In today’s digital age, the online presence of executives can be both an asset and a liability. Understanding and mitigating the risks associated with a digital footprint is crucial for safeguarding personal and corporate assets. Stefanie Drysdale, Senior Vice President of Cyber at Prescient, a global investigations and cybersecurity firm based in Chicago, shares her expertise on this critical subject.
Introduction to Executive Digital Protection
Stefanie Drysdale leads the charge in executive digital protection, offering unique and comprehensive services to assess and secure online footprints. Her team utilizes proprietary tools and methodologies to ensure that executives are aware of their digital vulnerabilities and know how to mitigate them.
Understanding the Risks
Stefanie explains that the way we view data has historically been somewhat backward. Many people think there’s nothing they can do about their information being out there, but that’s not entirely true. By assessing one’s online footprint and understanding the potential dangers, executives can take proactive steps to protect themselves.
Comprehensive Assessment
The process of creating a full profile of someone’s online presence can take from a week and a half to a few weeks, depending on the size of their digital footprint. This assessment includes not only what the individual shares about themselves but also what others are saying about them.
Strategies for Protection
Prescient’s approach includes both physical and digital strategies for safety and privacy. They monitor for threats such as doxing attempts, where personal information like home addresses or phone numbers is shared maliciously. Their goal is to prevent exposure and protect the executive and their family.
Continuous Monitoring and Education
Stefanie’s team provides ongoing monitoring and continuous education to help executives and their teams recognize vulnerabilities and adopt better practices. This includes training on the importance of unique passwords, using password managers, and being mindful of what is shared online.
Extending Protection to Families
Executives are often concerned about the safety of their families. Prashant’s services extend to training and protecting the entire family, ensuring that everyone understands the risks and how to mitigate them.
