Jason Wagner | Constella Intelligence

The MSSP Advantage: Elevating Executive Digital Risk Protection in 2025

Jason Wagner on February 19, 2025

For Managed Security Service Providers (MSSPs), cybersecurity isn’t just about protecting networks and endpoints anymore. As businesses become more digitally connected, security threats are shifting beyond the enterprise perimeter – targeting the people at the top.

Executives, board members, and other high-profile leaders are increasingly at risk of phishing attacks, impersonation scams, and dark web exposure. Cybercriminals know that an executive’s email account, credentials, or digital identity can be the key to accessing sensitive corporate data, financial transactions, or even brand reputation.

This shift presents a huge opportunity for MSSPs. By offering executive digital risk protection, MSSPs can help clients proactively manage digital risks beyond the firewall – strengthening security postures while creating a high-value, differentiated service.

Executive Digital Risk Protection: Smart Move for MSSPs

Executive Cyber Risks Go Beyond Traditional Security Tools

Most companies already have endpoint detection, firewalls, and email security solutions in place. But even with these protections, executives are still vulnerable because:

Their personal information is widely available online, making them easy targets for phishing and social engineering.
Cybercriminals buy and sell leaked executive credentials on the dark web, giving them a direct way into corporate networks.
Fake LinkedIn or Twitter profiles can impersonate executives, tricking employees, customers, or investors into engaging with a fraudulent identity.

Unlike a typical cyberattack, these threats don’t trigger alerts in a SIEM or firewall—they happen outside the company’s infrastructure, making them harder to detect. That’s where MSSPs can step in.

Proactive Threat Monitoring Adds Real Value for Clients

Executive digital protection is all about getting ahead of risks before they turn into full-blown security incidents. MSSPs can provide a critical service by monitoring:

Dark web forums and marketplaces for leaked executive credentials.
Social media platforms for fake accounts or impersonation attempts.
Online mentions of executives in connection to cyber threats, fraud, or brand risks.

How Constella Hunter+ Empowers MSSPs

To offer scalable and effective executive protection, MSSPs need a powerful digital risk monitoring solution that provides real-time intelligence across multiple threat vectors.

Constella Hunter+ is a digital risk protection platform designed to give MSSPs:
✔ Comprehensive coverage of the surface, deep, and dark web to detect executive threats early.
✔ Automated alerts for leaked credentials, impersonation attempts, and emerging risks.
✔ Seamless integration with SOC operations, enabling MSSPs to provide continuous, proactive monitoring without adding operational burden.

By leveraging Hunter+, MSSPs can deliver actionable intelligence, helping clients address threats before they escalate – enhancing security postures while strengthening client trust.

Digital Risk Protection is a Differentiator in a Crowded Market

In the MSSP space, competition is fierce. Many providers offer the same core services – SOC monitoring, endpoint security, phishing protection. But executive digital protection is still an emerging area, meaning MSSPs that move fast can stand out from the competition.

It’s a high-value, low-touch service. With the right automated intelligence tools, MSSPs can monitor executive threats without adding major overhead to security teams.
It strengthens client relationships. Offering proactive security tailored to executives helps build trust and long-term partnerships.
It creates new revenue streams. Many organizations are willing to invest more in security for their leadership teams – MSSPs can package digital risk protection into premium service tiers.

In short, this isn’t just another security add-on – it’s a strategic offering that aligns with how businesses think about risk.

How MSSPs Can Implement Executive Digital Risk Protection

For MSSPs looking to get started, here’s a practical approach to rolling out executive-focused security services.

Step 1: Assess Digital Exposure

The first step is understanding what’s already out there. MSSPs can help clients conduct an executive risk assessment looking at:

Publicly available executive information (home addresses, emails, phone numbers).
Exposed credentials from past data breaches.
Fake or unauthorized executive social media profiles.

Step 2: Set Up Real-Time Monitoring

Using automated intelligence tools, MSSPs can track:

Dark web activity related to executives.
Social media and domain impersonations attempting fraud or scams.
Mentions of executives on cybercrime forums or threat intelligence feeds.

Step 3: Guide Clients on Reducing Their Digital Footprint

MSSPs can advise executives and security teams on steps to minimize risk, such as:

Removing personal data from public databases.
Strengthening security settings on personal and corporate accounts.
Training leadership teams to recognize impersonation and phishing tactics.

