Connection Earns Cisco Gold Provider Designation

Connection (NASDAQ: CNXN) earned Cisco Gold Provider designation on February 17, 2026 after successful audits of its Managed Firewall and Managed XDR services, adding to an existing Meraki Access offering under Cisco Powered Services.

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Company is First Partner to Achieve New Global Requirements, Expanding Security Offerings Across Cisco Powered Services

MERRIMACK, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Connection (PC Connection, Inc.; NASDAQ: CNXN), a leading provider of information technology solutions to business, government, healthcare, and education markets, is proud to announce that it has earned Cisco Gold Provider status following successful audits of its Managed Firewall and Managed XDR services, adding to its previously awarded Meraki Access service under Cisco Powered Services.

The achievement affirms Connection’s managed services design, governance, and delivery quality under Cisco’s new global requirements for partners utilizing third-party delivery models. The guidelines safeguard program integrity and consistency for customers worldwide. Connection is the first partner globally to be audited and approved under these new standards. Connection secured the new designation by demonstrating industry-leading expertise in operationalizing security services that help customers prevent, detect, and respond to threats with measurable outcomes.

“Connection’s achievement of the Cisco Preferred Security Partner is a testament to their expertise in securing the modern digital core. This milestone is critical as we work together to build the Cisco Secure AI Factory, where uncompromising security is the essential foundation for AI innovation. By combining our technology with Connection’s managed services, we are empowering customers to adopt and scale AI with total confidence,” said Mario Castro, Vice President, Americas, Cloud & AI Infrastructure, Cisco.

“Achieving Cisco Gold Provider status under the industry’s most rigorous new audit requirements reinforces the trust our customers place in us,” said Tim McGrath, President and CEO of Connection. “Cisco’s updated standards set a high bar for accountability, governance, and measurable service outcomes—and I’m proud that Connection is the first partner globally to meet them. This designation validates the strength of our operating model and the dedication of our teams.”

About Connection

Connection, a Fortune 1000 company, calms the confusion of IT by delivering customers industry-leading technology solutions to enhance growth, elevate productivity, and empower innovation. Since 1982, Connection has set new standards for customer service and loyalty, earning the industry’s highest accolades. The Company offers expertise across multiple technology areas, including AI, cybersecurity, data center, digital workspace, multicloud, and technology services.

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View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260217535067/en/

Corporate Communications:
Jeff Frank, 603.683.2083
jeff.frank@connection.com

Investor Relations:
Thomas Baker, 603.683.2505
Senior Vice President, CFO, and Treasurer
tom@connection.com

Source: Connection

Key Terms

managed firewall technical

A managed firewall is a service where an outside specialist installs, monitors, updates and configures the digital barrier that controls what internet traffic can enter or leave a company’s network. Think of it as hiring a trained guard who not only locks doors but watches them around the clock and fixes locks as needed; for investors, it reduces the chance of costly breaches, helps meet regulatory rules, and turns unpredictable security work into a steady, budgetable expense.

managed xdr technical

Managed XDR (Managed Extended Detection and Response) is a subscription service where a specialist team uses connected tools to spot, investigate and stop cyber threats across devices, networks, cloud systems and email on behalf of an organization. For investors, it matters because it can lower the chance of costly breaches, create steady recurring revenue for providers, and signal stronger operational resilience at customers—similar to hiring a 24/7 alarm-and-response service that both detects problems and takes action to fix them.

cisco powered services technical

Cisco Powered Services is a certification and branding program that lets service providers build and sell managed network, security or cloud services using Cisco technology under Cisco’s validation, support and co-marketing framework. For investors, the label signals that those services rely on widely used, vendor-supported equipment and software, which can mean stronger customer trust, recurring revenue and clearer upgrade paths — but also dependence on Cisco’s technology and commercial terms, like a familiar store carrying a trusted brand.