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RSA Conference 2020: AT&T Cybersecurity, IBM and Verizon Cancel Participation Amid Coronavirus Concerns

AT&T Cybersecurity, IBM and Verizon have canceled their participation at RSA Conference 2020 out of an abundance of caution amid the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak that started in China.

All three companies have cybersecurity business units that rank among the world's Top 200 MSSPs, according to MSSP Alert.

The IBM, AT&T and Verizon cancelations were announced February 14, February 20 and February 21.

Related Update, February 18, 2020: Dell Selling RSA Security to Private Equity Firm STG Partners

RSA Conference: Most Sponsors Remain Engaged

The total number of exhibitors that have canceled their participation as a sponsor or exhibitor is 14 -- including six from China; seven from the U.S.A.; and one from Canada, as of February 21, conference organizers say.

Still, the vast majority of sponsors are moving forward and participating at the conference, according to RSA Conference updates. And roughly 40,000 people are set to attend the event -- which is scheduled for February 24-28 in San Francisco.

Show organizers continue to monitor the coronavirus outbreak, and the RSA conference team is taking extra precautions to ensure attendee safety, conference organizers say.

Meanwhile, Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2020 has been canceled amid concerns about the coronavirus, the conference organizers have confirmed. That show was set for February 24-27 in Barcelona, Spain.

Originally published February 15, 2020. Updated February 21, 2020 with Verizon news.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.