The conversations at .conf26 brought a new reality into sharp focus: the convergence of Cisco’s secure networking footprint with Splunk’s data analytics and cybersecurity engine is unlocking a new tier of opportunity in the agentic AI era. For partners and customers, it’s a shift in how we define value, growth, and the future of digital resilience as we move from simple AI adoption to the creation of autonomous, resilient workflows. Here are my top takeaways from .conf26 and what I heard from our Splunk partners:
1. The Data Layer is the Core of Every Account #
As one partner put it: “Whoever owns the data owns the account.” While networking refreshes happen every few years, a customer’s data platform is a permanent fixture. By positioning Splunk as the data platform for trusted AI at scale, we are moving beyond simple product “attaches” to securing a strategic position in the customer’s enterprise architecture so we can drive bigger, better business outcomes for them.
2. Value Wins the Argument #
A persistent narrative around Splunk has been cost. However, the conversation at .conf26 flipped this on its head by calling out the true expense: downtime. Whether driven by an attack or a blind spot, downtime is far more costly to a business than an investment in visibility. By leveraging innovations like federated search, the Splunk machine data lake and Cisco Data Fabric, and activity-based pricing, we are enabling customers to ingest more data and manage larger environments and move from being reactive to proactive At the same time, we’re fundamentally changing the economics of the platform – often turning cost, historical “kryptonite,” into a powerful differentiator.
3. A Strategic Ecosystem Accelerates Innovation #
Our partners’ excitement is driven by concrete innovation. This week we had a lot on hand to showcase:
- The launch of the Cisco AI POD for Splunk , featuringNVIDIA GPU acceleration , which brings accelerated compute to the foundational layer.
- New capabilities, including Splunk Agent Observability in Cisco Cloud Control and theAgentic SOC Workforce (our new prebuilt security agents) – a new standard for automated defense.
- Our new multi-year Strategic Collaboration Agreement (SCA) with AWS, which further empowers customers to scale these solutions with confidence.
Our partners agree that unifying Cisco’s and Splunk’s networking, security, observability, and collaboration portfolios will help them deliver the AI-era outcomes customers want. It gives them a holistic, differentiated platform, lets them engage executives in strategic conversations, and can help them expand their businesses by delivering greater value to customers.
4. Durable Growth Through Partner Expertise #
Partners appreciated the recognition of their Splunk expertise. We know that customers rely on our partners. Our research shows that in 2026, nearly half—49.2%—of partners identify consulting and advisory services as their leading growth opportunity, up from 12% a year ago. Custom AI solution design went from 10% to 38%, and AI security and risk mitigation from 3% to 33%—the sharpest growth opportunity increase among all services. In conversations, partners agreed that the key to profitability is building ongoing value through specialized expertise. It’s why addressing the “accountability gap”— the space between the outcome sold and the outcome delivered— is an opportunity. The partners who thrive in this environment are those who act as the essential architects and enablers of customer outcomes, bridging that gap before, during, and after the sale. As we move to a truly “partner-first” sales motion, with new strategic opportunities such as influence deal registration, which recognizes partners who shape deals they don’t necessarily transact, we’re encouraging the creation of Cisco + Splunk + Partner teams that combine Cisco and Splunk expertise for better customer outcomes.
5. A Simplified Path to Mutual Growth #
Splunk Partners are preparing for the transition on Day One FY28 (August 2027), when all of our partners will work through the Cisco 360 Partner Program, as a single unified partner program. We are entering a year of expansion and acceleration where all systems and processes will be fully unified to give partners simplified operations, single-contract efficiency, and a dramatically expanded addressable market, and partners are looking forward to working with Cisco and Splunk teams on that transition.
The Bottom Line #
It was a great .conf, and we all came away incredibly energized! Moving forward, our goal is to enable all of our Splunk partners on the Cisco 360 Partner Program, influence deal registration, and co-selling with Cisco sellers and other partners in the ecosystem. It’s clear to us that with the powerful combination of our incredible partner ecosystem and our evolving technology portfolio, we are ready to win the future together.
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