Fortinet stands for more than just technological innovation. In addition to Fortinet’s leading technology, services, and training, to help organizations overcome big challenges, Fortinet regularly connects top technology leaders and experts to have relevant and timely conversations on cybersecurity trends and topics. The company does this by providing organizations with unique opportunities to access trusted advisors and industry leaders through exceptional events and unique experiences. Fortinet is also committed to its Corporate Social Responsibility work, which includes community engagement and giving efforts.
Fortinet upholds these commitments through its various golf partnerships, including the PGA TOUR Official Event partnership at the Fortinet Championship, multiple brand ambassadors across the PGA and LPGA Tour, and technology-driven activations across tournaments globally. Fortinet brings together customers, partners, and other cyber leaders surrounding these events to exchange thought leadership, develop industry opportunities, and drive donations to local communities through tournament partnerships.
Global Experiences Bring Cybersecurity Leaders Together
In-person discussions foster the exchange of ideas and solutions that help organizations develop more robust security strategies to manage cyber risks – in addition to offering a fun and engaging environment through these face-to-face conversations. Fortinet achieves this across its entire portfolio of global golf partnerships from tournaments to brand ambassadors.
For the past two years, Fortinet has been the title sponsor of the PGA TOUR’s annual Fortinet Championship held in Napa Valley, California, with the next championship scheduled for September 2023. Fortinet also hosts a best-in-class Security Summit and Tech Expo in parallel, bringing together the Fortinet community of elite customers, partners, executives, and global industry experts for two days of keynotes, panels, and roundtable discussions. Additionally, the Drive to the Championship events surrounding the PGA TOUR, including the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, culminate with the Fortinet Security Summit during the Fortinet Championship.
Fortinet is also a title sponsor of the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship and a season-long sponsor of the PGA TOUR Canada’s Fortinet Cup Championship. Last year, the company was also an official cybersecurity partner for two LPGA events: the BMW Ladies Championship in Wonju, South Korea, and the Kroger Queen City Championship in Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to also being the Official Cybersecurity Partner of the DP World Tour, Fortinet technology is being deployed during tournaments across Europe, Africa, and Asia to secure data and provide real-time insight into the network.
Fortinet EVP of Products and CMO John Maddison shares, “Fortinet is bringing together more than just golf experts at these events-we’re building and connecting a community of cyber leaders. These collaborative experiences that our golf partnerships provide are invaluable opportunities for our customers and partners to further strengthen their security strategies for their organizations. There are also many synergies between cybersecurity and golf, including that golf champions like Fortinet brand ambassadors Andrea Lee, Max Homa, and David Lipsky have had to effectively manage risks and face extreme challenges to stay at the top of their game similar to the uncertainty and risk management CISOs deal with to protect their organizations successfully.”
Contributing to the Communities We Serve
Fortinet’s golf partnerships also allow us to further our commitment to enhancing the local communities in which our employees, customers, and partners live and work. As part of Fortinet’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts, we invest the proceeds from our golf sponsorships and donate them to local organizations and non-profits.
In the United States, proceeds from the Fortinet Championship, held annually in Napa Valley, California, are donated to local organizations focused on helping the local community, women, and veterans and increasing access to STEM education, including cybersecurity training. In Canada, proceeds from the Fortinet Cup benefit nonprofit associations dedicated to helping underprivileged children through the Corey and Malory Connors Family Fund. And in Australia, the funds raised in conjunction with Fortinet’s Australian PGA Championship are donated to the Jarrod Lyle Foundation, which supports children with cancer and their families.
Supporting the Advancement of Women in Cybersecurity
Through our LPGA-sponsored events, Fortinet is further able to support the advancement of women in their careers, which is a key cornerstone of our CSR approach. It’s no secret that the lack of gender diversity in cybersecurity is a worldwide issue; women only make up 25% of the global cybersecurity workforce today. And according to Fortinet’s 2022 Cybersecurity Skills Gap Global Report, 70% of organizations find hiring women among their top three challenges.
Proceeds from our golf events are donated to a number of non-profits focused on supporting women. Additionally, Fortinet sponsors two LPGA players-Alison Lee and Andrea Lee-and two female Stanford University student-athletes, Rose Zhang and Rachel Heck. These sponsorships align with the company’s commitment to supporting the advancement of women in their professions and fostering greater inclusivity and diversity.
Additionally, expanding our existing partnership with the AJGA as the Official Diversity & Inclusion/STEM Education Partner, Fortinet has announced the inaugural Fortinet Girls Invitational happening February 17-20, 2023 at Stanford University’s Golf Course for top female amateur golfers.
Strong Cybersecurity Requires Collaboration and Community
As organizations look to address a myriad of cybersecurity challenges, in addition to providing leading technology, Fortinet is providing security professionals the ability to gain new ideas from peers and industry experts to further protect their organizations through global golf sponsorship gatherings. By challenging existing knowledge through such conversations and interactions, organizations can help our industry to improve multiple issues ranging from the cyber skills gap, to disrupting cybercrime, and more.
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