KnowBe4 is the world’s largest security awareness training platform, founded in 2010 by Stu Sjouwerman. The company was taken private by Vista Equity Partners in 2023 for $4.6 billion, just 18 months after its Nasdaq IPO. Kevin Mitnick, the legendary hacker, served as Chief Hacking Officer and partial owner until his passing in 2023.
Platform Overview
KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training (KSAT) is the world’s largest library of security awareness content.
The training library includes over 1,300 training items in 34+ languages. Content includes interactive modules, videos, posters, newsletters, and the Kevin Mitnick Security Awareness Training (KMSAT) package. A mobile app enables training access on iOS and Android devices.
Phishing simulations provide over 25,000 templates that are continuously updated. Machine learning selects personalized templates for each user. Organizations can run unlimited simulated attacks year-round with a Phish Alert Button for one-click suspicious email reporting.
Additional products include PhishER Plus for anti-phishing protection, SecurityCoach for real-time coaching, and SmartRisk Agent for measuring human cyber risk.
Effectiveness
On average, KSAT reduces an organization’s Phish-prone Percentage from 30% to less than 5% after 12 months of training and simulations.
Kevin Mitnick Legacy
Kevin Mitnick joined KnowBe4 in November 2011 as Chief Hacking Officer and partial owner. Known as “the world’s most famous hacker,” Mitnick transformed into a white-hat security consultant after serving prison time for computer crimes in the 1990s.
Mitnick’s social engineering expertise became foundational to KnowBe4’s training curriculum. He passed away on July 16, 2023, after a battle with pancreatic cancer at age 59. His expertise remains “forever woven into KnowBe4’s DNA.”
Key Customers
KnowBe4 serves nearly 70,000 organizations with over 50 million users worldwide. The largest customer segment is banks and credit unions. 82% of customers are in the United States.
Recent Developments
In July 2024, KnowBe4 discovered they had hired a fake IT worker controlled by a North Korean threat actor. The individual used stolen identity and AI-enhanced photos, passing four video interviews. The threat was detected and contained within 25 minutes when the workstation began loading malware.
In May 2025, Bryan Palma was appointed President and CEO, with founder Stu Sjouwerman transitioning to Executive Chairman.
Leadership
Bryan Palma serves as President and CEO. Founder Stu Sjouwerman serves as Executive Chairman and was named 2024 Most Loved CEO by Most Loved Workplaces.