Proofpoint Partner Network replaces the previous program, consolidating incentives for new business, contract renewals, and the development of security services.
Cybersecurity company Proofpoint has revamped its global partner program under the name “Proofpoint Partner Network.” Aimed at resellers, system integrators, and managed security service providers, the program is intended to improve the profitability and strategic alignment of partner relationships, according to the company. This change comes amid a shifting threat landscape where attackers are targeting individuals, identities, and increasingly, AI-powered systems.
Three Levels, Clearer Protection Rules
The new program distinguishes three partner levels: Select, Elite, and Elite+. Classification is based on investments and proven performance, and it aims to create a transparent path to greater benefits. Partners at the mid and upper levels gain access to Not-for-Resale (NFR) licenses, which can be used for demonstrations, technical training, and pilot projects.
A key element is the extended deal protection. Proofpoint secures new business identified by partners with clearer protection rules and enables co-selling models. Even with contract renewals with existing customers, partners’ investments are secured throughout the entire customer lifecycle — an approach aimed at increasing the predictability of recurring revenues.
Proofpoint boasts a high customer retention rate of over 90 percent and customer relationships that sometimes last over a decade. The company considers this a structural strength that provides partners with a reliable foundation for recurring revenue.
The new program builds on the existing retention rate and expands the incentive structure. It offers improved commissions for new customer referrals, as well as co-investment funds for demand generation and data security projects.
Proofpoint is expanding its sales channels to the cloud marketplaces of AWS and Microsoft Azure, recognizing marketplace access and services as growth areas. This move responds to the growing importance of cloud marketplaces as a procurement channel in companies’ changing purchasing processes. New opportunities are opening up for partners, particularly in AI integration, data security, and professional services.
Proofpoint plans to enable partners to build certified security services, including health checks and standardized deployment offerings, by 2026. These offerings are intended to generate high-margin revenue without requiring partners to add additional providers to their portfolio. Proofpoint claims that the underlying threat intelligence, derived from trillions of data points annually, will serve as a differentiating factor in the market.
Stan de Boisset, Proofpoint’s Senior Vice President of Global Channels, explained that the program is designed for the changing market environment and aims to help partners build long-term structures around an AI-driven security platform. Nicolas Gascard, Serviceware SE’s Director of Sales, emphasized the combination of customer retention rates and improved incentive structures as the foundation for mutual growth. The program clearly focuses on profitability and predictability for partners.
Classification
Since 2023, several cybersecurity providers have been restructuring their partner programs to focus channel investments on proven performance and strategic alignment rather than broadly distributed discount structures. Proofpoint’s decision to align the program with human- and agent-centered security scenarios reflects the increasing importance of AI agents in corporate environments and the new attack surfaces they introduce.
Interested partners can register for the program at partners.proofpoint.com/German/.
