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Threat actors are smart, so executives and organizations need to be smarter. In an era where cyber threats grow more advanced by the day, proactive cybersecurity has become essential for executives. High-profile incidents, such as the deepfake scam that targeted WPP CEO Mark Read, reveal the evolving and distinct risks leadership faces. Executives are particularly vulnerable to high-stakes social engineering attacks, where fraudsters exploit their prominence to access sensitive information. In Read’s case, AI-generated voice and video manipulation were used to impersonate him to solicit confidential data — a scheme that was fortunately thwarted.
While high-profile incidents grab headlines, thousands of attempts to steal personally identifiable information (PII) occur daily. Simple Google searches can uncover someone’s home address, phone number, IP address, or email address, providing attacks with the tools for phishing attempts, home network exploitation, or account takeovers. These seemingly small breaches can lead to significant consequences, especially for executives whose personal data is a gateway to corporate assets.
The stakes for organizations are higher than ever. According to IBM, the global average cost of a data breach reached $4.88 million in 2024, a 10% increase from the previous year. As costs escalate and attackers grow more sophisticated, executives must adopt tailored cybersecurity strategies to safeguard their organizations and personal assets. Their unique vulnerabilities make them prime targets, underscoring the urgent need for proactive measures.
This article features insights from two leading cybersecurity figures: Max Anderson, Chief Growth Officer at 360 Privacy, and Nick Podhradsky, Head of Business Development at SBS CyberSecurity. With an accomplished corporate security and risk management background, Anderson specializes in crafting comprehensive solutions to help executives protect their personal information. Podhradsky brings more than 15 years of experience helping clients from regulated industries make more strategic cybersecurity decisions. Their combined expertise bridges the gap between technical cybersecurity solutions and executive decision-making, providing invaluable guidance on addressing today’s cybersecurity challenges and empowering leaders to stay ahead of the curve.
What Executives Need to Know About Cyber Risks
- What cybersecurity threats have recently emerged that executives should be aware of?
- How does enhancing personal data privacy act as a shield against potential cyberattacks for executives?
- What advanced cybersecurity technologies or strategies should executives consider to protect their organizations and personal brands?
- With social engineering attacks becoming more sophisticated, what can executives do to protect themselves and their organizations better?
- What considerations should guide executives in budgeting for cybersecurity in the coming years?
- How can executives train their teams to recognize and avoid executive phishing attacks?
- What strategies should executives use to secure their communications?
- What role does AI play in enhancing cybersecurity for executives?
- What type of cybersecurity training is most effective for executives?
- What strategies should executives implement to integrate cybersecurity awareness across all levels of their organization?
What cybersecurity threats have recently emerged that executives should be aware of?
Max Anderson: The use of artificial intelligence (AI) to generate video and audio deepfakes is a growing concern. These deepfakes are often used to target executives or account managers, particularly in the financial services industry, to gain unauthorized access to accounts or authorize fraudulent wire transfers. These deepfakes are becoming more believable by incorporating personal information easily obtainable from data broker sites or social media, such as children's names, recent vacations, or personal details like birthdates, addresses, and phone numbers.
Nick Podhradsky: AI is increasingly shaping the future of cyber risks. Threat actors are leveraging AI to automate large-scale attacks, create more convincing phishing lures, and generate deepfake audio and video that are difficult to detect. This heightens the risk of insider threats, where employees are manipulated to grant access to critical systems and data, inadvertently becoming security vulnerabilities for the business.
To counter these risks, executives must prioritize educating themselves on AI and its applications. This understanding enables them to invest in advanced technologies thoughtfully and avoid blind adoption. Additionally, fostering organizational resilience is crucial. Developing rapid-response capabilities across the company can significantly reduce the impact and probability of a cyberattack.
How does enhancing personal data privacy act as a shield against potential cyberattacks for executives?
MA: Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many executives and employees with high-level access have been working remotely. This new work environment comes at a cost. While employees are embracing the flexibility, they often conduct sensitive business on less secure networks than you would find at a corporate office. Removing your profiles from data broker sites makes it more difficult for threat actors to find your home IP address and other data that can aid those with nefarious motives.
