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Sara

Sara

Sara is an award-winning marketing leader in the cybersecurity and GRC spaces. Before joining Optery to lead their B2B marketing function, she was at the helm of marketing for a privacy-focused cybersecurity startup, a multinational organization, and a creative agency. She blends strategy, technology, and creativity to boost brand stories, fuel growth, and create sustained and measurable demand. Known for steering high-impact projects with a data-driven approach, Sara also regularly publishes content on cybersecurity, privacy, and related risk topics.
33 articles

Articles by Author

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Optery Named Top InfoSec Innovator Award Winner for Attack Surface Management by Cyber Defense Magazine for 2024

We are excited to announce that Optery has won Cyber Defense Magazine’s Top InfoSec Innovator Award for Most Innovative Attack Surface Management during CyberDefenseCon 2024! We are honored to be recognized in one of the world’s most prestigious cybersecurity awards and to be among such a distinguished group of innovators. The Top InfoSec Innovator AwardsContinue reading "Optery Named Top InfoSec Innovator Award Winner for Attack Surface Management by Cyber Defense Magazine for 2024"
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Privacy Protectors Spotlight: Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva

In this seventh installment of our Privacy Protectors Spotlight series, we’re excited to feature Debbie Reynolds, known worldwide as “The Data Diva.” As the Founder, CEO, and Chief Data Privacy Officer of Debbie Reynolds Consulting LLC, Debbie has spent over 20 years at the forefront of Data Privacy and Emerging Technology. Her expertise spans industries including AdTech,Continue reading "Privacy Protectors Spotlight: Debbie Reynolds, The Data Diva"
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Protecting Employee Data As Part of Attack Surface Management

The concept of the “enterprise attack surface” refers to the sum of all possible security risk exposures for a business. Traditionally, securing this attack surface was a task focused primarily on direct IT infrastructure vulnerabilities, such as network systems, software applications, and endpoints. Aspects like exposed personally identifiable information (PII) on data broker sites, whichContinue reading "Protecting Employee Data As Part of Attack Surface Management"
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Doxxing Prevention: Safeguarding Employees and Executives from Online Threats

Doxxing refers to the malicious act of publicly revealing personal information (PII) about an individual or organization without their consent. This information is often gathered from publicly available sources, such as data broker sites, and then published online. The rise in online work and the growing digital exposure of employees and executives make doxxing aContinue reading "Doxxing Prevention: Safeguarding Employees and Executives from Online Threats"
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Protect Against Impersonation, Email Forgery, and Business Email Compromise Attacks

Email impersonation attacks, such as Business Email Compromise (BEC), are among the most costly and damaging cyber threats to organizations. According to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), BEC alone accounted for nearly $2.95 billion in reported losses in 2023, making it one of the most financially devastating forms of cybercrime. While BEC isContinue reading "Protect Against Impersonation, Email Forgery, and Business Email Compromise Attacks"
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Safeguard Employees: Phishing Email Protection

Phishing attacks continue to be one of the most widespread and damaging cyber threats to organizations. While new email security measures for bulk senders have made mass email phishing more difficult for attackers, spear-phishing (aimed at a single target) continues to be a top attack vector. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) recently releasedContinue reading "Safeguard Employees: Phishing Email Protection"
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Social Engineering Attacks and How Organizations Can Prevent and Defend Against Them

The vast majority of cyber attacks today begin with social engineering: the act of using exposed personal data to manipulate human targets into providing unauthorized access to an organization’s systems or data. As cybercriminals increasingly target the human element, social engineering has become the number one threat to businesses, leading to account takeovers, data breaches,Continue reading "Social Engineering Attacks and How Organizations Can Prevent and Defend Against Them"
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Privacy Protectors Spotlight: Rachel Tobac

In the latest installment of our Privacy Protectors Spotlight series, we are excited to feature Rachel Tobac, a renowned expert in human hacking and social engineering defense strategies. Rachel Tobac is an ethical hacker and the CEO of SocialProof Security, a company dedicated to helping businesses and individuals protect their sensitive data from cyber threats, particularlyContinue reading "Privacy Protectors Spotlight: Rachel Tobac"
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LinkedIn Auto-Opting Users Into Generative AI Training: How to Opt Out

LinkedIn recently introduced a feature that auto-enrolls users in a setting where their content—like posts, profiles, and media—can be used to train LinkedIn’s generative AI models. This change was rolled out quietly, with no prior update to LinkedIn’s terms of service. If you don’t want “LinkedIn and its affiliates” to “use your personal data andContinue reading "LinkedIn Auto-Opting Users Into Generative AI Training: How to Opt Out"
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Optery Named Finalist for Attack Surface Management in Cyber Defense Magazine’s 12th Annual InfoSec Awards

Optery is excited to announce that we’ve been named a finalist in the Attack Surface Management category for the Top InfoSec Innovators Awards 2024 by Cyber Defense Magazine! We are honored to be recognized in one of the world’s most prestigious cybersecurity awards and to be among such a distinguished group of finalists. Read theContinue reading "Optery Named Finalist for Attack Surface Management in Cyber Defense Magazine’s 12th Annual InfoSec Awards"
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Optery CEO and Founder Lawrence Gentilello interviewed on “The Security Ledger” podcast

