Enterprise digital executive protection leader is one of five global innovators selected to participate in a program geared towards accelerating cybersecurity solutions
We’re thrilled to announce that VanishID has been selected to participate in Mastercard’s new Start Path Security Solutions program, joining a cohort of five innovative startups chosen from a competitive global application process.
This milestone represents more than just recognition—it’s validation of our mission to transform how enterprises approach digital executive protection and human attack surface management. Check out Mastercard’s announcement for more information.
The Enterprise Security Challenge: Exposed Employee Data Fuels Cyber Attacks
In today’s hyperconnected digital landscape, your employees’ personal information is scattered across thousands of websites, data brokers, and online platforms. This exposed personally identifiable information (PII) creates a massive human attack surface that cybercriminals increasingly exploit for social engineering attacks, spear phishing campaigns, and targeted cyber threats.
Traditional enterprise cybersecurity solutions focus on perimeter defense and technical controls, but they miss a critical vulnerability: the human element. When threat actors can easily discover personal details about your executives and employees through data broker sites, social media platforms, and public records, they can craft highly convincing social engineering attacks that bypass even the most sophisticated security infrastructure.
VanishID’s AI-Powered Enterprise Executive Protection Solution
VanishID was built to address this critical security gap with the first agentic AI-powered digital executive service designed specifically for enterprise needs. Our fully automated managed service delivers comprehensive protection through:
- Zero-effort implementation requiring no integrations with existing security infrastructure
- Continuous data broker removal from hundreds of public databases
- Dark web monitoring for exposed employee information and credentials
- Social media impersonation protection across major platforms
- Family privacy protection extending coverage to employee family members at no additional cost
- Device privacy and protection capabilities for comprehensive digital footprint management
As Robert M. Lee, CEO of Dragos and our advisory board member, explains: “Social engineering is a key and growing threat to industrial organizations and VanishID offers important innovations to help the community strengthen its defenses. VanishID’s team understands how threats perform reconnaissance and initial targeting against companies and has built a security-forward platform for organizations looking to strengthen their cybersecurity.”
Strategic Partnership Benefits: Accelerating Enterprise Security Innovation
Mastercard’s Start Path program has supported over 475 startups across 60+ countries since 2014, many of which have achieved unicorn status or completed successful public offerings.
Participation in Mastercard Start Path includes:
- Access to Mastercard’s global enterprise network and established commercial relationships
- Enhanced collaboration opportunities with customers seeking advanced security solutions
- Accelerated innovation capabilities through knowledge-sharing initiatives
- Market validation from a trusted industry leader in digital commerce security and fraud prevention
“Security is the cornerstone of trust,” notes Johan Gerber, executive vice president and head of Security Solutions at Mastercard, in Mastercard’s announcement. “By partnering with startup innovators who are already working to protect our ecosystem, we are accelerating co-creation and knowledge-sharing — shaping a safer, smarter digital future.”
The Growing Cybersecurity Threat Landscape
With cybercrime costs projected to reach $15.6 trillion by 2029, organizations urgently need proactive cybersecurity solutions that address emerging threat vectors. The human attack surface represents one of the most overlooked yet critical vulnerabilities in enterprise security architecture.
The convergence of increasing digitalization, remote work environments, and sophisticated social engineering tactics has created an urgent need for enterprise digital security solutions that can systematically reduce exposed employee data across the internet.
Future Outlook: Scaling Enterprise Digital Security Protection
By joining Mastercard Start Path, VanishID has the opportunity to accelerate our mission of making executive protection accessible to enterprises of all sizes. We’re excited to collaborate with Mastercard’s cybersecurity experts and their global infrastructure, with the aim to protect more organizations against the growing threat of exposed personal information.
In a world where security isn’t passive, it must be engineered, defended, and maintained ruthlessly. Together with the Mastercard Start Path Security Solutions cohort members, we’re setting out to build a safer, smarter digital future for enterprises worldwide.
Ready to protect your organization’s digital footprint? Contact VanishID to learn how our AI-powered digital executive protection service can strengthen your enterprise security posture through proactive employee data protection.
Related Resources:
- Leadership at Risk In a Data-Exposed World – Why Your C-Suite’s Digital Footprint is Your Biggest Blind Spot
- Download our Enterprise PII Removal Guide – Decision checklist for selecting executive protection vendors
- Read Mastercard’s full announcement – Start Path Security Solutions program launch
About VanishID (Formerly Picnic)
VanishID is an agentic AI-powered company that neutralizes public data exposure for organizations and their employees. By continuously monitoring and reducing exposure to open-source intelligence (OSINT), VanishID extends security beyond the corporate perimeter, safeguarding business continuity and organizational integrity.