The telecommunications landscape is set to witness a pivotal shift with the introduction of Cisco‘s 360 Partner Program, rolling out on January 25, 2026. This program emerges amidst Cisco’s strategic overhaul to embrace AI and edge technology advancements, as revealed at the recent Cisco Partner Summit.
Central to this initiative is the co-design process with partners, ensuring alignment with customer priorities. Key incentives revolve around customer-centric goals such as campus network updates, AI integration, and security enhancements. Critics, however, might point out that while potentially lucrative, the intricate details of the program demand precise comprehension and calculated execution by partners.
To aid partners in maximizing profitability, Cisco introduces a Partner Incentive Estimator, alongside cross-sell bonuses for proficiency in their AI-integrated portfolio. These incentives are a beacon for increased partner engagement, though they also raise concerns about the dependency on Cisco’s evolving ecosystem.
In February 2026, preferable partners will gain access to certifications in secure AI infrastructure, enhancing expertise in secure networking offerings. Cisco is also amplifying its partner enablement resources, which now includes a comprehensive learning roadmap and multilingual content. This robust support empowers partners to stay ahead, though may be overwhelming for newcomers navigating these resources.
Anurag Agrawal, of Techaisle, highlights the program’s potential for boosting profit margins by transitioning partners from low-margin, hardware-refresh cycles to high-margin, recurring service relationships. He notes the monetization of ‘pull-through’ services, emphasizing the shift towards managed services locked in for several years.
Managed service providers (MSPs) stand to benefit from reduced costs, facilitated by new multi-tenant management capabilities in Security Cloud Control. This “game-changer” simplifies customer security management, marking a promising path for growth and scalability within Cisco’s ecosystem.
The program also aims to resolve historical issues experienced by IT teams, such as communication inefficiencies. The ‘One Cisco’ platform, featuring AI-driven capabilities, offers a solution to these challenges through collaborative tools that deliver prompt answers to complex issues. This innovation promises reduced downtime and enhanced performance, expanding service scope and potential revenue streams for partners.
While Cisco’s ambitious program is poised to redefine partnerships, it demands a diligent approach towards adaptation and integration. Its success relies heavily on partners embracing change and capitalizing on new opportunities within a domain crafted for mutual growth and profitability.
