Hardware needs Drivers to work. To write a Driver you need basic knowledge about the Hardware. Since Cisco did not create OpenSource Drivers nor Linux Drivers nor openens up the Specs for this device, only a Hardcore Linux Developer could spend much time to analyse the Hardware and then write an OpenSource Driver for it. If the best people begin now, you will have a beta driver in a year or two.
To be clear: That will not happen. You should inform yourself before buying and only buy Linux compatible Hardware. It is a market Problem with the manufacturers. Help to solve this issue by reporting back to cisco, give your dongle back and get a new, linux compatible, one.
Tip: If a Hardware is advertised with "No Driver install needed" or similar, than chance is high, that a standard is used and it will work without any additional drivers on Win,Mac,Linux. Search for WiFi Dongles that explicit work with Linux BEFORE buying one. There are lots of them. Also check out this to find compatible hardware: http://www.linux-hardware-guide.com/