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Latest Cognizant news & announcements

Alibaba Cloud revamps AI partner strategy 2024

Alibaba Cloud, the digital technology and intelligence backbone of Alibaba Group, announced the launch of its revamped AI-focused partner ecosystem plan, known as “Alibaba Cloud Partner Rainforest Plan” during the Alibaba Cloud Partner Summit 2024 through a series of new initiatives, including an AI partner accelerator program, an enhanced incentive program and a revitalised global strategy for service partners. The initiatives aim to foster the growth of global partners and accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge artificial intelligence and cloud computing solutions for businesses across various industries worldwide. Benefits of the AI era “At Alibaba Cloud, we believe that collaboration is the key to unlocking innovation and driving growth. Our global partners are not just participants, they are the architects of a new digital landscape in the AI era,” Selina Yuan, President of International Business, Alibaba Cloud Intelligence said during the summit. “Today, with our revamped global partner ecosystem, we are committed to supporting our global partners to jointly reap the benefits of the AI era and meet the diverse business demand of global customers.” New AI-focused partner ecosystem initiatives  Initiative aims to enrich partner enablement and accelerate diverse partners’ digital transformation journey To meet the surging demand for AI technologies from global customers, Alibaba Cloud debuted the AI Alliance Accelerator Program to build a dedicated AI partner ecosystem through collaboration with 50 AI technology partners and 50 channel partners in 2025. This program offers selected AI technology partners enhanced technical support focused on AI, expanded distribution channels, collaborative go-to-market resources, and dedicated AI consulting services. Alibaba Cloud’s AI capabilities Meanwhile, chosen channel partners will benefit from increased financial incentives and market development funds for their AI-related initiatives. By leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s AI capabilities and its global technology ecosystem, the initiative aims to enhance partner enablement and accelerate diverse partners’ digital transformation journey. It also seeks to empower global partners to capitalise on the opportunities presented by the AI era, reaching a broader customer base through Alibaba Cloud’s extensive distribution network of channel partners Diverse digital transformation Alibaba Cloud has also unveiled an enhanced global system for its service partners Alibaba Cloud has also unveiled an enhanced global system for its service partners, introducing the Revitalised Service Partner Program. This initiative focuses on cultivating new service partners by upskilling channel partner and technology partners with targeted training and empowerment, equipping them with necessary capabilities of consulting, implementation and managed services to diversify their revenue stream and deliver a comprehensive service to the customer. It also seeks to empower existing service partners by expanding their offering to include both product reselling and service delivery. Additionally, leveraging Alibaba Cloud's Generative AI capabilities, the company has collaborated with service partners to jointly develop the Managed Large Language Model Service and other AI-focused services to foster an AI partner ecosystem and address the diverse digital transformation needs of global customers. Alibaba Cloud's new strategic partnerships Meanwhile, Alibaba Cloud pledged to extend new strategic partnerships with 18 service partners, including Whale Cloud, Bespin Global, Cognizant Worldwide, Deloitte, Accenture and FPT out of the existing 50 global standard service partners via enhanced resource sharing and capability complement, aiming to build a comprehensive service system that meets diverse needs of global customers.  In addition, the company also released its Synergistic Incentive Program, designed to strengthen the collaboration between its global technology partners and channel partners, fostering a vibrant and dynamic ecosystem. Alibaba Cloud’s extensive channel network Alibaba Cloud’s duty to empower its partners and nurture a robust global ecosystem The program introduces an expanded go-to-market pathway, enabling technology partners to boost revenue by leveraging Alibaba Cloud’s extensive channel network while channel partners gain access to a broader product portfolio, increasing sales opportunities and enhancing profit margins. This initiative drives mutual growth and reinforces Alibaba Cloud’s commitment to empowering its partners and nurturing a robust global ecosystem. Enhanced collaborations with global and regional partners  In order to support global customers to reap the benefit of digitalisation in the AI era. Alibaba Cloud has also announced an enhanced collaboration with innovative technology and channel partners, both globally and regionally, to provide cutting-edge cloud computing and AI products and solutions, fostering a thriving and sustainable ecosystem.

