
Advice
Cyber experts dive deep on the current trends and risks and how to avoid falling victim to scams
Ep. 04
02.10.2025
Listen to a conversation with Chris Pierson, CEO of BlackCloak and Neil Rekhi, Cyber Product Manager at Hartford Steam Boiler, hosted by PURE President, Dave Logan.
In this episode, we discuss current trends and risks in the cybersecurity space, including the implications of AI and how individuals can avoid falling prey to scams and other cybercrimes.
AI is transforming cybercrime, making attacks faster, smarter and harder to detect. From deepfakes to data breaches, cybercriminals are using AI to outpace security measures. In this chapter, we break down the latest threats and what you need to know to stay protected.
Hackers are more sophisticated than ever, using targeted attacks and social engineering to bypass security. High-net-worth individuals are prime targets, but anyone can fall for these scams. This chapter explores how cybercriminals exploit psychology and what makes their tactics so effective.
Even smart, successful people like Mark Cuban and financial journalist Charlotte Cowles have fallen for social engineering scams. Cybercriminals use spoofed numbers, fake authority and psychological pressure to manipulate victims. Awareness and discussion are key to prevention.
This chapter covers the importance of using two-factor authentication, adjusting privacy settings and being cautious about sharing personal info online—especially regarding cryptocurrency—to reduce cyber risks.
This chapter discusses cyberbullying, highlighting how important it is for parents to stay informed about the apps and platforms their children use and have open conversations about online harassment.
In this chapter, we compare personal cyber insurance—which covers broader risks like scams—with financial institutions' focus on account-related fraud. Chris discusses BlackCloak's preventive services and the growing integration of physical and cyber security for added peace of mind.
Chris and Neil break down key cybersecurity steps everyone should take—like enabling multi-factor authentication and securing your SIM card—to protect your personal and financial information from cybercriminals.
CEO & Founder, BlackCloak
Dr. Chris Pierson is the Founder & CEO of BlackCloak and has served in various cybersecurity and privacy leadership roles over the past 25 years. During this time, he saw firsthand the emerging gap between enterprise security teams and the need to protect corporate executives, high-profile and high-net-worth individuals and their families from financial fraud, cybercrime, hacking, reputational damage, privacy exposure and identity theft. Chris’s search to find solutions to reduce risk to this burgeoning threat led him to launch BlackCloak where he brought to market the first Digital Executive Protection Platform.
Prior to BlackCloak, Chris served for over a decade on the Department of Homeland Security’s Privacy Committee and Cybersecurity Subcommittee and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Ponemon Institute. He has held leadership roles as the Chief Privacy Officer for Royal Bank of Scotland, the world’s third largest bank, leading its U.S privacy and data protection program. He is frequently quoted by prominent trade and mainstream media such as the Wall Street Journal, New York Times and Forbes. Chris received his BA and MA from Boston College and his PhD and JD from the University of Iowa.
Cyber Product Manager, Hartford Steam Boiler
Neil is a constant learner, creative thinker and entrepreneur. He strives to shape decision making as well as develop new ideas and products that drive new growth and profit opportunities. He is experienced at managing customer relationships to drive increased engagement. Similarly, he enjoys working with internal stakeholders to understand and solve problems. Neil is building a startup and focused on growth through product innovation and business development.
He also has a strong interest in Cyber Security, particularly around issues centered on human factors. He is very comfortable working across diverse functional areas and finds it especially rewarding collaborating with passionate and thoughtful individuals and teams. Neil holds an MBA in finance and strategy from University of Rochester Simon School, Bachelors of Arts in Molecular Biology from Colgate University and also possesses a Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) Designation.
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Be a fly on the wall as industry experts dive deep in conversation on the risks facing the high net worth market. Each episode will take on a different risk topic and address it from a unique angle, leaving you more informed to better serve your clients.