Step 4: Align with Corporate Security Teams

Digital risk protection works best when integrated into the broader security strategy. MSSPs should:

Work with CISOs and IT leaders to ensure executive security aligns with overall risk management.
Incorporate executive monitoring into existing security reports.
Help create incident response plans for executive-specific threats.

By taking a structured, proactive approach, MSSPs can deliver executive digital protection in a way that scales and provides long-term value.

Why Now is the Right Time for MSSPs to Act

The cybersecurity industry is shifting from reactive to proactive security. Clients aren’t just looking for firewalls and endpoint protection anymore – they want intelligence-driven security that helps them stay ahead of emerging threats.

Offering executive digital protection isn’t just a smart business move – it’s a natural evolution of the MSSP role.

Next Steps for MSSPs:

✔ Start with an executive risk assessment – understand the vulnerabilities your clients face.
✔ Identify the right digital risk intelligence tools to integrate into your SOC or managed security platform.
✔ Position executive protection as a premium, proactive security service.

Security teams are looking for trusted partners who offer more than just traditional cybersecurity. MSSPs that lead the way in executive digital protection will set themselves apart, strengthen client relationships, and build new revenue opportunities in a rapidly evolving threat landscape.

The Digital Executive: How to Protect Your Personal and Professional Digital Footprint

Jason Wagner on February 6, 2025

Executives today operate in an increasingly connected world, where their digital presence is often as visible as their professional reputation. From corporate bios and media interviews to personal social media activity, an executive’s digital footprint is extensive –and, if left unprotected, a cyber and physical security risk.

Recent high-profile incidents, including the tragic killing of UnitedHealth executive Brian Thompson and the Sony Pictures cyberattack, have underscored the real-world consequences of digital exposure. Cybercriminals, bad actors, and even disgruntled employees can exploit personal and professional information to launch phishing attacks, impersonation scams, and even physical threats.

To stay ahead of these risks, executives need proactive strategies to minimize their online exposure, strengthen their digital security, and protect both their personal safety and corporate reputation.

What is an Executive’s Digital Footprint?

An executive’s digital footprint includes all personal and professional information that can be found online, including:

Personal data such as home addresses, family members & details, financial records, and phone numbers found through data brokers or public records.
Corporate presence, including biographies on company websites, conference speaker listings, media appearances, and LinkedIn profiles.
Leaked or stolen personal information or credentials from personal and corporate email accounts that have been exposed in past data breaches.
Social media activity that reveals locations, travel patterns, and professional associations.

This information is an invaluable asset to any criminal, not only cybercriminals, who can use it for targeted attacks, impersonation, and even real-world threats.

Why an Unprotected Digital Footprint is a Security Risk

Cyber Threats: Phishing and Credential Exploits

Executives are prime targets for impersonation, phishing scams and credential attacks. If an attacker gains access to an executive’s email, they can impersonate them to authorize fraudulent transactions, leak sensitive corporate data, or gain deeper access to company systems.

Real-World Example: The New York Times Cyberattack
In 2013, hackers infiltrated The New York Times after the newspaper published an article about China’s Prime Minister. The attackers gained access to reporters' emails and confidential internal documents, demonstrating how high-profile individuals are often targeted by cyber espionage.

Physical Security Risks: Stalking and Doxxing

A digital footprint isn’t just a cyber risk—it can become a physical security threat. If an executive’s home address, travel schedule, or personal details are exposed online, they and their families become vulnerable to harassment, stalking, or worse.

Real-World Example: The Murder of UnitedHealth Executive Brian Thompson
Brian Thompson, an executive at UnitedHealth Group, was tragically shot in what law enforcement described as a targeted attack. While the full details remain under investigation, the incident has heightened concerns around executive security, particularly for those whose personal details are publicly accessible.

Reputation and Brand Damage

Executives are the public face of their organizations. If they become the target of a cyberattack, the fallout can extend far beyond personal risk – it can impact corporate reputation, stock prices, and public trust.

Real-World Example: The Sony Pictures Cyberattack
In 2014, hackers breached Sony Pictures Entertainment, leaking confidential executive emails, employee records, and unreleased films. The attack caused severe reputational damage, disrupted operations, and led to millions in financial losses.

Executives should view digital footprint protection as part of corporate risk management, not just personal cybersecurity.

