Fortalice is a company with a goal to make sure clients are prepared for an attack and resilient to future threats. Created by former White House Chief Information Officer (CIO) Theresa Payton, the company’s skilled team of industry practitioners has worked in a broad range of public and private sectors. Pulse 2.0 interviewed Theresa Payton to learn more about the company.
Theresa Payton’s Background
What is Theresa Payton’s background? Payton said:
“My background spans leadership in technology, cybersecurity, and business transformation. As the CEO of Fortalice Solutions, I advise Fortune 150 Boards and C-suite executives, prioritizing customer-centric approaches while ensuring security and exceptional experiences.”
“Previously, I served as the White House Chief Information Officer during President George W. Bush’s administration, leading digital transformation efforts and setting cybersecurity precedents. I also held executive roles in banking technology, focusing on multi-channel customer enablement.”
“With a B.A. in Economics and Business Administration from Immaculata University, an M.S. in Management Information Systems from the University of Virginia, and a Graduate Studies Certificate in Banking from Louisiana State University, I bring a diverse educational background to my work.”
“Outside of my professional endeavors, I enjoy meeting new people and experiencing new places. It’s a pleasure to connect with individuals from various backgrounds and cultures, enriching both personal and professional experiences.”
“As a CEO, mentor, author and speaker, I’m passionate about sharing insights on AI and transformative technologies to future-proof businesses. My media appearances on outlets such as CNBC and BBC allow me to engage with audiences on topics spanning business, technology, and security.”
Formation Of Fortalice
How did the idea for Fortalice come together? Payton shared:
“Leaving the White House, I felt a profound sense of gratitude for the investment the country had made in training me regarding the capabilities of adversaries. I was determined to give back by leveraging that knowledge and expertise in service to others. This desire to repay the trust placed in me led to the founding of Fortalice Solutions—a commitment to use my skills to empower organizations and individuals in navigating the challenges of cybersecurity and technology with confidence and resilience. The idea for how Fortalice Solutions would serve our clients and our employees stemmed from my quest to fill a gap I had encountered throughout my career—a company focused on human-centered designs that seamlessly integrated elegance, seamlessness, and security. Having served in leadership roles within the White House and the banking industry, I recognized the crucial need for tailored solutions that prioritize both customer satisfaction and cybersecurity.”
“Driven by this vision, Fortalice Solutions was born. Our mission is to empower organizations with secured technology innovation and transformation programs that place the customer experience at the forefront. We strive to offer elegant, seamless, and secure solutions that align with our clients’ strategic objectives while safeguarding against evolving cyber threats.”
“At Fortalice, we’re not just about providing services; we’re dedicated to forging collaborative partnerships that drive success in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. Our approach is warm, engaging, and rooted in a deep understanding of our clients’ needs. We’re here to help businesses thrive by delivering innovative, secure, and customer-centric solutions. I’m proud to have two of my colleagues from my time at the White House as partners in my firm, Melissa and Bridget. Together we lead a team that shares my passion for excellence and is committed to helping organizations navigate the complexities of modern technology with confidence and grace.”
Favorite Memory
What has been your favorite memory working for the company so far? Payton reflected:
“There have been countless rewarding moments during my time with the company. Whether it was assisting a client, alongside our stellar team of cybersecurity practioners, in thwarting intellectual property theft, halting fraudsters to prevent a significant financial loss, or identifying and remedying vulnerabilities before a cyber attack could occur, each experience holds its own significance. Additionally, and on a personal level, having the opportunity to discuss privacy issues with Jon Stewart on the Daily Show and receiving a special mention on John Oliver’s show was truly memorable. However, what truly stands out for me is the satisfaction I feel whenever I can contribute to a client or employee’s success in navigating the challenges of the digital age or helping employees at our firm grow and achieve their career goals.”
Core Products
What are the company’s core products and features? Payton explained:
“At our core, we specialize in advising Fortune 150 Boards and C-suite executives on secured technology innovation and transformation programs. Our team of cybersecurity practitioners is designed to assist clients at all levels of the organization–from the server room to the board room. Whether it’s continuous monitoring of security configurations, safeguarding customer privacy, or engaging in pentesting and technical security reviews through red team engagements, our solutions cater to diverse needs and challenges. We have the technical know-how that grounds our advice and enables Boards and C-suite executives to seamlessly include cybersecurity in their digital transformation strategies.”
“To achieve this, we’ve developed proprietary tools and frameworks that deliver sound advice, driving efficiency and effectiveness while significantly improving our clients’ security posture.”
Challenges Faced
What challenges have Payton and the team faced in building the company? Payton acknowledged:
“Challenges are inherent in any sector, especially in the dynamic world of serving client cybersecurity needs. Like many other businesses, both our clients and our firm faced significant disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which brought unprecedented uncertainty and forced us to rethink our strategies. To overcome these challenges, we prioritized the safety of our employees and customers while simultaneously pivoting our business model to adapt to the changing landscape. This involved accelerating our R&D work and our digital transformation efforts, refining our client services, and finding innovative ways to engage our staff at our firm despite the limitations imposed by the pandemic. Through agility, resilience, and strategic decision-making, we were able to navigate these turbulent times and emerge stronger on the other side.”
Evolution Of Fortalice’s Technology
How has the company’s technology evolved since launching? Payton noted:
“The evolution of technology within our company has been remarkable since our initial launch a decade ago. We’ve continually embraced innovation to enhance our offerings and stay ahead in how we deliver our services and advice. From advancements in our open source intelligence framework and platform to cutting-edge pentesting techniques, our technological evolution has been integral to our success. We’ve invested in fabulous employee-practitioners, building out training, state-of-the-art tools and technologies to improve our efficiencies and deliver white-glove experiences to our clients worldwide. This commitment to technological advancement has not only allowed us to expand our reach but also to redefine the boundaries of human-centered security designs.”
