Cisco CEO John Chambers kicked off Interop 2005 Tuesday, highlighting the importance of integrated security in corporate networks, and how businesses can use a secure network infrastructure as a productivity-boosting tool.

"Security, security, security, is the top issue," Chambers said in his talk, recounting a recent meeting he had with 36 corporate CEOs and CIOs.

Chambers said that customers must view security as a fundamental attribute of the products and services they buy, as opposed to just another service that needs to be managed and monitored.

He said that just as the human immune system tries to protect the body against disease and illness, a network infrastructure has to protect itself against worms, viruses and attacks. "[Network] products have to be designed from the beginning for security and availability. It has to be built into routers, switches and wireless, not as [an] afterthought and added on later."

In order for businesses to get use out of technologies such as the Web, Wi-Fi, RFID and VoIP, security must be built into the underlying infrastructure of a network. When that happens, business can then improve productivity and cut costs through the use of networked applications.

Chambers added that the climate for companies to buy more network gear to do this is improving. "[Businesses] are moving from a period of contraction, to suddenly going on the offensive again."

But following a usual theme in Chambers' Interop keynotes, he warned against the adoption of technology for technology's sake. "What will cause people to spend money is improving their entertainment, health care or business productivity."

He cited examples of applications in health care, such as automated pharmacy systems where prescriptions are filled over the Web, to avoid dangerous misuse of medication. He also cited an initiative by Home Depot, where self-service checkout counters, using RFID and IP-based applications, allow workers to come off of cash register lines and interact more with customers and sell more products. 

These types of applications are being deployed using network gear that does more than one thing, while simplifying management and maintenance costs, Chambers said.

"Very few customers buy technology anymore based on feeds and speeds and price," he said.