ThreatQuotient adopted a baby rhino. Here’s why

Can cybersecurity help save rhinos?

We’re not sure, but Reston, Virginia’s ThreatQuotient is partnering with Helping Rhinos, a U.K.- and United States-based charity that’s working to save rhinos from extinction through strategic partnerships, to make sure its doing its part in helping to conserve this vulnerable animal.

We are proud to be an official supporter of @HelpingRhinos and aim to bring awareness to #rhino conservation efforts and to raise money for initiatives that will ensure protection of the endangered species. Read all about our partnership: https://t.co/WZOuSJj1Mr pic.twitter.com/K8RUBQyayh

— ThreatQuotient (@ThreatQuotient) September 17, 2019

In 2013, ThreatQuotient selected the rhino as its official mascot, since the animal is said to be a symbol of strength and steadiness. When you roam the halls of ThreatQuotient’s local offices, the company said, you can find rhino decor from wall to wall — and new employees even get a toy stuffed rhino on their first day.

Since inheriting its mascot, the cybersecurity company has also been an ardent supporter of rhino conservation.

Helping Rhinos reported that fewer than 30,000 rhinos remain in the world today. The charity is working to converse the vulnerable animal by developing new habitats and protecting them from poaching and illegal wildlife trade, the press release states.

Now, ThreatQuotient doesn’t normally work in the animal business; the cybersecurity company structures intelligent data. But with this partnership, the cybersecurity company will help bring awareness to rhino conservation efforts by raising funds for Helping Rhinos initiatives at its events.

“I am proud that our culture has grown over the years to pursue missions that extend beyond building a leading cybersecurity company,” ThreatQuotient CEO John Czupak shared in a statement. “Partnering with Helping Rhinos is another opportunity for our ‘Crash,’ the term for a group of rhinos and what we fondly call our team, to make a difference not only in our local Virginia community, but on a global scale.”

In 2018, ThreatQuotient even brought puppies to its RSA Conference booth (since it couldn’t have real baby rhinos) to show its love for animals. To take it a step further and in honor of World Rhino Day on Sept. 22, ThreatQuotient adopted a baby rhino named Mthetho, which means “justice” in the isiXhosa language.

“We admire ThreatQuotient’s passion for rhino conservation and are grateful for their formal support,” Simon Jones, CEO of Helping Rhinos, said in the press release.

Through the end of the year, ThreatQuotient will be attending 11 national and international conferences, where it has committed to donating $1 to Helping Rhinos for every event attendee who scans their badges at its booth, an initiative it launched last year. Here’s a list of the events and dates ThreatQuotient will be at.

“We have experienced significant growth thanks to our supporters and volunteers, and ThreatQuotient’s efforts to educate others about this mission of Helping Rhinos will undoubtedly have a positive impact on protecting rhino in their natural habitat,” Jones said.