CISCO SYSTEMS, INC., DEF 14A filed on 10/28/2025
Proxy Statement (definitive)
v3.25.3
Cover
 12 Months Ended
Jul. 26, 2025
Document Information [Line Items]  
Document Type DEF 14A
Amendment Flag false
Entity Information [Line Items]  
Entity Registrant Name CISCO SYSTEMS, INC.
Entity Central Index Key 0000858877
v3.25.3
Pay vs Performance Disclosure - USD ($)
 12 Months Ended
Jul. 26, 2025
Jul. 27, 2024
Jul. 29, 2023
Jul. 30, 2022
Jul. 31, 2021
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure, Table
Pay Versus Performance
The following table and footnotes set forth the “total compensation” earned by our CEO (referred to in the tables below and related information as our principal executive officer (“PEO”)) and the average “total compensation” earned by our named executive officers other than our CEO (“Non-PEO NEOs”) as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the past five fiscal years, as well as the “Compensation Actually Paid,” as calculated pursuant to Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, and certain performance measures required by the rules.
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for PEO(1)
($) (b)
Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO(1)(2)(3)
($) (c)
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
Non-PEO
NEOs(1)
($) (d)
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non-PEO
NEOs(1)(2)(3)
($) (e)
Value of Initial Fixed $100
Investment based on:(4)
Operating
Income(5)
($ millions)
(i)
Fiscal
Year
(a)		TSR
($) (f)
Peer Group
TSR
($) (g)
Net Income
($ millions)
(h)
202552,838,751 94,076,610 22,675,991 30,117,698 172.19 292.59 10,180 19,489 
202439,202,654 16,581,418 16,879,167 3,783,853 116.78 235.11 10,320 18,104 
202331,843,708 74,562,431 13,576,781 28,288,977 123.09 176.00 12,613 19,070 
202229,283,936 6,127,283 12,122,712 5,217,104 103.83 138.92 11,812 17,345 
202125,446,695 32,079,813 10,298,861 12,708,231 123.13 147.03 10,591 16,668 
        
Company Selected Measure Name operating income        
Named Executive Officers, Footnote Mr. Robbins was our PEO for each year presented. The individuals comprising the Non-PEO NEOs for each fiscal year presented are listed below.
20212022202320242025
R. Scott HerrenR. Scott HerrenR. Scott HerrenR. Scott HerrenR. Scott Herren
Gerri ElliottMaria MartinezMaria MartinezGary SteeleJeetu Patel
Maria MartinezJeff SharrittsJeff SharrittsDev StahlkopfDev Stahlkopf
Kelly A. KramerDev StahlkopfDev StahlkopfThimaya SubaiyaThimaya Subaiya
Irving TanGerri ElliottMaria MartinezGary Steele
Mark ChandlerJeff Sharritts
        
Peer Group Issuers, Footnote The Peer Group TSR set forth in this table utilizes the S&P 500 Information Technology Index, which we also utilize in the stock performance graph required by Item 201(e) of Regulation S-K included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2025 fiscal year. The comparison assumes $100 was invested for the period from July 25, 2020 through the end of our listed fiscal year and of the S&P 500 Information Technology Index, respectively. Historical stock performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock performance.        
PEO Total Compensation Amount $ 52,838,751 $ 39,202,654 $ 31,843,708 $ 29,283,936 $ 25,446,695
PEO Actually Paid Compensation Amount $ 94,076,610 16,581,418 74,562,431 6,127,283 32,079,813
Adjustment To PEO Compensation, Footnote Compensation Actually Paid reflects the exclusions and inclusions of certain amounts for our PEO and our Non-PEO NEOs as set forth below. Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Amounts in the Exclusion of Stock Awards column are the amounts from the Stock Awards column set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
Fiscal Year
Summary
Compensation Table
Total for PEO
($)
Exclusion of Stock
Awards for PEO
($)
Inclusion of Equity
Values for PEO
($)
Compensation
Actually Paid to PEO
($)
202552,838,751 (45,870,690)87,108,549 94,076,610 
Fiscal Year
Average Summary
Compensation Table
Total for Non‑PEO
NEOs
($)
Average Exclusion of
Stock Awards for
Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average Inclusion
of Equity Values for
Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
202522,675,991 (17,974,764)25,416,471 30,117,698 
The amounts in the Inclusion of Equity Values in the tables above are derived as set forth in the following tables:
Fiscal Year
Year‑End Fair
Value of Equity
Awards Granted
During Year That
Remained
Unvested as of
Last Day of Year
for PEO
($)
Change in Fair
Value from Last
Day of Prior Year
to Last Day of
Year of Unvested
Equity Awards for
PEO
($)
Vesting – Date Fair
Value of Equity
Awards Granted
During Year that
Vested During
Year for PEO
($)
Change in Fair
Value from Last
Day of Prior Year to
Vesting Date of
Unvested Equity
Awards that Vested
During Year for
PEO
($)
Fair Value at Last
Day of Prior Year
of Equity Awards
Forfeited During
Year for PEO
($)
Total – Inclusion
of Equity Values
for PEO
($)
202541,402,974 40,914,133 — 4,791,442 — 87,108,549 
Fiscal Year
Average Year‑End
Fair Value of Equity
Awards Granted
During Year That
Remained
Unvested as of
Last Day of Year
for Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average Change
in Fair Value from
Last Day of Prior
Year to Last Day
of Year of
Unvested Equity
Awards for
Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average Vesting –
Date Fair Value of
Equity Awards
Granted During
Year that Vested
During Year
Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average Change in
Fair Value from
Last Day of Prior
Year to Vesting
Date of Unvested
Equity Awards that
Vested During Year
for Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average Fair Value
at Last Day of
Prior Year of
Equity Awards
Forfeited During
Year for Non‑PEO
NEOs
($)
Total – Average
Inclusion of
Equity Values
for Non‑PEO
NEOs
($)
202515,145,593 8,815,096 — 1,455,782 — 25,416,471 
        
