Ashley Sheward

About Ashley Sheward

I’m a senior intelligence and cyber risk consultant specializing in threat profile assessments, OSINT, and digital forensics, with a focus on helping organizations understand how real-world adversaries are most likely to target them.At Palo Alto Networks’ Unit 42, I support our clients through threat profile assessments and other intelligence-driven risk evaluations, mapping organizational vulnerabilities against adversary behavior and frameworks such as MITRE ATT & CK. My work combines deep and dark web analysis, open-source intelligence, and technical context to identify relevant threats, assess exposure, and deliver clear, actionable insights that inform security strategy and investment decisions.My background spans anti-scraping, digital forensics, incident response, and security research, which allows me to approach risk assessments with an investigator’s mindset. Earlier in my career, I led complex open-source investigations and supported forensic casework—experience that continues to shape how I evaluate threat credibility, adversary intent, and real-world impact.I earned my degree in intelligence and cyber operations from the University of Southern California, where I specialized in computer and digital forensics and later served as a teaching assistant for advanced digital forensics courses. I’ve also worked internationally, supporting GDPR compliance analysis and competitive research while studying abroad in Europe.

Experience

1. Senior Consultant

   Palo Alto Networks Unit 42

   Nov 2025 — Present · Austin, TX, US

Education

• University of Southern California

  Bachelor's degree, Intelligence and Cyber Operations

• Richmond American University London

  International Relations and Affairs