NatChat - Security September Series - A Year On: Insights and reflections on the Cisco - Splunk acquisition.

In this first episode of the NatChat Security September Series, Rob Eldridge sits down with James Hodge, Chief Strategy Advisor for EMEA at Splunk, to explore how the Cisco acquisition is shaping the future of security, observability, and digital resilience. James reflects on his first year under the Cisco umbrella, the rapid integration with the Cisco stack, and what complimentary firewall log ingestion signals about Splunk’s direction for clients.

Together, they unpack why 2025 may be the defining year for digital resilience, especially as regulations like DORA drive financial services organisations to accelerate beyond awareness and design into real-world execution. James also shares his perspective on whether clients will take a proactive stance with regulation or wait until the first major fine is issued - drawing comparisons with the GDPR era.

Looking ahead, the conversation dives into the key technology shifts shaping data and security strategies over the next 3–5 years: AI-driven analytics and automation, regulatory compliance and data sovereignty, platform consolidation, and even sustainability in observability. Rob and James also discuss the challenges in today’s SOC provider landscape and how Splunk and its partners can bring much-needed stability.

Packed with insights on innovation, compliance, and the role of AI in transforming operations, this episode is essential listening for anyone navigating the evolving intersection of security, data, and resilience in 2025 and beyond.