Rajeev K Abichandani has joined Palo Alto Networks as Director – Channels, India & SAARC, taking charge of strengthening the company’s strategic partner ecosystem and accelerating partner-driven business growth across the region. In his new role, he will focus on enhancing go-to-market execution, expanding pipeline generation, and deepening channel engagement across India and SAARC markets.
With deep expertise in Cloud Security, SASE, Secure Networking, and OT Security, Rajeev brings a strong track record of developing and scaling high-impact partner networks within the cybersecurity landscape. His appointment reflects Palo Alto Networks’ continued emphasis on strengthening its channel-led strategy as enterprises increasingly adopt integrated and AI-driven security platforms.
Before joining Palo Alto Networks, Rajeev served as Head – Enterprise Channels & MSSP, India & SAARC at Fortinet, where he played a key role in expanding enterprise channel partnerships and managed security service provider (MSSP) ecosystems across the region. During his tenure, he contributed significantly to partner business development, ecosystem expansion, and enterprise security engagements through channel-led initiatives.
Over the course of his career, Rajeev has also held leadership positions at NTT DATA, Dimension Data, and Avaya. Across these organizations, he led strategic alliances, channel transformation programs, and cybersecurity-focused growth initiatives throughout APAC. His extensive experience in managing enterprise partnerships and driving collaborative growth strategies has positioned him as a recognized leader in the cybersecurity channel ecosystem.
The appointment comes at a time when cybersecurity companies are increasingly investing in partner-centric growth models, managed security services, and cloud-led security transformation initiatives. As organizations continue modernizing their digital infrastructure, channel partners and MSSPs are playing a more critical role in delivering secure, scalable, and integrated cybersecurity solutions.
Rajeev’s addition is expected to further strengthen Palo Alto Networks’ regional channel strategy while supporting the company’s broader vision of expanding enterprise engagement and accelerating cybersecurity adoption across India and SAARC.