Significant Milestones
What have been some of the company’s most significant milestones? Payton cited:
“We are 10 years strong! A significant milestone was codifying our brand promise to our clients and our staff at the firm in our “The Fortalice Way” Culture & Guidebook. At Fortalice Solutions, we were named one of Cybersecurity Magazine’s Global 500 Best Cybersecurity Companies and we’ve achieved numerous significant milestones that reflect our commitment to innovation and excellence in cybersecurity. Another fabulous milestone for us was becoming an approved vendor to the federal government and then winning our first government prime pentesting contract. Our journey has been marked by continuous growth and achievement. Each milestone represents a testament to the dedication and expertise of our team and reaffirms our position as a leader in the cybersecurity industry.
Customer Success Stories
Upon asking Payton about customer success stories, she highlighted:
“1. Healthcare Software Solutions Company: Enhancing Cyber HygieneClient: A leading healthcare solutions provider
Our long-term care client achieved a remarkable transformation in cybersecurity practices. By implementing recurring services tailored by Fortalice, the client effectively implemented numerous cost-efficient measures. These proactive steps addressed potential vulnerabilities, significantly enhancing their cyber hygiene. As a result, our client progressed from a mid-level security posture to becoming recognized as a top-ranked entity in their sector.”
- VIP Global Executive: Comprehensive Cybersecurity ProtectionClient: A prominent global executive and their affiliates
Fortalice Solutions provided a comprehensive cybersecurity solution for a VIP global executive and their associates. Acting as their Digital Bodyguard, Fortalice conducted continuous assessment, monitoring, and mitigation of digital, physical, and business threats. Through human-curated monitoring of the surface web, deep web, and dark web, potential risks were identified and swiftly addressed. Additionally, Fortalice conducted thorough digital investigations, examining and attributing persistent threats across social media platforms and various online domains. This proactive approach ensured the utmost protection for the executive and their affiliated entities, safeguarding their digital assets and reputation.”
Funding
When asking Payton about the company’s funding, she revealed:
“We are privately held and self funded. We have been told by various research firms we are the only independent, pure-play cybersecurity consulting services company that they have met.”
Total Addressable Market
What total addressable market (TAM) size is the company pursuing? Payton assessed:
“Great question. We meet our clients where they are based upon their budget and priorities. We focus on the Fortune 150, large privately held firms, and high networth individuals.”
Differentiation From The Competition
What differentiates the company from its competition? Payton affirmed:
“Our dedication to human-centered design principles distinguishes us as a premier cybersecurity firm. At Fortalice, we pride ourselves on our boutique approach, focusing solely on cybersecurity. Our team of practitioners excel in various areas, including offensive security, technical security engineering, open-source intelligence, digital protection, risk management, compliance, policy development, and regulatory support. Additionally, we offer both executive and technical strategic communications services.”
“With extensive experience spanning multiple industries in both the public and private sectors, particularly in healthcare, our senior-level personnel possess unparalleled expertise in addressing our clients’ cybersecurity challenges. We emphasize collaboration, both internally and with third-party vendors, ensuring comprehensive solutions tailored to our clients’ specific needs.”
“Our singular focus on cybersecurity enables us to drive thought leadership and develop groundbreaking capabilities. Notably, our third-party tracking technology support sets us apart, with few comparable offerings even among dedicated cybersecurity firms, let alone broad managed service providers (MSPs) or ‘Big 4’ organizations.”
Future Company Goals
What are some of the company’s future company goals? Payton pointed out:
“As the industry continues to automate cybersecurity solutions, Fortalice will keep human-centered design at the core of its brand promise. While we will certainly leverage technological advancements in our delivery model, we will always remain true to a key belief: human-centered design is a top component of effective cybersecurity resiliency.”
Additional Thoughts
Any other topics you would like to discuss? Payton concluded:
“Fortalice Solutions is spearheading a revolution in the cybersecurity industry by redefining qualification standards and education accessibility. We offer a range of cost-effective training opportunities tailored for both students and seasoned professionals, aimed at empowering individuals and organizations to navigate the complexities of modern cyber threats.”
“Course 1: Offensive Cybersecurity Operations (OCO) & OSINT
In collaboration with Immaculata University, Fortalice presents an online course in Offensive Cybersecurity Operations (OCO) and Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT). Delivered by seasoned practitioners renowned in their respective fields, this program equips participants with cutting-edge tools, techniques, and procedures essential for exploiting vulnerabilities and navigating cybersecurity defenses effectively.
Designed with student learners in mind, this course also presents a unique opportunity for organizations to upskill, reward, and retain their existing cybersecurity and technology professionals. With affordability at its core, this training initiative ensures accessibility without compromising on quality or depth of learning.”
“Course 2: Open-Source Intelligence (OSINT) Training
Led by our globally recognized OSINT experts, Fortalice hosts regular OSINT Training courses designed to fortify individual and organizational security. Over four intensive days, participants delve into advanced search engines, proactive intelligence research methodologies, imagery and video intelligence analysis, data mining techniques, and geolocation strategies.
This immersive virtual experience provides invaluable insights and practical skills necessary to stay ahead in today’s ever-evolving threat landscape. By investing in OSINT training, organizations empower their teams to proactively identify and mitigate risks, safeguarding their digital assets and reputation effectively.”
“Course 3: Secure-by-design mobile and web apps training
Customized for an organization’s needs, this course elevates the developers and the security staff to ensure mobile and web apps are deployed with security, safety, and privacy in mind. Our proprietary approach leverages international standards and best practices and the course is designed and delivered by highly skilled red team practitioners.
At Fortalice, we’re not just reimagining cybersecurity education – we’re reshaping the future of cyber defense, one learner at a time.”
