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KnowBe4 Acquires Security, Privacy Training Solutions Company MediaPRO

KnowBe4, a security awareness platform provider, has acquired security and privacy training solutions company MediaPRO for an undisclosed sum.

This is M&A deal number 154 that MSSP Alert and sister site ChannelE2E have covered so far in 2021. See all technology M&A deals for 2021 and 2020 listed here.

The acquisition enables KnowBe4 to offer MediaPRO's privacy and compliance training modules to its customers, the company said. It also provides MediaPRO customers with access to KnowBe4's security awareness training and simulated phishing platform.

MediaPRO Business Background

MediaPRO offers security and privacy training solutions that cover the "complete threat landscape," the company said. Organizations can use these solutions to teach their employees how to protect sensitive data, comply with data security requirements and reduce risk.

In addition, MediaPRO offers several free toolkits, including:

  • Coronavirus Phishing Awareness: Helps organizations communicate the threat of coronavirus (COVID-19) phishing scams to their employees
  • Cybercrime: Helps organizations share best practices for combating cyberattacks with employees
  • Off-Site Security Awareness: Helps organizations teach remote workers how to guard against cyber threats

MediaPRO also offers CourseFlex technology that lets organizations personalize security and privacy training courses for each employee, the company indicated. CourseFlex enables organizations to leverage existing courses or create custom courses based on prebuilt topics.

The MediaPRO acquisition allows KnowBe4 to provide its customers with "an abundance of engaging privacy and compliance training content that will benefit their organizations," CEO Stu Sjouwerman said. It could help KnowBe4 extend its reach in the security and privacy training market.

KnowBe4: Preparing for IPO?

KnowBe4's MediaPRO acquisition comes after reports surfaced last year that the company could be preparing for an IPO. The company raised $300 million at a $1 billion valuation in 2019, and an IPO could drive its valuation past $2 billion, according to Reuters.

Organizations can use KnowBe4's platform to manage social engineering, spear phishing, ransomware attacks and other IT security problems, the company noted. More than 35,000 organizations globally leverage KnowBe4's platform.

Joe Panettieri

Joe Panettieri is co-founder & editorial director of MSSP Alert and ChannelE2E, the two leading news & analysis sites for managed service providers in the cybersecurity market.