NP: Many executives would likely be shocked at the amount of their personal data available online and how easily attackers can access it. By dedicating time and effort to enhancing personal privacy and security, leadership can reduce their attack surface, mitigate the risk of social engineering attacks, and safeguard not only themselves but also their families, colleagues, and the businesses they are connected to.
What advanced cybersecurity technologies or strategies should executives consider to protect their organizations and personal brands?
MA: Before adding more layers of security, start by embracing a low-tech solution: Conduct an audit of the information you’re disclosing, intentionally or unintentionally, through things like social media, your LinkedIn profile, or even your official bio on the company website. For instance, we’ve seen cases where home networks were exploited because attackers identified and targeted children named in executive bios. We have to walk before we can run, and advanced solutions are only effective when built on a strong foundation.
NP: Advanced technologies are valuable but only work when cybersecurity fundamentals are solid. Start by focusing on identifying risks through thorough risk assessments. A mature risk assessment framework lays the groundwork for adopting advanced cybersecurity strategies. Once risks are well understood, the next step is developing a roadmap to address them, including testing and verifying the organization’s processes, technology, and people. As Coach Bud Kilmer famously said in Varsity Blues, “Stick to the basics, stick to the basics.”
With social engineering attacks becoming more sophisticated, what can executives do to better protect themselves and their organizations?
MA: The adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” rings true in cybersecurity. Regular training for executives and employees is essential, incorporating best practices and real-world examples of current threat actor tactics. Also, it’s critical to destigmatize being the victim of a social engineering or phishing attack. Employees and executives must feel empowered to report incidents immediately without fear of losing their jobs. Rapid reporting is critical to mitigating loss and securing internal networks. If employees are afraid to report incidents, the losses can quickly compound.
NP: While recently traveling for a speaking engagement, I found inspiration from an unexpected place — an airplane. The flight attendant’s safety briefing instructions struck a chord: “In the unlikely event that the cabin loses pressure, secure your own mask first before helping others.” Why is this advice so important? Because if you don’t secure yourself, you won’t be able to help anyone else. The same principle applies to building a cybersecurity culture. Executives must first ensure their own defenses are strong against sophisticated attacks before they can effectively lead and protect their organizations. My challenge to readers: Secure your own mask first — enhance your personal resilience to cyber threats — then help others do the same.
What considerations should guide executives in budgeting for cybersecurity in the coming years?
MA: The security trap we often see is that things are going great, so we don’t need to continue spending as much on our internal security programs. When budgets are cut, security programs often suffer, and an attack that once would have been thwarted is suddenly successful. Security budgets should always expand responsibly and sustainably. Cybersecurity is a continuous battle — like a game of Whack-A-Mole — and budgeting should anticipate the ongoing evolution of threats.
NP: The common perception of cybersecurity is that it is a cost center that doesn’t contribute to business growth, but the reality is different. Managing cybersecurity risks has become a core competency for current and future executives. Effective budgeting starts with robust risk assessments, enabling organizations to prioritize investments and create a strategic roadmap. While no company has unlimited resources, risk-based budgeting ensures that investments are targeted and impactful.
How can executives train their teams to recognize and avoid executive phishing attacks?
MA: Executive phishing attacks often target lower- to mid-level employees by impersonating senior leaders. Train employees to look for a few key indicators, such as:
- Sense of urgency: Does the message contain specific and immediate timelines for completing the task?
- Abnormal contact: Is the email from an executive directed to someone who doesn’t usually interact with them?
- Spelling/grammar errors: Does the message contain noticeable errors or non-native phrasing?
- Request for money or access: Does the message ask for money to be transferred, items to be purchased, or access to be granted (such as a password reset or login credentials)?
- Email sender address: Does the sender's email match the executive’s official address, or is it spoofed?
NP: Traditional security awareness training can be boring and over-complicated. I am a big fan of The Golden Rule of Email: Treat every electronic communication — including email, video conferencing, direct messaging, and texts — as a possible phishing attack. To apply this rule, ask three simple questions:
- Who: Is the message truly from the person it claims to be? If unsure, verify by contacting them through a separate, trusted channel.
