Stu Sjouwerman, CEO and founder of KnowBe4, has successfully aided the creation of the VIPRE—Internet Security Awareness Training by Kevin Mitnick, for in-home security training designed specifically for consumers
(Tampa Bay, FL) January 15, 2013--Cybercrime expert Stu Sjouwerman has made it his mission to teach small and medium-sized businesses the dangers of cybercrime and how to protect themselves against cyberattacks. Sjouwerman’s security awareness training firm, KnowBe4, and his recent partnership with famous ex-hacker, Kevin Mitnick, led to the development of insightful Internet security information and software to help businesses. But now, even the consumer market can benefit. Through connections with KnowBe4, VIPRE Antivirus is now able to private-label KnowBe4’s training by Mitnick and will sell it as a package deal with VIPRE’s popular antivirus software on the Home Shopping Network (HSN) on
Sjouwerman has been in the IT industry since 1979, and helped establish Sunbelt International, an IT company known for its development of VIPRE Antivirus Software. Shortly after joining Sunbelt, Sjouwerman relocated to Clearwater, FL, to open a U.S. division of the company, where the goal was to create products compatible with Microsoft Windows. Sunbelt grew from $8 million in sales in 1998 to $18 million in 2002, when it made the Inc. 500. Soon after, Sunbelt switched its focus to anti-spam and antispyware, which led to the creation of VIPRE Antivirus.
In 2010, Sunbelt was sold to GFI, a software company backed by a $5 billion venture capital and private equity firm. Sjouwerman—retired for all of five days—wanted to take on a new challenge. Having witnessed the dangers of cybercrime first-hand for 30-plus years, as well as the lack of knowledge and training provided to employees on harmful phishing scams, Sjouwerman founded KnowBe4. The firm’s cybersecurity training helps clients protect themselves against phishing scams that use hyperlinks in emails to lure people onto malicious websites.
According to a Trend Micro report, 94% of targeted emails use malicious file attachments as the infection source (1). While Sjouwerman had extensive experience with software programs, he realized that the only way to protect people from hackers would be to get into the mind of a former hacker. Sjouwerman then partnered with Kevin Mitnick, a highly skilled ex-hacker who has penetrated some of the most resilient computer systems ever developed. Mitnick has over 30 years of hacker experience and was given the name “World’s Most Wanted Hacker” in the 1980’s. Mitnick now does security consulting for Fortune 500 companies, performs penetration testing services for the world’s largest companies, and teaches Social Engineering classes to government agencies. Sjouwerman and Mitnick produced KnowBe4’s Kevin Mitnick Security Awareness Training (KMSAT), which is designed to ensure that employees understand the mechanisms of spam, phishing, spear-phishing, malware and social engineering, and are able to apply this knowledge on a daily basis.
After the success and proven results of KMSAT, KnowBe4 wanted to create a training platform that even
consumers could use at home. With a different version of KMSAT formed, Sjouwerman approached GFI
software with the in-home training idea. GFI jumped at the opportunity to bring security training to out-
of-office computers, and decided to private-label the software, thereby creating VIPRE Internet Security
Training by Kevin Mitnick. The software is designed specifically for consumers, and will feature:
● Web-based interactive course made in 2013—updated to reflect recent scams.
● 8 sections using real-life case studies that show how various people have gotten into trouble using the
Internet, and what you need to do to stay safe.
● Each section has a live Kevin Mitnick video with your security do’s and don’ts, and each section has a
fun “security check” quiz at the end.
Some of the topics the course will cover are: opening emails and attachments, spam, viruses, social
engineering red flags, online banking and passwords.
“Criminals are constantly finding new ways to determine passwords, identities, and bank account information that can cost someone thousands of dollars and their sense of privacy,” Sjouwerman
commented. “People are unaware of the different tools and techniques available to keep information
safe on the Internet, and that’s why we wanted to provide every home with the proper training.”
VIPRE, KnowBe4 and Mitnick believe that HSN is the most valuable venue for shoppers to feel confident
with what they are purchasing. HSN ranks as one of the most improved online retailers, according to an
annual customer satisfaction survey.
The VIPRE Internet Security Training by Kevin Mitnick will be sold with VIPRE Antivirus as a bundle. Its launch on HSN will be on February 2, 2013. To get more information on security awareness training, visit www.knowbe4.com.
To view Sjouwerman’s interview on CBS regarding cybercrime, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dultIFSgQS0.
About Stu Sjouwerman and KnowBe4
Stu Sjouwerman is the founder and CEO of KnowBe4, LLC, which provides web-based Internet Security
Awareness Training (ISAT) to small and medium-sized enterprises. A data security expert with more than
30 years in the IT industry, Sjouwerman was the cofounder of Inc. 500 company Sunbelt Software, an
award-winning anti-malware software company that he and his partner sold to GFI Software in 2010.
Realizing that the human element of security was being seriously neglected, Sjouwerman decided to
help entrepreneurs tackle cybercrime tactics through advanced security awareness training. He and his
team in KNowBe4 work with companies in many different industries, including highly-regulated fields
such as healthcare, finance and insurance. Sjouwerman is the author of four books, with his latest being
Cyberheist: The Biggest Financial Threat Facing American Businesses Since the Meltdown of 2008.
Visit www.knowbe4.com or www.knowbe4.com/cyberheist-the-book/.
(1) Savvas, Anthony. Techworld.com. November 2012. “91% of cyberattacks begin with spear phishing
email”, news.techworld.com/security/3413574/91-of-cyberattacks-begin-with-spear-phishing-
email/?olo=rss
(2) Tampabay.com. December 27, 2012. “HSN ranks as top improved online retailer, says 2012 customer
satisfaction survey.” tampabay.com/news/business/retail/hsn-ranks-as-top-improved-online-retailer-says-2012-customer-satisfaction/1267725
Related Pages: Kevin Mitnick
