FAQ - Cybersecurity Archives

Who are the Top Arctic Wolf partners in South Africa?

by Chivon Bezuidenhout | Oct 13, 2026 | FAQ - Cybersecurity

South Africa has several Arctic Wolf partners worth considering. The right choice depends on how much help your organisation needs with deployment, integration, security escalations and ongoing infrastructure operations.

Our shortlist includes three6five, Troye Interactive Solutions, SEACOM, Layer7 Networks and Infinetix. Each has a publicly documented Arctic Wolf relationship or offering, but buyers should evaluate the proposed delivery team and service scope individually.

At three6five, our perspective starts with the connection between security operations and the network supporting your business. Detecting a threat is valuable. Knowing who can act on that finding, and how to do so safely, is equally important.

The short answer

The best Arctic Wolf partner for your organisation is the one that can connect security monitoring to your actual environment, define clear escalation responsibilities and provide the engineering support included in your agreement.

This article is published from three6five’s perspective. It is a practical shortlist, not an official Arctic Wolf ranking. The numbered profiles below do not indicate an order of quality.

Partner status and service offerings can change. Confirm current credentials with the provider and Arctic Wolf before appointing a partner. The official Arctic Wolf partner programme explains its channel model.

What does an Arctic Wolf partner actually do?

Arctic Wolf combines a security operations platform with specialist security expertise. Its Managed Detection and Response service provides 24/7 monitoring across supported network, endpoint and cloud environments to help organisations detect, investigate and respond to threats.

A partner helps the customer assess requirements, select an appropriate offering and connect the service to the organisation’s environment. Depending on the partner’s capabilities and the agreed scope, this may include:

✓Security requirements assessment and service selection

✓Deployment planning and customer onboarding

✓Integration of supported logs, sensors and data sources

✓Coordination with Arctic Wolf’s security operations team

✓Infrastructure remediation and security improvement support

✓Service reviews, lifecycle planning and renewal management

Not every partner performs every activity internally. Ask which responsibilities belong to Arctic Wolf, which belong to the local partner and which remain with your own IT team.

Continuous monitoring also needs to be distinguished from infrastructure support. A 24/7 monitoring service does not automatically include unlimited emergency changes, onsite assistance or full incident recovery.

Which Arctic Wolf partners should you consider in South Africa?

1. three6five

three6five is a Registered Partner of Arctic Wolf, with a published partnership focus on managed security and SOC-as-a-Service.

We approach security operations from an infrastructure engineering perspective. Our team considers routing, switching, firewalls, branch connectivity and the business applications that depend on them.

That knowledge matters when a security finding requires action on the network. A change must address the threat while accounting for legitimate application access, operational dependencies and the customer’s change controls.

Why three6five?

Our approach connects security visibility with an understanding of how the customer’s infrastructure works. We help turn findings into practical engineering actions within the agreed service scope.

Where our approach adds value:

Security monitoring connected to network operations
Multi-site environments with complex infrastructure dependencies
Integration planning for supported security and network tools
Engineering assistance with firewall and segmentation changes
Modernisation of inherited or inconsistent environments
Collaboration between customer teams, infrastructure engineers and security specialists

Our broader cybersecurity services include perimeter security, detection and response, penetration testing, vulnerability services and firewall compliance reporting. These can complement an Arctic Wolf engagement, with the deliverables defined in the proposal.

Fit to investigate: Organisations seeking a partner that understands both security operations and the infrastructure changes needed to support remediation.

2. Troye Interactive Solutions

Troye announced that it was named Arctic Wolf’s 2026 South Africa Partner of the Year. This is a specific point of recognition for buyers assessing its Arctic Wolf credentials.

Its wider portfolio includes infrastructure, cloud, security and managed services. Buyers should assess how those capabilities relate to their proposed Arctic Wolf engagement.

Consider Troye for:

An Arctic Wolf partner with published award recognition
Security requirements alongside infrastructure and cloud services
A broader managed technology services relationship

Fit to investigate: Organisations evaluating recognised Arctic Wolf partner performance. Confirm the proposed team, implementation responsibilities and ongoing support package.

Read Troye’s published award announcement.

3. SEACOM

SEACOM announced its partnership with Arctic Wolf in October 2024, adding security operations capabilities to its wider connectivity offering.

It is worth considering when connectivity and managed security are being evaluated together.

