BARCELONA, Spain and SUNNYVALE, Calif., May 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FC Barcelona and Fortinet® (NASDAQ: FTNT), the global cybersecurity leader driving the convergence of networking and security, have signed a sponsorship agreement through which Fortinet becomes Espai Barça's new Official Cybersecurity Partner for the next three seasons, until 30 June 2028. As part of the agreement, FC Barcelona will enable a secure digital environment for its Spotify Camp Nou facilities leveraging Fortinet’s industry-leading Security Fabric platform, which will serve as a global reference for technological innovation in the world of sport and entertainment.

The alliance between the Club and Fortinet is part of the sponsorship programme associated with the future Spotify Camp Nou and has been made possible thanks to their shared goals of integrating the most innovative technological systems into the future Stadium. FC Barcelona is committed to turning Espai Barça into an international innovation hub, at the forefront of new technologies. In this sense, this alliance reaffirms the Club's commitment to partnering with leading companies and integrating the most innovative technology into the new stadium.

This partnership represents a new opportunity for the sponsorship program, created specifically for one of the most important projects in the Club's history. It will open up new opportunities, both for companies that sell directly to consumers (B2C) and, as is the case for Fortinet, for companies focused on the business sector (B2B), taking advantage of the global visibility and prestige of FC Barcelona and the importance of what will be one of the world's leading stadia.

Cybersecurity Enhances Visitor and User Experience

As part of the agreement, FC Barcelona will implement Fortinet’s Security Fabric platform, including FortiGate next-generation firewalls, to secure stadium Wi-Fi, OT infrastructure, and the data center. Fortinet’s Zero Trust Network Access and endpoint security will protect users and devices accessing applications from any location. Additionally, centralized management with AI-powered security analytics will offer comprehensive network visibility. These technologies will integrate seamlessly with FC Barcelona’s existing IT investments, enhancing security and efficiency across Spotify Camp Nou.

Espai Barça, More Than a Stadium

Espai Barça is a revolutionary project in the world of sport and entertainment that seeks to update and expand the FC Barcelona facilities, including the emblematic Spotify Camp Nou, and transform it into the best sports complex in the centre of a major city. Having the best cybersecurity solutions through our collaboration with Fortinet is key to achieving this goal by ensuring a secure digital environment and offering the best possible experience to all members and fans who visit the stadium.

Fortinet has been a driving force behind the progress in cybersecurity, responsibly delivering solutions by innovating sustainable security technologies, diversifying cybersecurity talent, and promoting responsible businesses and environments. Fortinet's experience is essential for such a large project as Espai Barça, as its work with recognized public and private entities, including computer emergency response teams (CERTs), government agencies and the academic world, are a fundamental aspect of Fortinet's commitment to improving cyber-resilience around the world.

Remarks from Juli Guiu, vice-president of FC Barcelona's Marketing Area
"Espai Barça must be the catalyst for the Club's digital transformation, and cybersecurity is a fundamental pillar. Our alliance with Fortinet ensures that our facilities will have the most advanced protection and a secure digital environment for all those who visit the Stadium. This collaboration highlights our commitment to innovation and technology and the Club's commitment to offer the best experience."

Remarks from John Maddison, Chief Marketing Officer of Fortinet
“Building on Fortinet’s history of cybersecurity innovation spanning more than 20 years, we’re proud to support FC Barcelona’s ambitious vision to create an international innovation hub powered by industry-leading, cutting-edge technologies. Our shared goal of developing Spotify Camp Nou into one of the world’s leading stadiums is made possible by leveraging the Fortinet Security Fabric platform to secure its digital environment.”

Additional Resources

• Read more about the Fortinet Security Fabric.
• Learn about Fortinet’s free cybersecurity training, which includes broad cyber awareness and product training. As part of the Fortinet Training Advancement Agenda (TAA), the Fortinet Training Institute also provides training and certification through the Network Security Expert (NSE) Certification, Academic Partner, and Education Outreach programs.
• Follow Fortinet on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. Subscribe to Fortinet on our blog or YouTube.
• Visit fortinet.com/trust to learn more about Fortinet innovation, collaboration partners, product security processes, and enterprise-grade products that contribute to delivering proven cybersecurity, everywhere you need it. 
• Learn more about Fortinet's commitment to product security and integrity, including its responsible product development and vulnerability disclosure approach and policies.
  

About Fortinet

Fortinet (NASDAQ: FTNT) is a driving force in the evolution of cybersecurity and the convergence of networking and security. Our mission is to secure people, devices, and data everywhere, and today we deliver cybersecurity everywhere you need it with the largest integrated portfolio of over 50 enterprise-grade products. Well over half a million customers trust Fortinet's solutions, which are among the most deployed, most patented, and most validated in the industry. The Fortinet Training Institute, one of the largest and broadest training programs in the industry, is dedicated to making cybersecurity training and new career opportunities available to everyone. Collaboration with esteemed organizations from both the public and private sectors, including CERTs, government entities, and academia, is a fundamental aspect of Fortinet’s commitment to enhance cyber resilience globally. FortiGuard Labs, Fortinet’s elite threat intelligence and research organization, develops and utilizes leading-edge machine learning and AI technologies to provide customers with timely and consistently top-rated protection and actionable threat intelligence. Learn more at https://www.fortinet.com, the Fortinet Blog, and FortiGuard Labs.

Copyright © 2024 Fortinet, Inc. All rights reserved. The symbols ® and ™ denote respectively federally registered trademarks and common law trademarks of Fortinet, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates. Fortinet’s trademarks include, but are not limited to, the following: Fortinet, the Fortinet logo, FortiGate, FortiOS, FortiGuard, FortiCare, FortiAnalyzer, FortiManager, FortiASIC, FortiClient, FortiCloud, FortiMail, FortiSandbox, FortiADC, FortiAI, FortiAIOps, FortiAntenna, FortiAP, FortiAPCam, FortiAuthenticator, FortiCache, FortiCall, FortiCam, FortiCamera, FortiCarrier, FortiCASB, FortiCentral, FortiConnect, FortiController, FortiConverter, FortiCWP, FortiDB, FortiDDoS, FortiDeceptor, FortiDeploy, FortiDevSec, FortiEdge, FortiEDR, FortiExplorer, FortiExtender, FortiFirewall, FortiFone, FortiGSLB, FortiHypervisor, FortiInsight, FortiIsolator, FortiLAN, FortiLink, FortiMoM, FortiMonitor, FortiNAC, FortiNDR, FortiPenTest, FortiPhish, FortiPlanner, FortiPolicy, FortiPortal, FortiPresence, FortiProxy, FortiRecon, FortiRecorder, FortiSASE, FortiSDNConnector, FortiSIEM, FortiSMS, FortiSOAR, FortiSwitch, FortiTester, FortiToken, FortiTrust, FortiVoice, FortiWAN, FortiWeb, FortiWiFi, FortiWLC, FortiWLM and FortiXDR. Other trademarks belong to their respective owners. Fortinet has not independently verified statements or certifications herein attributed to third parties and Fortinet does not independently endorse such statements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, nothing herein constitutes a warranty, guarantee, contract, binding specification or other binding commitment by Fortinet or any indication of intent related to a binding commitment, and performance and other specification information herein may be unique to certain environments.