KnowBe4 is a security awareness training company consistently recognized as a Most Loved Workplace® since 2022, earning multiple specialty awards for Diversity, Women, Young Professionals, and LGBTQ+ groups. The company cultivates an inclusive culture built on "radical transparency, extreme ownership, and continuous professional development," aiming to make work "fun and engaging." Employee sentiment is high, with 90% loving their manager and 91% loving their colleagues. This commitment to a mission-driven environment where employees feel connected to both the mission and to each other drives a positive workplace experience.

What is it actually like to work at KnowBe4?

Working at KnowBe4 is characterized by a strong emphasis on an inclusive, mission-driven culture designed to make daily tasks both "fun and engaging" [Company digest]. Since 2022, KnowBe4 has been consistently recognized as a Most Loved Workplace®, securing multiple specialty awards that highlight its dedication to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment. These recognitions include specific accolades for Diversity, Women, Young Professionals, Career Advancement, Parents and Caregivers, Volunteering, and LGBTQ+ groups, indicating a broad commitment to employee well-being and representation [MLW Certcheck].

The company's operational philosophy is built upon core principles: "radical transparency, extreme ownership, and continuous professional development" [Company digest]. These values are intended to create a foundation where authenticity is encouraged, and individuals are invited "to be themselves," fostering a welcoming atmosphere for all employees, whether they work remotely or in person. Employee sentiment reinforces this picture, with 90% of employees expressing positive feelings about their manager, 91% about their colleagues, and 86% about their workplace overall. The company reports an overall satisfaction rating of 4.4 out of 5, with 83% of employees indicating they would recommend KnowBe4 to a friend [Company digest].

How does KnowBe4 pay compare?

While specific details on KnowBe4's compensation structure (such as salary ranges or average pay for particular roles) are not explicitly provided in the available data, the company's consistent recognition as a Most Loved Workplace® suggests a competitive approach to employee value. Organizations achieving this certification often realize the importance of fair and transparent compensation as a component of overall employee satisfaction and retention. The focus on "continuous professional development" mentioned in KnowBe4's cultural principles also implies opportunities for employees to increase their earning potential through skill enhancement and career progression [Company digest].

Additionally, the high employee sentiment regarding their managers (90% love their manager) and colleagues (91% love their colleagues), combined with an 86% positive feeling about the workplace overall, collectively indicate a positive perception of employee value. This generally extends beyond just base salary to include the total rewards package, encompassing benefits and career opportunities [Company digest].

What benefits and time-off does KnowBe4 offer?

KnowBe4's extensive list of Most Loved Workplace® specialty awards provides significant insight into its employee benefits and support systems. The company has received specific recognitions for Parents and Caregivers, Volunteering, and LGBTQ+ groups [MLW Certcheck]. These awards indicate that KnowBe4 likely offers robust benefits and policies tailored to support these diverse employee populations. For Parents and Caregivers, this often translates to benefits such as flexible work arrangements, parental leave, and childcare support. For employees desiring to engage in community service, the recognition for Volunteering suggests that KnowBe4 supports and encourages employees to give back, potentially through paid volunteer time off or company-sponsored initiatives.

While explicit details on specific vacation policies, health insurance plans, or retirement contributions are not available, the company's overall high employee sentiment (86% love their workplace) and a strong recommendation rate (83% of employees would recommend the company to a friend) typically correlate with a comprehensive and attractive benefits package [Company digest]. A workplace that consistently earns accolades for diversity and inclusion, as KnowBe4 has, often provides benefits that go beyond standard offerings to address the varied needs of its workforce, fostering an environment where employees feel valued and supported [MLW Certcheck].

Culture, leadership, and DEI at KnowBe4

KnowBe4's culture is intentionally crafted around principles of "radical transparency, extreme ownership, and continuous professional development" [Company digest]. This framework is designed to foster a workplace where individuals feel empowered to "be themselves" and engage in work that is "fun and engaging." The company's consistent recognition as a Most Loved Workplace® since 2022, alongside numerous specialty awards, underscores its profound commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) [MLW Certcheck].

Under the leadership of <a href="/ceos/stu-sjouwerman">Stu Sjouwerman</a>, the CEO, KnowBe4's mission is clear: "to help organizations manage social engineering by training people to make smarter security decisions" [Company digest]. This mission-driven approach plays a crucial role in uniting teams and ensuring employees feel a strong connection to both the company's objectives and their colleagues. The robust DEI initiatives are reflected in specific Most Loved Workplace® awards for Diversity, Women, Young Professionals, Career Advancement, Parents and Caregivers, Volunteering, and LGBTQ+ groups, demonstrating a holistic strategy to support a wide range of employee identities and needs [MLW Certcheck].