Optery Founder and CEO Lawrence Gentilello recently joined seasoned reporter, editor, and industry analyst Paul Roberts on The Security Ledger Podcast to talk about data broker threats, the value of privacy laws, and what makes Optery unique as a personal data removal solution! The Security Ledger podcast features interviews with leading minds in the areaContinue reading "Optery CEO and Founder Lawrence Gentilello interviewed on “The Security Ledger” podcast"
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PII Removal for Executives is Not Enough

Protecting a Broader Range of Employees is Essential Are your personal data removal efforts only focused on protecting your executives? In an era where mass SMS-phishing (smishing) campaigns and other social engineering attacks targeting non-executive staff are prevalent, extending personal data removal beyond just the C-Suite is essential. Our new whitepaper, “PII Removal for ExecutivesContinue reading "PII Removal for Executives is Not Enough"
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Privacy Protectors Spotlight: Rebecca Herold

In the latest installment of our Privacy Protectors Spotlight series, we are pleased to feature Rebecca Herold, a renowned privacy expert with over three decades of experience in information security, privacy, and compliance. Known as “The Privacy Professor,” Rebecca has dedicated her career to educating and advocating for better privacy practices across various industries. BackgroundContinue reading "Privacy Protectors Spotlight: Rebecca Herold"
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Optery CEO and Founder Lawrence Gentilello interviewed on the “Unscripted” podcast

Optery CEO and Founder Lawrence Gentilello recently appeared on the Unscripted podcast with David Raviv. Unscripted is a podcast focused on making the intricacies of security, privacy, and technology more accessible to everyone. Hosted by enterprise cybersecurity expert David Raviv, each episode journeys through the minds of entrepreneurs and leaders, sharing unfiltered stories and insights. It coversContinue reading "Optery CEO and Founder Lawrence Gentilello interviewed on the “Unscripted” podcast"
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Privacy Protectors Spotlight: Tom O’Malley

In the third installment of our Privacy Protectors Spotlight, we are happy to feature Tom O’Malley, a leading figure in the fight against identity theft. Tom is a retired state (1980-1985) and federal prosecutor (1986-2019) who specialized in the investigation and prosecution of cybercrime, including computer hacking, identity theft, and identity fraud (2009-2019). He alsoContinue reading "Privacy Protectors Spotlight: Tom O’Malley"
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New Privacy Laws in Texas and Oregon with Authorized Agent Provisions

On July 1, 2024, newly enacted privacy laws in Texas and Oregon will come into effect. Optery’s data removal requests are now fully customized to leverage the rights granted by the Texas and Oregon legislation. With Optery as your authorized agent, you can put these privacy laws to work for you immediately. The new consumerContinue reading "New Privacy Laws in Texas and Oregon with Authorized Agent Provisions"
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The Dark Web vs. The Open Web: Assessing the Greater Threat to Enterprise Security

Many security professionals are rightly concerned about the dangers posed by personal information available on the dark web. Dark web monitoring services play a crucial role in identifying and mitigating these risks, alerting businesses to potential breaches and exposures. However, while the dark web garners much attention for its secretive and often illicit nature, it isContinue reading "The Dark Web vs. The Open Web: Assessing the Greater Threat to Enterprise Security"
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Optery Named Winner in Three Categories by the 2024 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards

Optery is excited to announce our recognition as a winner in three categories by the 2024 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards! With over 600 entries across more than 300 categories this year, these awards celebrate excellence, innovation, and leadership in the cybersecurity industry. Optery’s recognition in these categories highlights our commitment to effectively managing exposed executive andContinue reading "Optery Named Winner in Three Categories by the 2024 Cybersecurity Excellence Awards"
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Phishing and Personal Data Breach Crimes are Finally on the Decline

Since the groundbreaking California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) went into effect in 2020, consumer data privacy and security has improved dramatically for all Americans. We believe personal data removal services and authorized agents such as Optery have been major contributors to this progress helping educate the public about data privacy, helping maximize data privacy and security protections, and eradicating millions of pieces of unwanted Personal Identifiable Information (PII) from the internet. 
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A Network of US-Focused People-Search Sites in China, Operating Under Fake Identities

On March 20, 2024 Brian Krebs of the security blog Krebs on Security published an investigative report entitled “The Not-so-True People-Search Network from China.” The article sheds light on a concerning trend in the people-search industry, revealing a network of US-focused sites based in China that operate under fabricated identities. As the report notes, “It appearsContinue reading "A Network of US-Focused People-Search Sites in China, Operating Under Fake Identities"
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Data Privacy Day 2024: Protecting Yourself from Data Brokers and Data Breaches

As we commemorate Data Privacy Day this year, the theme “Take Control of Your Data” resonates with heightened urgency. The recent ‘Mother of all Breaches’ (MOAB) underscores the critical nature of our conversation around personal data security. In an era where both voluntary sharing and involuntary exposure of our personal information are on the rise,Continue reading "Data Privacy Day 2024: Protecting Yourself from Data Brokers and Data Breaches"
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2024 Cybersecurity Alert: New Gmail Protections Likely to Increase Smishing and Vishing Threats

As email becomes more secure, threat actors are expected to pivot focus towards other methods like smishing (SMS phishing) and vishing (voice phishing). Here’s why and how you can protect your people and your company. Google’s recent announcement on enhanced email security measures for bulk senders, set to begin in February 2024 and including mandatory emailContinue reading "2024 Cybersecurity Alert: New Gmail Protections Likely to Increase Smishing and Vishing Threats"

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