Avnet Technology Solutions Launches SecurePath to Accelerate Partner Growth in Lucrative IT Security Market

New SolutionsPath Practice Includes Education, Security Assessment Services and
Enablement Programs to Help Partners Quickly Generate Revenue and Develop
Specialized Market Expertise
SAN FRANCISCO--(Business Wire)--
Avnet Technology Solutions, the solutions distribution leader and an operating
group of Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), today at RSA Conference 2009 (Booth 1051)
launched SecurePath, a new practice developed to accelerate the success of its
reseller partners in the IT security market. SecurePath focuses on enabling U.S.
and Canadian partners to deliver strategic solutions that help their customers
create secure infrastructures, meet regulatory compliance requirements and
reduce costs. Additionally, Avnet will help partners drive business through
security assessment services.

"According to IDC survey research, the economic downturn affects security
spending the least when compared to other IT areas," said Christian A.
Christiansen, program vice president of security products and services with
industry analyst firm IDC. "This market offers tremendous potential for
resellers, especially considering that security spending is expected to reach
$82 billion by 2012 with a 14% compound annual growth rate. To successfully
pursue this opportunity, resellers must understand the nuances of the security
market and how to develop complete solutions that are specifically tied to their
customers` business challenges."

SecurePath helps partners build and expand their security market expertise
through a unique portfolio of services and training programs, along with access
to experts and technology from industry-leading suppliers. The practice is
designed for varying levels of partner experience, including partners developing
practices and experienced partners looking to expand their capabilities to offer
complete, cross-supplier solutions that address core end-customer IT security
and compliance needs. SecurePath features:

* Avnet SecurePath University: Based on Avnet`s proven university education
model around the healthcare, government and virtualization markets, SecurePath
University is a three-day course that provides partners with the in-depth market
expertise needed to effectively target the security market. The training
curriculum combines real-world knowledge of the security industry with critical
technology and sales skills development.
* Security Assessment Services: Offered through Avnet OneTech Services, six
security assessment services are available to SecurePath partners to help them
develop business and augment existing staff to deliver complete security
solutions. The services include: a security health check, external vulnerability
assessment, internal vulnerability assessment, penetration testing, Web
application scanning and Payment Card Industry (PCI) compliance services.

"Avnet SecurePath provides Clear Technologies, Inc. with a solid approach to the
security market because it gives us the tools we need to begin generating
revenue in this space immediately," said Phil Godwin, vice president of sales,
Clear Technologies, Inc. "The security assessment services provide us with an
automatic door-opener to begin discussions with our customers based on concrete
analyses of their environments. By being able to demonstrate customers` security
vulnerabilities in a safe atmosphere and present complete solutions to overcome
the challenges, we`ll be in an excellent position to become trusted advisors to
our customers and lead them to a buying decision quickly."

SecurePath focuses on the areas of highest spend in the security market,
including security and vulnerability management, Web and messaging security,
network and endpoint security, identity and access management, and compliance
needs and security services. It is the fourth practice launched under Avnet`s
SolutionsPath methodology, which powers Avnet`s dedicated vertical and
technology practices that help partners target specialized, high-potential
markets such as government, healthcare, virtualization and now security.

"Security is top-of-mind with IT leaders, especially as threats continue to
focus on endpoints, which are often less secure, and as regulatory controls
become more stringent," said Martin Koren, director, security solutions
practice, Avnet Technology Solutions, Americas. "Avnet invested in SecurePath to
ensure that our partners understand their customers` security challenges.
Through SecurePath, resellers can access the services, expertise and resources
they need to profitably pursue security opportunities."

About Avnet Technology Solutions

Avnet Technology Solutions is an operating group of Phoenix-based Avnet, Inc. As
a global technology sales and marketing organization, Avnet Technology Solutions
has sales divisions focused on specific customer segments and a select line card
strategy enabling an exceptional level of attention to the needs of its
customers and suppliers. For fiscal year 2008, the group served customers in
more than 30 countries and generated US $7.6 billion in annual revenue. The
group`s Web site is www.ats.avnet.com.

Avnet, Inc. (NYSE: AVT), a Fortune 500 company, is one of the largest
distributors of electronic components, computer products and embedded technology
in the world. Avnet accelerates its partners` success by connecting the world`s
leading technology suppliers with a broad base of more than 100,000 customers
and providing cost-effective, value-added services and solutions. For the fiscal
year ended June 28, 2008, Avnet generated revenue of $17.95 billion. For more
information, visit www.avnet.com.

Brodeur Partners, for Avnet
Marcia Chapman, 602-224-4047
mchapman@brodeur.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009