In the latest episode of Inside the Firewall, powered by CyberGlobal, host Justin Starbird sits down with Dan Gizzi, Franchise Owner of CyberGlobal North Carolina. Dan’s story reflects the modern shift toward local cybersecurity leadership, rooted in community, education, and resilience.
After facing a corporate layoff in 2024, Dan decided to take control of his future. With a background in education technology and global sales, he saw CyberGlobal’s franchise model as the perfect opportunity to combine his expertise in managed services with the fast-growing cybersecurity market.
“I didn’t need to be a cybersecurity expert,” Dan recalls. “I just needed to manage client relationships while the technical work was handled by our corporate team. That balance made the leap possible.”
What makes CyberGlobal’s approach stand out is localization. As the exclusive franchisee for North Carolina, Dan focuses on building relationships with businesses across Raleigh, Charlotte, and the Research Triangle. His team helps small and medium-sized companies understand that cyber threats are not just a corporate problem – 43% of attacks target SMBs, and most don’t survive six months after a breach.
Through community engagement, industry partnerships, and education, Dan’s mission is clear: to make cybersecurity accessible and personal. From working with financial services and IT firms to securing education tech platforms, his local-first approach is helping North Carolina businesses stay resilient in the face of growing digital risks.
Beyond his franchise, Dan also became an investor in CyberGlobal’s WeFunder campaign, joining the company’s broader mission to expand cybersecurity access across the U.S. and beyond.
“They could’ve gone the VC route,” Dan explains, “but instead they opened the opportunity for people like me—franchisees, partners, and supporters—to invest in the company’s future.”
As 2025 draws to a close, Dan’s goals are ambitious yet grounded: continue expanding his team, deepen local impact, and contribute to a safer digital environment for every business in North Carolina.
Listen to the full conversation on Inside the Firewall to hear more about Dan’s journey, his insights on small business security, and how CyberGlobal’s franchise model is reshaping the future of cybersecurity.