Tech firm plans 150 hires, adds research unit

TAMPA — Cyber security firm ReliaQuest intends to build a new research and development arm, the RQ Innovation Team, in addition to hiring at least 150 people this year.

The Tampa-based company also recently moved into a new headquarters, the second time it's expanding its Tampa operations since 2015, according to a statement. The company's new office is in One Harbour Place, at 777 South Harbour Island Boulevard. In addition to the RQ Innovation Team, the office also houses collaborative workspaces to encourage employees to develop new ideas together and a culture and training room where employees take courses through RQ University, the release adds.

“ReliaQuest has been able to remain on the cutting edge of the rapidly changing cyber security landscape because of the attitude, energy and effort of the talented individuals we are fortunate to work with every day,” ReliaQuest CEO Brian Murphy says in the statement. “It's exciting to reflect on how far we've come, but today is about setting a faster pace of growth ahead. We're just getting warmed up.”

The Tampa Hillsborough Economic Development Corp. assisted ReliaQuest with connections to the city of Tampa for expedited permitting and CareerSource Florida for Florida Flex training grants

“I am proud that ReliaQuest will be expanding and creating 150 new jobs for families in the Tampa Bay area,” Florida Gov. Rick Scott says in the statement. “Our continued focus on making Florida the most business-friendly state in the nation is helping more and more Florida companies like ReliaQuest invest and create new opportunities in our state. I look forward to seeing ReliaQuest's ongoing success in Florida and I congratulate them on this exciting news.”