Evolution shifts focus to ‘platforming’, rewarding technical expertise and service-led growth
Santa Clara, California, February 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW), a global leader in cybersecurity, today announced the next generation NextWave Partner Programfundamentally redefining partner profitability in the AI era. As the industry moves towards AI-driven security, NextWave goes beyond transaction volume to reward partners who deliver platform-centric security outcomes.
Evolved programs allow the entire partner ecosystem to break away from the “point product” trap. Palo Alto Networks’ focus on platformization enables partners to unify customers’ security stacks across networks, clouds and SOCs, reducing complexity while increasing opportunities for high-margin partner-led services.
The new NextWave Partner Program, now available to partners, is built on direct feedback from our global partner community and focuses on three transformational benefits:
- Increased benefits for partners: Streamlined rebates focus on Next Generation Firewall (NGFW), Next Generation Security (NGS), and Platformization to reward technical expertise and maximize profitability.
- Accelerate trading speed: Enhanced configuration, pricing, and quotation (CPQ) and new automated deal registration, combined with improved service delivery tools, reduce complexity and accelerate time to close.
- Reinvest for growth: A new Partner Development Fund (PDF) reinvests earned rebates directly into partner-led demand generation, training, and solution development to drive differentiation and drive joint success for customers.
Customized paths for all partners:
- Managed Security Service Provider (MSSP): Build high-margin managed services and reliably accelerate results with predictable, tiered pricing.
- Distributor: Enhanced functionality, governance, and support for distributor management partner growth.
- Global System Integrator (GSI): The Global Path, which rewards multi-theater impact and strategic consulting with top-notch experience, will launch later this year.
- Certification Services (ASC and APS): We help our customers get it right the first time with real-time implementation assistance.
Simone Gammeri, Chief Partnerships Officer, Palo Alto Networks
“Our partner ecosystem is more important than ever in meeting the demand for AI-driven security platforms. Unlike transactional programs, the NextWave Partner Program rewards ‘platforming’ over transactions. That’s why we’re helping our partners eliminate the complexities that leave their customers vulnerable. This program goes beyond just selling software to ensuring customers can achieve total AI-driven resiliency with a single, unified defense.”
Huges Foulon, CEO of Orange Cyberdefense
“The NextWave Partner Program serves as a catalyst to foster deeper strategic collaboration and trust between Palo Alto Networks and Orange Cyberdefense. By increasing transparency, especially around team incentives, we can more closely align our efforts, foster joint innovation, and align Palo Alto Networks’ solutions to better protect our joint customers from evolving cyber threats.”
About Palo Alto Networks
As a global leader in AI and cybersecurity, Palo Alto Networks (NASDAQ: PANW) is dedicated to protecting our digital lifestyles through continuous innovation. Trusted by more than 70,000 organizations worldwide, we deliver comprehensive AI-powered security solutions across network, cloud, security operations, and AI, powered by Unit 42’s expertise and threat intelligence.®. We are focused on platforming, enabling enterprises to streamline security at scale and drive innovation with assured protection. Learn more www.paloaltonetworks.com.
Source Palo Alto Networks, Inc.