Consider SEACOM for:

Security operations alongside connectivity services
A wider communications and security supplier relationship
Requirements aligned with its published Arctic Wolf offering

Fit to investigate: Organisations reviewing connectivity and security together. Establish how the services interact and who owns incidents that cross service boundaries.

See SEACOM’s partnership announcement.

4. Layer7 Networks

Layer7’s published Arctic Wolf offering describes deployment, onboarding, architecture integration and co-managed operations. It also outlines support for risk management, security awareness and regular service reviews.

Consider Layer7 for:

Deployment and supported data-source integration
Co-managed security operations
Risk management and security awareness programmes
Ongoing reviews of security posture and service performance

Fit to investigate: Organisations seeking the delivery activities described in its offering. Confirm which remediation tasks and escalation responsibilities are included in the proposed package.

Read Layer7’s Arctic Wolf service page.

5. Infinetix

Infinetix has publicly announced a security operations partnership with Arctic Wolf, offering customers access to Arctic Wolf’s platform and security expertise.

Consider Infinetix for:

An additional local Arctic Wolf provider to evaluate
Access to managed security operations through its partnership
A proposal that can be compared against your integration and support requirements

Fit to investigate: Organisations comparing local Arctic Wolf proposals. Confirm current partner standing, delivery capability and the scope of ongoing assistance.

See the Infinetix partnership announcement.

Why businesses approach three6five for managed security

In our experience, a recurring problem is alert fatigue combined with limited internal security expertise. Internal IT teams must maintain uptime, support users and deliver projects while also investigating warnings from multiple security tools.

A capable infrastructure team may still lack the staffing and specialist resources needed to run a security operations centre around the clock.

The operational impact can include:

Time lost investigating duplicate or low-value alerts
Difficulty distinguishing significant activity from routine noise
Uncertainty about who responds after hours
Security investigations delaying infrastructure improvement projects
Unclear authority to make emergency containment changes

Managed security operations can help reduce this burden, but the monitoring service must connect to a workable response process. An escalation needs an accountable team, an agreed communication path and clear authority to act.

A practical example of infrastructure-aware security response

Consider an organisation where a workstation begins making unusual remote-access attempts to a sensitive database subnet. Security monitoring identifies suspicious activity and raises an escalation.

This is an illustrative scenario, not a documented three6five customer case study.

The business challenge

The organisation needs to contain the threat while preserving legitimate access to business systems. If compromised credentials are involved, isolating one device may address only part of the problem.

The response may require security investigation, identity administration and network engineering. Those teams need to share information and understand their authority.

The potential response

A coordinated response could involve:

Validating the activity and identifying affected devices and accounts.
Isolating affected devices through supported controls and agreed authority.
Working with identity administrators to disable compromised accounts or revoke sessions.
Applying targeted firewall or access-control changes where necessary.
Checking business-service impact and planning controlled restoration.

How success should be assessed

The team should verify containment, investigate the access path and document the changes made. It should also confirm that legitimate services remain available or are restored safely.

Response and containment times should be measured against the agreed process. They should not be assumed from the presence of a monitoring platform.

The practical lesson

Detection, investigation and engineering need to work together. Before buying a service, establish who performs each task and how decisions are made during a critical incident.

What makes three6five different from a licence reseller?

We assess security and infrastructure together

A security recommendation can affect routing, segmentation, remote access and application availability. Our engineering approach considers those dependencies when planning changes.

We focus on useful monitoring coverage

Monitoring depends on the visibility available from supported data sources. Onboarding should establish what can be integrated, whether information is arriving correctly and where gaps remain.

A vendor logo on an integration list is a starting point. The actual configuration and coverage still need validation.

We connect findings to practical remediation

Our team can assist with infrastructure remediation within the contracted scope, including appropriate firewall and network changes. Identity, application and specialist incident-response activities may require other responsible teams.

We plan for ongoing operations

Escalation contacts, administrative access, change controls, documentation and service reviews should be considered during onboarding. These arrangements determine how effectively the service operates after deployment.

How should you choose an Arctic Wolf partner?

Partner credentials matter, but your evaluation should also examine the delivery team, supported integrations and operational responsibilities.

1. Who will implement the service?

Identify the people responsible for discovery, deployment and integration. Ask which activities the partner delivers and which involve Arctic Wolf or another specialist.

2. What will be monitored?

Request a clear monitoring scope covering supported endpoints, network devices, cloud services and identity sources. Establish how coverage gaps and integration failures will be identified.

