HaystackID’s John Wilson Named CISO of the Year at Intelligent Insurer’s 2025 Cyber Insurance Awards USA
Editor’s Note: John Wilson, HaystackID’s Chief Information Security Officer and President of Forensics, was named CISO of the Year at Intelligent Insurer’s 2025 Cyber Insurance Awards USA, which brings together America’s key innovators, small and large, in cyber insurance to recognize and celebrate success. This honor reflects Wilson’s technical expertise and commitment to building a culture where security is everyone’s responsibility. From launching READI™ for Email to mentoring teams across the organization, his leadership continues to shape HaystackID’s forward-thinking approach to cybersecurity. Wilson’s award is just part of a broader recognition for HaystackID, with the company named a finalist in four other Cyber Insurance Award categories this year. These honors reinforce HaystackID’s mission to confidently help organizations handle today’s most pressing data and security challenges.
HaystackID’s John Wilson Named CISO of the Year at Intelligent Insurer’s 2025 Cyber Insurance Awards USA
Award honors leadership in advancing enterprise cybersecurity and forensic innovation
CHICAGO – April 8, 2025 — John Wilson, CTCE, FDACS, Chief Information Security Officer and President of Forensics at HaystackID®, has been named CISO of the Year at the 2025 Intelligent Insurer Cyber Insurance Awards USA, which brings together America’s key innovators, small and large, in cyber insurance to recognize and celebrate success. This award honors Wilson’s leadership in building secure, scalable systems and driving real results at the intersection of cybersecurity, digital forensics, and data privacy.
Embedding Cyber Strategy into the Company’s Culture
Wilson’s impact at HaystackID goes far beyond technology. He’s helped foster a culture where security is seen as a shared responsibility across the organization. He introduced monthly cybersecurity training tailored to everyday risks and coached teams on incident response best practices. Wilson worked closely with fellow senior leaders to ensure the security strategy supports the company’s business goals.
“John is one of those rare individuals whose presence exudes strength, knowledge, and leadership through his actions every day. He doesn’t just work to live—he genuinely loves what he does, a passion evident in his dedication to technology, his humble approach to overcoming challenges, and his willingness to share his insights with anyone eager to learn,” said Rene Novoa, CCLO, CCPA, CJED, Vice President of Forensics at HaystackID. “As a mentor, John has been incredibly generous in sharing his life journey and decades of experience across the globe. His guidance has left an indelible mark on my own journey, and I am fortunate to be working alongside him as he continues onward and upward.”
From the Front Lines to the C-Suite: A Career Built on Readiness
With more than 20 years of experience, Wilson’s career spans military service, entrepreneurship, and global forensic investigations. He built and ran an internet service provider before becoming a trusted expert in data recovery, breach response, and cyber strategy. His background includes working in nearly every U.S. state and 47 countries, advising Fortune 100 companies, and being an expert witness in complex litigation.
Since taking on the role of HaystackID’s first-ever CISO in 2019, Wilson has elevated the organization’s cybersecurity program, making security foundational rather than functional. He approaches cybersecurity as critical infrastructure, tightly integrated with privacy, compliance, and business continuity planning.
“He inspires our teams to bring their best every day and equips them with the tools and knowledge needed for success. He understands that an organization’s strategy is only as strong as its planning, testing, and execution, and his leadership exemplifies this principle,” said Novoa.
Wilson’s Vision in Action: A Targeted Approach to Email
A key milestone in Wilson’s leadership this year was enhancing HaystackID’s Remote Endpoint Analysis and Data Intelligence (READI™) Suite with the availability of READI for Email, a targeted solution for fast, secure email investigations. Traditionally, email investigations have been slow, expensive, and overly broad. READI for Email changes that give investigators the ability to triage email data upfront, without the need for full mailbox collection.
“Email investigations have traditionally been cumbersome, costly, and slow-moving,” said Wilson in the press release. “READI for Email addresses these challenges directly, enabling investigators to analyze email data upfront, quickly identify key evidence, minimize unnecessary data handling, and more effectively manage compliance risks.”
The tool supports major platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace, providing deep visibility into email metadata, user access logs, and administrative actions. The product’s launch reflects Wilson’s belief that cybersecurity solutions must be both precise and practical, solving real-world problems while maintaining the highest data protection standards.
Recognition Across the Board: HaystackID Finalists in Numerous Categories
Wilson’s award is part of a larger story of excellence: HaystackID was named a finalist in four other categories at this year’s awards, including two company categories and two additional individual honors.
In the company categories, HaystackID was a finalist for:
- Cyber Insurance Incident Response Provider of the Year
- Cyber Security Solution Provider of the Year
These nominations reflect HaystackID’s deep expertise in helping clients respond to complex breaches and ransomware events quickly and precisely. Protect Analytics AI® for Relativity, for example, continues to set the bar for defensible breach notification workflows, enabling organizations to reduce exposure and accelerate compliance.
HaystackID leaders were also recognized individually in the following categories:
- Inspiring Woman in Cyber Insurance – Anya Korolyov
- Rising Star in Cyber Insurance – Shawn Belovich
Together, these honors signal the depth and impact of HaystackID’s cyber leadership team and reinforce our reputation as a trusted partner in the legal and insurance ecosystems. Learn how HaystackID’s Global Cyber Discovery and Incident Response Services can help your organization mitigate cyber risk and prepare for favorable outcomes when seeking or renewing cyber insurance.
About HaystackID®
HaystackID® specializes in solving complex data challenges related to legal, compliance, regulatory, and cyber events. Core offerings include Global Advisory, Data Discovery Intelligence, the HaystackID Core® Platform, and AI-enhanced Global Managed Review powered by ReviewRight®. Recognized globally by industry leaders like Chambers, Gartner, IDC, and Legaltech News, HaystackID prioritizes security, privacy, and integrity in its innovative solutions for leading companies and legal practices worldwide.
Assisted by GAI and LLM technologies.
SOURCE: HaystackID