Cisco 360
Partner Program

The new Cisco 360 Partner Program is designed to accelerate the value Cisco partners bring to customers by better addressing their rapidly evolving and complex needs— modernizing infrastructure, powering AI workloads anywhere, and keeping customers’ organizations secure, resilient, and high-performing. Developed in collaboration with Cisco partners and customers, Cisco will guide them through a transition period leading up to the program’s launch in February 2026.

The new framework recognizes the full spectrum of value while providing flexibility to excel across multiple dimensions. Partners will be measured on outcomes, not processes, with rewards tailored to diverse business models.

• Simplified Structure: Inclusive of various partner roles (resellers, distributors, ISVs, etc.) with combined sell and managed motions.
• Outcome-Based Rewards: Partners measured on outcomes, not processes, with tailored rewards.

Future Vision

• Transformation: Redefining partner success with a holistic framework focused on customer outcomes and growth.
• Elevation: Enhancing the value proposition of Cisco partners and increasing customer awareness.
• Experience Upgrade: Simplifying partner touchpoints and providing new performance tracking tools.

Program Overview

Partner Value Index – for each Cisco Portfolio

Success factors will be based on defined outcome-based metrics. Based on the value index, qualified partners will have access to benefits, including Cisco Partner Incentive, customer-facing branding, and a broader range of non-financial benefits.

• Outcome-based metrics across four categories: Foundational, Capabilities, Performance, and Engagement.
• A value index for each Cisco portfolio: Security, Networking, Cloud & AI, Collaboration, Observability, and Services.
• Security Index: First to be released, focusing initially on resellers and managed service providers.

Transition

To simplify and improve partner experience, Cisco is moving away from the current roles and levels framework to a new structure that will enable partners to more clearly showcase their Cisco expertise to customers.

• New Designations: Cisco Partner and Cisco Preferred Partner, replacing Gold, Premier, and Select levels.
• Specializations: Shift from Architecture to Solution-based Specializations, with new next-generation Specializations and Authorizations.
• Cisco Career Certifications: Remain central to specializations and the new partner program, contributing to an organization’s technical capabilities and being recognized in the value index.

Incentives

The Cisco Partner incentive will reward you with rebates to drive predictable and profitable growth.

• Unified Incentive Program: Consolidating various incentive programs to align with Cisco's software and service-based offerings.
• Metrics Alignment: Partner metrics will align with Cisco seller metrics.

Integration with Splunk Partnerverse

Splunk Partnerverse will be integrated in the Cisco 360 Partner Program, giving all partners plenty of time to prepare for the transition.

• Market Opportunity: Integration to enhance partner offerings and expand solutions.
• Specializations Recognition: Cross-program Specializations for partners holding Splunk Partnerverse Badges.