Fortinet, the leading provider of network security solutions, offers an innovative program aimed at enhancing the technical expertise of its partners.
Fortinet has made available to its solution provider partners a seed unit program designed to provide you with hardware or software – free of cost – to help boost your expertise and help with critical certifications.
The company has launched the Engage Technology Enablement Program, under its Engage Partner Program, to empower partners by providing them with free hardware or software. This initiative enables you to deepen your understanding of Fortinet products and achieve Network Security Expert (NSE) certifications, crucial for your professional development.
The program specifically targets technical or executive influencers within partner organizations, granting them unlimited access to Fortinet technology for individual or laboratory use. This hands-on experience is intended to help partners assess and understand Fortinet's offerings more thoroughly, thus fostering a more informed and skilled partnership network.
Participation in the program requires that partners meet certain criteria, including necessary NSE certifications. For executive influencers, a higher level of approval is demanded, necessitating authorization from a Fortinet director or vice president. Once these prerequisites are satisfied, partners can request the latest Fortinet hardware or software through their channel account manager (CAM) or Channel SE.
The process for acquiring these resources is structured and clear. Partners are required to contact your CAM or SE for a list of available products and associated certification requirements. After determining eligibility, partners complete and sign a Product Awareness Gift Acknowledgement form. It is important to note that if a partner has received a product like FortiGate or FortiGate VM in the last 24 months, you are ineligible for another unit within that timeframe.
Once Fortinet approves the request, the product is shipped as soon as possible (although delivery can take up to eight weeks, depending on the availability of units.) Additionally, Fortinet provides yearly support and subscription renewals for hardware-based FortiGates and FortiGate VMs, ensuring that partners remain equipped with the latest updates and support.
Through this program, Fortinet not only bolsters the expertise of its partners but also strengthens the overall security posture of the networks they manage. This strategic initiative underscores Fortinet’s commitment to empowering its partners and enhancing the cybersecurity ecosystem.