Secure access service edge (SASE) provider Netskope has expanded financial incentives and certification opportunities for partners in its latest channel program update.

Netskope introduced the new version of its Evolve Partner Program, which now operates in three tiers. Discounts increase as partners move from the entry level “authorized” program to the gold and platinum levels.

Netskope’s Kristin Carnes

“Our partners are, and will continue to be, a vital extension of our team; we succeed when they succeed,” said Kristin Carnes, Netskope’s vice president of global channel programs and strategy. “We’re empowering our partner community with greater incentives, significant discounts and white-glove services, while completely transforming the way enterprise security has traditionally been done.”

Netskope introduced a new discounting structure to its partner program. In addition, the vendor’s deal registration program includes new opportunities for partners to earn incentives.

Netskope also added certification paths for cloud security administrators and cloud security integrators. Moreover, Netskope partner program members can add a service delivery specialization.

Dave Rogers, Netskope’s vice president of global alliances and channel sales, said demand has risen for partners that offer strategic advising. That’s due in part to the increasingly dynamic and cloud-based nature of security, Rogers said.

Netskope’s Dave Rogers

“The evolution of our channel program underscores our commitment to meeting this need, empowering our partners to achieve accelerated growth with us behind the massive [security service edge] and SASE opportunity,” Roger said. “We’re providing our partners with all of the resources, incentives and discounts they need for high-growth, long-term success.”

Partner Perspectives

French distributor Exclusive Networks partners with Netskope. Exclusive EMEA vice president Gerard Allison said there is “significant demand” in the EMEA partner community around SASE.

“The program delivers both value and structure for our partners,” Allison said. “Notably, the introduction of additional program levels will allow us to welcome new partners into our Netskope ecosystem while enabling our existing base to strive toward top tier status. We are committed to growing this market opportunity for our resellers, and together with Netskope this program is one more element to fuel our joint success.”

Optiv holds platinum level in the program and won partner of the year for Netskope in 2019 and 2020.

“Netskope has long been a valuable partner in helping us reduce our clients’ overall risk in the cloud. With enhanced visibility, we’re able to accelerate our time-to-detect and our time-to-respond when it comes to threats in enterprise environments,” Optiv chief technology officer Rocky DeStefano said. “We look forward to Netskope’s new Evolve Partner Program being an expansion of the value our partnership can provide for organizations looking to secure greatness.”

Netksope a year ago announced its entrance into the Microsoft 365 Networking Partner Program. The membership made the vendor one of the networking platforms that Microsoft recommends for Microsoft 365 customers. Netskope provides integrations with Microsoft to ensure threat intelligence cloud security, application management and other capabilities.

Netskope last month landed in Gartner’s 2022 Magic Quadrant for Security Service Edge (SSE).