Eric Schlesinger
CISO, Parsons Corp.
Eric Schlesinger doesn’t just oversee big picture cybersecurity concerns. He pulls out the proverbial microscope and examines every detail.
“The biggest win has been creating and defining a much more granular view of our attack surface,” Schlesinger said. “Instead of looking at risk in broad strokes, we’ve broken it down into real, quantifiable exposure across both internal threats and external adversaries. Now, we can see exactly where we’re most vulnerable and how likely those risks are to be exploited.”
That clarity empowers his team to prioritize what matters most, cut out the noise, and make faster, smarter decisions to protect the business.
Why Watch
In 2025, his team is advancing an aggressive AI strategy that makes AI a core part of enterprise security. They’re also sharpening vulnerability management by tying remediation to business context, asset criticality, exploitability and the threat landscape. At the same time, they’re using hyperautomation to empower employees, speed responses, boost proactivity and free teams for high-value priorities.
They’re aligning with administration priorities through initiatives that cut manual effort, lower costs and streamline workflows. Embedding automation and AI removes inefficiencies and frees talent for higher-value work. With risk-based prioritization, every security dollar delivers measurable impact and supports efficiency goals. Schlesinger also pushes his team to think innovatively.
“I always say ‘Nos are free.’ It doesn’t cost you anything to ask the question, challenge the status quo, or push for something better,” Schlesinger said. “That mindset has opened doors for us, whether it’s shaping how we use AI, driving automation or finding smarter ways to manage cybersecurity risk.”
Fun Fact: Schlesinger is a die-hard Baltimore Ravens fan and collects autographed sports memorabilia on the side. His prize is a Miller Lite bar sign signed by the entire 2012 Super Bowl team.