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# Partnering with Precision in 2026

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By [Michael Khoury](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/author/michael-khoury/?ts=markdown "Posts by Michael Khoury")  
Dec 17, 2025  
8 minutes  
[AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown)  
[Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/partners/?ts=markdown)  
[Points of View](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/points-of-view/?ts=markdown)  
[AI](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/tag/ai/?ts=markdown)

If 2025 proved anything, it's that no one wins alone in cybersecurity. [AI-driven threats accelerated](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/10/ai-quantum-computing-emerging-risks/), and environments grew more complex while enterprises pushed hard for simplicity, integrated protection and security outcomes that deliver measurable results and meaningful value.

In response, we saw our partners around the globe lean into integration, treat AI as a built-in advantage and use the strength of our ecosystem as a force multiplier. The result: What could have been a disruptive year instead became one defined by growth and learning across [our partner community](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/partners).

Now, those lessons are guiding how Palo Alto Networks plans to partner with even greater precision in 2026. We remain a channel-first company that's all-in on our ecosystem and united with our partners in a shared purpose to protect our customers' digital future. But we also intend to double down in several areas in the year ahead, and we're asking our partners to join us in doing the same.

### 1. Simplifying Security Through Integration

One message from customers that came through loud and clear in 2025 is that complexity is the enemy of resilience. Many enterprises are grappling with tool sprawl -- multiple consoles, disconnected policies and overlapping investments that slow down their teams when speed and agility matter most.

The partners who delivered some of the most transformative results for organizations this year were those who chose integration over complexity and collaboration over siloed tools. With a laser focus on simplifying security, they were able to help customers:

* Consolidate fragmented point tools onto a unified security platform.
* Align visibility across the network, cloud and security operations center (SOC), so teams can respond faster.
* Build architectures with [zero trust](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/zero-trust) and AI-powered detection at the core.

We saw this simplifying-security trend through integration across our ecosystem. Partners unified cloud security and detection workflows through Cortex^®^ Cloud™ and [Cortex](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex). Teams modernized network architectures with tighter integration across our platform. We expect this activity to only accelerate in the coming year as [our cloud security offerings](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud) continue to evolve.

When we innovate together, customers gain stronger defenses and a faster time-to-value. That's why Palo Alto Networks has invested so heavily in [platformization](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources/ebooks/platformization-in-action). When you connect our capabilities across network security, cloud security and security operations (wrapping them with your consulting, delivery and managed services) customers can experience something fundamentally better. With fewer gaps and clearer signals, they can build a security posture that's built for the speed of modern threats.

In 2026, deep integration will remain a cornerstone of how we partner with precision. We'll continue aligning our portfolio, programs and joint engagement model, so you can build offerings that reduce complexity for customers and create stronger differentiation for your business.

### 2. Making AI a Built-in Advantage

At Palo Alto Networks, our approach to [AI in cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/09/securing-the-future-of-ai/) is straightforward. We believe AI must be embedded, not bolted on. It has to live in the data, analytics and workflows your teams rely on every day. That's the thinking behind [Precision AI^®^](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/precision-ai-security), and it's why we built AI capabilities into our platform's core.

Partners who treated AI as a platform capability rather than a standalone tool delivered some of the strongest outcomes for customers in 2025. They were able to meet customers' needs and deliver business outcomes in a single, unified approach. They helped organizations:

* Detect and respond to threats faster with AI-assisted analytics.
* Use automation to streamline change, investigation and response workflows.
* Tie AI to tangible outcomes, such as reduced risk, higher productivity and a better user experience.

In 2026, we'll double down on AI across the platform and invest in the tools, content and enablement you need to bring those capabilities to life. Our focus is on making it easier for you to build AI-powered services that are repeatable and aligned to the outcomes customers expect.

Upcoming program changes reflect that intent. We'll promote next-generation security as a growth engine and invest in ways that strengthen partner profitability across consulting services, resale, quality delivery, technical support and managed security services.

### 3. Ensuring Our Ecosystem Can Be a Growth Engine for Everyone

As AI raised the bar for both attackers and defenders in 2025, the partners who leaned into [platformization](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2024/04/cybersecurity-platformization/) and outcome-driven services were the ones who helped customers stay ahead of the curve. Those successes are now shaping how we strengthen and scale the partner ecosystem in 2026.

Our ecosystem isn't just a route to market; it's intended to be an economic engine for everyone involved. This year, many partners grew their business by building practices around our platform and aligning their services with where customers needed the most support: strategy, implementation, optimization, ongoing operations. We saw especially strong momentum from partners' expansions:

* Consulting and advisory services around zero trust and AI-driven transformation.
* Resale opportunities centered on platform consolidation and next-generation security.
* Quality delivery and technical support that keep deployments reliable and current.
* Managed security services that give customers 24/7 protection and expert oversight.

These achievements reflect the [value exchange](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/08/value-exchange-in-cybersecurity/) at the heart of our ecosystem. Palo Alto Networks invests in platformization, AI and enablement, while our partners bring delivery expertise, regional insight and service innovation. Together, we create outcomes neither of us could deliver alone.

