NS1 Joins Cisco DevNet SolutionsPlus Program: Exclusive

‘Inclusion on Cisco's global price list gives NS1's security offerings the "seal of approval" for partners, one solution provider told CRN.

Traffic management specialist NS1 is now a member of the Cisco DevNet SolutionsPlus Program, which will grant Cisco partners globally easy access to the firm's security solutions.

Specifically, NS1's software-based DDI solution, which includes DNS, DHCP, and IP Address Management, is now available on Cisco’s global price list, the company told CRN.

Cisco Umbrella, the tech giant's cloud-based security offering that combines a number of security functions, is one of its fastest-growing offerings. NS1’s integration with Cisco Umbrella can help partners take security a step further for their customers with enhanced network visibility and control, comprehensive traffic management capabilities, and instant threat remediation across DNS networks, said Warren Mead, vice president of business development and channels for New York City-based NS1.

Inclusion on Cisco's global price list gives NS1 offerings the "seal of approval" for partners and makes it easier for partners to sell because they can also work with the Cisco field teams to incorporate NS1 products into a full Cisco security solution for customer, said Tim Femister, vice president of digital infrastructure for ConvergeOne, an NS1 partner and Cisco Gold Partner.

"NS1's DDI fills an area that Cisco doesn’t have in its architecture. With its DNS, DHCP, and IP Address Management, they are helping Cisco complete that security story," Femister said.

[Related: Cisco DevNet Specialization Fast-Tracked To Help Partners In A Post-COVID World]

Bloomington, Minn.-based ConvergeOne has been building a practice around empowering a remote workforce and NS1's capabilities lend themselves well to that use case, Femister said.

"From VPN traffic-steering, to tying in with [Cisco] Umbrella's secure gateway, that's where we are seeing the most interest from customers for their remote workers," he said.

NS1 is part of the Cisco Security Technology Alliance.

NS1 in October launched its first global channel program aimed at recruiting systems integrators, VARs, and MSPs. Mead said that the company hit its goal of having partners to drive and source 50 percent of the qualified pipeline and revenue for its traffic-steering solutions that are tied to Cisco's security portfolio.

The company also in 2019 raised $33 million in a Series C funding, which was led by Dell Technologies Capital, with participation from Cisco Investments, among others.

NS1's Mead said that being included on Cisco’s global price list is another milestone for the company. "With the investment, attach-plays, and now [joining the program], it's really going to help our alignment with Cisco and our channel, too," he said.