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Hacker and social engineer Kevin Mitnick, once among the world's most wanted cyber criminals, has passed away at the age of 59 due to complications from pancreatic cancer after a 14-month battle.
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KnowBe4, the security awareness and training company where Mitnick was a part-owner and held the position of chief hacking officer, announced his death, expressing deep sadness at the loss.
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Mitnick, survived by his wife, Kimberley, who is expecting their first child, was renowned for his intelligence, humor, technological prowess, and unmatched talent for social engineering.
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His journey into hacking began at a young age when he engaged in phone phreaking and later hacked into the network of Digital Equipment Corporation, leading to his eventual arrest and conviction in 1988.
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Mitnick always maintained he was not a malicious criminal, and many of his supporters believed that some charges against him were exaggerated or fraudulent.
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After serving a prison sentence and restricted from using technology, Mitnick founded his security consultancy, becoming a successful consultant, speaker, author, and educator in the cybersecurity field.
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He authored several books and was the subject of others, gaining fame even beyond the cybersecurity community. The movie "Takedown" portrayed his life, with Skeet Urich playing his character.
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Mitnick collaborated with KnowBe4 to develop the Kevin Mitnick Security Awareness Training (KMSAT) package, which became one of the company's popular products.
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A memorial service for Mitnick is scheduled in Las Vegas on August 1, 2023, where he will be laid to rest alongside his mother and grandmother. Virtual attendance options will be available for friends and colleagues.
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His passing is mourned by the cybersecurity industry, as Mitnick's legacy remains as a significant influence and contributor to the development of cyber defense and awareness.