Cisco Master Specialization Distinguishes Channel Partner with Highest Level of Security Expertise, Lifecycle Services and Success in Sales
Datalink (Nasdaq: DTLK) announced today that it has achieved the Cisco® Master Security Specialization. This specialization recognizes Datalink as having fulfilled the training requirements and program prerequisites to sell, deploy and support highly sophisticated Cisco network security solutions.
Datalink offers a comprehensive security practice that includes strategy development, risk assessment, solution design and technology selection, security tool rationalization, monitored and managed security, and more. Security offerings align to the client’s business goals and are integrated into all of Datalink’s services, including unified data center infrastructure implementation, cloud service management, data and application migration, data center relocation, and business continuity.
“Achieving the Master Security certification validates our security expertise, abilities, and portfolio,” said Datalink President and CEO Paul Lidsky. “Cisco's security solutions are a core building block in our broader mission of helping clients deal with balancing the mitigation of advanced threats while delivering efficiency and compliance back to the business. Every project or initiative the business undertakes has a security component that is critical to its success. At Datalink we help our clients align their business objectives and security objectives to boost operational efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance, and provide cost management and an improved client experience. Every security project we handle addresses these needs, ensuring that clients are prepared to handle today’s cyber security threats in a systematic and intelligent way to achieve intended business outcomes.”
“This specialization recognizes channel partners who have developed practices and demonstrated skills to provide customers a Cisco security platform that addresses today’s evolving security threats while also delivering valuable business outcomes,” said John Growdon, senior director channels business development – security, Cisco. “These partners have invested resources to gain deep expertise in design and implementation of complex, cross-architectural security solutions, plus built competencies around security services, such as managed threat defense and vulnerability assessments, that open up new business opportunities, and earn customer confidence in partners as trusted technology advisors. Datalink has made an outstanding achievement in obtaining the Cisco Master Security Specialization.”
The Cisco Master Security Specialization is designed to recognize an elite group of channel partners who have invested in the most in-depth technology skills and have demonstrated success in providing services for Cisco’s value-added security solutions.
To achieve the Master Security Specialization, partners must first attain the Cisco Advanced Security Architecture Specialization. Partners must then meet a series of stringent requirements in three categories: technology capabilities, sales expertise and Cisco Lifecycle Services. Channel partners must meet a number of prerequisites, including one FireJumper and one individual Cisco CCNP® Security certification. Partners are also required to provide references called Partner Executed Proof of Values (PoVs) that determine whether their product or technology directly addresses a defined set of business outcomes. Finally, partners must supply evidence of expertise in three of six defined security practice areas: 1) threat visibility, 2) network vulnerability assessment, 3) remediation and response, 4) secure cloud, 5) secure data center, and 6) secure IoT.
The Cisco Channel Partner Program helps Cisco partners build the sales, technical and services skills required to deliver Cisco solutions and customer business outcomes. Through the program's specializations and certifications, Cisco recognizes a partner's expertise in deploying solutions based on Cisco advanced technologies and services. Using a third-party audit process, the program validates a partner's technology skills, business practices, customer satisfaction, presales and post-sales support capabilities, and other critical factors that customers consider when choosing a trusted partner.
About Datalink
Datalink is a complete IT services provider that helps companies transform their technology, operations, and service delivery to meet business challenges. Combining extensive experience, a full lifecycle of services and a comprehensive approach to producing IT innovations that empower positive business outcomes, Datalink delivers success across cloud IT transformation, next generation technology, and security. For more information, call 800.448.6314 or visit www.datalink.com.
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Source: Datalink
Jill Schmidt PR
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