3. Who takes ownership after an escalation?

Ask who receives the finding, who investigates, who communicates and who carries out remediation. Responsibilities should remain clear when several providers are involved.

4. What happens after hours?

Confirm monitoring coverage and partner response coverage separately. Review response targets, escalation contacts, emergency assistance and any additional charges.

A response target measures something different from a containment or resolution target. Ask exactly what each commitment means.

5. Who can authorise containment changes?

Agree which actions can be performed under a pre-approved playbook and which require customer authorisation. Include an escalation route when the usual decision-maker is unavailable.

6. What is included in the price?

Request a breakdown of subscriptions, onboarding, ongoing support and remediation assistance. Clarify whether specialist incident response, recovery work and onsite services are separate.

7. How will ongoing value be reviewed?

Agree how monitoring coverage, escalations, remediation progress and security improvements will be reviewed. Reporting should help your team make decisions and track unresolved work.

Warning signs when evaluating an Arctic Wolf partner

Investigate further if a potential provider:

Recommends a package before understanding your environment
Cannot explain which systems and data sources will be monitored
Leaves onboarding and integration responsibilities unclear
Confuses 24/7 monitoring with guaranteed immediate containment
Cannot identify who acts on a critical escalation
Assumes emergency changes can be made without agreed authority
Leaves remediation and recovery costs unspecified
Promises absolute protection from every cyberattack

Our view is that operational ownership should be a central part of your buying decision. A useful proposal explains the service, its boundaries and the people responsible for delivering it.

For a wider perspective, read our guide to recognising the warning signs of an ineffective infrastructure partner.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the best Arctic Wolf partner in South Africa?

There is no single best partner for every organisation. three6five, Troye, SEACOM, Layer7 and Infinetix provide starting points for evaluation. Compare current credentials, supported integrations, the proposed team and ongoing service responsibilities.

Is three6five an Arctic Wolf partner?

Yes. three6five’s published vendor information lists Arctic Wolf Registered Partner status, with a focus on managed security and SOC-as-a-Service.

Can Arctic Wolf work with existing security tools?

Arctic Wolf supports integrations with a range of existing technologies. Your partner should validate the specific products, versions, licensing and configuration requirements in your environment rather than assume that every tool is supported.

Does 24/7 monitoring include all remediation work?

The scope depends on the purchased services and partner agreement. Confirm who performs containment, network changes, identity actions and recovery, along with the applicable approval process and charges.

Why should a business consider three6five?

Consider three6five when security operations need to connect closely with network engineering and managed infrastructure. Our approach brings those disciplines together, with delivery and support responsibilities defined in the engagement.

Choosing the right Arctic Wolf partner

The strongest choice is the provider whose technical capabilities and operating model match your organisation. Assess how it will implement the service, maintain visibility and coordinate action when a significant finding occurs.

At three6five, we bring infrastructure engineering into that conversation. We believe security operations should connect to real business dependencies, practical remediation and clear ownership.

Who takes action when your security tools raise an alert?

Whether you are evaluating Arctic Wolf, reviewing monitoring coverage or strengthening your response process, speak to our team about your environment and the operational support you need.

Talk to a security specialist

Who Are the Top Palo Alto Partners in South Africa?

by Chivon Bezuidenhout | Oct 12, 2026 | FAQ - Cybersecurity

South Africa has several Palo Alto Networks partners worth considering, but they are not all built for the same job.

Some offer a dedicated Palo Alto Networks practice. Others combine security with broad enterprise technology services. Specialist partners such as three6five approach networking, security and ongoing infrastructure operations as one connected environment.

Our shortlist includes Layer7 Networking, BCX, Datacentrix and three6five. The right choice depends on your technical requirements, the proposed delivery team and the support you need after implementation.

The short answer

The best Palo Alto Networks partner for your organisation is the one that can connect security architecture to your actual network, deliver a controlled migration and take clear ownership of the agreed support service.

This article is published from three6five’s perspective. It is a practical shortlist, not an official vendor ranking. The numbered profiles below do not indicate an order of quality.

Partner designations, specialisations and individual certifications can change. Before appointing a provider, confirm its current standing through the official Palo Alto Networks Partner Locator.

What does a Palo Alto Networks partner actually do?

A Palo Alto Networks partner can help an organisation assess its requirements, select appropriate products, plan deployment, manage licensing and define ongoing support.

