• Cisco has announced that it has developed its most significant update to the 360 Partner Program in 30 years.
• The update will include modernising infrastructure and powering AI workloads for customers.
• This will not be available immediately, however, and a 15-month transition period will see the program launch in February 2026.

Networking and security specialists Cisco has announced a significant set of updates that will be of interest for any customers part of the company’s 360 Partner Program.

It says that the new Cisco 360 Partner Program is designed to accelerate the value partners can bring to customers by better addressing their evolving and complex needs. This will namely take the form of modernising infrastructure, powering AI workloads anywhere, and keeping customers’ organisations secure and high-performing.

This newly updated offering will not be launched immediately, however, as in collaboration with partners and customers, Cisco will guide them through a 15-month long transition period that will lead up to the program’s official launch in February 2026.

“The rollout will be gradual, with new elements introduced and piloted to keep partners and distributors informed and supported throughout the process. Current levels, roles, and lifecycle practice investments will be recognized until the program is fully implemented, ensuring partner investments are protected,” the company explained.

“The program will elevate partners’ stature with customers and upgrade the partner experience with simplified processes and new ways to plan and track performance,” Cisco noted in a release shared with Hypertext.

One of the first elements as part of the aforementioned 15-month lead is an $80 million investment into new partner initiatives to boost skills and provide the tools needed to compete in the market by Cisco.

The companied pointed out that $60 million of that investment will support qualified partners with benefits including 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, as well as 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 Program. Whether through lifecycle practices, technical capabilities, or managed services, partners can drive profitable growth with our new value-based program. With a 15-month transition, partners have time to prepare and maximize their potential in Cisco 360 Partner Program,” added Rodney Clark, SVP of Partnerships and Small and Medium Business at Cisco.

Some of the other aspects will be focused on for the revamp include:

• Redefining Partner Value: a simplified framework that recognizes the diverse ways partners add value to customers.
• Elevating Partner Stature: to simplify and improve our partners’ value proposition and awareness with customers, Cisco is moving to two designations: Cisco Partner and Cisco Preferred Partner.
• Future of Specialisations: Cisco will continue to help partners differentiate their market position by developing deep expertise in specific or across multiple portfolios.

To find out more about the revamped 360 Partner Program, head here.