When it comes to cybersecurity, corporate executives are often the most targeted individuals—but their greatest vulnerabilities may lie beyond the office walls. In this episode recorded live at RSAC Conference 2025, Dr. Chris Pierson, Founder and CEO of BlackCloak, joins hosts Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli to unpack why digital executive protection is now a business necessity, not a luxury.
Dr. Pierson—a former two-time CISO, DHS cybersecurity advisor, and chief privacy officer—explains how BlackCloak addresses a long-ignored problem: the personal digital exposure of high-profile individuals and their families. From compromised home networks and identity theft to impersonation scams powered by deepfake technology, today’s cyber threats easily bypass corporate defenses by exploiting softer targets at home.
Digital Protection That Mirrors Physical Security
Just as companies rely on third-party providers for health insurance or physical executive protection, Dr. Pierson advocates for a dedicated, privacy-conscious solution for securing personal digital lives. BlackCloak functions as a concierge-style service, guiding individuals through essential steps like securing high-risk accounts, managing privacy settings, shrinking their attack surface, and implementing a modern, multifactor verification system to prevent impersonation attacks.
A Framework for Action
At RSAC, Dr. Pierson unveiled BlackCloak’s Digital Executive Protection Framework—a practical tool that includes 14 tenets and over 100 specific actions to assess and improve personal digital security maturity. The goal: help organizations prioritize what matters most. Instead of trying to secure every account or device equally, the framework focuses attention on high-value targets like banking credentials, communication platforms, and personal data exposed via data brokers.
From Deepfakes to Real-World Consequences
Pierson also highlights the alarming growth of AI-powered impersonation attacks. With 42% of surveyed CISOs reporting executive-targeted deepfake incidents, and financial losses climbing, companies must think differently. It’s not just about technology—it’s about trust, relationships, and verification at every level of communication.
This episode sheds light on how executive protection is evolving—and why your organization should consider extending its security strategy beyond the boardroom. To see how BlackCloak is redefining protection for the C-suite and their families, listen to the full episode.
Learn more about BlackCloak: https://itspm.ag/itspbcweb
Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.
Guest:
Chris Pierson, Founder & CEO, BlackCloak | https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristopherpierson/
Resources
Learn more and catch more stories from BlackCloak: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/blackcloak
Learn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25
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Keywords:
sean martin, marco ciappelli, chris pierson, cybersecurity, privacy, deepfakes, identity, executives, framework, protection, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast
______________________
Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverage
Want to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrf
Want Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us
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By ITSPmagazine, Sean Martin, Marco Ciappelli
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When it comes to cybersecurity, corporate executives are often the most targeted individuals—but their greatest vulnerabilities may lie beyond the office walls. In this episode recorded live at RSAC Conference 2025, Dr. Chris Pierson, Founder and CEO of BlackCloak, joins hosts Sean Martin and Marco Ciappelli to unpack why digital executive protection is now a business necessity, not a luxury.
Dr. Pierson—a former two-time CISO, DHS cybersecurity advisor, and chief privacy officer—explains how BlackCloak addresses a long-ignored problem: the personal digital exposure of high-profile individuals and their families. From compromised home networks and identity theft to impersonation scams powered by deepfake technology, today’s cyber threats easily bypass corporate defenses by exploiting softer targets at home.
Digital Protection That Mirrors Physical Security
Just as companies rely on third-party providers for health insurance or physical executive protection, Dr. Pierson advocates for a dedicated, privacy-conscious solution for securing personal digital lives. BlackCloak functions as a concierge-style service, guiding individuals through essential steps like securing high-risk accounts, managing privacy settings, shrinking their attack surface, and implementing a modern, multifactor verification system to prevent impersonation attacks.
A Framework for Action
At RSAC, Dr. Pierson unveiled BlackCloak’s Digital Executive Protection Framework—a practical tool that includes 14 tenets and over 100 specific actions to assess and improve personal digital security maturity. The goal: help organizations prioritize what matters most. Instead of trying to secure every account or device equally, the framework focuses attention on high-value targets like banking credentials, communication platforms, and personal data exposed via data brokers.
From Deepfakes to Real-World Consequences
Pierson also highlights the alarming growth of AI-powered impersonation attacks. With 42% of surveyed CISOs reporting executive-targeted deepfake incidents, and financial losses climbing, companies must think differently. It’s not just about technology—it’s about trust, relationships, and verification at every level of communication.
This episode sheds light on how executive protection is evolving—and why your organization should consider extending its security strategy beyond the boardroom. To see how BlackCloak is redefining protection for the C-suite and their families, listen to the full episode.
Learn more about BlackCloak: https://itspm.ag/itspbcweb
Note: This story contains promotional content. Learn more.
Guest:
Chris Pierson, Founder & CEO, BlackCloak | https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristopherpierson/
Resources
Learn more and catch more stories from BlackCloak: https://www.itspmagazine.com/directory/blackcloak
Learn more and catch more stories from RSA Conference 2025 coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/rsac25
______________________
Keywords:
sean martin, marco ciappelli, chris pierson, cybersecurity, privacy, deepfakes, identity, executives, framework, protection, brand story, brand marketing, marketing podcast, brand story podcast
______________________
Catch all of our event coverage: https://www.itspmagazine.com/technology-and-cybersecurity-conference-coverage
Want to tell your Brand Story Briefing as part of our event coverage? Learn More 👉 https://itspm.ag/evtcovbrf
Want Sean and Marco to be part of your event or conference? Let Us Know 👉 https://www.itspmagazine.com/contact-us
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