Frequently Asked Questions
These Frequently Asked Questions have been designed to give you a quick understanding of the program elements and changes to the partner requirements and benefits.
This page will be updated as program enhancements are made. This should be used to assist you with understanding the program at a high level. Additional partner deliverables are available that provide detailed understanding of the program. If you require information on how to obtain the additional deliverables or if you have questions, please contact your McAfee Channel Account Manager (CAM).
Program Overview
What is the McAfee SecurityAlliance?
The McAfee® SecurityAlliance™ Global Partner Program is the global marketing and sales enablement program designed to meet the needs of our Partners in supporting end-user customers. It is a flexible, global program providing Partner benefits based on their level of attainment of designated criteria. There is an extensive range of benefits, such as marketing development funds, incentives, co-marketing tools, training and certification offerings, lead generation, pre- and post-sales support, etc., that help to enhance profitability and business growth.
How does the McAfee SecurityAlliance work?
Our tiered program rewards Partners based on their level of investment and participation. Three Partner designations provide flexibility, so as a Partner's business expands, they can move through the levels gaining further benefits.
- AssociatePartner is the entry level, requiring minimal achievement of designated criteria.
- PremierPartner is the next level, requiring a focused level of commitment of designated criteria.
- ElitePartner is the highest level, requiring the greatest level of achievement of designated criteria, and is awarded based on performance achievement.
Achieving the PremierPartner or ElitePartner designations distinguishes the Partner as a leader that has invested in additional capabilities and skills to help businesses manage their network security needs.
Are the designations of AssociatePartner, PremierPartner and ElitePartner awarded at a global level or are they country-specific?
Each geography will determine the appropriate criteria required by product solutions. There will be some difference in requirements and benefits, but the basic designations and criteria structure will be the same. McAfee in Australia and New Zealand will award status on a state by state basis.
Is there a fee to join the program?
No. All functions of the McAfee SecurityAlliance are free, but consideration for selected benefits is determined by approved Partner level designations.
Program Benefits
What are the benefits of an Associate Partner, PremierPartner and ElitePartner?
There are four major benefit categories of the McAfee SecurityAlliance. They are:
Why should a Partner join the McAfee SecurityAlliance?
IT Security is the fastest growing segment in the IT Industry. McAfee is the world's largest pureplay security company and is the industry leader in complete system and network protection solutions. By partnering with McAfee you can provide best-of-breed solutions to your customers and ensure peace of mind. By joining the McAfee SecurityAlliance you will get access to free training and sales tools to support you as we grow our business together.
What type of marketing support will I receive in the program?
All enrolled Partners will have access to our Partner portal for sales and marketing support. The PremierPartner and ElitePartner will be eligible for consideration of Marketing Development Funds based on the criteria outlined in our Marketing Development Fund Program Guidelines document.
What type of post-sales support will I have access to as a McAfee SecurityAlliance Partner?
The McAfee SecurityAlliance Partner Support offering provides three different levels of support for registered and certified Partners.
AssociatePartner
This new SecurityAlliance Partner offering entitles AssociatePartners to access the Web Service Portal (https://mysupport.nai.com/) for case creation and management, as well as the McAfee KnowledgeBase and self-help support tools.
PremierPartner
This new SecurityAlliance Partner offering will entitle PremierPartners to telephone support, where partners will have access to our highly skilled Technical Account Managers, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The phone queues are staffed by highly trained Gold Support Engineers who specialise in the McAfee product line.
PremierPartner status delivers:
- Access to Web Service Portal and all associated features
- Live 24/7 telephone support
- Bi-monthly channel e-newsletter
- Free subscription to MSAS for proactive alert notifications
- Access to the McAfee Global Labs:
- Online Partner training
- Facilitation of end-user training and demonstrations
ElitePartner
This new SecurityAlliance Partner offering entitles ElitePartners access to a Named Technical Account Managers (TAM) available 24/7. Validated partners can appoint up to 2 contacts and will receive direct contact information for their Named Technical Account Managers (i.e., no queue for you to call) who are available twenty-four hours a day and are the central point of contact for any issue the Partner has.
ElitePartner status delivers:
- Complete access to Web Service Portal, and all associated features
- Named Technical Account Managers available 24/7
- Access to the McAfee Technical Support newsletter
- Beta participation availability
- Proactive communication of emerging viruses and vulnerabilities, product updates, security vulnerabilities and announcements (MSAS)
- Priority access to Global Labs
Program Requirements
Who determines what level a Partner firm will be designated to participate in the McAfee SecurityAlliance?
The Partner firm first determines what level of investment they want to make to achieve the designated level. They should then work with the appropriate McAfee Partner Support representative to ensure that the required criteria are attained. McAfee will then determine what level has been achieved and will verify to the Partner. McAfee reserves the right to make final determination of level designation and corresponding benefits provided. PremierPartner and ElitePartner status is by invitation at the sole discretion of McAfee, Inc.
What level of the McAfee SecurityAlliance is right for me?
Each Partner firm needs to determine what level of investment they want to make in order to achieve one of the three designated levels of the McAfee SecurityAlliance. Requirements for each of the three levels are determined by product solutions and may vary by geographic locations.
What are the requirements for a Partner to become an AssociatePartner, PremierPartner or ElitePartner?
A partner who wants to be a PremierPartner or ElitePartner should choose which solution area to develop as a speciality. Solution areas include Secure Content Management, Host Intrusion Prevention, Network Intrusion Prevention and Risk Management. Two of the partner's sales people and two technical people should be nominated to complete the mandatory training. McAfee sales account managers and sales engineers will work with you to actively engage your customers and assist you to develop sales opportunities.
Register to become an AssociatePartner at www.mcafeepartner.com.au/join. Please note that membership of the program is at the sole discretion of McAfee Pty. Limited.
What should a partner do who wishes to sell McAfee product?
McAfee products can be purchased through Ingram Micro (Australia & New Zealand), Lan Systems (Australia) and Renaissance (New Zealand). Membership of the SecurityAlliance program is not mandatory. Partners who join the SecurityAlliance program will get access to sales tools, free training and information to help them increase their sales of McAfee products.
Will new Partners automatically receive PremierPartner/ElitePartner status?
Partners who meet the relevant criteria may be invited to join the program as a PremierPartner. ElitePartner status is awarded by performance achievement. PremierPartner and ElitePartner status is by invitation at the sole discretion of McAfee, Inc.
How long do I stay at a specific level?
Annual qualification is required for PremierPartner and ElitePartner levels. Membership status is for a full calendar year. Annual certification is not required for AssociatePartners.
How will Partners be branded while they are pursuing a Partner designation?
Partners that have completed the application process, have executed a contract, and are pending a Partner designation will be in a provisional status.
What security solutions can I choose to specialise in?
PremierPartners and ElitePartners can specialise in Secure Content Management, Host Intrusion Prevention, Network Intrusion Prevention, Total Protection Solutions and Risk Management. Each specialisation will require the partner to have trained two sales people and two technical people.
How is my assigned territory protected from resellers who are not trained?
PremierPartners and ElitePartners receive benefits over other partners including margin enhancement deal protection. Margin enhancement provides additional margin to reflect the increased investment that PremierPartners and ElitePartners have made selling McAfee products. Deal protection means that McAfee will work exclusively with PremierPartners and ElitePartners to close deals that they have identified. Conditions apply to these programs.