Cisco accredits its security VARs

Networking giant Cisco is further segmenting its channel with the launch of a security specific accreditation.

The accreditation, known as the Master Security Specialisation, is open to all Cisco partners, regardless of existing accreditation levels. CRN understands the vendor will also be launching additional specialisations in other areas at a later date.

John Donovan, managing director of UK and Ireland channels at Cisco, told CRN that the security accreditation is targeted at partners that have security skills and have demonstrated customer success in selling, deploying, and providing services for Cisco’s security offerings.

“We are ensuring we have a set of partners that can provide a suite of security solutions and lifecycle management,” he said. “It is not just about selling security products, but offering full services and having a breadth of knowledge around the technology.

“There is a range of certification requirements based on capabilities in three areas: selling, technology and service.”

John Pepper, managing director of Cisco Gold partner Minx, said: “Customer perception is still going to be to want to work with a Gold partner ahead of a Master Partner. I also haven’t come across any customers just asking us to look at their security. They want us to assess their whole networking set-up.”

Cisco denies that value of Gold has diminished