Network security startup Cato Networks this week launched a partner program for managed services providers and other channel companies, to drive sales of its network security as a service (NSaaS).

The Cato PartnerCloud program aims to provide MSPs, value-added resellers and internet service providers with the ability to provide NSaaS to their customers through Cato Cloud, a managed services alternative to traditional network security solutions.

Like other “as a service” solutions, Cato Cloud takes the concept of legacy network security solutions, which were expensive to utilize across businesses with distributed infrastructures, and allows IT administrators to virtualize their security for use across the entire network. The company said its approach to network security cuts down on the cost of distributing security to mobile devices and branch offices while eliminating the infrastructure strain typically associated with legacy solutions.

“The threat landscape continues to evolve, and many enterprises struggle to manage and maintain their network security infrastructure as operations expand in the cloud and the mobile workforce grows,” said Glenn Esposito, vice president of sales, Americas for Cato.

“Our channel partners are the customers’ trusted advisors, and they are uniquely positioned to help businesses adopt NSaaS to streamline their IT operations,” he said. “Partners can expand their business by creating a new managed service offering to address the growing skills and expertise gaps within their customers’ IT staffs.”

Cato is offering partners joint marketing, leads and training.

Managed security service providers (MSSPs) can improve service delivery by “reducing friction with the customer’s IT environment,” while minimizing the provider’s “network security appliance footprint,” the company said.

Cato Cloud Network is a global network of Points of Presence, or PoPs, while Cato Network Security Services includes a suite of cloud-based network security solutions, according to a recent press release. The platform combines both WAN and Internet traffic in the cloud under a unified set of security services.