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Cisco has unveiled a significant evolution of its partner programme, introducing the new Cisco 360 Partner Programme. This initiative aims to enhance the value partners bring to customers by addressing modern needs such as infrastructure modernisation, AI workload management, and improved security and resilience. Developed in collaboration with partners and customers, Cisco will guide its partners through a 15-month transition period leading up to the programme’s official launch in February 2026.
The new programme represents a strategic shift in how Cisco and its partners create and deliver value for their customers in today’s fast-paced, competitive market. It redefines what it means to be a successful Cisco partner, focusing on value beyond transactions and highlighting how partners support customers’ needs and ambitions. The programme aims to elevate partners’ stature with customers, offering simplified processes and new methods to plan and track performance.
Cisco has announced a £80 million investment in new partner initiatives to boost skills and provide essential tools. Of this investment, £60 million will support qualified partners with benefits such as all-access Cisco U. subscriptions for skill development and certification. An additional £20 million will fund quarterly training events for all partners, focusing on AI, security, and networking through self-paced learning, hands-on labs, and continuing education credits.
“Today, it’s about helping customers unlock the power of technology to achieve their business outcomes. That’s the foundation of the Cisco 360 Partner Programme. Whether through lifecycle practices, technical capabilities, or managed services, partners can drive profitable growth with our new value-based programme. With a 15-month transition, partners have time to prepare and maximise their potential in the Cisco 360 Partner Programme,” said Rodney Clark, senior vice president of partnerships and small and medium business at Cisco.
Redefining partner value: A simplified framework recognising the diverse ways partners add value to customers. This approach measures value within specific portfolios or across multiple portfolios, rewarding partners based on their business model’s support for lifecycle and managed services, skills investment, customer base expansion, and engagement throughout the customer journey and partner ecosystem. Qualified partners will access a broad range of benefits, including the Cisco Partner Incentive and other non-financial perks.
Elevating partner stature: To enhance partners’ value proposition and customer awareness, Cisco is introducing two designations: Cisco Partner and Cisco Preferred Partner. Partners can earn these designations for each portfolio, such as Security or Networking, allowing them to be recognised and market themselves as a Cisco Preferred Security Partner or a Cisco Preferred Networking Partner.
Future of specialisations: Cisco will continue to support partners in differentiating their market position by developing deep expertise in specific or multiple portfolios. The new programme will transition from traditional architecture specialisations to solution-based specialisations, and ultimately to next-generation specialisations accessible only to Preferred Partners. Cisco has also introduced its first AI-focused specialisation— the Cisco AI-Ready Infrastructure Solution Specialisation—positioning partners as experts in delivering AI-ready infrastructure, security, and observability solutions and services.
The Cisco 360 Partner Programme will fully transition in February 2026, with a gradual rollout to keep partners and distributors informed and supported throughout the process. Current levels, roles, and lifecycle practice investments will be recognised until the programme is fully implemented, ensuring partner investments are protected.
