Ledger merges CIO and CISO roles amid rising cyber threats

Ledger SAS has appointed Oded Blatman as its new Chief Information Officer and Chief Security Officer. The French hardware wallet maker merged these two roles into a single executive position on Wednesday. This move consolidates oversight of internal technology and security functions under one leader. The company stated that the change is a direct response to the evolving threat landscape. AI-powered attacks are increasingly targeting digital asset infrastructure. The appointment signals a shift toward unified defensive operations.

Blatman previously served as CIO and Chief Information Security Officer at Fireblocks for five years. He also held the role of global CISO at Bank Hapoalim, a major Israeli bank. His new mandate at Ledger covers cyber security, infrastructure, and physical workplace safety. It also includes product security, internal IT, and enterprise risk management. Ledger said combining these duties ensures defenses evolve in step with sophisticated threats. The goal is to maintain agility against rapid changes in attack methods.

AI lowers cost of cyber attacks

Blatman noted that AI is fundamentally altering the risk environment in the industry. It lowers the cost and time required to identify system weaknesses. This allows attackers to execute more sophisticated campaigns at greater scale. The defending side must move at equal speeds to remain effective. Attackers are increasingly using AI for phishing scams and deepfake impersonation. These methods target both institutions and individual users.

The integration of blockchain technology for mainstream assets raises the stakes. Stocks and bonds are increasingly issued and traded on digital ledgers. This expansion broadens the target surface for malicious actors. Ledger emphasized that its defenses must adapt to this complex reality. The company aims to secure its infrastructure against these advanced vectors. The new leadership structure is designed to meet this challenge head-on.

Sector losses reach 1.4 billion dollars

The appointment comes as the digital asset industry faces a wave of breaches. Hackers have siphoned approximately $1.4 billion in 2026 so far. This figure spans 250 distinct attacks, according to data from DefiLlama. In comparison, 2025 saw $2.7 billion stolen across 146 attacks. The increase in attack frequency highlights persistent vulnerabilities in the ecosystem. Recent incidents have exposed weaknesses in major platforms and providers.

A significant breach occurred earlier this week involving the Liquid Network. Approximately $320 million in Bitcoin was withdrawn by attackers. Last week, hardware wallet maker Trezor reported a data breach at a shipping provider. This exposed personal information for tens of thousands of customers. Earlier in the year, a hack of the Coldcard offline wallet raised security concerns. These events challenge the perception of offline storage as inherently safe.

Hardware wallet security under scrutiny

Ledger operates as a key provider of hardware storage devices. Its customers rely on these tools to protect their digital assets. The company’s headquarters in Paris has now centralized its security strategy. The new executive will oversee all aspects of risk and technology. This approach seeks to eliminate silos in defensive operations. According to GN markets/crypto (en-US), this consolidation reflects a broader industry trend.

The industry is rethinking its defenses in light of these developments. Companies are prioritizing integrated security frameworks. The role of the CIO and CISO is now seen as critical to survival. Blatman’s appointment underscores the urgency of this shift. The sector faces continuous pressure from sophisticated cyber actors. Unified leadership is viewed as a necessary step forward.