Exploring Excellence with HaystackID: Shawn Belovich
Editor’s Note: With years of experience in cybersecurity, Shawn Belovich’s leadership at HaystackID has become essential to the firm’s approach to managing today’s cyber risks. Drawing from high-stakes roles, including his tenure at the White House, Shawn brings a rare perspective on balancing rigorous data security with complex regulatory requirements. His approach is both strategic and hands-on, guiding clients through the challenges of defensibility, data integrity, cyber defense, and compliance in an era where cyber threats evolve constantly. This article explores Shawn’s career journey and his vital contributions to HaystackID’s mission, illustrating why his expertise is invaluable in a world where robust cybersecurity is non-negotiable.
Exploring Excellence with HaystackID: Shawn Belovich
By HaystackID Staff
“I attribute most of my gray hairs to the White House, or more specifically, the Presidential Records Act, or PRA says,” Shawn Belovich joked during a conversation with ACEDS Michael Quartararo.
Serving as Deputy Chief Information Security Officer at one of the most high-stakes environments imaginable, Shawn managed constant cybersecurity threats, from amateur hackers to the world’s most sophisticated adversaries. In his years protecting the Executive Office of the President (EOP), Shawn learned the value of balancing rigorous data protection with strict compliance—all under what he called “the world’s biggest spotlight” during a recent HaystackID webcast.
Now at HaystackID as Senior Vice President of Digital Forensics and Cyber Incident Response, Shawn brings the expertise he gained in those high-pressure years to guide clients in managing data security, compliance, and evolving cyber risks. His hands-on approach, honed through decades in both public and private sectors, is a powerful asset to clients looking to keep their data safe from threat actors.
Lessons Learned When the Stakes Couldn’t Be Higher
Reflecting on his time at the White House, Shawn shared his insights on the intense responsibility of safeguarding sensitive presidential data.
“You have every possible category of threat actor targeting the White House every day—from people in their parent’s basements to sophisticated, well-funded nation-states,” he remarked on the ACEDS’ #DataUnmasked livestream.
For Shawn, the stakes couldn’t have been higher, with each day bringing new challenges in records management, information governance, forensics, and cybersecurity. One of his most challenging responsibilities involved securing data transfers under the Presidential Records Act (PRA), a process that required balancing the highest levels of security with strict regulatory compliance.
“The amount of work is hard to even imagine,” he shared, describing the efforts required to prepare The Obama Administration’s presidential data for secure archival while safeguarding it from cyber threats.
Cyber Defense in Action: Shawn Takes on the Next Challenge
After his government service, Shawn transitioned to the private sector, where he tackled complex security issues across industries. His familiarity with HaystackID’s reputation and expertise as a competitor and a client made joining the firm in 2023 a natural fit.
“HaystackID’s relentless spirit of innovation, extensive technological capabilities bolstered by incredible bench strength, and white-glove dedication to safeguarding client data drew me in,” Shawn said in a press release.
HaystackID’s commitment to excellence allows him to apply rigorous security practices across client engagements. Shawn quickly took on high-impact projects at HaystackID, including the firm’s collaboration with TikTok’s U.S. Data Security (USDS) division, where he leads efforts to safeguard U.S. user data against sophisticated cyber threats.
“In my previous role at the White House, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of national security and data protection,” he shared in a press release. “We are intensely focused on ensuring TikTok USDS’s infrastructure is not only secure but also meets the highest standards of cybersecurity and national security compliance.”
Defying Complacency to Uphold the Highest Levels of Security
For Shawn, cybersecurity is a relentless job with constantly shifting threats.
“There is no such thing as done or good enough in cybersecurity. We are in an evolving landscape,” Shawn emphasized during his chat with Michael Quartararo.
Staying ahead requires a proactive, adaptable approach, particularly as threat actors grow more adept at evading detection. One of the most damaging cyber threats today is business email compromise (BEC), a tactic that poses serious risks for organizations of all sizes. These attacks often go unnoticed until they result in significant financial damage, and smaller companies are especially vulnerable.
“A small company can be hit with a BEC and get a $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 fraudulent payment,” Shawn explained during the webcast. “That happens every day, probably every minute of the day at times.”
When responding to BEC incidents, Shawn provides clients with reassurance and a rapid assessment of the breach’s scope.
“Generally, I’ll be the first or one of the first calls from my clients or counsel,” he explained. “I’ll get some sort of narrative like, ‘One of our employees clicked on a link, and then…’ or ‘We had a fraudulent payment go out, not sure how it happened.’ From there, I assure the client that everything will be okay, and then we engage the appropriate teams.”
Comprehensive Cybersecurity and Data Risk Management
Digital threats continue getting bolder, meaning there is no rest for the weary (or those in cybersecurity). Shawn’s role in protecting client assets and bolstering confidence in their security measures is essential. As part of HaystackID’s Global Cyber Discovery and Incident Response Services team, Shawn helps organizations identify sensitive data during a breach to assess regulatory risks and compliance issues. HaystackID’s collaborative approach, combining cyber, forensics, data science, and legal expertise, ensures that every client can access the best resources for managing cyber risk.
“Our role is not only to respond but to help clients see around corners in this changing threat landscape,” Shawn said in a recent interview. “We’re here to make sure that, from the first sign of a breach to the final report, organizations have a full-spectrum view of their data vulnerabilities and the expertise to turn those insights into action. Staying prepared means staying agile.”
Shawn sees every new challenge as an opportunity to push the boundaries of cybersecurity. His dedication to proactive defense and strategic insight ensures that HaystackID’s clients aren’t just reacting to threats but confidently staying ahead of crafty cybercriminals.
About HaystackID®
HaystackID solves complex data challenges related to legal, compliance, regulatory, and cyber events. Core offerings include Global Advisory, Data Discovery Intelligence, HaystackID Core® Platform, and AI-enhanced Global Managed Review powered by its proprietary platform, ReviewRight®. Repeatedly recognized as one of the world’s most trusted legal industry providers by prestigious publishers such as Chambers, Gartner, IDC, and Legaltech News, HaystackID implements innovative cyber discovery, enterprise solutions, and legal and compliance offerings to leading companies and legal practices around the world. HaystackD offers highly curated and customized offerings while prioritizing security, privacy, and integrity. For more information about how HaystackID can help solve unique legal enterprise needs, please visit HaystackID.com.
Assisted by GAI and LLM technologies.
Source: HaystackID