**Editor’s Note: Click here for a list of March’s important channel-program changes you should know.**

Network security provider WatchGuard Technologies has introduced its Technology Partner Program branded under its WatchGuardONE Partner Ecosystem.

The program is aimed at recognizing and supporting technology companies and new innovators that integrate their products with WatchGuard’s network security services. WatchGuard currently has more than 3,000 partners in its WatchGuardONE Partner Ecosystem.

Ryan Orsi, WatchGuard’s director of strategic alliances, tells Channel Partners the newest facet of WatchGuardONE, its technology partners, currently includes 15 companies with more than 16 technology integrations.

“We have now evolved WatchGuardONE to include a new Technology Partner Program, which has its own benefits and requirements geared toward providing maximum value for technology companies that integrate their products with WatchGuard’s network security solutions,” he said. “Each week we will be announcing new partnerships with companies that further enhance our security offerings for customers while making WatchGuard solutions easier to deploy through better interoperability with products many of them are already using.”

As a WatchGuardONE technology partner, companies receive technical, marketing and sales support. The program offers three levels of partnership – Silver, Gold and Platinum – to provide flexibility based on partner commitment.{ad}

“WatchGuard technology partners have the opportunity to work closely with WatchGuard to help customers overcome difficult network security challenges that require integrated solutions, and will experience the added benefit of joint promotion of our products,” Orsi said. “Gold and Platinum partners work with WatchGuard to create joint go-to-market plans that can include cooperation in each other’s sales channels, solution briefs, trade shows and speaking opportunities.”

WatchGuard now has a formal program that ensures continued success of technical integrations, he said.

“Our channel partners also benefit greatly by taking advantage of a lower technical barrier when combining multiple solutions together into an integrated service for customers,” Orsi said. “For example, WatchGuard integrates with several security information event management (SIEM) tools that provide a streamlined solution offering for many MSPs.”

AlienVault was one of the first companies to join the program. Its Unified Security Management (USM) platform provides a unified threat detection and compliance management offering.

“AlienVault’s USM platform and WatchGuard’s approach to network security are highly complementary,” said Andy Johnson, AlienVault’s vice president of business development. “USM provides comprehensive security capabilities at an affordable price point, making it particularly well-suited for WatchGuard’s midmarket customers.