What's It Really Like Working at KnowBe4?
An inside look at the culture, salaries, benefits, and interview process at cybersecurity leader KnowBe4. See if this is the right workplace for you.
Working at KnowBe4 means joining a fast-paced, high-growth cybersecurity awareness leader known for its fun, transparent, and unconventional culture. Employees often praise the strong sense of mission, accessible leadership, and exceptionally generous benefits, including fully paid health insurance and unlimited PTO. Following its 2023 acquisition by Vista Equity Partners, the environment has a heightened focus on metrics and performance, particularly in sales roles. The company's 'work hard, play hard' ethos remains central, blending intense professional demands with unique perks and a strong team-oriented atmosphere.
- Founded
- 2010
- HQ
- Clearwater, Florida
- Employees
- 2400
- Industry
- Cybersecurity
- Ownership
- Private
- KnowBe4 is a leading cybersecurity awareness training company, now privately owned by Vista Equity Partners.
- Employee benefits are a major highlight, with fully paid medical, dental, and vision premiums and an unlimited PTO policy.
- The company culture is known for being fun and transparent, though some employees note increased pressure on metrics post-acquisition.
- Founder Stu Sjouwerman remains CEO and maintains a 96% approval rating on Glassdoor.
- The interview process typically involves a recruiter screen, hiring manager interview, and a panel or technical assessment.
- Sales roles are described as high-pressure but high-reward, while engineering teams focus on agile development for their SaaS platform.
Working at KnowBe4 means joining a fast-paced, high-growth cybersecurity awareness leader known for its fun, transparent, and unconventional culture. Employees often praise the strong sense of mission, accessible leadership, and exceptionally generous benefits, including fully paid health insurance and unlimited PTO. Following its 2023 acquisition by Vista Equity Partners, the environment has a heightened focus on metrics and performance, particularly in sales roles. The company's 'work hard, play hard' ethos remains central, blending intense professional demands with unique perks and a strong team-oriented atmosphere.
What is it actually like to work at KnowBe4?
Working at KnowBe4, or "KB4" as employees call it, is characterized by a unique blend of a high-energy startup vibe and the structure of a major player in the cybersecurity space. The company's mission—to enable employees to make smarter security decisions—infuses the workplace with a strong sense of purpose. Headquartered in Clearwater, Florida, with a global presence, the culture is frequently described by employees as fun, transparent, and built on radical candor. The company invests heavily in its physical and social environment, with office perks, team-building events, and a general "work hard, play hard" mentality. Leadership, including founder and CEO Stu Sjouwerman, is known for being highly visible and communicative, hosting regular town halls and maintaining an open-door policy.
In February 2023, KnowBe4 was acquired by private equity firm Vista Equity Partners for $4.6 billion, taking the company private. This transition is a significant factor in the current employee experience. While the core culture remains intact, employee reviews note an increased emphasis on metrics, KPIs, and operational efficiency, which is typical for a PE-owned company. For sales roles, this translates to a high-pressure, performance-driven environment. For others, it means more structured processes and a rigorous focus on results. Despite these changes, the company continues to earn high marks as an employer, appearing on lists like Forbes' America's Best Mid-Size Employers in 2024.
Source: KnowBe4 Careers, Reuters
How does KnowBe4 pay compare?
KnowBe4 aims to offer competitive compensation to attract and retain talent in the competitive cybersecurity industry. Salaries vary significantly based on role, location, and experience, with technical and sales positions generally commanding the highest pay. The company's compensation packages typically include a base salary plus performance-based bonuses or commissions for eligible roles.
According to data from Comparably, compensation at KnowBe4 trends at or slightly above the national average for comparable roles in the tech sector. For example, a Sales Development Representative (SDR) at KnowBe4 can expect an average total compensation of around $66,000, slightly higher than the US national median. Similarly, a Software Engineer's total compensation averages around $124,000, outpacing the national median of approximately $110,000. These figures reflect the company's need to compete for talent against other major software and security firms.