- What: If it involves money transfers, clicking a link, or opening an attachment you weren’t expecting, confirm the request outside of the communication.
- Why: Why do they want you to take action? Attackers often create urgency or provide vague reasoning. If something feels off, validate the request through a secure channel.
What strategies should executives use to secure their communications?
MA: Start using secure communication tools like Signal when discussing financial, proprietary, or confidential matters. Don’t connect your devices to public Wi-Fi, and be cautious when using your phone overseas, as some countries actively monitor cellular and internet traffic. Using a VPN helps but is not foolproof.
NP: Securing communications is vital for executives to protect sensitive information and maintain organizational integrity. One of the most critical controls is implementing proper multifactor authentication (MFA) across all devices and applications. Additionally, using encrypted communication channels and secured VPNs enhances protection.
What role does AI play in enhancing cybersecurity for executives?
MA: AI-powered threat detection tools are revolutionizing cybersecurity by analyzing attacks more quickly and efficiently than traditional methods. Massive amounts of data can be compiled and used to help detect similar attack methods, preventing organizational losses by detecting similar threats before they escalate.
NP: Executives can significantly enhance their cybersecurity posture through AI by leveraging the following capabilities:
- Automated threat detection and response: Analyze vast amounts of data in real time to spot patterns and anomalies that may indicate a cyber threat.
- Predictive analytics: Forecast potential cyberattacks by analyzing historical data and identifying trends.
- Behavioral analysis: Monitor user behavior to detect any unusual activity that could indicate a breach.
- Enhanced phishing detection: Analyze email content and metadata to pinpoint phishing attempts more accurately.
- Incident response and recovery: Automate routine tasks like log analysis and threat hunting to streamline the incident response process.
What type of cybersecurity training is most effective for executives?
MA: For executives, training should go beyond basic topics like password management and phishing. It must also address social engineering, corporate espionage tactics, and even social media security for their entire family. Given that lone threat actors, activist groups, and nation-states regularly target industries, it’s crucial to educate executives not only on the methods of attack but also on the broader threats they face. This way, they can ensure their organizations are running comprehensive, proactive cybersecurity programs.
NP: Cybersecurity training for executives should be concise, entertaining, and tailored to the individual. If you think about any training sessions you have been part of, they tend to be full of jargon and generic content, which fails to resonate. Effective training must connect with its audience emotionally, so keeping it short and digestible is key. It also needs an element of entertainment so that learners enjoy the experience and are eager to learn more. Additionally, using real-world case studies and personal stories makes the content more memorable.
What strategies should executives implement to integrate cybersecurity awareness across all levels of their organization?
MA: Don’t assume that employees know what they are supposed to do regarding cybersecurity. Leaders often hire talented people, but there can be a competency bias — just because someone excels in their job doesn’t mean they are a subject-matter expert on everything. Executives should talk to their CISO, CSO, and IT managers and ask, “If you could teach all employees one thing, what would it be?” Then, empower these leaders to educate their teams. By fostering a collaborative environment, security leaders can share knowledge, answer questions, and support their peers.
NP: There are three key actions that executives should take today to integrate cybersecurity awareness across the organization:
- Secure your own mask first: Become a cybersecurity champion. An organization’s culture is established by its leaders. If you don’t exhibit the knowledge, skills, and discipline that you expect from your employees, then why would they follow suit?
- Create champions at every level: Establish awareness during onboarding and ensure that cyberculture remains a focus year-round, led by management teams rather than just IT.
- Engage external experts: Bring in external experts to provide additional training, insights, and real-world stories that resonate with your organization.
Enhance Your Data Security Now
In the face of rapidly advancing cyber threats, executives must adopt a proactive and strategic approach to cybersecurity. The key to staying ahead of these threats lies in understanding both the technical and personal risks, from protecting sensitive organizational data to safeguarding individual assets. Executives can craft a tailored defense strategy that addresses their unique needs by taking the necessary steps now and consulting with experts from 360 Privacy and SBS CyberSecurity. Acting now not only protects the organization’s reputation but also ensures long-term resilience against the growing complexity of cyber risks.
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