Depending on the partner’s capabilities and the agreed scope, this may include:

✓Hardware and virtual next-generation firewalls

✓Centralised firewall management through Panorama

✓Secure access through Prisma Access

✓Network segmentation and application policy design

✓Integration with identity, logging and existing infrastructure

✓Maintenance, technical support and lifecycle planning

Not every partner delivers every product or service internally. Firewall engineering, cloud workload protection and security operations require different skills. Ask which work the partner’s own engineers will deliver and which involves specialist or vendor-backed services.

The difference between providers becomes more apparent when the environment includes multiple branches, connectivity providers, cloud applications and inherited configurations.

Which Palo Alto Networks partners should you consider in South Africa?

1. Layer7 Networking

Layer7 Networking presents a dedicated Palo Alto Networks practice. Its published accreditations list Platinum Partner status, hardware firewall and software firewall specialisations, and Technical Partner of the Year recognition.

These credentials make Layer7 worth evaluating when concentrated Palo Alto Networks product expertise is a central requirement.

Consider Layer7 for:

A dedicated Palo Alto Networks practice
Hardware and virtual firewall projects
Network security modernisation
Requirements aligned with its published firewall specialisations

Fit to investigate: Organisations seeking a specialist Palo Alto Networks delivery team. Confirm the experience of the engineers assigned to your project and their familiarity with the proposed architecture.

2. BCX

BCX combines cybersecurity with enterprise services spanning connectivity, networking, cloud and infrastructure. Its published partner accolades include Palo Alto Networks Emerging Markets SASE Partner of the Year 2024.

BCX is worth considering when security forms part of a larger enterprise technology programme.

Consider BCX for:

Security linked to broader infrastructure programmes
Connectivity and cloud transformation requirements
SASE initiatives involving several technical disciplines
A broad enterprise technology services relationship

Fit to investigate: Organisations coordinating security, connectivity and cloud services. Establish how those teams work together and who owns incidents that cross service boundaries.

3. Datacentrix

Datacentrix’s public partner page lists Palo Alto Networks Gold Partner status. Its wider portfolio includes cybersecurity, networking, managed services and hybrid IT.

It is worth evaluating where Palo Alto Networks technology needs to fit into a wider infrastructure and managed services strategy.

Consider Datacentrix for:

Security accompanying infrastructure modernisation
Hybrid IT environments
Networking and cybersecurity integration
A broader managed services engagement

Fit to investigate: Organisations integrating security into a broader IT programme. Confirm the current partner designation, proposed engineering team and product-specific support scope.

4. three6five

three6five approaches security from an IP networking and managed infrastructure perspective.

We consider the firewall part of the complete environment: routing, WAN connectivity, data centres, cloud dependencies and business applications. The design needs to protect those services while keeping them usable and supportable.

Our public vendor information lists Palo Alto Networks under Registered Reseller and describes our broader offering as a Tier 1 Security Partner. The latter is a description of our positioning, rather than a formal NextWave partner tier.

Why three6five?

Our preferred customer relationship involves understanding the business dependencies behind the network, designing around those requirements and defining clear operational ownership after implementation.

Where our approach adds value:

Security projects with complex network dependencies
Multi-site environments requiring consistent policies
Routing across multiple connectivity providers
Hybrid infrastructure and cloud access requirements
Modernisation of inherited or inconsistent environments
Close collaboration between customer teams and experienced engineers

Depending on the requirement, a proposed architecture may involve next-generation firewalls, Panorama or Prisma Access. The delivery scope should identify the products, responsible engineers and any specialist services required.

Fit to investigate: Organisations that need security decisions connected to their wider network architecture, with engineering collaboration and ongoing infrastructure support.

A practical example of an integrated Palo Alto Networks design

Consider an organisation with several branches, remote employees and applications hosted across a data centre and public cloud. Firewall configurations have evolved separately, while remote access is managed through another set of systems.

This is an illustrative scenario, not a documented three6five customer case study.

The business challenge

The organisation needs consistent protection without disrupting application access. Before selecting products, the team needs to understand how the environment operates.

Discovery should establish:

Which applications are critical to each location
How traffic reaches data centre and cloud services
Which users need access to which resources
How firewall rules, NAT and routing support those applications
What happens when a primary connection fails
Which traffic can be inspected and where exceptions are needed

The potential architecture

Following discovery, a design could combine next-generation firewalls at appropriate network boundaries, Panorama for centralised firewall management and Prisma Access for secure remote access.

The team would still need to validate identity integration, routing, inspection capacity, licensing and application compatibility. Centralised management does not remove the need for careful engineering.

