The cybersecurity industry is constantly growing and effective leadership is important for organizations to adapt quickly. A leader in cybersecurity must have technical expertise and demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and a clear vision for their teams. They must articulate the organization’s goals and the importance of cybersecurity in achieving those goals.
John Stigerwalt, Founder of White Knight Labs, is one such leader who is an experienced professional in the field of information technology, with a focus on red teaming. He has the drive to always stay ahead of the curve and offers a unique perspective and set of skills. Due to his expertise in security and penetration testing, John confidently helps organizations identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities.
A Journey of Passion & Determination
John Stigerwalt’s journey in the industry started as an IT helpdesk representative but with his hard work, determination, and passion for problem-solving, he has climbed the ranks and become a seasoned security lead and a highly skilled red team lead.
The inspiration to start White Knight Labs came from the desire to redefine the standards of offensive security. After years of experience in red team operations, exploit development, and working with major corporations like Microsoft and Fortune 500 companies, it became clear that there was a gap in the market for specialized, high-quality offensive security services. John’s vision was to create a company that could consistently deliver exceptional results while maintaining a strong ethical foundation.
The Approach to Cyber Defense
White Knight Labs is a leading cybersecurity company specializing in offensive security services such as adversarial emulation, penetration testing, and red team operations. Their all-around services are designed to tackle issues like changing cyber threats, meeting compliance rules, and keeping sensitive information safe. The company’s primary strategy is to approach each test as a simulated attack, pushing the boundaries of traditional penetration testing. Through this method, each engagement reveals true vulnerabilities that others might overlook and gives clients a clear picture of their security situation.
This helps the company reveal true vulnerabilities that others might overlook and gives clients
Over the years, White Knight Labs has built a reputation for delivering high-quality results, and their client base spans industries including healthcare, finance, and government. The team is made up of seasoned experts with deep knowledge of offensive security tactics, allowing White Knight Labs to provide tailored solutions that address the unique challenges their clients face. The company has an innovative web application testing methodology where it employs a 20/80 testing standard. 20% of the testing is automated and 80% is manual, ensuring thorough coverage.
Offensive Security Services and Training Initiatives
The company specializes in various offensive security services and offers specialized training programs, such as the Offensive Development Practitioner Certification (ODPC) and the Offensive Active Directory Operator Certification (OADOC), designed to help cybersecurity professionals enhance their skills. These comprehensive courses ensure an immersive deep dive into the realm of cybersecurity
White Knight Labs is dedicated to delivering a vast range of cutting-edge penetration testing services, ensuring their clients are able to make informed decisions about business security. The network penetration focuses on obtaining Domain Admin access and finding and securing critical data such as PII or PHI, which could cripple a business if compromised. The thorough reports list all the vulnerabilities discovered.
The tests are done carefully to prevent any downtime, and if there is an Active Directory system, scans are included in the internal testing. The company’s simulation and emulation testing enables businesses to have a more realistic understanding of their security vulnerabilities. It mimics actual attack scenarios to gain valuable insights into potential vulnerabilities. This approach enables businesses to identify and fix weaknesses before malicious elements can exploit them.
White Knight Labs constantly evaluates the cybersecurity landscape and client feedback to determine how best to enhance their services. This involves staying informed about emerging threats, industry trends, and technological advancements. For example, their decision to introduce new certification courses, such as the Offensive Azure Operations and Tactics Certification (OAOTC), was driven by the increasing demand for cloud security expertise. The company also focuses on expanding their capabilities in areas like AI-driven threat detection and advanced red teaming techniques. By anticipating market needs and continuously refining their offerings,White Knight Labs ensures that the clients always have access to the most effective security solutions.
Overcoming Challenges & Achieving Growth
The biggest challenge White Knight Labs faced early on was establishing credibility in a highly competitive market. While they had technical expertise, it took time to build a reputation and attract clients who trusted the company with their security needs. Scaling their operations without compromising quality required careful planning and resource allocation as well. Finding the right talent to join the team was also a challenge, as it needed individuals who not only had the skills but also shared a commitment to excellence.
