Shaquille O’Neal lives out his superhero fantasies as he joins NordVPN to help battle cybercriminals

Legendary NBA player Shaquille O’Neal has partnered with NordVPN to help users “go big” on their online protection, prompting the question: What does Shaq know about cybersecurity?

NordVPN, a cybersecurity company known for its virtual private networks (VPNs), has partnered with former NBA player Shaquille O’Neal on its new-ish “next-gen anti-virus” product.

The product marks a departure from its malware-focused scanning tools and VPNs to a broader suite of cybersecurity tools designed for everyone who’s online.

NordVPN founder says we’re “more than a VPN”

NordVPN has been around for roughly 14 years and has become synonymous with VPNs. But the cybersecurity company wants to break the mold and escape this limiting label.

“NordVPN has already become the flagship product around the globe. We’ve outgrown the category and have become much more than a VPN,” said NordVPN co-founder Tomas Okmanas.

Instead, NordVPN wants to be known for its entire suite of cybersecurity tools, which aims to keep users “protected on the go, on the move, and even stop them [cybersecurity threats] before they happen,” Okmanas said.

But it's not enough to create a product that works in a world tainted by AI-enabled misinformation, scams, and deepfakes – it’s got to be promoted by someone the world trusts.

Enter Shaquille O’Neal.

Another string to Shaq’s bow

Shaq has worn many hats over the years, from accidentally investing $250,000 in a little-known search engine called Google during its infancy to being a professional DJ.

The latter isn’t something Shaq just got into – he used to DJ in high school, the NBA star said.

But one lesser-known skill he has is acting, as evidenced by his starring role in the 1997 superhero movie Steel.

The 7ft titan plays Steel, based on the DC Comics character. While the movie wasn’t well-received, Shaq has frequently expressed interest in joining the Avengers.

But Marvel said he was just too big, according to Variety. Still, Shaq has never given up his dream of being a superhero, and perhaps this partnership is fulfilling that fantasy for him.

What does Shaq know about cybersecurity?

To answer plainly, not a lot. But he is taking his security role seriously.

During the conference, I asked the man himself “whether this partnership qualifies [him] as a cybersecurity superhero,” harking back to his 1997 movie Steel and his dream to be a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Shaq replied, “Not yet. I’m actually taking courses on cybersecurity, as you hear it all the time, and I want to become sort of an expert. So I’m looking into it. But NordVPN, my partners will always protect you.”

Marijus Briedis, chief of technology at NordVPN, told Cybernews that the company handles the cybersecurity threats, while Shaq gets people talking about it.

“Shaq is a really amazing addition for us to try and get into the surface with this and reach as many people as possible.”

While Shaq may not know a lot about what NordVPN actually does right now, it’s less about that.

There are 2 parts, Briedis told Cybernews.

“The first part is about the technical part, and making sure that you have all the technicalities, but there is also the human part.”

That’s what Shaq brings, the human element to an industry that, much like Shaq himself, is larger than life and seemingly everywhere.

Why Shaq was the right fit for NordVPN

NordVPN co-founder Eimantas Sabaliauskas said that when promoting protection, you don’t want any old famous face: “You want something that really sticks with your brand.”

Shaq is all about security. From guarding the paint throughout his professional basketball career to recently becoming an honorary member of the FBI, Shaq is seen as the personification of security.

“Shaq has the same values as our brand, as our product. He is ‘protection’ himself. He lives it, he breathes it, and so does NordVPN, so it was a no-brainer,” Justina Eltermanienė, a brand manager at NordVPN, told Cybernews, which is owned by the same parent company.

While NordVPN is known for investing heavily in influencer marketing through YouTube ad placements, the company also wants to promote its other products.

“To bring this message massively into the world, we needed someone massive, and Shaq is just that,” Eltermanienė said.

Dalia Staškuvienė, the head of NordVPN's brand image department, told Cybernews that Shaq isn’t just a basketball star; he’s known for so much more in the US.

“It’s not only basketball, but it’s the whole name. Overall, he’s a top-level celebrity…in the United States, he’s in the top 3 known persons…so it's a bit of a different game.”

So, if NordVPN wants to break further into the US market, they need someone the nation trusts, Dalia said.

Old product, new branding?

While the packaging and name are new, the product apparently isn’t. NordVPN previously released it as “Threat Protection Pro.”

The product was designed as a suite of cybersecurity tools to protect users from emerging threats like online scams, fraud, and, of course, malware.

When asked about this, Briedis told Cybernews that this isn’t exactly a rebrand. Instead, it's something that NordVPN has been creating for almost 5 years.

“I don’t think it's a rebrand from the product perspective…the product was shifting and changing, not only from the VPN…the product right now is focused more on the next gen…the product is changing along the way.”

Companies like NordVPN are required to iterate on their products given the ever-changing cybersecurity landscape. Particularly with advancements in AI.

“I think the whole industry is going to change in the upcoming 2 to 3 years. We’re going to take a look at cybersecurity from a different angle and perspective,” Briedis concludes.