In 2026, we plan to build on that momentum and drive even greater partner profitability. Program evolutions will focus on growth across the full lifecycle, from initial design and implementation to long-term operation and optimization. We're also expanding collaboration with our technology alliances to build new joint offerings and solution plays that the ecosystem can take to market together.

When we combine our platform, your expertise and the capabilities of our Alliance partners, then customers gain more paths to adopt next-generation security with confidence, and you gain more opportunities to develop differentiated, high-value practices.

## Keeping Customers at the Center

At the heart of every partner collaboration is the customer, of course. Everything we build, integrate and advance together starts and ends with protecting them. This year, ecosystem alignment delivered measurable impact for our customers across industries. When partners lead with integrated solutions anchored in our platform, organizations saw visible improvements:

* Faster deployment of secure solutions.
* Reduced complexity with unified visibility.
* Greater confidence in defending against today's AI-driven threats.

We saw this firsthand in joint wins across cloud security transformations, zero trust modernization and AI-assisted threat detection. When our ecosystem moves together, customers can move faster, operate more securely and achieve meaningful outcomes. Customer success is the foundation of everything we do as a partner-led organization, and it will remain our North Star in 2026.

## Partnering with Precision in 2026 and Beyond

What we learned and achieved together in 2025 points us toward a clear focus for 2026 to advance ecosystem-led innovation, so we can deliver outcomes that matter most to our customers.

With that mission in mind, we will focus on the following four priorities:

* **Deeper Integration** -- Expanding API partnerships and strengthening interoperability across the platform.
* **Co-Innovation** -- Enabling partners to build solutions tailored to industry needs and use cases.
* **Empowered Enablement** -- Investing in learning, automation and AI capabilities that fuel differentiated, profitable services.
* **Simplified Engagement** -- Streamlining programs and tools, so that partnering with us is faster and more rewarding.

These priorities highlight the real strength of our ecosystem: How platformization, AI and partner expertise come together to enable what we could not build alone.

Finally, to our partners and customers, thank you. Your trust, collaboration and commitment push us to innovate boldly and continuously. As we enter the new year, I'm excited about what we'll build together. When we align our AI-powered platform, our partner programs and your expertise in delivery, services and managed security, we can deliver something far greater than a set of solutions.

We're a powerful team that's not just defending against what's next; we're defining the future of cybersecurity. And together, we're unstoppable.

Partners, join us in shaping the next chapter of secure, AI-powered innovations. Connect with your Channel Business Manager to align on 2026 opportunities, upcoming program updates and ways we can elevate customer outcomes together. Visit the [partner portal](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/partners/nextwave-partner-portal) to learn more.

*** ** * ** ***

### Key Takeaways

* **Integration beats complexity.** Unifying technology, data and expertise drove the strongest outcomes in 2025, helping partners reduce risk and accelerate time-to-value for customers.
* **AI is a built-in advantage.** By tapping into AI embedded across our cybersecurity platform, partners can address security and business outcomes simultaneously and deliver repeatable, profitable, AI-powered services.
* **The partner ecosystem is a growth engine, and together, we're unstoppable.**  
  Our 2026 priorities focus on deeper integration, coinnovation, empowered enablement and simplified engagement that drive partner profitability and stronger customer outcomes.

*** ** * ** ***

## Related Blogs

### [AI Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-governance/?ts=markdown), [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cybersecurity-2/?ts=markdown), [Partners](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/partners/?ts=markdown)

[#### AI, Quantum Computing and Other Emerging Risks](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/10/ai-quantum-computing-emerging-risks/)

### [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [CSO Perspective](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/cso-perspective/?ts=markdown), [Points of View](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/points-of-view/?ts=markdown), [Predictions](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/predictions/?ts=markdown), [Unit 42](https://unit42-dev2.paloaltonetworks.com)

[#### Securing the AI Before Times](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/08/securing-ai-before-times/)

### [AI Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-governance/?ts=markdown), [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Announcement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/announcement/?ts=markdown), [Government](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/government/?ts=markdown), [Points of View](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/points-of-view/?ts=markdown), [Public Sector](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/public-sector/?ts=markdown)

[#### A Secure Vision for Our AI-Driven Future](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/07/secure-vision-ai-driven-future/)

### [AI and Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/ai-and-cybersecurity/?ts=markdown), [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Interview](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/interview/?ts=markdown), [Points of View](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/points-of-view/?ts=markdown)

[#### Baby Tigers Bite --- The Hidden Risks of Scaling AI Too Fast](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2025/06/hidden-risks-scaling-ai-too-fast/)

### [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Points of View](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/points-of-view/?ts=markdown)

[#### Harnessing AI to Strengthen OT Security Against Modern Cyber Threats](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2024/12/harnessing-ai-strengthen-ot-security-against-modern-cyber-threats/)

### [AI and Cybersecurity](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/ai-and-cybersecurity/?ts=markdown), [AI Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/ai-security/?ts=markdown), [Interview](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/interview/?ts=markdown), [Must-Read Articles](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/security-operations/category/must-read-articles/?ts=markdown), [People of Palo Alto Networks](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/people-of-palo-alto-networks/?ts=markdown), [Points of View](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/category/points-of-view/?ts=markdown)

[#### When Security Becomes an Afterthought](https://origin-researchcenter.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2026/02/when-security-becomes-an-afterthought/)

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