Phishing, impersonation, and digital fraud wreak havoc on modern organizations. Scammers and criminals escalate their tactics with every cyberattack, and threats in markets like the UK continue to rise. With that in mind, EBRAND proudly welcomes Lisa Deegan as our new Senior Director, UK and International Growth, to help businesses fight back.
Here, we’re unpacking the emerging digital threats facing UK industry leaders with a seasoned expert. Lisa Deegan, with over 20 years of experience in cybersecurity, IP protection, and digital brand management, has been a trusted advisor to global brands. She’s worked alongside C-Suite executives to define and execute comprehensive threat intelligence (CTI) strategies, helping businesses stay ahead of evolving risks.
Her in-depth knowledge of digital threats, especially in the UK and European markets, makes her a valuable asset to EBRAND and its clients. Drawing from this expertise, we’ll provide concrete action points to secure your organization and prepare your team for the next wave of phishing attacks and cybersecurity challenges.
In Conversation with Lisa Deegan
To welcome Lisa to EBRAND, we sat down with her to explore her professional journey, gain her insights into the future of cybersecurity, digital risk, and brand protection, and uncover her strategies for helping UK and Ireland businesses stay resilient in an increasingly challenging threat landscape.
Q: Hi Lisa, can you introduce yourself to our readers?
Lisa: I’m delighted to join EBRAND as the Senior Director, UK and International Growth. Throughout my career, I’ve focused on helping organizations outsmart emerging threats through strategic risk management and innovative digital protection. EBRAND’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to safeguarding brands align perfectly with my passion for tackling complex cybersecurity challenges. I’m excited to contribute to their mission and help businesses stay resilient in an increasingly dynamic threat landscape.
Q: What brought you to EBRAND?
Lisa: The decision to join EBRAND was an easy one. The company’s reputation for innovation, its strong commitment to clients, and its position as a thought leader in Digital Risk and Online Brand Protection made it an irresistible opportunity. I’m passionate about solving complex challenges, and EBRAND’s solutions provide exactly the tools needed to address these issues effectively.
Q: What trends do you see in the industry, as cybercriminals cyberattack UK brands?
Lisa: Cybercriminals are becoming more sophisticated, and their tactics rapidly evolve, forcing brands to strengthen their defenses. Phishing remains one of the most common threats, targeting businesses daily, while domain hijacking continues to challenge organizations, driving the adoption of DNSSEC as a critical countermeasure. Additionally, ransomware attacks have escalated, with criminals not only encrypting data but also threatening to leak sensitive information or target customers and partners. For example, in 2024, the ransomware attack on Synnovis, an NHS laboratory services provider, leaked 400GB of sensitive patient data, costing the company £32.7 million and forcing hospitals to cancel thousands of operations.
Beyond individual incidents, broader trends reshape the cybersecurity landscape. Cybersecurity and brand protection increasingly merge, as phishing scams and fake websites threaten both systems and corporate reputations. Digital risk protection becomes more and more essential, and companies monitor social media, apps, and other digital assets to proactively address threats like impersonation and data leaks. AI also plays a dual role: while attackers use it to automate sophisticated scams, organizations are deploying AI-powered tools to detect anomalies, predict attacks, and strengthen their defenses.
Looking at the broader picture, regulatory changes adding another layer of complexity to the landscape. Governments tighten cybersecurity and data protection laws, such as GDPR updates and AI-focused regulations, requiring businesses to stay agile and compliant. Meanwhile, the adoption of zero-trust models—where every access request is verified—has become the new standard for safeguarding sensitive systems. These trends highlight the need for organizations to act quickly, adapt to emerging risks, and invest in proactive strategies to remain resilient in an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Q: What do you expect to see next in the field?
Lisa: AI-driven threats constantly increase their sophistication, making advanced Digital Risk Protection solutions essential for detecting and mitigating risks in real time. Additionally, cross-border collaboration is growing in importance, as digital threats often transcend national boundaries. Organizations must adopt proactive strategies, such as integrating AI-powered tools and sharing intelligence across global networks, to remain secure and competitive in this rapidly evolving landscape.
Q: As scammers cyberattack UK brands, how can CISOs fight back?
CISOs can fight back by implementing a comprehensive digital risk protection strategy that proactively targets threats across multiple channels while recognizing the growing convergence of cybersecurity and brand protection. Advanced AI-powered tools, leveraging machine learning, can monitor digital touchpoints like social media, ads, and websites to detect phishing attempts, fake profiles, and counterfeit websites in real time. These tools safeguard both a company’s systems and its reputation, addressing the overlap between security threats and brand impersonation.
Phishing remains a major tactic for cybercriminals, and AI-driven systems can flag suspicious activity before it reaches employees or customers, ensuring critical information stays secure. Conducting regular digital audits also helps identify vulnerabilities across the brand’s online presence and infrastructure, providing a holistic view of risks.
By adopting a multi-channel approach that combines smart digital risk protection tools, threat hunting, and ongoing assessments, CISOs can bridge the gap between cybersecurity and brand protection, staying ahead of scammers and defending their organizations against evolving cyberattacks.
Meet Lisa and explore the latest cyberattack UK trends
Exploring these issues online is one thing, but important conversations also happen face to face. We’re hitting the road this year, so let’s talk it out in person. Lisa and the team are heading to the Cybersecurity and Cloud Expo at Olympia London on February 5th and 6th. If you already have a TechEx account, you can book in a meeting with Lisa in the event’s portal, and if not, just reach out to her directly via email.
To get started on protecting your organization from scams and cyberattacks, get a snapshot of your threat landscape with a free digital risk audit. Let’s get proactive, and tackle cyber scams before they strike.
