"A key IT security vulnerability is staff, and many organisations are only as secure as their weakest employee," said Ian Kilpatrick, chairman of Wick Hill Group. "Traditionally, perimeter security addressed this risk, but now that no longer works on its own. With the continual changes in threats, it's been nearly impossible for most organisations to train and support their entire workforce."

Kilpatrick was speaking as Wick Hill was appointed UK value added distributor for KnowBe4, providers of the world's most popular integrated security awareness training and simulated phishing programme, based on Kevin Mitnick''s 30+ year unique first-hand hacking experience. KnowBe4 is seeking to expand it UK presence through Wick Hill.

"We see Knowbe4 as meeting that staff training requirement, by enabling organisations to test employees at their desks and by automating the processes for providing reporting and focussed training for those who are vulnerable," added Kilpatrick.  

KnowBe4 addresses the issue of employee vulnerability to malicious emails and provides automated, internet-based security awareness training to combat social engineering, phishing and ransomware. The training is cost-effective, continually updated, easy-to-use, requires a relatively short amount of employee time, and is suited to organisations of all sizes. 

Stu Sjouwerman, CEO of KnowBe4, said: "IT managers know users are the weakest link in IT security, with phishing and spear-phishing being the foremost of threats. The UK has seen a 4,000% increase of dangerous ransomware through rapid innovation by sophisticated Eastern European criminals. This puts employees in the position of inadvertently giving away the keys to the kingdom. It is more critical than ever to help users understand the consequences of their actions and learn how to combat cybercrime attacks."

KnowBe4 solutions include

 

* Kevin Mitnick Security Awareness Training

High quality, web-based interactive training combined with frequent simulated phishing attacks, using case studies, live demonstration videos and short tests. It is aimed at making sure employees understand the mechanisms of spam, phishing, spear phishing, malware and social engineering.

After the training, KnowBe4's highly effective scheduled Phishing Security Tests keep employees on their toes. There are several correction options for employees who fall for the attacks, including instant remedial online training.

 

* Free Phishing Security Test

91% of successful data breaches started with a spear phishing attack - and they're getting more sophisticated. KnowBe4 provides a free Phishing Security Test (PST) which will show you what percentage of your users is Phish-prone.

 

About Wick Hill

Established in 1976, value added distributor Wick Hill specialises in secure IP infrastructure solutions and convergence. The company sources and delivers best-of-breed, easy-to-use solutions through its channel partners, with a portfolio that covers security, performance, access, networking, convergence, storage and hosted solutions.

Wick Hill is part of the Wick Hill Group, based in Woking, Surrey with sister offices in Hamburg. facilities.

For more information about Wick Hill, please visit http://www.wickhill.com  or www.twitter.com/wickhill