How Executives Can Protect Their Digital Footprint

Reduce Publicly Available Information

Remove all personal information found on both public and dark web sources
Continually monitor and adjust social media privacy settings to minimize or remove any exposures.
Eliminate posting travel plans, family photos, or location updates online.

Monitor for Digital Threats in Real Time

Use threat intelligence tools to track online chatter about executives.
Monitor dark web forums for leaked credentials and impersonation attempts.
Set up real-time alerts for mentions of executive names in hacker communities.

Strengthen Password and Authentication Security

Use unique, complex passwords for all accounts.
Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA) on email, financial, and business accounts.
Conduct regular security audits to check for leaked credentials.

Train Executives on Digital Security Risks

Provide social engineering awareness training to help executives spot phishing attempts.
Educate leadership teams on deepfake threats and impersonation scams.
Develop incident response protocols for personal cybersecurity breaches.

Align Digital and Physical Security Measures

Work with corporate security teams to integrate cyber threat intelligence with physical protection plans.
Implement travel security protocols for executives visiting high-risk locations.
Use secure communication channels instead of personal messaging apps or unencrypted emails.

Path Forward: Solutions for Strengthening Executive Digital Protection

While proactive steps like removing personal data, improving password security, and limiting social media exposure can reduce risk, a truly effective executive protection strategy requires real-time digital threat monitoring.

Constella’s Hunter+ is a digital risk protection platform that provides unmatched visibility into executives’ external digital footprints, detecting threats before they escalate.

Key Features of Hunter+:

Continuous Monitoring across the surface, deep, and dark web for executive credentials, exposed identities, and impersonations.
Proactive Alerts for risks like network breaches, account takeovers, and leaked executive data.
Comprehensive Awareness through an all-in-one risk dashboard covering social media, dark web forums, and exposed personal data.
Operationalized Protection that integrates with existing SOC and response workflows, accelerating mitigation efforts.

By continuously monitoring for external digital threats, Hunter+ empowers organizations to:

Mitigate risks before they become attacks.
Enhance security teams’ efficiency through automated monitoring.
Protect executives and their families from cyber and physical threats.

A Secure Executive is a Resilient Executive

The modern executive is a high-value target for cybercriminals, activists, and corporate adversaries. Protecting an executive’s digital footprint is not just a personal concern – it’s a business imperative.

By taking proactive steps to minimize digital exposure, monitor threats in real-time, and integrate digital security with physical protection, companies can reduce risks, protect corporate leaders, and safeguard their business reputation.

Want to assess your executive team’s digital exposure? Download our free executive risk checklist today and learn how Constella Hunter+ can help strengthen your security posture.

Managing Risks: Executive Protection in the Digital Age

Jason Wagner on December 18, 2024

The recent incident involving the United Healthcare CEO has sparked critical conversations in corporate boardrooms about the evolving threat landscape and the importance of robust security measures centered around executive protection. The incident has illuminated a stark and unsettling reality: the threat landscape for senior executives is evolving in ways that demand immediate attention and action. As companies scramble to reassess their security measures, it is imperative to consider the physical and digital vulnerabilities that executives face.

A Holistic Approach to Executive Protection

Executives today operate in an interconnected world where the lines between their professional and personal lives are increasingly blurred. The NYPD’s intelligence report labeling Thompson’s killing as a “symbolic takedown” underscores how online rhetoric can translate into real-world violence. While essential for corporate visibility, social media platforms also present a proactive opportunity for companies to enhance their digital security posture by identifying and mitigating the intelligence adversaries might use to target potential vulnerabilities. Personal addresses, travel schedules, and family details are often just a few clicks away for malicious actors.

This convergence of physical and digital threats highlights the need for a holistic approach to executive protection. Security measures can no longer be confined to physical guards or alarm systems. They must also encompass robust digital strategies, including minimizing digital footprints and proactive online threat monitoring.

A Watershed Moment for Corporate Security

The aftermath of this incident has seen a surge in demand for executive protection services, highlighting the importance of shifting focus from reactionary measures to sustainable and proactive strategies that address immediate and long-term security needs. Security firms have reported unprecedented inquiries, with corporations seeking guidance on everything from enhanced mail screening to deploying residential security teams. However, the challenge lies in reacting to immediate threats and creating a sustainable, long-term security framework.