How success should be measured

Acceptance criteria should be agreed before implementation. These could include successful application access, consistent policy deployment, tested failover, useful logging and complete operational documentation.

Performance should be tested with the intended security features enabled. Any claimed improvement should be supported by measurements from the actual environment.

The practical lesson

Understand the business and traffic flows first. Select the architecture around those requirements, then test whether it delivers the agreed operational outcomes.

What makes three6five different from a traditional reseller?

We assess security and networking together

Our approach to cybersecurity and network protection considers routing, connectivity, application behaviour and security policies together.

Our view is that the partner should be able to explain the complete traffic path and investigate across those dependencies.

We use discovery to shape the design

Standardisation is valuable, but branches may have different applications, connectivity constraints and operational risks.

Our approach is to establish consistent standards while allowing the design to reflect those differences.

We value direct engineering collaboration

Complex incidents need clear communication between people who understand the environment. Customers should know how technical escalation works and which resources are responsible for their service.

That collaboration needs an agreed support process, with defined responsibilities and change controls.

We plan for life after implementation

Documentation, configuration backups, maintenance, policy reviews and incident escalation should be considered alongside installation.

A deployment is easier to operate when everyone knows who owns these activities after handover.

How should you choose a Palo Alto Networks partner?

Partner status matters, but your evaluation should also examine the delivery team, design process and support agreement.

1. Has the partner delivered comparable projects?

Ask about projects with similar applications, network complexity and deployment scope. If confidentiality prevents a named reference, request an anonymised example with verified outcomes.

2. Who will design and support the environment?

Identify the proposed engineers and their current, relevant credentials. Establish which work is delivered internally and which requires another specialist or vendor professional services.

3. How will the migration be controlled?

Ask how existing rules, NAT, routing and application dependencies will be reviewed. The plan should include testing, an approved change window and a workable rollback procedure.

4. How will sizing and licensing be assessed?

Sizing should reflect expected traffic, growth, resilience and the security features being enabled. Request a clear breakdown of subscriptions, support contracts and renewal costs.

5. What happens during a critical incident?

Clarify after-hours coverage, response targets, escalation paths and vendor engagement. Managing a firewall does not automatically include continuous threat monitoring or security incident response.

6. How will resilience be validated?

Ask how firewall high availability, connectivity failover and recovery will be tested. Power resilience also needs suitable UPS capacity and infrastructure planning; firewall redundancy cannot keep an unpowered branch operational.

7. What happens after handover?

Agree on documentation, administrative access, configuration backups, support contacts and maintenance responsibilities. Clarify how future changes and policy reviews will be managed.

Warning signs when evaluating a Palo Alto Networks partner

Investigate further if a potential provider:

Recommends hardware before understanding traffic and applications
Cannot identify the proposed delivery engineers
Uses a partner badge as its only evidence of capability
Treats security policy separately from routing and connectivity
Cannot explain migration testing and rollback
Leaves specialist delivery responsibilities unclear
Confuses firewall support with managed security operations
Provides incomplete licensing and renewal costs
Promises absolute security or guaranteed zero downtime

A capable partner should explain trade-offs, discuss risks and show how its proposed service meets your requirements.

For a wider perspective, read our guide to recognising the warning signs of an ineffective infrastructure partner.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the best Palo Alto Networks partner in South Africa?

There is no single best partner for every organisation. Compare current credentials, relevant project experience, the proposed engineering team and ongoing support against your requirements.

Does a Palo Alto Networks partner need networking expertise?

Networking expertise is important because firewall deployments interact with routing, NAT, connectivity, segmentation and application access. It becomes especially valuable in multi-provider, multi-site and hybrid cloud environments.

What is Panorama used for?

Panorama provides centralised management for supported Palo Alto Networks firewalls. It helps organisations manage policies and configurations across multiple devices and supports centralised visibility into firewall logs.

Does firewall support include a security operations centre?

Not automatically. Firewall maintenance and troubleshooting differ from continuous security monitoring, threat investigation and incident response. Confirm which services are included and who delivers them.

Why should a business consider three6five?

Consider three6five when your security requirement depends on understanding the wider network, coordinating complex infrastructure and collaborating closely with experienced engineers. The engagement should define the architecture, delivery scope and ongoing support responsibilities.

Choosing the right Palo Alto Networks partner

Layer7, BCX, Datacentrix and three6five offer different starting points for your evaluation. The strongest choice is the provider whose delivery team, architecture and operating model match your environment.

