WatchGuard Technologies, global unified cybersecurity leader, has been recognised as a Cybersecurity Channel Champion in the 2023 Canalys Global Cybersecurity Leadership Matrix. This marks the second consecutive year that WatchGuard received this recognition, showcasing the firm's standing as a leader in the field. The annual Canalys report evaluates vendor performance in the channel, basing its insights on partner feedback, vendor surveys, Canalys shipment estimates, and analyst insights.
Don Gulling, president and CEO of Verteks Consulting, and a longtime partner of WatchGuard, spoke highly of the firm's commitment to partners' success. He said, "WatchGuard continually demonstrates what it means to be a partner-first organisation by offering unparalleled support that enables us to grow our business profitably. They've shown us time and again that they are truly vested in our success. This recognition is well-deserved."
To earn Champion recognition, Canalys recognises vendors who demonstrate excellent performance in channel management and display a positive growth trend in the cybersecurity market. Canalys' report noted that WatchGuard's exemplary commitment to the channel was evident through its significant investment in product, program, and enablement initiatives over the past year, particularly within the SMB and midmarket segments. The partners highly rated their ease of doing business and the quality of the WatchGuard's account management.
Michelle Welch, WatchGuard Technologies CMO and senior vice president of business strategy, stated, "We are absolutely thrilled to be honoured once again as a Canalys Channel Champion. This recognition reflects WatchGuard's partner-first approach and ongoing commitment to enabling MSP success, creating growth opportunities, and increasing partner profitability."
WatchGuard designs its proprietary Unified Security Platform architecture and the WatchGuardONE channel partner program to assist partners in reducing costs, boosting efficiency, and winning business. WatchGuardONE offers three levels of participation for partners to unlock product discounts, gain priority support, access cooperative marketing funds, deal registration, and other benefits through an 'engagement-based' approach.
The 2023 Cybersecurity Leadership Matrix evaluated 30 vendors based on partner feedback, vendor performance, and analyst insights into their strategy and vision, leadership, partner initiatives, and enablement. Participation required vendors to meet two thresholds: a minimum annual revenue of US $200 million from cybersecurity, excluding professional services, and more than 50% of their business driven through the channel. The report positions vendors into four categories: Champions, Scalers, Contenders, and Foundations.