KnowBe4’s mission is to enable employees to make smarter security decisions every day. The company aims to educate users and help organizations manage the persistent issue of social engineering. Its primary goal is to create the most powerful, yet user-friendly, platform available for security awareness training and simulated phishing. KnowBe4 focuses on helping organizations strengthen their “human firewall” and foster a more robust security culture.
KnowBe4 is recognized as the world’s largest platform for security awareness training combined with simulated phishing attacks. The company has established a strong market reputation, consistently being ranked as a leader in the security awareness training category by customer reviews. Its platform is utilized by tens of thousands of organizations globally and is noted for its extensive library of training content and its effectiveness in reducing human-related security risks.
Offerings, Capabilities, and Integrations
KnowBe4 provides a comprehensive platform focused on managing human risk in cybersecurity. Its core offerings revolve around security awareness training and simulated phishing attacks designed to educate employees and strengthen an organization’s security culture. This approach positions the human element as a critical layer of defense, transforming the workforce from a potential vulnerability into a protective asset. KnowBe4’s platform is distinguished by its use of artificial intelligence to deliver personalized training and phishing simulations. The company also offers a suite of integrated products that address various aspects of human-centric security, including email security and real-time security coaching. KnowBe4’s ability to integrate with numerous existing cybersecurity and IT systems enhances its value proposition, allowing for streamlined user management and data synchronization.
Products and Services
KnowBe4’s product and service portfolio is centered around its flagship platform for security awareness and simulated social engineering. The company offers a range of solutions designed to address the human element of cybersecurity.
- KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training (KSAT): This is KnowBe4’s flagship product, providing a platform for new-school security awareness training and simulated phishing. It includes a vast library of training content, such as interactive modules, videos, games, and newsletters.
- PhishER Plus: An anti-phishing tool that helps security teams identify and respond to phishing threats before they impact users.
- SecurityCoach: This service offers real-time security coaching to end-users by detecting risky behavior and providing immediate feedback.
- Compliance Plus: This product provides training modules focused on various regulatory and compliance standards, such as business ethics, data privacy, and harassment prevention.
- Cloud Email Security: Acquired from Egress, this offering assesses human risk and adapts security controls to protect against advanced phishing threats and data exfiltration.
- AIDA (Artificial Intelligence Defense Agents): A newer suite of AI-powered agents designed to enhance and automate human risk management.
Target Customers
KnowBe4 serves a wide range of organizations, from small businesses to large enterprises, across various industries. The company’s customer base includes over 70,000 organizations worldwide. Its products are designed to be scalable and beneficial for any organization that recognizes employees as a potential weak link in their IT security. Target industries include, but are not limited to, information technology and services, managed services, and cybersecurity. Companies in the 100-249 employee range represent a significant portion of KnowBe4’s clientele. These customers benefit from KnowBe4’s platform by reducing their susceptibility to social engineering attacks, such as phishing and ransomware, thereby strengthening their overall security posture and fostering a more security-conscious culture.
Cloud Integrations and Marketplaces
KnowBe4 offers several cloud integrations to automate user management and enhance its security awareness training platform. The company also maintains a presence on major cloud marketplaces, allowing for streamlined procurement and deployment.
- Microsoft Azure: KnowBe4 integrates with Microsoft security products as a member of the Microsoft Intelligent Security Association (MISA). Its SecurityCoach product connects with Microsoft Azure Active Directory and Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps to provide real-time security coaching based on user behavior. KnowBe4 also supports System for Cross-domain Identity Management (SCIM) to automate user provisioning from Azure Active Directory (now Microsoft Entra ID). The KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training platform is available on the Microsoft Azure Marketplace, which facilitates single sign-on using Microsoft Entra ID.
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): KnowBe4 is an AWS Partner and part of the AWS ISV Accelerate Program. Several KnowBe4 products are available on the AWS Marketplace, including KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training (KSAT), PhishER Plus, Compliance Plus, and SecurityCoach. This allows customers to purchase and deploy KnowBe4’s offerings using their existing AWS accounts and committed spend.
- Google Cloud: KnowBe4’s SecurityCoach product integrates with Google Workspace, which involves configuration within the Google Cloud platform to connect the services. KnowBe4 also supports SAML 2.0 for single sign-on (SSO) with Google Workspace credentials. Additionally, the KnowBe4 SecurityCoach(DE) application is listed on the Google Workspace Marketplace.
- Other Integrations: KnowBe4 supports SCIM integration with other identity providers like Okta and OneLogin for automated user provisioning. It also offers SAML and SCIM integrations with platforms such as JumpCloud and CyberArk.
Key People
- President and CEO: Bryan Palma
- Founder and Executive Chairman: Stu Sjouwerman
- Chief Financial Officer: Bob Reich
- Chief Revenue Officer: Hein Hellemons
- Chief Human Resources Officer: Ani Banerjee
- Chief Marketing Officer: Cindy Zhou
- Chief Learning Officer: John Just
- Chief Cloud & Product Officer: Greg Klas
- CISO: Brian Jack
- Chief Evangelist & Strategy Officer: Perry Carpenter
- Chief Process Officer: Morgan Flake
Key Facts
- Headquarters: Clearwater, Florida, United States.
- Number of Employees: Approximately 2,200.
- Annual Revenue: Between $100 million and $1 billion.
- Parent Company: Vista Equity Partners.
- Subsidiary Companies: KnowBe4 has acquired several companies, including Egress, The Security Awareness Company, and Twist & Shout Communications.
- Publicly Listed: No, KnowBe4 was taken private by Vista Equity Partners and its shares are no longer listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market.
Analyst Recognition
Major technology analyst groups recognize KnowBe4 as a leader in the security awareness and training market.
- Gartner has consistently positioned KnowBe4 as a Leader in its Magic Quadrant for Security Awareness Computer-Based Training. In 2021, Gartner also named KnowBe4 a Customers’ Choice in its Peer Insights “Voice of the Customer” report for the same market category. Additionally, Egress, a KnowBe4 company, was named a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Email Security Platforms.
- Forrester Research has identified KnowBe4 as a Leader in its Forrester Wave™ reports for Security Awareness and Training Solutions. KnowBe4 achieved this recognition in both the first quarter of 2020 and the first quarter of 2022.
- IDC collaborated with KnowBe4 on a report titled “The Impact of Cyberextortion on Africa” in 2022, which analyzed the cybercrime landscape in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Everest Group does not currently feature KnowBe4 in its research reports on related technology markets.
