Cisco 360 Partner Program Explained: What Cisco Preferred Partner Status Really Means for Customers

Cisco has redefined how partners are evaluated, recognised, and trusted with the launch of the Cisco 360 Partner Program. At the heart of this transformation is the Cisco Preferred Partner designation, a customer-facing mark that signals proven capability, consistent performance, and real-world impact across Cisco technologies.

What Is the Cisco 360 Partner Program?

The Cisco 360 Partner Program is Cisco’s next-generation partner framework, designed to replace legacy, certification-heavy models with a data-driven, outcome-focused approach. Partners are evaluated continuously based on technical expertise, customer adoption, lifecycle engagement, and operational excellence.

What Is a Cisco Preferred Partner?
A Cisco Preferred Partner is a customer-facing designation awarded under the Cisco 360 Partner Program. It indicates that a partner has demonstrated advanced capability and consistent performance in a specific Cisco portfolio. Preferred status is earned portfolio by portfolio and is continuously validated.

Cisco Preferred Partner Designations Explained

Networking
Represents deep expertise in secure, scalable network architecture, including routing, switching, SD-WAN, wireless, and network automation. Partners in this category demonstrate the ability to design, deploy, and operate resilient enterprise and campus networks.

Security
Indicates strong capabilities across cybersecurity architecture, threat detection, Zero Trust frameworks, secure access, and security operations. Security Preferred Partners help customers reduce risk and respond faster to evolving threats.

Cloud & AI Infrastructure
Reflects expertise in hybrid and multi-cloud environments, AI-ready infrastructure, automation, and workload portability. These partners enable scalable, future-ready infrastructure aligned with modern application needs.

Collaboration
Recognises partners skilled in delivering secure, reliable, and scalable collaboration platforms, including calling, meetings, contact center, and hybrid work solutions that improve productivity and user experience.

Why Cisco Preferred Status Matters for Customers
Cisco Preferred Partner status provides customers with greater transparency, reduced delivery risk, faster time to value, and confidence that their partner meets Cisco’s highest standards for capability and execution.

Conclusion
The Cisco 360 Partner Program sets a new benchmark for how partners are measured and trusted. Cisco Preferred Partner status is not a badge earned once it is an ongoing commitment to technical excellence, customer success, and measurable outcomes across the Cisco ecosystem.