It's important for candidates to note that following the acquisition by Vista Equity Partners, there is a strong emphasis on performance-linked pay. For sales professionals, this means a significant portion of their earnings is tied to hitting aggressive targets. While this presents a high earning potential, it also contributes to a high-pressure environment. Candidates should clarify the compensation structure, bonus potential, and quota expectations for their specific role during the interview process.
What benefits and time-off does KnowBe4 offer?
KnowBe4's benefits package is widely considered a cornerstone of its employee value proposition and is consistently praised in employee reviews. The company's standout offering is its healthcare coverage: KnowBe4 pays 100% of the premium for medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and their dependents. This is an exceptionally rare and valuable benefit that sets it apart from nearly all of its peers.
Beyond healthcare, the company provides a comprehensive suite of benefits designed to support employees' financial, physical, and mental well-being. Key offerings include:
- Time Off: KnowBe4 offers an "unlimited" paid time off (PTO) policy for salaried employees, which also includes holidays and sick days. This policy is built on trust and reflects the company's focus on results rather than hours logged. Hourly employees receive a generous traditional accrual of PTO.
- Retirement Savings: A 401(k) retirement plan is available with a company match. Employees report the match is typically up to 4% of the employee's contribution.
- Parental Leave: The company offers paid parental leave for new parents to bond with their child.
- Additional Perks: Depending on the office location, perks can include free catered lunches, an on-site gym, and company-sponsored social events. KnowBe4 also invests in employee development, offering access to its own training library and other professional growth opportunities.
This robust benefits package demonstrates a significant investment in employee welfare, contributing to the company's high retention rates and its reputation as a desirable place to work.
Source: KnowBe4 Careers - Benefits
Culture, leadership, and DEI at KnowBe4
The culture at KnowBe4 is defined by three core pillars: Fun, Transparency, and Growth. This isn't just marketing language; it's deeply embedded in the company's operations. "Fun" is manifested through frequent team events, quirky office traditions, and a generally relaxed dress code. "Transparency" is championed by CEO Stu Sjouwerman, who is renowned for his direct communication style, regular all-hands meetings, and a very high CEO approval rating (96% on Glassdoor as of late 2023). This top-down transparency fosters a sense of trust and shared purpose.
"Growth" applies to both the company's rapid expansion and its commitment to employee development. The culture encourages internal mobility and provides resources for continuous learning. However, this growth-oriented mindset also creates a very fast-paced and demanding environment. Employees are expected to be adaptable, take ownership, and perform at a high level.
KnowBe4 has also made public commitments to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). The company has several Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) to support underrepresented communities, including:
- KB4 Women in Tech
- Black Empowerment Network (BEN)
- KB4 Vets
- KB4 Pride
- KB4 H.O.L.A. (Hispanic/Latino Organization for Leadership & Advancement)
These groups work to foster an inclusive environment and provide networking and mentorship opportunities. The company actively works on creating an equitable workplace and publishes statements about its commitment on its careers page. While no workplace is perfect, the combination of transparent leadership, a commitment to DEI, and a unique culture contributes to KnowBe4's high employee satisfaction scores.
Source: KnowBe4 DEI, Glassdoor Reviews
The hiring and interview process at KnowBe4
The hiring process at KnowBe4 is designed to be thorough yet efficient, with a strong focus on assessing both technical skills and cultural alignment. Based on candidate reports, the process typically follows several key stages:
- Initial Application & Recruiter Screen: After applying online, qualified candidates usually have a 30-minute phone call with a member of the talent acquisition team. This conversation covers your background, interest in the role, salary expectations, and provides a high-level overview of the company culture.
- Hiring Manager Interview: The next step is an interview with the hiring manager, which may be conducted via video call or in person. This interview dives deeper into your specific experience, skills, and how you would handle role-specific scenarios. Expect behavioral questions designed to see how you align with KnowBe4's values of transparency, accountability, and fun.
- Panel or Technical Assessment: For technical roles (like software engineering), this stage usually involves a technical challenge, a coding exercise, or a presentation. For other roles, such as sales or marketing, you might participate in a panel interview with team members. This stage is designed to evaluate your practical skills and your ability to collaborate with potential colleagues.