At three6five, our perspective brings IP networking, cybersecurity and managed infrastructure operations together. We believe a security deployment should be designed around real business dependencies and remain supportable after implementation.

Is your security architecture ready for what comes next?

Whether you are evaluating Palo Alto Networks, modernising an existing firewall estate or reviewing secure access, speak to our team about your environment and the operational outcomes you need.

Talk to a network specialist

Who Are the Top Fortinet Partners in South Africa?

by Chivon Bezuidenhout | Sep 13, 2026 | Cybersecurity, FAQ - Cybersecurity

South Africa has several highly capable Fortinet partners, but they are not all built for the same job.

Some specialise in very large enterprise and government projects. Others are particularly strong in industrial security, telecommunications or managed security operations. Then there are specialist partners such as three6five, where networking, security and day-to-day infrastructure operations are treated as one connected environment.

Based on their technical capabilities, market presence and suitability for different requirements, five of the leading Fortinet partners in South Africa are NEC XON, BCX, Datacentrix, Vodacom Business and three6five.

The short answer

There is no single “best” Fortinet partner for every South African organisation. The right choice depends on your industry, geographic footprint, technical complexity and the level of engineering support you expect after implementation.

This is not a league table. Bigger does not automatically mean better, and neither does having the longest list of certifications on a slide deck. The best Fortinet partner is the one with the right engineering capability, operating model and experience for your environment.

Fortinet partnership tiers, specialisations and individual certifications can change. Before appointing a provider, confirm its current status through the official Fortinet Partner Locator.

What does a Fortinet partner actually do?

A Fortinet partner can help an organisation design, implement, license and support technologies from the Fortinet Security Fabric.

Depending on the partner’s capabilities, this may include:

✓FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls

✓Fortinet Secure SD-WAN

✓Network segmentation and secure remote access

✓Cloud and hybrid network security

✓Firewall policy and configuration management

✓Ongoing managed network and security services

The difference between partners becomes apparent when things get complicated. Installing a firewall at one office is very different from standardising security across 100 branches, multiple connectivity providers, cloud environments and inherited networks.

That is where architecture, routing expertise, monitoring and access to experienced engineers begin to matter.

Who are the leading Fortinet partners in South Africa?

1. NEC XON

NEC XON is one of the most established Fortinet partners serving large organisations in South Africa and across the continent. It has the scale, engineering depth and wider infrastructure capabilities required for extensive enterprise programmes.

NEC XON is particularly strong in:

Operational Technology security
Mining, manufacturing and critical infrastructure
Large retail and enterprise networks
Integration of IT and industrial environments
Projects requiring a substantial technical resource pool

NEC XON has previously been recognised as Fortinet’s Most Certified Partner of the Year and has developed capabilities across several Fortinet specialisations.

Its Operational Technology experience is particularly relevant to mines, factories, utilities and similar organisations. These environments involve more than protecting laptops and business applications. The network may support machinery, production systems and critical physical operations.

Best suited to: Industrial networks, mines, factories, utilities, SCADA environments and very large infrastructure estates.

2. BCX

BCX is a major South African systems integrator with the scale to support large enterprise, government and pan-African technology environments.

Its strength lies in combining networking, connectivity, cloud, data-centre services and cybersecurity within a broad enterprise services portfolio.

BCX is particularly strong in:

Large government and public-sector environments
Major financial institutions
National and pan-African network footprints
Large Secure SD-WAN programmes
Complex procurement and supplier-governance requirements

BCX is suited to organisations that need a provider capable of coordinating extensive infrastructure programmes across many locations. It can integrate Fortinet security technologies into broader corporate and legacy technology environments.

Best suited to: Major government departments, multinational organisations and very large enterprises requiring support across several African countries.

3. Datacentrix

Datacentrix is a strong option for organisations that want Fortinet incorporated into a broader managed security, cloud and hybrid IT strategy.

Its capabilities extend beyond perimeter protection into security operations, modern workplace security, cloud environments and ongoing threat monitoring.

Datacentrix is particularly strong in:

Managed security services
Security Operations Centre capabilities
Hybrid cloud protection
Distributed workforces
Security monitoring and incident response

Datacentrix has achieved Expert Level status within the Fortinet Engage Partner Program, demonstrating its ability to support broad and technically demanding Fortinet environments.

