BOURNEMOUTH, UK – 15 August, 2024 – ESET, a global leader in cybersecurity, with UK headquarters in Bournemouth, has been selected as the Official Cybersecurity Partner of AFC Bournemouth. The partnership comes at a critical time for the club as it readies for the new Premier League season and finalises construction of its new world-class training ground.
AFC Bournemouth is one of many clubs expanding its digital footprint as the sporting world strives to improve the fan and player experiences, but is increasingly conscious of the danger this presents. With a host of experience in the industry, including its role as IT security partner of German football team, Borussia Dortmund, AFC Bournemouth has deemed ESET well-placed to become its trusted cybersecurity partner.
The club will use ESET’s PROTECT Elite package with Detection and Response Ultimate services for 350 devices, which will be crucial for protecting players, fans and the club’s multi-million-pound new training ground. With the ESET threat intelligence team and cutting-edge technology on its side, AFC Bournemouth will benefit from proactive 24/7 expert-led threat hunting and response.
The partnership is an extension of an existing five-year relationship between ESET and AFC Bournemouth, which already sees ESET as one of the club’s Community Sports Trust partners. Together, AFC Bournemouth and ESET’s Safer Kids Online initiative deliver sessions in schools to help educate pupils on how to stay safe while using the internet. ESET also supports the AFC Bournemouth’s women’s football team as its Official Partner and assists in providing digital matchday content for the men’s first team and sponsoring matchday streams for non-first team fixtures played at Vitality Stadium.
Stefan du Plooy, Head of IT at AFC Bournemouth, says, “AFC Bournemouth is at a very exciting point in its history. This season is going to represent a new era for the club as years of investment pays off and we open our brand-new training ground. Working alongside expert partners like ESET to ensure these investments are kept secure is crucial, not only for the club, but our players and fans on an individual level too.
“We are thrilled to be strengthening our relationship with ESET by deploying its innovative technology and working alongside its team of cybersecurity experts.”
Matt Knell, UK Country Manager at ESET, says, “We have built a great rapport and trusted relationship with AFC Bournemouth over the past five years thanks to our already multi-faceted partnership. We are over the moon that this has given way to a new stage in our alliance.
“Defence is becoming ever-more critical off the pitch, but it will be our job to ensure the team can focus wholly on what happens on the pitch. We very much look forward to working alongside the club this coming season to make it a success all round.”