- Final Interview/Culture Fit: A final conversation, sometimes with a department head or senior leader, often serves as a final check for cultural alignment. Candidates are encouraged to ask candid questions about the team, expectations, and the impact of the Vista Equity Partners acquisition.
Candidates consistently report that the process is professional and that recruiters are communicative. The company values transparency, so don't be afraid to ask direct questions about the role, the team's challenges, and opportunities for growth.
Source: Glassdoor - KnowBe4 Interviews
Career growth and learning at KnowBe4
As a company whose entire business is built on training and education, KnowBe4 places a strong emphasis on internal learning and career development. The "Growth" tenet of its culture is central to the employee experience. The company encourages internal mobility, with a policy of posting all open positions internally first. This practice gives current employees the first opportunity to apply for new roles and advance their careers within the organization. In fact, many senior leaders and managers started in more junior positions at the company.
Formal learning opportunities are abundant. Employees get free access to the full suite of KnowBe4's own industry-leading security awareness training, which helps everyone in the company become a security expert. Beyond its own products, the company supports professional development through various means, including access to LinkedIn Learning and budgets for external certifications, conferences, and workshops relevant to an employee's role.
For managers and aspiring leaders, KnowBe4 offers dedicated leadership training programs designed to cultivate the skills needed to lead teams effectively within its unique culture. The fast-paced environment and continuous growth of the company also mean that employees often have the chance to take on new responsibilities and projects, providing organic opportunities for skill development. While the environment is demanding, it is also one where proactive and ambitious individuals can build a dynamic career path.
Source: KnowBe4 Careers, Built In
Risks, criticisms, and what to watch
No workplace is without its challenges, and candidates considering KnowBe4 should be aware of some common themes that appear in employee reviews. The most frequently cited criticism relates to pressure and pace, particularly within the sales department. The environment is heavily metric-driven, with ambitious quotas and a "whatever it takes" attitude that can lead to burnout for some. While the earning potential is high, the performance expectations are equally so.
The 2023 acquisition by Vista Equity Partners is another area to consider. While leadership has worked to maintain the core culture, the influence of a private equity owner has brought a more intense focus on profitability and operational efficiency. Some long-tenured employees have noted a shift from the founder-led, startup feel to a more corporate and data-driven organization. This isn't inherently negative, but it's a change in dynamic that may not appeal to everyone.
Finally, as with any company that promotes a "fun" culture, there can be a perception that one must actively participate in social events to be considered a team player. While not an official expectation, candidates who prefer a more heads-down, transactional work environment might find the highly social and team-oriented atmosphere to be overwhelming. Prospective employees should weigh these factors against the company's strong mission, excellent benefits, and opportunities for growth.
Most Loved Workplaces® context
KnowBe4's focus on employee well-being and a positive culture aligns with the core principles of a Most Loved Workplace®. The SPARK framework—Systemic Collaboration, Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, and Kindness—provides a lens for understanding how such companies succeed. For example, KnowBe4's transparent leadership and mission-driven work foster a Positive Vision of the Future and Alignment of Values. Their investment in benefits and a supportive environment demonstrates Respect and Kindness. Companies in the Most Loved Workplaces® certified network, which includes over 1,800 organizations and 2.8 million employees, see tangible business results from this investment in people, including 48% higher employee retention and 4× higher revenue growth at top-tier companies versus their industry peers. Furthermore, 92% of employees at Most Loved Workplaces® apply for roles when openings arise, indicating a strong internal talent pipeline.
How we researched this report
This article was written by the Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. Our analysis is based on a review of primary sources including KnowBe4's public statements, career pages, and financial filings prior to its acquisition; reputable trade press; and aggregated employee sentiment data from sources like Glassdoor and Comparably, alongside our own extensive research into workplace excellence. Read our full methodology.
Sources
- KnowBe4 Careers — KnowBe4
- Reuters — Reuters
- Comparably — Comparably
- Glassdoor — Glassdoor
- KnowBe4 DEI — KnowBe4
- Glassdoor Reviews — Glassdoor
- Glassdoor - KnowBe4 Interviews — Glassdoor
- Built In — Built In
- Forbes — Forbes
Quick answers
Researched and edited by Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff. See our methodology.