mitigations will be important for those seeking to futureproof their network security as they plan their investments over the next few years,” says James Burke, Account Director.

  • Mastering Cisco SD-Access: LISP PubSub and its benefits made simple 

    “The session will cover Fabric Zones, SD-Access Transit, LISP Extranet, Native Multicast, Remote and Backup Internet, and more. Participants can expect an engaging, hands-on learning experience, with opportunities to deepen their knowledge and exchange SD-Access insights with the team. See you there!” says Andrea Boneschi, Enterprise Networks Architect. 

  • Wi-Fi 7 deployment and migration: What you need to know 

    “Wi-Fi 7 is the latest buzz word in wireless, but there are a lot of factors to consider before migrating to ensure that the solution will provide optimal service and the capacity to leverage the most use cases moving forward. 
     
    “This session is recommended for anyone focusing on their future roadmap for Wi-Fi so they have the benefit of knowing what conversations to initiate for a smooth and seamless transition to deploying Wi-Fi 7 into production,” says Jamie Jones, Enterprise Networks Principal Consultant. 

  • Cisco Secure Access unveiled

    “It seems to be taking off big time,” says Shaun Platt, Account Director.

  • Introduction to ACI: A starter session to understand the architecture, nomenclature, and capabilities of ACI combined with ACI Troubleshooting: Expand your tool set with Nexus Dashboard Insights 

    “The above two sessions are recommended in our training plans that we provide as part of DC refresh projects. The first one is just an introduction to ACI and the second one is around day 2 operations using Nexus Dashboard – something we deliver to clients,” says Peter Pazik, Enterprise Networks Architect. 

  • Build secure campus networks: Post-quantum cryptography and scalable network fabric 

    “There’s a big shift in technology happening with AI and readiness for Post Quantum. This is a good opportunity to get ahead of the direction of travel and start planning for what the future of the wired network will look like,” says Stefan Phillips, Sales Director. 

  • Accelerating your learning journey with Cisco U 

    “At Block, continuous learning is fundamental to how we innovate and stay ahead in a sector that’s moving at pace. As AI reshapes roles, skills, and ways of working, it’s critical that we invest in learning journeys that are practical, relevant, and future-focused. 

     “This session looks to be a great example of that mindset in action. It should give a clear, hands-on look at why AI skills matter now, and how individuals and teams can build them effectively using structured learning paths,” says Anna Bancroft, Head of Marketing. 

As a proud Cisco partner, we’re excited to be attending this year’s Cisco Live conference. Book in a quick catch-up with us.