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ReliaQuest, a local cybersecurity company in Tampa, Florida, has become the title sponsor of a college football bowl game in an effort to raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity. The game, now known as the ReliaQuest Bowl, provides an opportunity for the company to reach a large audience and educate them about the importance of cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world.
The sponsorship idea was floated by board members of the then-temporarily named Tampa Bay Bowl, and Brian Murphy, founder and CEO of ReliaQuest, saw it as a chance to make a positive impact on the local community. The January 1, 2024, game will be the second of a four-year sponsorship agreement between ReliaQuest and the bowl game.
During last year’s game, ReliaQuest’s web traffic increased by 100% and remained high afterward, indicating that viewers had cybersecurity on their mind during and after the game. Cybersecurity has become a priority across all industries as the world becomes more digitized, and with a talent gap of roughly 4 million professionals worldwide, using football as a platform to bring attention to this issue was a logical choice for ReliaQuest.
The company also uses the game as an opportunity to recognize local organizations that work to provide access to education programs for youth. At last year’s game, leaders from three community organizations were recognized for their work, and this tradition will continue at the 2024 event.
The ReliaQuest Bowl has brought over a billion dollars of economic impact to the Tampa Bay area since its inception and has paid over $170 million to universities. While the specific impact of ReliaQuest’s sponsorship on cybersecurity awareness may not have hard and fast measures, Brian Murphy believes that it is worth it to start a conversation and raise awareness about the importance of cybersecurity.
