Intel 471 Taps Intelligence Chief Michael DeBolt as Its New President

WILMINGTON, Del. – February 03, 2026 – In a strategic move underscoring the primacy of operational expertise in the cybersecurity sector, Intel 471 has appointed Michael DeBolt as its new President. The cyber threat intelligence provider announced today that DeBolt will take on the new role while continuing his duties as the company's Chief Intelligence Officer (CINO), a dual responsibility designed to accelerate the firm’s significant market momentum.

The appointment comes as the global threat intelligence market is experiencing explosive growth, with some analysts projecting its value to more than double within the next decade. For Intel 471, which secured a major strategic investment from private equity firm Thoma Bravo in 2021, DeBolt’s promotion signals a clear intent to leverage deep-seated intelligence experience as the primary engine for its expansion and business strategy.

A Dual Role Forged for Growth

Placing the chief of intelligence into the president's chair is a powerful statement, indicating that for Intel 471, the collection and analysis of threat intelligence is not merely a product but the central pillar of its corporate identity and growth strategy. The move aims to directly align the company's strategic business functions with its core intelligence operations.

“Michael’s distinctive skillset and professional background are unparalleled, and I am confident that his leadership will guide Intel 471 to a new echelon of business growth,” stated Jason Passwaters, CEO and co-founder of Intel 471. “As our CINO, Michael has spearheaded several pivotal program launches for the company while maintaining a steadfast commitment to the professional development and improvement of his team. In his capacity as President, he will apply the same dedication, leadership, and spirit of innovation to undertake new initiatives designed to address the demands of our expanding customer base.”

This leadership structure is uncommon but reflects a growing industry trend where deep technical and operational knowledge is increasingly valued in the highest echelons of corporate leadership. By retaining his CINO responsibilities, DeBolt is uniquely positioned to ensure that the company’s business development, market strategy, and product innovation remain inextricably linked to the realities of the cybercriminal underground.

From Marine Scout to Cybercrime Leader

DeBolt’s journey to the C-suite is a testament to a career built on the front lines of national security and cybercrime investigation. With over 20 years of experience, his path has been anything but conventional. His background as a U.S. Marine infantry scout leader provided a foundation in reconnaissance and operational discipline that he later translated to the digital world.

As a Special Agent at the U.S. Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), DeBolt carved out a niche in national security cyber operations. He is credited with establishing the first undercover operation specifically targeting cybercriminals who were preying on the Department of Defense, identifying and addressing a critical vulnerability in the nation's security posture.

His expertise gained international recognition when he became the U.S. representative and Head of Cybercrime Intelligence at the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL). There, he was instrumental in building and leading the organization's cyber fusion center in Singapore, developing global strategies and leading operations against transnational cybercriminal networks. This extensive background in law enforcement and intelligence provides him with a rare, ground-truth perspective on the adversaries Intel 471 helps its clients combat.

Championing an Industry-Wide Maturity Model

Beyond his internal contributions, DeBolt has made a significant mark on the cybersecurity industry as a whole. In 2024, he founded and led the creation of the Cyber Threat Intelligence Capability Maturity Model (CTI-CMM). This pioneering framework was not a proprietary tool but a collaborative, community-driven effort involving a consortium of 28 leaders from across the cybersecurity landscape.

The CTI-CMM provides a vendor-agnostic roadmap for organizations to build, measure, and refine their CTI programs. It helps security teams align their activities with overarching business objectives and demonstrate tangible value to stakeholders, a common challenge in the field. The model's development and enthusiastic reception—highlighted by DeBolt's recognition as a 2025 SC Awards finalist—cements his and Intel 471's reputation as thought leaders committed to advancing the entire industry.

“It is a distinct privilege to be a member of a team that not only delivers superior insights to our customers and partners but is also dedicated to the advancement of the industry as a whole,” DeBolt commented on his appointment. “As President, I am committed to continuing to cultivate a robust culture of innovation during this period of accelerated growth.”

Operationalizing Intelligence for the Future

Intel 471 has built its reputation on providing human-led, validated intelligence from the cybercriminal underground, an approach that has earned it praise from clients who describe it as a "premier industry leader." The company’s TITAN platform and strategic partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft and security firms like ThreatConnect and Sumo Logic demonstrate its focus on making intelligence actionable within a customer's existing security ecosystem.

With DeBolt at the helm as both President and CINO, Intel 471 is poised to deepen this integration of intelligence into action. His leadership promises to steer the company not just toward greater market share, but toward defining what it means to be a truly intelligence-driven organization in the ongoing fight against cybercrime.

As DeBolt himself noted, “Intel 471 is positioned for a major expansion within the market, and I am enthusiastic to be part of the leadership team that will propel the company to the next level of achievement.” This new chapter for the company will be closely watched by customers, competitors, and the broader security community as it navigates the complexities of an ever-evolving threat landscape.