Kevin Mitnick, one of the world’s first and most notorious hackers, passed away at the age of 59 after battling pancreatic cancer for over a year. Rising to infamy as a hacker in the 1980s and 1990s, Mitnick made the FBI’s most wanted list and served five years in prison before transforming into an esteemed “ethical hacker.” As the chief hacking officer and part owner of KnowBe4, a Florida-based security awareness training company, and the founder of Mitnick Security Consulting, he became a luminary in the cybersecurity industry. Remembered as a dear friend and wonderful human being, Mitnick’s contributions to the field will be dearly missed. A memorial is scheduled in Las Vegas on August 1, 2023, to honor his legacy and achievements.
