Resources
Partner Architects
Your Palo Experts at Optiv
Our Partner Architect team specializes in Palo Alto Networks solutions. They help your sales teams scope, architect, and position PAN solutions for your customers.
The Team
Coverage Matrix
Each PA specializes in specific pillars. Find the right expert for your opportunity.
| PA | Strata | SASE | XSIAM / SecOps | Cortex Cloud | AIRS | Identity | Observability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
F
Ford
|
All SASE + Prisma Browser | ||||||
|
C
Chad
|
|||||||
|
C
Charles
|
All Cortex except Cloud | ||||||
|
?
TBD
|
CyberArk |
Meet the Team
Partner Architect Profiles
Ford
Partner Architect
Ford is the SASE specialist — covering Prisma Access, Prisma SD-WAN, Prisma Browser 2.0, App Acceleration, and all things SASE. Also covers Strata (NGFW, Strata Cloud Manager, all networking) and Chronosphere observability.
Chad
Partner Architect
Chad specializes in Cortex Cloud (CNAPP, CDR, cloud security posture). Also covers Strata (NGFW, Strata Cloud Manager, all networking) and Chronosphere observability. Your go-to for cloud-first customers and multi-cloud architectures.
Charles
Partner Architect
Charles covers all Cortex except Cloud — XSIAM, XDR, XSOAR/AgentiX, Xpanse, and all SecOps capabilities. Also covers Strata (NGFW, Strata Cloud Manager, all networking) and Chronosphere observability. Your go-to for SOC modernization and XSIAM opportunities.
TBD
Partner Architect — Identity
Dedicated Identity/CyberArk Partner Architect role to be filled. Will cover privileged access management, identity governance, and the full CyberArk integration portfolio.
Engagement Model
How to Engage a Partner Architect
Get the right PA involved early for faster, bigger deals.
What to Bring
Customer name and account details
Opportunity details — what products, expected deal size
Current environment — what they're running today (competitors, existing PAN)
Timeline — when does the customer want to buy / deploy?
What PAs Can Do
Scope — size the opportunity and define requirements
Architect — design the solution and deployment plan
Position — differentiate PAN vs. competitors
White-board — technical deep dives and solution demos
Join customer calls — present alongside your team
Request a Scoping Session
Reach out to the appropriate PA based on the coverage matrix above. Include the customer name, opportunity details, current environment, and timeline. PAs also hold regular office hours for quick questions and deal support.
Early PA Engagement = Faster, Bigger Deals
Deals that involve a Partner Architect from the scoping stage close faster and land larger. Don't wait until the proposal phase — bring in a PA when you first identify the opportunity.
Partner Program
Next-Generation NextWave
Announced February 5, 2026. The NextWave name is unchanged, but margins, deal velocity, funding, and the route-to-market paths all changed — know this before you scope with a PA.
What Changed
Enhanced margins across the program
Deal velocity — CPQ plus automatic deal registration
Partner Development Fund — new funding vehicle
Tiers: Registered, Innovator, Platinum, Diamond — advancement driven by specializations
Stackable incentives up to 9%
The Paths
MSSP path — tiered predictable pricing, expanded tiers, MSSP-specific training, and higher enablement discounts
Distributor / DMP path
ASC & APS services paths — enhanced training, certifications, and deployment support
GSI "Global Path" — expected later in 2026