SAN JOSE, Calif. -- September 7, 1999 -- Cisco Systems, Inc. today announced that IKON Technology Services in Southern California became one of the first Cisco Systems channel partners to attain "Security Specialist Partner" status. The Security Specialization Program recognizes Cisco certified partners who have completed rigorous skills-based testing and developed expertise in virtually every aspect of Cisco network security. IKON Technology Services is now positioned to provide advanced consultation, design, and support for today's mission-critical e-commerce sites, while identifying and addressing network security and vulnerability concerns.
"In the fast-changing networked-business industry, a strong commitment to understanding the latest technologies is crucial to continued success," said Kevin Kinsey, marketplace president of IKON Technology Services in Southern California. "By investing the time, energy, and resources required to reach this important milestone, we believe significant benefits will be passed to our customers."
Cisco is committed to providing the channel with the ability to differentiate themselves in the marketplace by becoming experts at selling, designing, installing and supporting complex technology solutions," said Scott Ferguson, director of Global Channel Programs at Cisco Systems. "Cisco Specialized channel partners have the skills required to enable customers to deploy key technologies that are essential to compete in the New World of data/voice/video convergence."
"This is an outstanding accomplishment for IKON Technology Services," said James Mancini, vice president of Service and Support at IKON Technology Services Company. "With the massive industry shift toward web-enabled corporate resources, the potential for breeches of network security is a key concern. The Security Specialization certification addresses this concern by demonstrating our engineers' expertise in the design and installation of secure networks and e-commerce sites."
IKON Technology Services' core focus is Networked Business, which involves the process of automating and streamlining business functions and extending them seamlessly through the Internet or corporate Intranet. The company provides technology solutions such as network consulting, integration, training, and application development.
Security Specialization Program
Cisco channel partners specialized in security can expertly deploy a Cisco security product implementation or a complete Cisco end-to-end security solution that spans security policy, firewall and virtual private network technologies, as well as intrusion/detection product installation and methodology.About IKON Office Solutions
IKON Office Solutions (http://www.ikon.com) is one of the world's leading office technology companies, providing customers with networked office solutions from copier and printing systems, computer networking and digital document services, to copy center management, technology training and electronic file conversion. With fiscal 1998 revenues of $5.6 billion, IKON has more than 1,000 locations including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Denmark.Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is theworldwide leader in networking for the Internet.For more information visit Cisco PR Contacts
Cisco, Cisco IOS, Cisco Systems and the Cisco Systems logo are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries. All other trademarks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any of its resellers.
