FIFTH WAVE

the fifth wave

(noun)

a new era in computing characterized by widespread use of Artificial Intelligence, IoT devices, and 5G connectivity.

new security threats presented by the fifth wave demand a new era of cybersecurity to counter.

WHAT WE DO

Security for a New Era

Advisory

Business advisory from formation to exit for security startups, including go-to-market strategy, technical advisory, and security advisory.

Consulting

Hands-on consulting on business management, security management and technical architecture. Skilled assistance from a seasoned CISO and security leader.

Mentorship

Help with furthering your career, obtaining a new role in security or starting a security-related business.

MEET OUR FOUNDER

Will Pizzano

Principal, Fifth Wave Security

Will Pizzano is a seasoned cybersecurity expert with a career spanning the evolution of modern cyber threats—from the dial-up era to today’s AI-driven landscape. He began his journey defending against cyberattacks at an internet provider before becoming a sought-after security incident response consultant, helping compromised organizations securely recover. Over time, he transitioned into leadership roles, serving as a manager, executive, CISO, and ultimately, a post-exit founder.

As VP & CISO at a high-growth startup, Will played a pivotal role in scaling security and technical operations. He later founded and led a successful security consultancy, and personally acted as vCISO for more more than thirty startups and venture capital firms. In 2022, his company was acquired, and in 2024, he launched Fifth Wave to help organizations navigate the new era of cybersecurity shaped by artificial intelligence.

Will specializes in securing highly regulated industries, including healthcare, financial services, and politics. He has assisted numerous organizations in achieving and maintaining compliance with frameworks such as HIPAA/HITRUST, ISO 27001, SEC/FINRA, and SOC 2.

In addition to holding some of the industry’s most prestigious certifications, including CISSP-ISSMP and CISM, Will remains a highly technical security leader with expertise in compliance, cloud architecture, and security tools. His cross-functional skill set extends beyond security; encompassing finance, legal (particularly data privacy), business management, and team building, making him a well-rounded strategic advisor in today’s complex cybersecurity landscape.