Non-PEO NEO Average Total Compensation Amount $ 22,675,991 16,879,167 13,576,781 12,122,712 10,298,861
Non-PEO NEO Average Compensation Actually Paid Amount $ 30,117,698 3,783,853 28,288,977 5,217,104 12,708,231
Adjustment to Non-PEO NEO Compensation Footnote Compensation Actually Paid reflects the exclusions and inclusions of certain amounts for our PEO and our Non-PEO NEOs as set forth below. Equity values are calculated in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Amounts in the Exclusion of Stock Awards column are the amounts from the Stock Awards column set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
Fiscal Year
Summary
Compensation Table
Total for PEO
($)
Exclusion of Stock
Awards for PEO
($)
Inclusion of Equity
Values for PEO
($)
Compensation
Actually Paid to PEO
($)
202552,838,751 (45,870,690)87,108,549 94,076,610 
Fiscal Year
Average Summary
Compensation Table
Total for Non‑PEO
NEOs
($)
Average Exclusion of
Stock Awards for
Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average Inclusion
of Equity Values for
Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
202522,675,991 (17,974,764)25,416,471 30,117,698 
The amounts in the Inclusion of Equity Values in the tables above are derived as set forth in the following tables:
Fiscal Year
Year‑End Fair
Value of Equity
Awards Granted
During Year That
Remained
Unvested as of
Last Day of Year
for PEO
($)
Change in Fair
Value from Last
Day of Prior Year
to Last Day of
Year of Unvested
Equity Awards for
PEO
($)
Vesting – Date Fair
Value of Equity
Awards Granted
During Year that
Vested During
Year for PEO
($)
Change in Fair
Value from Last
Day of Prior Year to
Vesting Date of
Unvested Equity
Awards that Vested
During Year for
PEO
($)
Fair Value at Last
Day of Prior Year
of Equity Awards
Forfeited During
Year for PEO
($)
Total – Inclusion
of Equity Values
for PEO
($)
202541,402,974 40,914,133 — 4,791,442 — 87,108,549 
Fiscal Year
Average Year‑End
Fair Value of Equity
Awards Granted
During Year That
Remained
Unvested as of
Last Day of Year
for Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average Change
in Fair Value from
Last Day of Prior
Year to Last Day
of Year of
Unvested Equity
Awards for
Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average Vesting –
Date Fair Value of
Equity Awards
Granted During
Year that Vested
During Year
Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average Change in
Fair Value from
Last Day of Prior
Year to Vesting
Date of Unvested
Equity Awards that
Vested During Year
for Non‑PEO NEOs
($)
Average Fair Value
at Last Day of
Prior Year of
Equity Awards
Forfeited During
Year for Non‑PEO
NEOs
($)
Total – Average
Inclusion of
Equity Values
for Non‑PEO
NEOs
($)
202515,145,593 8,815,096 — 1,455,782 — 25,416,471 
        
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Total Shareholder Return
Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and TSR
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, our cumulative TSR over the five most recently completed fiscal years, and the cumulative TSR for the S&P 500 Information Technology Index over the same period.
PEO and Average Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid Versus TSR
03_PRO014135_PVP charts_SP500.jpg
¢PEO Compensation Actually Paid¢Average Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid
04_PRO014135__med blue line legend.jpg 
Cisco TSR
 04_PRO014135__black line legend.jpg 
S&P 500 Information Technology TSR
        
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Net Income
Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Net Income
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and our net income during the five most recently completed fiscal years.
PEO and Average Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid Versus Cisco Net Income
03 PRO014135_Net income.jpg
¢PEO Compensation Actually Paid¢Average Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid
04_PRO014135__med blue line legend.jpg 
Cisco Net Income
        
