Cisco has announced key updates to its Cisco 360 Partner Program, which will launch on January 25, 2026. Co-designed with channel partners, the new program aims to enhance profitability, strengthen collaboration, and empower the global partner ecosystem to deliver greater customer value in the AI era.
Cisco, in a blog post in 2023, revealed that about 90 percent of its revenue comes through partners. For fiscal year 2024, Cisco Systems reported total revenue of $53.8 billion, a decrease of about 6 percent versus the prior year.
Here are the 10 main highlights from the Cisco Partner Summit announcement:
AI-Centric Partner Growth Vision
Cisco’s revamped program reflects partner expectations that AI will drive most of their revenue within the next five years. The initiative helps partners capitalize on AI opportunities amid growing data complexity, infrastructure constraints, and skill shortages.
Focus on Customer Value and Predictable Profitability
The Cisco 360 Partner Program introduces new profit paths focused on key solution areas such as AI, security, collaboration, mass-scale infrastructure, and campus refresh – aligning growth directly with customer priorities.
Enhanced Partner Incentive Structure
Cisco has launched the Cisco Partner Incentive, featuring an Eligible Offers list and rebate rates designed to boost adoption in innovation areas like AI and premium services. Partners can also earn extra bonuses for portfolio expansion and specialization.
Cross-Sell and Next-Gen Specialization Bonuses
Two new bonuses reward partners for broad portfolio adoption and deeper expertise. These include the Cross Sell Bonus for expanding solution offerings and the Next Generation Specialization Bonus for advanced capabilities.
New AI-Focused Specializations
From February 2026, Preferred Partners can earn Secure AI Infrastructure and Secure Networking specializations, recognizing expertise in AI-ready architecture built on Cisco’s integrated hardware, software, and services.
Comprehensive Partner Enablement and Training
Cisco introduced Partner Learning Journeys, structured learning paths for both technical and sales roles, supported by the Cisco 360 Partner Value Index to help partners develop high-impact skills faster.
AI-Powered Learning Support
The Cisco AI Assistant for Partners provides multilingual access to curated content, training, and learning tools via the Partner Experience Platform, enabling faster upskilling and knowledge sharing.
Advanced Demo and Cloud Experience Labs
Cisco is offering Advanced Cloud Demo Environments that let partners showcase integrated solutions in realistic virtual labs, reducing physical hardware costs while enhancing sales and training efficiency.
AI Skills Certification Expansion
The Cisco U. AI Skills Expansion adds an AI Infrastructure Specialist Certification under the CCNP Data Center track, helping professionals validate their AI data center expertise and expand career opportunities.
Marketing and Launch Support
To prepare for the January 2026 launch, Cisco is providing partners with a Launchpad and Branding Toolkit, along with personalized marketing support to promote their enhanced capabilities under the new Cisco 360 Partner Program.
Cisco’s Senior Vice President of Global Partner Sales, Tim Coogan, emphasized that the program was co-created with partners to drive mutual success through agility, innovation, and scalable growth in the AI era.
The Cisco 360 Partner Program is about more than recognition — it’s about empowering every partner to thrive at the center of Cisco’s innovation. “By investing in our partners’ capabilities and giving them the tools and resources they need, we’re enabling our ecosystem to deliver greater customer outcomes and lead in an AI-powered world,” Elisabeth De Dobbeleer, Senior Vice President, Cisco Partner Program, said.
Rajani Baburajan
