The Evolution of Digital Persona Protection (DP3): Why Executive Digital Risk Matters Now More Than Ever

In today’s hyper-connected world, leaders are more visible — and more vulnerable — than ever. Organizations invest heavily in corporate cybersecurity, but one critical blind spot often remains: the personal digital identities of executives and senior officials.

During my time in federal law enforcement and later as the Assistant Special Agent-in-Charge for Army CID’s Cyber Field Office, I saw firsthand how cyber criminals and nation-state actors exploited these gaps. Even something as simple as a unit social media post, a birthday message, an old email address, or a family photo could become an attack vector.

But the risks extend far beyond embarrassment or inconvenience. Threat actors actively use the digital identities of senior officials and executives to enable cybercrime — from confidence and romance scams, to fraud, impersonation, and even coordinated mis/disinformation campaigns. These operations don’t just target individuals; they can undermine trust in entire organizations and erode public confidence in leadership. That reality drove me to reshape the whole process of Digital Persona Protection Program (DP3).

Building the Case: From Select Leaders to Enterprise Protection

When DP3 was first launched, protection was reserved only for a handful of select senior officials. It was a step in the right direction, but I quickly realized the risk was much broader: every senior leader carried digital vulnerabilities that could be weaponized. The challenge wasn’t just technical — it was organizational. I had to advocate relentlessly to expand the program. That meant:

• Making the case to my leadership and ultimate to Army leadership who didn’t always see the problem set the way I did.

• Securing funding and resources in a competitive environment.

• Building a team and cultivating “champions” across the organization who would support and amplify the mission.

Through persistence, DP3 evolved from a narrowly scoped concept into a first-of-its-kind enterprise program protecting the digital identities of over 500+ senior U.S. officials.

A Model for Others: Tip of the Spear

DP3 became more than just a program — it became a framework for executive digital risk management. By blending open-source intelligence (OSINT), digital forensics, and proactive identity protection, we created a sustainable capability that addressed an urgent and growing threat.

Because it was the first program of its kind, I quickly became the subject matter expert for digital persona protection across the federal landscape. Other agencies and services — including NCIS, AFOSI, USMS, DOT, and CGIS — turned to me for advice and guidance as they began building their own versions of the program. I also delivered high-level briefings on digital identity management and protection to audiences both internal and external to the Department of Defense, further establishing DP3 as a model that others could learn from and adapt.

Recognition and Expansion

DP3’s impact was recognized in Army News Service (2019, 2022), where I was featured discussing the growing risks of social media and the need for proactive digital protection. These articles underscored what I had seen from the start: that digital persona protection is not a luxury, but a mission-critical priority.

Its influence also extended beyond government. I was honored to serve as a keynote speaker at the inaugural Asc3nd / ZeroFox Digital Persona Protection Summit, where I presented “The Evolution of Digital Persona Protection.” That event marked the program’s recognition as not just a government initiative, but a cross-sector framework for addressing executive digital risk in both public and private domains.

Today, I continue advancing DP3’s principles in the private sector, adapting the framework to protect executives, board members, and organizations. At Asc3nd Technologies, we are building on the foundation of DP3 to integrate AI-driven monitoring, digital risk governance, and intelligence-based executive protection into enterprise security strategies.

Closing Thought

Executives and senior leaders don’t just represent their organizations — they are the organization’s brand, reputation, and trust. Protecting their digital footprint is no longer optional; it is a board-level priority.

Threat actors will continue to exploit executive identities — whether for financial gain through confidence or romance scams, or to sow chaos through misinformation and disinformation campaigns. What started as a vision for a small group of leaders has now become a blueprint for protecting those who carry the greatest risk.

This article is the first in a series I’ll be sharing on executive digital risk, OSINT, and the responsible integration of AI into cybersecurity. I invite you to follow along and join the conversation.