Managing Human Risk in the Digital Age
In the digital age, senior sports executives and athletes are increasingly exposed to risk beyond the traditional threats.
The sports industry is no stranger to the complexities of digital security. Team owners, athletes, and executives operate in a high-profile environment where personal details can be weaponized, and online threats can quickly escalate into real-world consequences. The rise of social media and the digital footprint of executives and athletes exposes them to an increasing range of threats, from cyber-attacks and fraud to physical harm and reputational damage.
Protecting sports executives and key personnel from emerging threats requires a proactive, multi-faceted approach that blends cutting-edge technology and expert human intelligence.
7 Ways Digital Footprints Pose Personal and Business Risks
Pattern of Life Exposure: These are details that team owners, athletes and executives (or family members) share via social media and other digital channels. On top of this, game schedules are often shared publicly through third-party outlets. Threat actors leverage these details to establish a pattern of life to facilitate stalking, surveillance, and harassment.
Opinion Outrage: Expressing opinions on controversial issues can make team owners, athletes, and executives the target of activists or hacktivists. Due to the high-profile of athletes and senior sports executives, the opinions they share publicly can garner the attention of social media and news outlets, leading to threats to their personal and professional reputations.
Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Unintended exposure of personal information continues to create a risk to executives. A wide range of data (including utility records, voting records, property records, campaign donations, and more) can be used by threat actors.
Doxxing: Doxxing refers to the intentional publishing of an individual’s sensitive or protected identifiable information on the open internet. Doxxing is increasingly used to blackmail, threaten, and intimidate athletes and senior sports executives and their family members. This is becoming an increasing issue within professional sport.
Credential Theft: Executives are 12x more likely to be targeted in a data breach, and c-suite credentials represent one of the most prized targets for hackers. While senior sports executives are prime cyber attack targets, everyone with system access should be vigilant. information. Password reuse and risky online site engagement are not uncommon.
Business Email Compromise: Attackers can dupe employees by posing as team owners, athletes and executives. Despite cybersecurity education, employees continue to fall for these attacks.
Impersonation and CEO Fraud: Fraudulent email, phone calls, text messages, and in some cases, deep-fake videos are used to prey on employees and associates of executives.
Below are four essential best practices to bolster digital security for team owners, athletes and executives.
Strengthening Executive Security: 4 Key Tips
Tip 1: Limit Sharing of Personal Details
Transparency is valued within the sporting world, but can inadvertently expose executives to threats. Sharing seemingly harmless details to connect with audiences can offer threat actors a blueprint for stalking or harassment. Be cautious when sharing details about routines, locations, and personal connections, as these can increase physical and digital vulnerabilities and be exploited by those with malicious intent.
Tip 2: Thoughtful Engagement and Opinion Expression
While social media is a popular and accessible way to engage with fans and the public participation can be a double-edged sword. Expressing opinions or stances on issues can make executives targets for activists, hacktivists, or other social media threats, even if the topics have no direct relation to the team, organization, or business.
Tip 3: Reduce Personal Information Exposure
The unintentional revelation of personal information is a pervasive issue. Individuals often reveal personal details on social media and information like utility records, voting records, and property ownership is available online and on the dark web. Regular checks can help minimize vulnerabilities.
Tip 4: Don’t Rely on Cyber Hygiene Alone
Executives and celebrities within the sports ecosystem are prime targets for cyberattacks, including credential theft and business email compromise. Implementing strong cyber hygiene practices, using unique passwords, and being cautious about clicking on links can mitigate the risk of phishing attempts, but they are only half the battle.
Proactive Security Through Human Risk Intelligence
The Nisos Approach to Executive Protection in Sports
At Nisos, we understand the unique challenges sports executives and high-profile personnel face when managing human risk in the digital age. Our Executive Shield service provides a comprehensive, proactive approach to identifying and mitigating emerging threats that may impact prominent individuals in the sports industry.
Our team of expert analysts monitors the digital landscape, from social media platforms to extremist forums and the dark web, identifying potential threats before they materialize. By using our intelligence-led approach, sports executives can gain peace of mind, knowing that their personal security and organizational reputation are being actively protected.
Conclusion: A Proactive Approach to Protecting Sports Executives
In an era of constant digital threats with the potential to cause real-world harm, sports executives and team owners must be vigilant and prepared. By proactively managing digital footprints, engaging thoughtfully with the public, and leveraging advanced human risk intelligence, they can significantly reduce their exposure to potential threats. Taking the necessary steps to safeguard personal and business information is essential for protecting not only the individuals in leadership positions but the entire organization they represent.
Want to learn more about how Nisos can enhance your executive protection efforts? Contact us today to explore our tailored solutions for team owners, athletes and executives.