Michael teaches Shanna to burn visual memories using all her senses at Niagara Falls
Founder's Story
How did being born with glaucoma bring Michael to the forefront of fighting against cybercrime?
Michael Benson was the youngest baby in the world in 1961 to undergo glaucoma surgery. At just a few days old, this experimental and cutting-edge surgery saved him from a life of blindness. In 1977, despite advancements in technology, both of his eyes required surgery again to manage the pressure. Although the surgeries were successful, Michael was advised to learn Braille and prepare for a potential future without sight. Imagine being a teenager and hearing that you might be blind by the age of 30.
From the age of 16 to 22, Michael struggled with dark thoughts, leading him to consider ending his life. He became a daily drinker, but an incredible awakening occurred, and Michael hasn’t had a drink since November 1983. Today, he still has vision in one eye, thanks to multiple eye drops and the continued advancement of technology.
In his mid-twenties, filled with gratitude for his remaining vision, Michael attempted to enlist in the armed services to serve his country. However, due to his diagnosis, he was denied. This rejection is a significant factor in why, in 2024, his focus has shifted to creating the Cyber Defense Force.
Michael dedicated his career and life to travel, pledging to see all he could while he still had his sight. He built a career that would support him financially, even if he eventually lost his vision. His professional journey began at Bell Yellow Pages, where he became a President’s Club winner. He later transitioned to international business consulting, helping firms achieve ISO certification.
In 2014, Michael launched the Visual Experience Foundation, mentoring those diagnosed with incurable eye diseases. He understood the negative emotions that come with such diagnoses—questions like “Who will love me?” “What will I do for a living?” and “If I go blind, I’ll end my life” were demons he had to overcome himself. Through the Foundation, he inspired others to burn visions into their lives by visiting iconic locations such as the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, Disney World, and New York City.
He organized experiences like helicopter and balloon rides, Broadway shows, NFL games, and concerts. In 2016, Michael started the very first blind surfing event and has since held the annual “Surfing for Vision” event, which sends a powerful message that losing your sight doesn’t mean you can’t live an amazing life.
Michael’s journey has been covered in blogs, and he has been a guest speaker for the National Federation of the Blind (NFB) in New Jersey. He has shared his testimony on various TV shows and has been featured on CBS, NBC, and ABC World News, where he was filmed at the Grand Canyon. He was also nominated for CNN Heroes.
Michael is the guest speaker as his long time doc World renown Top Dr. George Spaeth retires from Wills Eye Hospital of Philadelphia
Why Cybersecurity?
Growing up, Michael witnessed society’s transition from a time without fax machines or cell phones to the digital age. Like many, he felt powerless watching the news, sensing that things were spiraling out of control. He experienced moments where he would casually mention a gas can in conversation, only to see ads for gas cans appear on his phone later. He saw friends and colleagues suffer as their companies were held ransom, their identities stolen, or their funds wired to malicious actors who had hacked into their email chains.
“It has always bothered me that I was told I was unfit to serve my country,” Michael says. “I can see so clearly that while we’re busy fighting amongst ourselves, we’re already at war right here at home. There’s a focused effort to take America down. There are two bad actors: one wants the cash, and the other wants to destroy us from the inside out, to take down every device in America. We are so dependent on our computers and phones.”
Determined to make a difference, Michael decided to use his skills to launch the Cyber Defense Force. His vision was to create an organization where anyone, especially those unable to serve physically, could join for free, amplifying the message of the growing cyber threat. Like a modern-day Paul Revere, this organization warns of the imminent cyber attack. A few months after its launch, the movie Leave the World Behind with Julia Roberts was released—a film Michael felt was a warning about what could happen if we don’t take cybersecurity seriously.
Many businesses that handle personal data operate under a false sense of security, not realizing that hackers, now armed with AI, are fully aware of this. Michael’s first move was to align with cybersecurity experts and secure a $2 million grant to provide free penetration testing. This testing, along with detailed reports, ethically exposes how vulnerable businesses are. Michael also negotiated volume discount pricing for high-level security solutions, helping small businesses secure the personal data they’ve been entrusted with.
As these funds are utilized, Michael is committed to securing more. He believes every business should be tested as soon as possible. Eventually, consumers should adopt a zero-trust policy and ask their CPA, dentist, realtor, mortgage firm, and others, “When was the last time you had a third-party test to verify that your security is up-to-date and capable of withstanding the latest AI attacks?”
“This is a ministry for me. I am a patriot, and some may call me an alarmist, but WE is a powerful word. I am looking for others to join me in helping keep America safe.”
Please sign up for the Cyber Defense Force to receive updated information on how you and others can stay safe now and, God forbid, if all our systems go down. If you’re a business, please take advantage of our free third-party testing—it is smart business in this day and age. Keep your IT department honest; they are not cybersecurity experts in most cases. You have been entrusted with individuals’ personal information, and this is a great responsibility.
Download Our Executive Guide to Cybersecurity
The document describes the layers of protection required to protect data against ransomware attacks.
