A Clearwater-based cybersecurity firm, KnowBe4, recently discovered that it had inadvertently hired a North Korean hacker. The hacker, posing as a qualified software engineer, attempted to install malware on the company's systems. KnowBe4 has since issued a warning to the industry about the potential for similar threats.
Key Takeaways
KnowBe4, a cybersecurity awareness and training company, mistakenly hired a North Korean hacker.
The hacker attempted to upload malware to the company's systems.
The breach was quickly identified by KnowBe4's security programs.
The company has issued a warning to the industry, emphasizing that such incidents can happen to anyone.
The Hiring Process
KnowBe4 was in the process of hiring a software engineer for its internal IT AI team. The candidate appeared to be an ideal match, meeting all the qualifications on paper. After four video interviews, the candidate was hired and sent a Mac computer to begin work.
The Breach
As soon as the new hire received the Mac computer, they began uploading malware. Fortunately, one of KnowBe4's security programs detected the breach immediately and alerted the company's security center. Upon investigation, it was revealed that the new hire was actually a North Korean hacker posing as a decorated IT professional. Even the headshot submitted by the hacker was a stock photo with the hacker's face edited onto it.
Industry-Wide Warning
Despite the embarrassment of the incident, KnowBe4 decided to go public with the information to warn others in the industry. The company emphasized that if such a breach could happen to them, it could happen to almost anyone. Brian Krebs, a cybersecurity expert, praised KnowBe4 for their transparency, noting that it sets an example for others in the industry.
Community Response
The cybersecurity community has largely supported KnowBe4's decision to go public. Comments on social media praised the company for its transparency and collaboration. One comment noted that by being open about the incident, KnowBe4 has helped the entire industry learn and benefit from the experience.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the pervasive and rapidly scaling threat of cyberattacks. KnowBe4's experience underscores the importance of vigilance and transparency in the cybersecurity industry.
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