F5 Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:FFIV), the global leader in Application Delivery Networking (ADN), today announced a new, security-specific accreditation program designed for F5’s channel partners around the world. Following the launch of F5’s application delivery-focused accreditation program earlier this year, the security accreditation program provides partners with an in-depth understanding of the entire F5^® security solution portfolio, including F5’s data center firewall solution.

Offered through the UNITY channel partner program, the security accreditation program comes at no cost to the F5 channel, helping resellers and distribution partners navigate the evolving security threat landscape, identify additional security-related sales opportunities, and increase revenue.

“F5 has a comprehensive security solution portfolio that offers channel partners an open field to identify new opportunities, enhance their profitability and increase market penetration,” said Dean Darwin, SVP, Worldwide Partner Organization at F5. “Through this accreditation, partners will drive new business and increase their understanding of the ever-changing security environment.”

Launched worldwide, the web-based security accreditation program features separate curricula for both sales and technical channel professionals, each with an exam required to achieve accreditation.

The training illustrates how F5^® solutions can protect data center and application services, enhance user access, reduce management complexity, and improve performance.

To learn more about F5’s partner programs, including UNITY and VAULT^™, please visit http://www.f5.com/partners/.

Supporting Quotes

“As a longstanding F5 partner, we appreciate the investment F5 has made in a security-specific accreditation program,” said Louise Cooke, Strategic Partner Executive for Accuvant. “Participating in programs such as this enables Accuvant to maintain intimate knowledge of the technologies we recommend and implement, resulting in more cost-effective, efficient solutions for our clients.”

“Today, enterprises must consider security as an integral and critical piece of their infrastructure,” said Tom Schmatz, VP of Channel Services Development at FishNet Security. “Security cannot be bolted on as an afterthought; it must be integrated to meet each customer’s unique environment. As an information security solutions provider, FishNet Security identifies solutions that match each organization’s evolving needs. F5’s channel certification program enables us to stay up to speed on the innovative F5 security solutions portfolio.”

“F5’s security accreditation is a well-designed modular learning tool that is above standards set by other vendors,” said Haydar Nergiz, Product Manager at COMPUTERLINKS in the United Kingdom. “Once partners have completed the modules and passed the exam, they should refer back to the training, as it becomes a valuable sales tool when looking for tips on how to best leverage F5 against the competition.”

Availability

The security accreditation program is available to UNITY partner program members at no cost. To begin the training, visit F5 University (login required).

Additional Resources

• F5 Global Partner Network
• F5 Security Solution Guide

About F5 Networks

F5 Networks, Inc., the global leader in Application Delivery Networking (ADN), helps the world’s largest enterprises and service providers realize the full value of virtualization, cloud computing, and on-demand IT. F5^® solutions help integrate disparate technologies to provide greater control of the infrastructure, improve application delivery and data management, and give users seamless, secure, and accelerated access to applications from their corporate desktops and smart devices. An open architectural framework enables F5 customers to apply business policies at “strategic points of control” across the IT infrastructure and into the public cloud. F5 products give customers the agility they need to align IT with changing business conditions, deploy scalable solutions on demand, and manage mobile access to data and services. Enterprises, service and cloud providers, and leading online companies worldwide rely on F5 to optimize their IT investments and drive business forward. For more information, go to www.f5.com.

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F5, UNITY, and VAULT are trademarks or service marks of F5 Networks, Inc., in the U.S. and other countries. All other product and company names herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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