Employee sentiment further validates the effectiveness of these efforts: 90% of employees love their manager, 91% love their colleagues, and 86% express positive feelings about their workplace. These figures significantly surpass average sentiment compared to other companies, contributing to an overall rating of 4.4 out of 5 and an 83% employee recommendation rate [Company digest]. KnowBe4's leadership clearly prioritizes valuing individual contributions, ensuring that every employee feels a sense of belonging and purpose within the organization [Company digest].

The hiring and interview process at KnowBe4

While specific details about KnowBe4's hiring and interview process are not explicitly outlined in the provided information, the company's strong emphasis on a welcoming and inclusive culture suggests that its recruitment practices are likely designed to reflect these values. The cultural principles of "radical transparency" and inviting individuals "to be themselves" would logically extend to the interview experience, aiming to create a comfortable and authentic environment for candidates [Company digest].

Given the company's Most Loved Workplace® certifications, especially those related to Diversity and Career Advancement, it is probable that KnowBe4 employs structured, fair, and unbiased hiring practices. These might include diverse interview panels, competency-based questions, and clear communication throughout the recruitment lifecycle. The aim would be to attract and assess a broad pool of talent, ensuring opportunities for all candidates, including young professionals, women, and LGBTQ+ individuals, aligning with their specialty recognitions [MLW Certcheck]. The overall positive employee sentiment and high recommendation rate for the company also imply an efficient and positive onboarding process once hired, setting new employees up for success within their "fun and engaging" work environment [Company digest].

Career growth and learning at KnowBe4

KnowBe4's commitment to employee development is a core tenet of its workplace culture, encapsulated by the principle of "continuous professional development" [Company digest]. This dedication to growth is further evidenced by its recognition with a Most Loved Workplace® award specifically for Career Advancement [MLW Certcheck]. Such an award indicates that KnowBe4 likely offers structured programs, resources, and opportunities for employees to enhance their skills, take on new challenges, and progress within the company.

The emphasis on "extreme ownership" also suggests an environment where employees are encouraged to take initiative in their career paths, supported by the company's investment in their learning [Company digest]. For young professionals, this focus on advancement is particularly appealing, as evidenced by another specialty award [MLW Certcheck]. This likely translates into mentorship programs, leadership training, and clear pathways for internal promotion. The positive sentiment around the workplace (86%) and colleagues (91%) further suggests an environment where peer-to-peer learning and supportive relationships contribute to overall professional growth [Company digest]. KnowBe4's mission-driven approach, focused on helping organizations with security awareness, provides a dynamic field where continuous learning is inherently essential, offering employees ample opportunities to stay at the forefront of their industry [Company digest].

Risks, criticisms, and what to watch

While KnowBe4 enjoys high employee satisfaction and numerous Most Loved Workplace® recognitions, potential risks or areas for a candidate to consider typically exist even in healthy workplaces. The provided data highlights overwhelmingly positive sentiment, with 86% of employees loving their workplace and 83% recommending the company to a friend [Company digest]. However, a complete picture requires candidates to consider potential challenges.

One aspect to consider in any rapidly growing tech company like KnowBe4 is the pace of change and potential for evolving structures. While "radical transparency" is a stated value, how this translates into practice during periods of high growth or organizational shifts is always worth observing [Company digest]. Similarly, "extreme ownership" can be highly empowering but also implies significant responsibility, which might not suit every working style [Company digest].

Candidates should also assess how the company's commitment to diversity and inclusion (as evidenced by its many specialty awards, including for Diversity, Women, and LGBTQ+ groups) is continuously upheld and evolved, especially as the workforce changes [MLW Certcheck]. While the current sentiment is very strong, sustained effort is required to maintain such an inclusive environment. Prospective employees might research how feedback is actively solicited and integrated to ensure these high standards are consistently met. The overall positive data suggests that KnowBe4 is proactive in addressing such challenges, but independent research and asking targeted questions during the interview process are always prudent steps for any candidate.

Most Loved Workplaces® context

Most Loved Workplaces® like KnowBe4 distinguish themselves by fostering environments where employees thrive. Globally, our research indicates that 92% of employees at Most Loved Workplaces® apply for roles when openings arise, reflecting deep internal loyalty. Across the certified network, which includes 1,800 companies worldwide and encompasses 2.8 million employees, top-tier Most Loved Workplaces® experience 4× higher revenue growth compared to industry peers and boast 48% higher employee retention. These organizations embody the SPARK framework: Systemic Collaboration, Positive Vision of the Future, Alignment of Values, Respect, and Kindness.

How we researched this report

Prepared by Best Practice Institute Editorial Staff for The Workplace Report. Methodology: /methodology.

What's it like to work at KnowBe4? A deep dive into their culture and careers