For companies of all sizes, this “watershed moment” calls for a reassessment of how security budgets are allocated. Historically viewed as a non-revenue-generating expense, security investments must now be recognized as essential to safeguarding not just individuals but also the reputation and continuity of the business itself. Proactive investment in security can also demonstrate corporate responsibility and leadership, reinforcing trust among stakeholders and the broader community. The reputational damage and operational disruption resulting from a high-profile attack can far outweigh the upfront costs of comprehensive security measures.

In the recent report “Safeguarding Executives from Attack Using TAG’s Triangle of Protection Model,” Dr. Edward Amoroso, CEO of TAG Cyber, discusses how executive/VIP protection has three pillars — Physical, Virtual and Threat. Further, he goes on to address how integrating the triangle of protection is crucial to moving forward.

According to this report:

“The three points of the TAG Triangle of Protection — physical protection, virtual protection, and threat reduction — are interdependent and must function cohesively to ensure executive safety. Physical security safeguards the executive from immediate harm, virtual protection shields against cyber and reputational threats, and threat reduction addresses the underlying causes of hostility, but they should all be working together.

For example, early indications from the recent situation involving the CEO of UnitedHealthcare suggest that the attacker employed social engineering methods to obtain information about the logistics of the target. While it is perhaps improper to speculate on how the murder might have been avoided, one must concede that social engineering training can be viewed as interconnected with executive physical protection.”

Moving Forward

To navigate this new paradigm, corporations must adopt a layered approach to security, including taking a hard look at virtual and threat reduction, which we explore in more detail below:

Digital Hygiene: Encourage executives to minimize their online presence by removing personal information, such as home addresses and details about family members. This also includes reviewing social media activity to limit exposure.
Proactive Threat Monitoring: Leverage advanced threat intelligence tools to identify and mitigate risks before they materialize. This includes monitoring the dark web for leaked information and analyzing online chatter for potential threats.
Integrated Digital and Physical Security Protocols: These protocols combine physical security measures, such as guards and secure transport, with cybersecurity defenses to address both physical and digital vulnerabilities.
Crisis Preparedness: Conduct regular training and drills to prepare executives and their families for various scenarios, including attempted breaches or threats during public appearances.
Inclusive Security Strategies: Extend protection beyond the CEO to include other senior leaders and board members, recognizing that attackers may target less apparent individuals.

Responding Faster to Threats with a Proactive Approach

Organizations must also adopt cutting-edge solutions to address the evolving threat landscape. Constella Hunter+ is a digital risk protection platform that safeguards executives and VIPs against external digital threats. By continuously monitoring their digital footprints across the surface, deep, and dark web, as well as social media, Constella Hunter+ accelerates the ability to respond to threats targeting executives and their families.

Key Features:

Continuous Monitoring: Automatically scans for external threats across 53 languages and 125 countries, finding risks such as compromised credentials, exposed identities, and impersonations.
Proactive Alerts: This service delivers real-time notifications for risks like network breaches, account takeovers, and exposed identities.
Comprehensive Awareness: Offers a single-pane-of-glass view of risks across social media, deep and dark web forums, exposed identity data through breaches, data brokers, and surface web assets.
Customizable Threat Models: These enable tailored alerts that align with internal policies and industry-specific requirements.
Operationalized Protection: Integrates with provisioning systems and response workflows, speeding up threat mitigation and enhancing SOC efficiency.

A Call to Action

With its unmatched visibility into external digital footprints and the industry’s most extensive collection of curated identity records, Constella Hunter+ empowers organizations to:

Mitigate risks effectively before damage occurs.
Enhance the effectiveness of security teams through automated monitoring.

Protect executives and their families from both cyber and physical threats.

It is hypercritical that organizations shift the paradigm around the protection of their most valuable assets. Understanding your executive’s digital footprint and understanding cyber threats is critical before they become a physical threat. Organizations must begin to adopt a proactive and forward-thinking approach to addressing emerging threats against their executives. Boards and leadership teams must prioritize security as a core component of their governance responsibilities, including appropriating adequate resources (budgets) and fostering a culture of vigilance and preparedness, not just reactionary! Ensuring leaders’ safety and strengthening resilience in the face of emerging threats should remain a key priority and a critical layer in an organization’s overall security strategy.