At Cisco, we believe that technology is the foundation of innovation, collaboration, and success in higher education and research. The release of the CAUDIT Top Ten 2025 report is a pivotal moment for institutions across Australasia and the South Pacific, shining a spotlight on the most pressing technology-related topics and strategic priorities for the sector. As higher education faces rapid transformation, increasing complexity, and unprecedented opportunities, the insights provided by CAUDIT help chart a clear path forward.

Why the CAUDIT Top Ten 2025 Matters

The CAUDIT Top Ten is more than a list - it's a strategic framework that brings together the collective wisdom of leading CIOs and ICT executives across 69 member institutions. By identifying and ranking the most significant technology topics, the report helps universities and research organizations focus their efforts on what matters most for institutional resilience, innovation, and student success.

This year's Top Ten reflects the sector's shifting landscape: the rise of artificial intelligence, escalating cybersecurity threats, the demand for data-driven decision-making, and the imperative for sustainable, supportable, and affordable digital environments. These priorities encapsulate the challenges and opportunities facing higher education leaders today and provide a roadmap for action.

Key Themes and Topics: What's at Stake?

The CAUDIT report organizes the Top Ten into three interconnected themes:

1. Leading Through Complexity
Cyber Strategy, Digital Strategy, The CIO Challenge
CIOs are now strategic leaders, responsible for guiding digital transformation, managing risk, and aligning technology with institutional vision. The need for robust cyber strategies and holistic digital roadmaps has never been higher.

2. Strengthening Foundations
Data Empowered Institutions, Data Governance, Supportable, Sustainable, and Affordable
Operational excellence and strong technical foundations are critical for enabling innovation and maximising the value of emerging technologies like AI. Data governance and sustainability are now strategic imperatives.

3. Delivering Empowered Experiences
Emerging Technologies and AI, Holistic Student Experience, Secure Digital Environment, Identity & Access Management
Seamless, secure, and personalized digital experiences are at the heart of modern higher education. Students, staff, and researchers expect intuitive, accessible, and safe interactions-underpinned by advanced technologies and robust security.

Cisco's Role: Partnering for the Future of Education

Cisco is proud to support CAUDIT as an Engagement Partner and the higher education sector as it navigates these critical priorities. Here's how Cisco aligns with - and can help advance-the CAUDIT topics:

1. Cyber Strategy & Secure Digital Environments:Cisco delivers comprehensive security solutions, from next-generation firewalls and zero trust architectures to advanced threat detection and response. Our security platforms help institutions build resilient, proactive cyber strategies that protect data, research, and users.
2. Digital Strategy & Supportable, Sustainable, Affordable IT:With Cisco's networking, collaboration, and infrastructure solutions, institutions can modernize IT operations, reduce costs, and scale sustainably. Our commitment to environmental sustainability is reflected in energy-efficient products and circular economy initiatives.
3. Emerging Technologies and AI:Cisco is leading the way in AI-driven networking, automation, and analytics-enabling smarter campuses, predictive insights, and personalized learning experiences. Our AI capabilities help institutions optimize operations, improve student outcomes, and drive innovation across teaching, learning, and research.
4. Data Empowered Institutions & Data Governance:Secure, high-performance networks are essential for data democratization and governance. Cisco's networking and security portfolio supports the reliable, compliant, and ethical use of data-empowering better decision-making and operational efficiency.
5. Holistic Student Experience:Our collaboration tools, including industry leading Cisco Devices, enable seamless, inclusive, and secure digital experiences, supporting student engagement, accessibility, and wellbeing across campus and online environments.
6. Leadership Through Complexity:Cisco's advisory services, global expertise, and partnerships with leading education institutions help CIOs and IT leaders navigate complexity, plan strategically, and build future-ready digital environments.

Bridging the Gap: The National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN)

A critical enabler for the future of higher education and research is stronger collaboration between academia and industry. Cisco's National Industry Innovation Network (NIIN) is an Australia-wide partnership between universities and industry, designed to accelerate innovation and address real-world industry challenges through technology.

Through the NIIN, Cisco brings together universities, researchers, industry, and government to co-develop solutions in areas such as cybersecurity, AI, sustainability, smart campuses, and beyond. By providing an open platform for partnership, NIIN helps translate research into practice, enables students to develop industry-relevant skills, and ensures that the latest technology advances directly benefit Australian society and economy.

For institutions responding to the CAUDIT Top Ten priorities, NIIN offers:

• Collaboration and Co-creation:Facilitating joint projects and testbeds where universities and industry tackle urgent sector challenges, from secure digital environments to data governance and sustainability.
• Talent and Skills Development:Connecting students with real-world industry projects and equipping graduates with the digital skills in highest demand.
• Innovation at Scale:Accelerating the adoption and impact of emerging technologies-such as AI and cybersecurity-across both education and industry, ensuring solutions are robust, scalable, and aligned with market needs.

The NIIN embodies Cisco's commitment to building a vibrant, future-ready digital ecosystem, supporting the CAUDIT Top Ten objectives and helping higher education deliver societal impact beyond the campus.

The CAUDIT Top Ten 2025 report provides a vital compass for higher education institutions facing technological change and complexity. At Cisco, we are committed to partnering with the sector-empowering leaders, enabling transformation, and delivering secure, sustainable, and innovative solutions that unlock the full potential of education and research. Through initiatives like the National Industry Innovation Network, we are helping bridge the gap between academia and industry, driving innovation that benefits all Australians.

To learn more about how Cisco and the NIIN can support your institution's strategic technology priorities, connect with our education specialists or visit our National Industry Innovation Network page.