Best suited to: Organisations requiring a broad managed Security Operations environment incorporating cloud monitoring, endpoints, SIEM and incident response.

4. Vodacom Business

Vodacom Business offers a different value proposition because it can combine telecommunications, connectivity and managed security services.

This can appeal to organisations that want fixed connectivity, mobile services and cloud-delivered security managed under one major provider.

Vodacom Business is particularly strong in:

Managed connectivity and security bundles
Large distributed workforces
Mobile and fixed-network convergence
Cloud-delivered security
Secure Access Service Edge environments

Best suited to: Organisations that want their Fortinet solution closely bundled with telecommunications, mobile and cloud-edge services.

5. three6five

three6five is a South African IP networking systems integrator and managed infrastructure service provider.

We approach Fortinet differently from a traditional reseller. We do not view a firewall as a box sitting at the edge of the network. It forms part of the organisation’s complete IP routing, connectivity and digital business infrastructure environment.

Our core Fortinet capabilities include FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls, Fortinet Secure SD-WAN, complex routing, network integration and managed infrastructure support.

These technologies are deployed as part of the wider Fortinet Security Fabric, with routing, connectivity, application traffic, cloud dependencies and operational risks considered from the beginning.

Why three6five?

Our ideal customer does not simply want a firewall installed and handed over. It wants an engineering partner that understands the business behind the network and remains involved after implementation.

three6five is particularly strong in:

Mid-market and large multi-branch enterprises
Secure SD-WAN environments with approximately 20 to 150 sites
Complex BGP and multi-provider routing
Hybrid WAN and data-centre connectivity
Standardising networks following acquisitions
Proactive managed network services
Direct access to Tier-2 and Tier-3 engineers

three6five has previously received Fortinet’s Commercial Partner of the Year recognition. Our engineering team maintains skills aligned with Fortinet’s professional certification framework.

Best suited to: Organisations that need an agile, engineering-led Fortinet partner for complex enterprise networking, Next-Generation Firewall and Secure SD-WAN environments.

How three6five standardised and secured a major logistics network

One of our strongest real-world examples comes from the logistics, supply chain and cold-storage sector.

The client is the largest cold-storage and logistics provider in the Southern Hemisphere. It was expanding rapidly through corporate acquisitions, but every new facility introduced a different collection of inherited switches, firewalls, connectivity services, firmware versions and configurations.

On paper, it was one growing organisation. At network level, it was a collection of separate legacy environments held together by good intentions and some increasingly nervous IT teams.

The business challenge

For a cold-storage and logistics provider, network downtime is not merely an IT inconvenience. Inventory management, warehouse operations, Quality Assurance and cold-chain tracking all depend on reliable data movement.

The inherited environments created several risks:

Limited visibility across newly acquired facilities
Inconsistent firewall and network configurations
Outdated firmware and unmanaged equipment
Configuration drift between locations
Unpredictable connectivity failures
Potential disruption to operational and quality-control systems

The Fortinet solution

three6five developed a consolidation and modernisation strategy using FortiGate Next-Generation Firewalls and Fortinet Secure SD-WAN.

FortiGate firewalls established consistent perimeter protection across the expanding environment. Secure SD-WAN connected the distributed facilities through a unified, secure and intelligently routed architecture.

The infrastructure was then integrated into the three6five Network Operations Centre. Our monitoring extends beyond checking whether a device responds to a ping.

Telemetry, NetFlow, SNMP and configuration monitoring help identify:

Link flapping
CPU and resource spikes
Unexpected configuration changes
Interface failures
Connectivity degradation
Security events

The result

Instead of allowing every acquisition to remain a separate legacy environment, each facility could be assessed against an agreed technical roadmap.

Infrastructure was modernised systematically or replaced where the operational risk was too high. This created a more consistent, visible and supportable network estate.

The practical lesson

Secure SD-WAN is not simply a cheaper way to connect branches. When designed properly, it becomes a platform for standardising security, improving visibility and integrating newly acquired businesses.

What makes three6five different from other Fortinet partners?

We start with the network, not the product

A firewall cannot be designed effectively without understanding the traffic it must protect.

Our approach to cybersecurity and network protection starts with understanding the organisation’s routing, applications, connectivity, failover requirements, cloud dependencies and operational workflows.

This is especially important in environments involving BGP, multiple internet providers, MPLS, hybrid cloud services or complicated branch connectivity.

We tailor the architecture

Generic configurations may be quick to deploy, but they do not necessarily reflect how the organisation operates.

