A Clear Definition
A Cisco Preferred Networking Partner is a Cisco partner that has been validated under the Cisco 360 Partner Program for its delivery capability within the Networking portfolio.
This designation confirms that the partner has consistently demonstrated the ability to design, deploy, optimise, and support Cisco networking solutions across the customer lifecycle. It is a portfolio-specific recognition, not an organisation-wide title.
From January 2026, Cisco Preferred Partner designations replace legacy tier-based labels as the primary customer-facing benchmark.
How Cisco Preferred Networking Partner Status Is Awarded
Cisco awards Cisco Preferred Networking Partner status based on measured performance, not tenure or scale alone.
Under the Cisco 360 Partner Program, Cisco evaluates partners on how effectively they deliver networking outcomes in real customer environments. This includes architectural depth, deployment quality, customer adoption, and ongoing operational performance.
The designation must be sustained through continued execution. It is not a one-time certification.
What Falls Under the Cisco Networking Portfolio
The Cisco Networking portfolio covers the core infrastructure that connects users, devices, applications, and data across enterprise environments. This typically includes campus networking, switching, wireless, wide area networking, and data centre networking technologies. These environments demand high availability, performance, and operational resilience.
A Cisco Preferred Networking Partner is validated specifically for competence across these networking domains.
Cisco Preferred Networking Partner vs Legacy Cisco Gold Partner
Under the earlier partner framework, Cisco Gold Partner status was awarded at an organisation level. While it indicated investment and scale, it did not always reflect portfolio-level delivery depth.
Cisco Preferred Networking Partner status replaces broad assumptions with explicit validation. It confirms where a partner has proven networking expertise, rather than implying capability across all technologies. For customers, this distinction improves clarity and reduces delivery risk.
Why Cisco Preferred Networking Partner Status Matters
Enterprise networking forms the foundation of digital operations. Poorly designed or operated networks can impact productivity, security, and business continuity.
Cisco Preferred Networking Partner status helps organisations:
- Validate networking expertise before engagement
- Reduce deployment and operational risk
- Align partner selection with Cisco’s own evaluation model
- Ensure lifecycle ownership beyond implementation
This is particularly relevant for large, distributed, or mission-critical environments.
What Customers Should Look for in a Cisco Preferred Networking Partner
Beyond the designation itself, customers should assess how a Cisco Preferred Networking Partner operates in practice.
Key considerations include architectural approach, deployment methodology, operational governance, and the ability to support multi-site or hybrid environments over time.
Verification of portfolio-specific Preferred status should always be part of due diligence.
Cisco Preferred Networking Partner in the Indian Context
In India, enterprise networks often span multiple locations, regions, and operating conditions. Scalability, resilience, and support maturity are critical.
Cisco Preferred Networking Partner status provides Indian enterprises with a clearer signal of validated networking capability, aligned to Cisco’s global evaluation framework and local delivery realities.
Where Proactive Data Systems Fits In
Proactive Data Systems is recognised as a Cisco Preferred Networking Partner in India under the Cisco 360 Partner Program. This recognition reflects consistent delivery across campus, WAN, wireless, and data centre networking environments, supported by lifecycle ownership and pan-India execution capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cisco Preferred Networking Partner a global designation?
Yes. Cisco Preferred Networking Partner is awarded under the global Cisco 360 Partner Program, with recognition applicable to specific geographies and portfolios.
Does Cisco Preferred Networking Partner status apply to all Cisco technologies?
No. The designation applies only to the Networking portfolio. Other portfolios such as Security or Collaboration are evaluated independently.
Is Cisco Preferred Networking Partner replacing Cisco Gold Partner?
Yes. Cisco has confirmed January 2026 as the transition point when Cisco Preferred Partner designations replace legacy tier-based partner labels.
The Practical Takeaway
Cisco Preferred Networking Partner status reflects Cisco’s shift toward outcome-based, portfolio-specific partner validation. For organisations building or modernising enterprise networks, this designation provides a clearer and more reliable indicator of proven networking capability.
