Cisco Integrates WhatsApp into Webex for Regulated Industries

Cisco Systems has expanded the capabilities of its Webex platform by integrating WhatsApp through a partnership with LeapXpert. The new feature, available immediately, allows employees in regulated industries to message clients on WhatsApp directly from Webex while ensuring compliance with data loss prevention checks and conversation archiving.

LeapXpert and Cisco launched the integration on October 5, aiming to support businesses in financial services and government sectors where client communications often occur outside approved systems. According to LeapXpert co-founder Avi Pardo, the tool addresses the reality that critical business conversations happen on external messaging apps.

While Cisco's Collaboration revenue reached $4.30 billion in fiscal 2026, up 3.5%, the company's networking segment saw a more significant increase of 22.5% to $34.67 billion. Collaboration now represents about 7% of Cisco's total revenue, with the unit experiencing its best quarter in seven years during fiscal Q4.

Despite the growth in collaboration tools, Cisco's stock valuation is primarily driven by its networking segment, which is benefiting from a 'networking super cycle' fueled by AI infrastructure demand. Cisco is expected to report fiscal Q1 results on November 12, with investors closely watching the continued strength in networking demand.