Aryaka Networks, the SASE specialist, has undertaken a comprehensive overhaul of its channel program to sustain what company executives describe as “explosive” growth in global secure access service edge (SASE) and security sales. The program relaunch comes as the company projects 70 percent year-over-year growth in security revenue and follows significant expansion of its partner ecosystem across EMEA and APAC regions.
Channel-Centric Growth Strategy
According to Nick Alagna, Aryaka’s vice president of global channels, partners are at the center of the company’s remarkable growth trajectory. “Our overall business is growing. Partner recruitment is up, and we needed a refined partner program to really support our additional partners,” Alagna told CRN. The company recently experienced its best Q1 in eighteen months, with more than 80 percent of Aryaka’s business being channel-led.
Alagna, who joined the company in March, emphasized that customer demand for simplified networking and security convergence has been a key growth driver. “Customers want simplicity. They’re looking to converge networking and security, and they want to realize those cost savings, which has been fantastic for us as a business,” he said. This growth mirrors broader industry trends where companies like Microsoft have seen significant stock performance improvements driven by strategic positioning in cloud and security markets.
Aryaka Accelerate Program Details
The newly relaunched Aryaka Accelerate program introduces a tiered partnership model with two distinct levels: Authorized and Elite. These tiers offer incentive-driven discounts, joint go-to-market planning, lead generation support, and formal certification programs. The company has streamlined its onboarding process to help partners reach market faster while implementing simplified pricing structures that charge enterprises based on the number of sites and end users.
“Too many times I’ve seen where vendors will have the expectation that they will just bring partners into accounts, but it has to be a two-way street,” Alagna explained. “We acknowledge that. We want to bring opportunities to our partners in exchange for opportunities from them.” This “give to get” partnership model represents a fundamental shift in how the company approaches channel relationships, similar to how other technology leaders like Nvidia have strengthened their market position through strategic partnerships.
Enhanced Partner Resources and Support
The revamped program includes significant improvements to marketing development funds (MDF) with more structured support for demand generation and marketing campaigns. Partners will benefit from comprehensive enablement resources, updated training programs, and collaborative selling incentives designed to drive mutual success. The company has also introduced new pricing and packaging specifically designed to help partners boost as-a-service sales models.
These enhancements come at a critical time when global economic factors, including potential government shutdown impacts and manufacturing shifts like Fortescue’s recent relocation to China, are influencing technology investment decisions. Meanwhile, security remains paramount as evidenced by recent critical vulnerability discoveries in major platforms.
Global Channel Leadership Expansion
To support the program rollout and global expansion, Aryaka has assembled what Alagna describes as “top-tier talent” across key regions. In the United States, new channel sales directors include Mike Wall, Ryan Burke, Andrew Morrison, Derek Wood, CJ Jensen, and Mark McGarvie. The company has also strengthened its international presence with new channel sales directors in EMEA and India, including Mike Ellis, Elad Tzur, and Abhijit Neelgar respectively.
Julia North has joined as Aryaka’s new global channel marketing manager, while the company recently announced that Micheal McCollough, former senior vice president of channels and alliances for Mimecast, has joined as a strategic advisor. “It’s been a total team effort as we work to roll out the new channel program,” Alagna emphasized, noting that this leadership expansion reinforces Aryaka’s commitment to doubling down on channel partnerships.
Market Impact and Future Outlook
The channel program overhaul follows Aryaka signing more than 30 major partners in the EMEA and APAC regions in 2025 and comes alongside a new distributor agreement with TD SYNNEX in North America. The company currently has approximately 60 customers on its unified SASE offering, with significant growth projected throughout 2025.
This strategic focus on channel development aligns with broader industry trends where technology companies are increasingly relying on partners to drive growth. The approach mirrors successful strategies employed by other technology giants, including those behind Microsoft’s recent market performance, demonstrating the critical importance of robust channel programs in today’s competitive technology landscape.
As Aryaka continues its global expansion, the redesigned channel program positions the company to capitalize on growing demand for integrated SASE solutions while providing partners with the tools, resources, and financial incentives needed to drive mutual success in an increasingly complex cybersecurity market.