Cognizant & Palo Alto boost AI cybersecurity services

Cognizant and Palo Alto Networks are partnering to deliver AI-driven cybersecurity capabilities and services for enterprises across industries. The partnership combines Cognizant’s longstanding track record of providing cybersecurity services with Palo Alto Networks’ industry-pioneering, AI-powered platforms to drive better security outcomes. Code-to-Cloud platform The agreement enables Cognizant to deepen its expertise and broaden its services across Palo Alto Networks’ Precision AI-powered Network Security Platform, Code-to-Cloud Platform, and Security Operations Platform. Together, Cognizant and Palo Alto Networks aim to help clients consolidate security products across functions, reducing complexity and improving overall levels of security through platformisation. Cyber defence programme Cognizant will continue to leverage Palo Alto Networks technology as part of its internal security infrastructure In addition, Cognizant aims to further its comprehensive security solutions portfolio, bringing tailored, AI-led solutions to the market that will allow clients to leverage centralised high-quality data to yield higher levels of attack protection and faster issue resolution. Additionally, Cognizant will continue to leverage Palo Alto Networks technology as part of its internal security infrastructure, strengthening the capabilities of Cognizant’s global cyber defence programme.  Security posture and risk mitigation “In the enterprise security space, AI presents an opportunity to augment human efforts and drive modernisation to keep pace with evolving threats, which are also increasingly AI-driven,” said Ravi Kumar S, CEO of Cognizant. “The combined capabilities of Cognizant and Palo Alto Networks will help our clients avail themselves of cutting-edge security technology, advisory, and implementation, and managed services geared towards amplification of security posture and risk mitigation in a rapidly changing threat landscape.” Precision AI “With Palo Alto Networks Precision AI, we can unlock transformative outcomes in cybersecurity. And as the threat landscape evolves, platformisation will be a crucial enabler for AI to deliver more powerful, effective insights,” said Nikesh Arora, Chairman and CEO, of Palo Alto Networks. "Our partnership with Cognizant, including their adoption of XSIAM, enables us to deliver these enhanced security solutions to our joint customers." Four key managed platform offerings Cognizant will initially feature four key managed platform offerings designed to mitigate cybersecurity risks, manage cyber events, foster cyber resilience, and enhance regulatory compliance, which fortifies a cybersecurity posture. These offerings include: SecureNXT Access: Revolutionize zero trust network security with seamless, AI-powered protection for perimeterless enterprises powered by Palo Alto Networks Prisma Access. SecureNXT Cloud: Accelerate secure, compliant multi-cloud and hybrid adoption and mitigate cloud hygiene risks, powered by Palo Alto Networks Prisma Cloud. SecureNXT EDR/MDR: Unleash the power of proactive digital workplace threat protection for next-generation hybrid enterprises powered by Palo Alto Networks Cortex XDR. SecureNXT SOC: Deploy cutting-edge vigilance and defense against cyber threats in real-time powered by Palo Alto Networks Cortex XSIAM. IT and cybersecurity services Cognizant delivers a broad range of IT and cybersecurity services, including through a longstanding partnership In the life sciences industry, Cognizant delivers a broad range of IT and cybersecurity services, including through a longstanding partnership with Gilead Sciences, Inc. “Cognizant has been a key service provider to Gilead for more than five years and has played a significant role in supporting Gilead’s cyber risk mitigation efforts,” said Krishnan Chellakarai, VP and CISO, of Gilead Sciences. “We are excited by the potential of their strategic relationship with Palo Alto Networks and look forward to working with them to implement the Prisma Cloud product as part of our overall security stack.”  Threat detection and protection Cognizant’s cybersecurity practice supports and enables clients by providing a comprehensive range of services. These services encompass digital identity management, threat detection and protection, governance, compliance, vulnerability management, and cloud security. Cognizant is committed to elevating its cyber services through a partner-led growth strategy, which involves developing solutions and offerings centered around partner products. This partnership is a testament to that commitment.

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