Visa is doubling down on cybersecurity—and wants to bring its clients with it. The global payments giant today launched its Visa Cybersecurity Advisory Practice, a major initiative aimed at helping businesses—from corner stores to global enterprises—navigate the growing complexity of cyber threats in the payments ecosystem.

With this move, Visa is leveraging its $12 billion investment in technology and infrastructure over the past five years, turning internal capabilities into value-added services for its vast network of clients. And to lead the charge, Visa has tapped cybersecurity veteran Jeremiah Dewey as its new Global Head of Cyber Products.

“Proactive detection and response is key,” said James Mirfin, Global Head of Risk and Identity Solutions at Visa. “Our clients need comprehensive resources that can scale with their business.”

From Risk to Revenue: Cybersecurity as a Strategic Asset

Visa’s new practice represents more than just a consulting service—it’s a reframing of cybersecurity as a business growth enabler, not just a defensive cost.

“Cybersecurity is no longer seen as a cost center,” said Carl Rutstein, Global Head of Advisory Services. “It’s a vital part of any business’ growth strategy.”

And Visa isn’t just offering generic security advice. Through its Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) unit, the company is deploying a global network of consultants, data scientists, and product experts to deliver tailored guidance. Think AI-powered threat detection, maturity assessments, and enumeration attack defense—backed by real-time payment ecosystem expertise.

What’s on Offer? A Quick Breakdown:

Visa’s Cybersecurity Advisory Practice includes:

• Payment Cybersecurity Institute: Cybersecurity training and awareness for employees
• Cybersecurity Maturity Assessments: Reviews of systems and processes with clear improvement paths
• Enumeration Defense: Specialized detection and mitigation of enumeration attacks (common in card testing fraud)
• Future Rollouts: Threat intelligence, vulnerability testing, and ongoing assessments in the pipeline

This comprehensive approach positions Visa to compete more directly with cybersecurity consulting arms of large tech players like IBM, Deloitte, and Accenture, but with one big differentiator: Visa is embedded in the payments architecture itself.

Visa’s Cyber Bet Has Teeth

Hiring Jeremiah Dewey, a 20-year veteran of managed security, incident response, and consulting—across both private and government sectors—signals Visa is taking the initiative seriously. Dewey’s task is to translate Visa’s internal capabilities into scalable, client-facing solutions, and to forge partnerships that expand the reach and relevance of Visa’s cyber offerings.

It’s also a timely move. As threat actors evolve faster than traditional defenses, and as payment systems become more interconnected, businesses are increasingly looking for domain-specific cybersecurity expertise. Visa’s model brings that expertise directly to the businesses most vulnerable to fraud and attack.

Strategic Implications: From Fintech Arms Race to Trust Play

Visa’s new practice arrives at a moment when digital payments are booming—but so is fraud. With fintech competitors and payment processors racing to embed smarter fraud protection and AI-enabled risk tools, Visa is staking a claim in the trust economy. By positioning itself as both a payment enabler and a security partner, it’s building a sticky, service-based relationship with clients—one that could help retain market share in an increasingly crowded field.

While the likes of Mastercard and American Express also offer risk services, Visa’s integrated, AI-enhanced approach backed by a dedicated advisory practice could push it ahead in the cybersecurity credibility game.

Visa isn’t just keeping its payments network safe—it’s now offering that security as a service. And for businesses caught in the rising tide of cyber threats, that might be the most valuable product Visa’s rolled out in years.

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