Securing several key contracts with Fortune 500 companies became the turning point for White Knight Labs. These high-profile engagements gave John the opportunity to showcase the team’s capabilities and helped establish their reputation as a trusted cybersecurity partner. The success of these projects led to referrals and repeat business, triggering a period of rapid growth for the company.
Since establishment, White Knight Labs has seen consistent growth. They have expanded their team, increased their client base, and introduced new service offerings. For example, their red team engagements have grown by over 150% in the past three years, and the company has doubled the size of the engineering team during the same period. Additionally, their training programs have seen significant demand, with over 500 professionals enrolling in the certification courses since their launch.
Balancing Innovation and Stability
Innovation is important to stay ahead of emerging threats in the growing field of cybersecurity. However, it’s equally important to ensure that the business remains stable and profitable. White Knight Labs approaches innovation through calculated risk-taking. The company invests in research and development, keeping a close eye on industry trends, but every new initiative is backed by thorough analysis and data. This approach allows White Knight Labs to introduce cutting-edge solutions without compromising the company’s financial health. By balancing new innovations with a strong foundation of established security practices, the company can offer clients both innovation and stability.
Staying innovative in the cybersecurity industry requires a proactive approach to research and development. White Knight Labs constantly monitors the cybersecurity landscape to identify emerging threats and technological advancements that could impact their clients. Internally, the company provides a culture of continuous learning and encourages their engineers to pursue certifications and stay up-to-date on the latest tools and techniques. The team also engages in regular brainstorming sessions to identify new opportunities for growth and improvement. By maintaining this forward-thinking mindset, the company can adapt quickly to changing market conditions and meet the evolving needs of their clients.
The Shift to Flexible Online Learning
White Knight Labs has recently transitioned all their flagship courses to an on-demand format, which has been a major step forward in making its offerings more accessible to professionals seeking to upskill at their own pace. The updated website now offers an improved user experience, making it easier for participants to find and enroll in courses. It has also built a new secure development team within White Knight Labs.
This team focuses on securing Continuous Integration and Continuous Deployment (CI/CD) pipelines and addressing secure code development from both a Blue Team and Red Team perspective. The integration of this team enables the company to offer comprehensive services for protecting code repositories and development environments, mitigating risks associated with CI/CD pipeline attacks.
The Mentorship Culture & Talent Development
Identifying and developing talent is one of the key pillars of White Knight Labs’ success. The company seeks individuals who are skilled and passionate about offensive security. Once on board, the company provides continuous learning opportunities, whether through certifications, hands-on experience, or access to advanced training programs.
Mentorship plays a pivotal role in this development. Senior engineers work closely with junior members, passing on their knowledge and expertise, which helps accelerate their growth. This mentorship culture ensures that White Knight Labs has a steady pipeline of talent, capable of taking on increasingly complex security challenges as they progress in their careers. The company works as a military unit and every team is specifically created to excel in their role. There is no overlapping of teams or use of engineers outside their expertise.
Real-Time Insights and Advanced Technology
White Knight Labs has disrupted traditional cybersecurity services by offering a more agile, client-focused approach. Unlike many large companies that rely on cookie-cutter solutions, they tailor their services to each client’s unique needs and environment. The company’s ability to simulate highly sophisticated attack scenarios and provide real-time insights has also set them apart. Their certification courses have revolutionized how cybersecurity professionals are trained, providing them with practical, hands-on experience that prepares them for real-world challenges.
The company leverages advanced cybersecurity tools and platforms to provide real-time reporting, automated testing, and scalable solutions. For example, they use cloud-based environments for training and simulations, allowing clients to access their services seamlessly, regardless of their location. The integration of these technologies enables them to deliver fast, accurate, and comprehensive assessments, which ultimately helps the clients respond to security threats more efficiently.
Leadership Philosophy of Empowerment
John’s leadership philosophy centers on empowering individuals, implementing collaboration, and maintaining a commitment to continuous improvement. He believes in giving the engineers the autonomy to lead their projects while providing mentorship when needed. By creating an environment where everyone feels valued and supported, the company ensures that each team member has the opportunity to grow professionally. To maintain this philosophy across the organization, the company has established open communication channels, regular feedback loops, and a culture of trust. Every team member is encouraged to share their ideas and contribute to the company’s direction, ensuring that their leadership values are embedded in the day-to-day operations.
