Cisco’s revamped 360 Partner Program aims to accelerate AI-driven profitability with new specialisations and training

Cisco unveils an enhanced 360 Partner Program on 25 January 2026, featuring new specialisations, training investments, and incentives to empower partners in the AI era, fostering growth and resilience across digital transformations.

Cisco is set to launch an enhanced version of its Cisco 360 Partner Program on 25 January 2026, designed to significantly boost partner profitability amid the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven opportunities. The programme, which has been co-designed with partners, reflects Cisco’s strategic response to the evolving technology landscape, where partners anticipate AI to contribute the majority of their revenue over the next five years.

Central to the revamped Cisco 360 Partner Program is a sharpened focus on core customer priorities, such as campus refresh, AI, security, collaboration, and mass-scale infrastructure. Cisco has introduced new specialisations for Preferred Partners, specifically Secure AI Infrastructure and Secure Networking, that recognise partners delivering end-to-end solutions encompassing design, deployment, and ongoing management using Cisco’s integrated hardware, software, and services. These specialisations align closely with the infrastructure demands of the AI era, effectively future-proofing the partner ecosystem as businesses accelerate their digital transformations.

The programme amplifies collaboration with a global network of partners, enabling them to harness the full Cisco portfolio to build AI-ready data centres, future-proof workplaces, and resilient digital environments. Key to this is the Cisco Partner Incentive, which incorporates an Eligible Offers list and rebate rates that encourage faster growth and adoption across innovation areas. Partners can also benefit from two additional bonuses: a Cross Sell Bonus that rewards broad portfolio engagement and a Next Generation Specialisation Bonus that recognises deep expertise and predictable growth potential.

In terms of partner enablement, Cisco is making substantial investments. This includes new training pathways through Cisco Partner Learning Journeys tailored to technical and sales roles, alongside a Cisco AI Assistant for Partners offering multi-language content and streamlined access to training materials. Advanced dCloud Demo Experiences offer virtual labs that enable partners to simulate real customer environments, thereby reducing physical equipment costs while enhancing sales and technical demonstrations. Furthermore, Cisco is expanding AI-specific skills training through Cisco U., equipping partners with practical knowledge in AI skills, data analysis, and AI API utilisation to foster agile innovation.

Cisco’s commitment extends beyond technology and incentives. The company is investing $80 million in training support for partners, including $60 million dedicated to providing all-access Cisco U. subscriptions aimed at comprehensive skill development and certification, and an additional $20 million earmarked for quarterly training events focusing on AI, security, and networking. This investment underscores the importance Cisco places on partner readiness to meet the fast-evolving demands of AI-driven business transformation.

The upgrade also introduces a refined performance and value framework called the Partner Value Index, which evaluates partners across four dimensions: Foundational, Capabilities, Performance, and Engagement. Two new partner designations, Cisco Partner and Cisco Preferred Partner, will help clarify the levels of partner expertise and commitment. Cisco is also integrating observability and security functions alongside AI infrastructure through strategic partnerships like the inclusion of Splunk, thereby providing a unified experience that enhances partner and customer outcomes.

Industry observers see the Cisco 360 Partner Program as a pivotal move to empower Cisco’s ecosystem amid the challenges presented by infrastructure constraints, data complexity, and skills shortages. The programme’s structured incentives and specialisations are expected to provide partners with predictable profitability and competitive differentiation, driving growth as AI continues to reshape the technology market.

In summary, Cisco’s enhanced Cisco 360 Partner Program positions its partners to capitalise on the AI-driven era by delivering comprehensive infrastructure solutions, supported by extensive training, innovative tools, and new financial incentives. This initiative reflects Cisco’s broader strategy to foster an agile, collaborative partner network poised to meet the demands of digital transformation and AI-powered innovation worldwide.

📌 Reference Map:

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• ^[2] (Cisco Newsroom) – Paragraphs 1, 2
• ^[3] (Cisco Investor Relations) – Paragraphs 1, 2
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Source: Fuse Wire Services