Mako Networks Poised for Growth and Even Greater Technology Performance in 2026

Technology Leader Adds New Sr. Sales Executive and Debuts Next-Level Mako 6700 During the NRF Show in NYC in January

CHICAGO – December 10, 2025 – Mako Networks, a leader in secure, cloud-managed networking for distributed enterprises, announced today its strategic expansion into new retail verticals in 2026, the addition of a seasoned sales executive who will focus on those customers, and the debut of its next-generation firewall technology at the National Retail Federation (NRF) Show in New York this January.

As part of its growth strategy, Mako Networks welcomes Jon Prove as Senior Sales Executive. Jon brings over 15 years of experience in networking, technology, and B2B markets. In his most recent role, Jon shattered sales expectations through a strategic partnership with a major enterprise networking solution provider He has since driven substantial channel growth and launched global go-to-market strategies, bringing deep expertise in secure networking, IoT, and cloud solutions to help enterprises scale with confidence.

“I’m excited to join Mako Networks because their solutions set the benchmark for secure, reliable networking in distributed retail,” said Jon Prove. “I look forward to driving growth in the QSR and Retail verticals and helping businesses deliver exceptional customer experiences with the best technology available, while reducing their legacy costs and eliminating potential vulnerabilities.”

Jon Prove and Mako Networks will showcase Mako’s latest innovation—the Mako 6700 Firewall—at Booth #1620 during the NRF Show. The Mako 6700 is engineered for the demands of modern retail, delivering next-level performance for bandwidth-hungry experiences and AI-powered applications. Key enhancements include:

• AI Integration: Optimized for edge AI processing, such as video pre-processing and analytics.
• Virtualization Capabilities: Remote software deployment via virtual containers for lightning-fast rollouts and simplified management.
• Advanced Security Features: Automated intrusion detection and prevention to outsmart evolving, AI-driven threats.
• Expanded Connectivity Options: Fiber, satellite, 5G—ready for whatever’s next.
• High Performance: Boosted throughput, processing, and memory to handle growing device footprints and complex retail environments

The Mako 6700 will be available for sale in Q1 2026, offering retailers a future-proof solution that evolves with their business and security needs.

“Mako’s success in petroleum retail has made us experts in distributed retail networking,” said Jon Kelly, Chief Revenue Officer, Mako. “Major oil brands and their wholesalers trust us as the proven leader for solving their complex IT challenges, and we remain deeply committed to our retail petroleum partnerships. Building on that foundation, we’ve identified other distributed retail verticals where our technology and expertise deliver the same value. We’re expanding into sectors including restaurants, general retail, health care, and hospitality with focus and intention. With innovations like the Mako 6700 firewall, proven sales leaders like Jon Prove, and a strong presence at retail technology events, we’re ready to help more retail businesses thrive in 2026 and beyond.”

As the market for secure networking solutions continues to experience double-digit annual growth, Mako Networks is poised to bring innovation to new markets and channels – expanding the security, reliability and customer service that only Mako can deliver.