Compensation Actually Paid vs. Company Selected Measure
Relationship Between PEO and Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid and Operating Income
The following chart sets forth the relationship between Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO, the average of Compensation Actually Paid to our Non-PEO NEOs, and operating income, our “Company-Selected Measure” as defined in Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, during the five most recently completed fiscal years.
PEO and Average Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid Versus Cisco Operating Income
03_PRO014135_PVP charts_PEO and Average.jpg
¢PEO Compensation Actually Paid¢Average Non-PEO NEO Compensation Actually Paid
04_PRO014135__med blue line legend.jpg 
Cisco Operating Income
        
Tabular List, Table
Financial Performance Measures
As described in greater detail in the CD&A above, our executive compensation program reflects Cisco’s pay-for-performance compensation philosophy. The following table presents the financial performance measures, each as further described in the CD&A above, that we consider to have been the most important in linking Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO and other named executive officers for fiscal 2025 to our performance.
lRevenue
lOperating Income
lProduct ARR
lProfit Before Taxes
lRelative TSR
        
Total Shareholder Return Amount $ 172.19 116.78 123.09 103.83 123.13
Peer Group Total Shareholder Return Amount 292.59 235.11 176.00 138.92 147.03
Net Income (Loss) $ 10,180,000,000 $ 10,320,000,000 $ 12,613,000,000 $ 11,812,000,000 $ 10,591,000,000
Company Selected Measure Amount 19,489,000,000 18,104,000,000 19,070,000,000 17,345,000,000 16,668,000,000
PEO Name R. Scott Herren R. Scott Herren R. Scott Herren R. Scott Herren R. Scott Herren
Measure:: 1          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name lOperating Income        
Non-GAAP Measure Description We determined operating income to be the most important financial performance measure used to link company performance to Compensation Actually Paid to our PEO and Non-PEO NEOs in fiscal 2025 and therefore selected this measure as the fiscal 2025 “Company-Selected Measure” as defined in Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. More information on operating income, including an explanation of the determination of operating income pursuant to the fiscal 2025 PRSUs can be found in the CD&A above. This performance measure may not have been the most important financial performance measure for prior years, and we may determine a different financial performance measure to be the most important financial performance measure in future years.        
Measure:: 2          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name lRevenue        
Measure:: 3          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name lProfit Before Taxes        
Measure:: 4          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name lRelative TSR        
Measure:: 5          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Name lProduct ARR        
PEO | Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount $ (45,870,690)        
PEO | Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in Compensation Table          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 87,108,549        
PEO | Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 41,402,974        
PEO | Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 40,914,133        
PEO | Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 0        
PEO | Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 4,791,442        
PEO | Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 0        
Non-PEO NEO | Aggregate Grant Date Fair Value of Equity Award Amounts Reported in Summary Compensation Table          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount (17,974,764)        
Non-PEO NEO | Equity Awards Adjustments, Excluding Value Reported in Compensation Table          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 25,416,471        
Non-PEO NEO | Year-end Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Covered Year that are Outstanding and Unvested          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 15,145,593        
Non-PEO NEO | Year-over-Year Change in Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Prior Years That are Outstanding and Unvested          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 8,815,096        
Non-PEO NEO | Vesting Date Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted and Vested in Covered Year          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 0        
Non-PEO NEO | Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Prior Year Equity Awards Vested in Covered Year          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount 1,455,782        
Non-PEO NEO | Prior Year End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted in Any Prior Year that Fail to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Covered Year          
Pay vs Performance Disclosure          
Adjustment to Compensation, Amount $ 0        
v3.25.3
Award Timing Disclosure
 12 Months Ended
Jul. 26, 2025
Award Timing Disclosures [Line Items]  
Award Timing MNPI Disclosure
Equity Award Timing Policies and Practices
We do not grant equity awards in anticipation of the release of material nonpublic information and we do not time the release of material nonpublic information based on equity award grant dates or for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation. In addition, we do not take material nonpublic information into account when determining the timing and terms of such awards. Although we do not have a formal policy with respect to the timing of our equity awards, the Compensation Committee has historically granted such awards on a predetermined annual schedule. In fiscal 2025, we did not grant new awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights, or similar option-like instruments to our named executive officers.
Award Timing Method the Compensation Committee has historically granted such awards on a predetermined annual schedule
Award Timing Predetermined true
Award Timing MNPI Considered false
Award Timing, How MNPI Considered and we do not time the release of material nonpublic information based on equity award grant dates or for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation. In addition, we do not take material nonpublic information into account when determining the timing and terms of such awards.
MNPI Disclosure Timed for Compensation Value false
v3.25.3
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures
 12 Months Ended
Jul. 26, 2025
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures [Line Items]  
Insider Trading Policies and Procedures Adopted true