PEI Earns Third Designation in Microsoft Cloud Partner Program: Solutions Partner for Security

BOULDER, Colo. - Aug. 15, 2023 - PRLog -- Microsoft Solutions Partner and Managed IT Services Provider, PEI, earned the Security designation in Microsoft's Cloud Partner Program. Microsoft's Security Solutions Partner designation indicates a partner's ability to keep their customers protected against increasingly sophisticated threats to cybersecurity that target anything from Azure to Microsoft 365 workloads.

In October 2022 Microsoft revamped its Partner Network to reflect an increase in partner expectations and requirements. Microsoft created its Cloud Partner Program and boiled down the outdated silver and gold competencies into six partner designations with more rigorous requirements. PEI dove headfirst into the program last year, earning the Modern Work badge, Azure Infrastructure badge, and Networking Services in Azure advanced specialization. The Microsoft Partner is proud to add the Security badge to its already decorated list.

To earn the Solutions Partner for Security designation, or any designation in the Cloud Partner Program, partners need to demonstrate mastery across three categories: Performance, Skilling, Customer Success. When it comes to performance and customer success for the Security badge, a partner's deployed security solutions for both Azure and Microsoft 365 are considered. To meet the skills requirement, a Microsoft Solutions Partner must have team members complete several intermediate certifications relating to security, including but not limited to the Azure Security Engineer certification.

PEI is a Managed IT Services Provider whose offerings span a wide range of IT needs, including security services. The Microsoft Cloud Partner works with clients to plan, build, and deploy custom solutions to ensure the security of varying IT environments. This means PEI can just provide Azure specific tools or provide managed security services aimed at protecting the whole environment. Microsoft's Security badge recognizes the work that goes into carefully curating and successfully deploying solutions for Azure and Microsoft 365 that protect against threats old and new.

"We carefully vet security solutions before they're ever an offer on the table to make sure our clients get the best tools available. With the rise in cybersecurity attacks on cloud environments, we're always on the lookout for emerging threats and new security tools," says Jacob Eker, PEI's Vice President of Engineering. "Lucky for us, Microsoft is also always looking to improve security when it comes to M365 and Azure so we are able to leverage their tools along with ones already in our box to provide comprehensive security offerings."

With three new designations and an advanced specialization within the first year of Microsoft's new Cloud Partner Program and new partner standards, PEI is already ahead of the game. The Microsoft Cloud Partner is setting their sights to what's next as they continue to work towards new designations.

About PEI

Since 1988, PEI has grown into a top Managed Service Provider. With more than 30 years' experience deploying advanced engineering solutions centered on collaboration, cloud computing, networking, cyber security, and Managed Services, we help local and national businesses use technology to solve their business problems and are committed to driving digital transformation for small and midsize businesses.