Value added distributor Cohort Technology has secured Authorised Training Centre status for encryption software vendor PGP.

As a result, the distributor, which acquired rival VAD Appspeed last year can offer PGP Certified Technician (PCT) training for authorised partners at its Basingstoke training centre.

Ian Gilbey, services director at Cohort Technology, said: “Vendor endorsed training plays a large part in our overall service offering. We are the first external training centre for PGP in the UK and we will be offering both instructor or web-based courses. This further demonstrates our commitment to the value-add model on which our company is based.”

Lee Finck, senior director of worldwide channels at PGP, said: “As the need for enterprise encryption grows, we see a constant need to enable our partners and customers with comprehensive training. Cohort has invested heavily in training and we are delighted to be working with them.”

Grahame Smee, managing director of Cohort and Appspeed, said: “As part of our overall group strategy of services-based distribution, training services forms a key role in growing an educated and empowered channel.”