Our discovery process maps technical standards to actual business dependencies. This creates consistency without pretending that every branch has identical users, systems and risks.

Our NOC looks beyond uptime

Basic monitoring tells you whether a device is online. That is useful, but it does not tell you whether the environment is healthy.

Link instability, recurring errors, unusual resource utilisation and configuration changes can warn of a developing problem before a full outage occurs.

Our goal is to identify those signals while the issue is still manageable, rather than waiting for users to report that an entire branch has gone offline.

Customers can reach experienced engineers

Complex incidents should not spend days travelling through layers of non-technical escalation.

three6five’s background in carrier and enterprise IP networking allows difficult firewall, routing and connectivity problems to be escalated to experienced Tier-2 and Tier-3 engineers.

This is valuable for internal IT teams that want to collaborate with their service provider rather than disappear into a ticket queue.

How should you choose a Fortinet partner?

Partner status matters, but it should not be the only deciding factor. Before appointing a Fortinet provider, ask the following questions.

1. Has the partner delivered comparable projects?

Ask for experience involving organisations with a similar number of sites, users and technical dependencies. A firewall deployment at one office does not necessarily prove that a provider can manage a 100-site Secure SD-WAN transformation.

2. Who will design and support the environment?

Establish whether you will have access to experienced engineers or whether communication will pass through a general call centre. Ask who handles complicated incidents and how quickly senior technical resources become involved.

3. What will be monitored?

A credible managed service should monitor more than basic device availability. Ask how the provider handles performance, connectivity, security events, configuration changes, capacity concerns and recurring faults.

4. How will configuration drift be prevented?

Multi-site environments gradually become inconsistent when changes are not recorded, controlled and audited. Your partner should explain how it backs up configurations, manages changes and identifies deviations from agreed standards.

5. What happens after implementation?

Clarify whether the engagement ends at handover or includes monitoring, optimisation, lifecycle management and regular technical reviews.

The long-term quality of a Fortinet environment depends as much on its ongoing management as it does on its original design.

Warning signs when evaluating a Fortinet partner

Be cautious if a potential provider:

Recommends hardware before conducting proper discovery
Cannot provide examples of comparable projects
Focuses on discounts and licensing rather than architecture
Treats the firewall separately from routing and connectivity
Cannot clearly explain its escalation process
Provides only basic ping or availability monitoring
Does not have a structured change-control process
Cannot identify the engineers who will deliver the project
Makes unrealistic promises of zero downtime or absolute security

A capable partner should be willing to discuss trade-offs and risks. It should also be honest when another provider is better suited to a particular requirement.

For a deeper evaluation, read our guide on how to identify the warning signs of an ineffective infrastructure partner.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the best Fortinet partner in South Africa?

There is no single partner that is best for every organisation. The right choice depends on your industry, network size, geographic footprint, internal capabilities and support requirements.

What is Fortinet Secure SD-WAN?

Fortinet Secure SD-WAN combines intelligent WAN routing with integrated security. It enables organisations to manage traffic across multiple connectivity services while applying consistent security policies.

Does a Fortinet partner need networking experience?

Yes. Firewalls affect routing, connectivity, application performance, segmentation and business continuity. Networking expertise becomes particularly important when the environment includes BGP, MPLS, multiple service providers, hybrid cloud or complicated failover requirements.

Can three6five manage an existing Fortinet environment?

Yes. three6five can assess an existing environment, identify configuration inconsistencies, review routing and connectivity dependencies, develop a technical roadmap and provide ongoing monitoring and support.

Is three6five only suitable for mid-sized companies?

No. three6five supports mid-market and large enterprise environments. The best fit is determined by the complexity of the network and the customer’s need for direct engineering collaboration, not simply by employee count.

Choosing the right Fortinet partner

South African organisations have access to several excellent Fortinet partners. The important question is not simply, “Who is the biggest?” It is, “Who is best equipped for our environment?”

Large integrators bring scale, broad service portfolios and substantial procurement capacity. Specialist providers bring agility, direct access to senior engineers and a sharper focus on specific technical and operational outcomes.

At three6five, our strength lies in bringing IP networking, cybersecurity and managed infrastructure operations together.

Is your Fortinet environment ready for what comes next?

Whether you are planning a Secure SD-WAN transformation, replacing an inconsistent firewall estate or improving visibility across a multi-branch network, our engineers can help you find the right way forward.

Talk to a network specialist