There are certain individuals who leave a lasting impact on the world and in their field, and cybersecurity has many of its own. Kevin Mitnick, often referred to as "the world's most famous hacker," was one such influential figure.
Mitnick died on Sunday, July 16, at age of 59 in Las Vegas, NV. With his passing, we bid farewell to a legendary personality whose intelligence, humor, and extraordinary technological skills have left an indelible mark on the cybersecurity community.
But Mitnick was much more than just "the world's most famous hacker." After serving time in prison for computer hacking and wire fraud charges, he became a visionary and a master of social engineering. As the Chief Hacking Officer of cybersecurity awareness firm KnowBe4, he was instrumental in elevating the organization's brand and helped educate countless individuals on the importance of cybersecurity.
Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4, shared some heartfelt words on the passing of his close friend:
"The only constant is change. That is true for physics, for organizations, and for us humans. People join and leave teams, and of course also join and leave life. But it's always a shock when someone falls away too early.
As some of you knew, Kevin had been battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer for over a year now. So, this doesn't come as a complete surprise, but we kept this mostly confidential at his request.
Kevin was never one to shy away from major problems, and he treated his cancer diagnosis the same. He fought like hell, approached it like 'Hacking Cancer' and survived much longer than initially expected. It was that same fighting spirit and extreme persistence that really defined the man that Kevin was from the beginning.
He became a dear friend of mine (and to many here) and was instrumental to the growth of KnowBe4.
He was referred to as 'the world’s most famous hacker,' but he was REALLY the most famous 'social engineer' of our time. Kevin inspired KnowBe4's training curriculum from the moment he agreed to be our 'Chief Hacking Officer' and was critical in elevating KnowBe4's brand awareness in the industry. His extensive experience with social engineering is forever woven into KnowBe4's DNA.
Rest in peace, Kev, we will always love and miss you."
Through his books, including the New York Times bestseller "The Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures as the World's Most Wanted Hacker," and his work as a public speaker, Kevin shared his knowledge and experiences, inspiring many to pursue careers in cybersecurity. His impact on the industry will continue to be felt for years to come.
The world of cybersecurity mourns the loss of a true visionary. Kevin Mitnick showed us that transformation is possible, that we can learn from our mistakes, and that our skills can be harnessed for the greater good. As we bid farewell to "the world's most famous social engineer," we remember his brilliance, his relentless pursuit of knowledge, and his immeasurable contributions to the cybersecurity industry.
According to his obituary, Mitnick is survived by his wife Kimberley Mitnick, who is pregnant with the their first child.
