CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Brite vs KnowBe4

Brite offers managed IT and cybersecurity services through its BriteStar and BriteProtect offerings, and public safety technology for first responders and municipalities. KnowBe4 sells attack simulation and training, email and collaboration security, and agent security through the KnowBe4 Platform. CISO Tribune files both under Security awareness training. This page sets the two records side by side: what each sells, where it is based, who owns and funds it, the customers it names and its recent news, each fact numbered to its source.

Change the companies

Up to four companies side by side.

  • Brite
  • KnowBe4
Brite vs KnowBe4: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
BriteBrite offers managed IT and cybersecurity services through its BriteStar and BriteProtect offerings, and public safety technology for first responders and municipalities.brite.comKnowBe4KnowBe4 sells attack simulation and training, email and collaboration security, and agent security through the KnowBe4 Platform.knowbe4.com
What it sells
  • BriteStar[4]A full-service, US-based 24/7 managed IT service for companies across the country.
  • BriteProtect[4][9][10]A 24/7 managed security offering delivered by US-based Brite employees.
  • Zero Trust[3][4]A service for implementing a zero trust model.
  • Penetration Testing[9]Penetration testing offered as a service in basic and advanced tiers.
  • Security Awareness Training[4][5][7]Education on recognizing threats, reinforced with phishing and vishing simulations.
  • Cloud Email Security[10]A suite of AI-driven products for inbound and outbound email.
  • Defend[1][4][5][6][10][11]Inbound email protection against phishing, ransomware and business email compromise.
  • Prevent[5][10][12]Outbound email protection and data loss prevention.
  • Compliance Plus[13]Compliance training platform.
  • Student Edition[5]Security awareness training for academic institutions.
  • BreachSim[14]A free tool to identify network vulnerabilities.
  • Weak Password Test[15]A free tool that finds users with weak passwords.
Categories
Headquarters
Victor, United States[2][6][7]Clearwater, United States
Founded
1983[2][6]2010[1]
Ownership and funding
Owned by Sole Source Capital since 2026[2][5][6][7]Owned by Vista Equity Partners since 2023[2][4][8][9]
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
Not stated on its pages
  • May 5, 2026KnowBe4 launched a two-tier Security Awareness Training offering and a new AI defense agent for custom content creation.[7]
  • April 6, 2026Dashlane announced an integration with KnowBe4 that links credential risk detection to security training for at-risk users.[18]
G2 and Gartner Peer Insights
  • G2: Not stated on its pages
  • Gartner Peer Insights: Not stated on its pages
  • G2: listed, seen November 4, 2026[8]
  • Gartner Peer Insights: listed, seen November 4, 2026[9]
Who it fits
From its own pages, Brite sells mainly to businesses and organizations of all types that need IT, cybersecurity, and public safety solutions. Its public safety technology is directed at first responders and municipalities. Public safety organizations are offered help designing a total package for their vehicles, investigative needs, and security needs. BriteStar is a managed IT service for companies across the country. Brite has local customers in the Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester areas.Not written yet
Last verified
November 6, 2026September 27, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Brite and KnowBe4 are both filed under Security awareness training.
  • Both are headquartered in the United States.

Where they differ, field by field

  • Brite's primary category is Managed security service providers; KnowBe4's is Security awareness training.
  • Brite is also filed under EDR and XDR and Penetration testing and red team services. KnowBe4 is also filed under Human risk management, Email security and AI model and agent security.
  • Brite lists BriteStar, BriteProtect, Zero Trust and Penetration Testing. KnowBe4 lists Security Awareness Training, Cloud Email Security, Defend, Prevent, Compliance Plus and 3 more.
  • Brite is headquartered in Victor, United States. KnowBe4 is headquartered in Clearwater, United States.
  • Brite was founded in 1983. KnowBe4 was founded in 2010.
  • Brite is owned by Sole Source Capital, since 2026. KnowBe4 is owned by Vista Equity Partners, since 2023.

What it sells: Brite

What BriteStar does[4]
BriteStar is a full-service, US-based 24/7 managed IT service that protects and manages IT infrastructures for companies across the country. BriteStar covers unlimited help desk, proactive support, advanced cyber defense, and strategic recommendations. BriteStar includes 24/7 monitoring, unlimited help desk assistance, and complete cybersecurity defense.
What BriteProtect does[4][9][10]
BriteProtect offers 24/7 expert-managed services by US-based Brite employees. The BriteProtect service is offered to manage an existing SIEM or includes a SIEM. BriteProtect includes managed compliance services that keep an organization audit-ready and compliant with cyber regulations.
What Penetration Testing does[9]
Brite's penetration testing services simulate real-world attacks to help identify and address potential security weaknesses. Brite offers penetration testing as a service in basic and advanced tiers.

What it sells: KnowBe4

What Security Awareness Training does[4][5][7]
KnowBe4 says it delivers timely, personalized education that helps people recognize threats. Lessons are reinforced with realistic phishing and vishing simulations.
What Cloud Email Security does[10]
KnowBe4 Cloud Email Security is a suite of AI-driven products designed to detect and prevent advanced email threats across inbound and outbound communication. Contextual banners and prompts are delivered at the point of risk.
What Defend does[1][4][5][6][10][11]
Defend detects and blocks phishing, ransomware and business email compromise with behavioral AI and self-learning threat models. Defend inserts color-coded banners on flagged email and rewrites links, checking them at time of click. Defend integrates with Microsoft Defender for Office 365 through API-based connectivity.
What Prevent does[5][10][12]
Prevent monitors outbound email in real time and alerts users to risky behavior, such as accidental sends or misdirected emails. Prevent is integrated with Microsoft Outlook and Office 365. Prevent Enterprise adds misdirected content detection and custom DLP policies.
What Compliance Plus does[13]
Compliance Plus has a training library of 1000+ items of compliance training content. Compliance Plus offers targeted training for requirements such as HIPAA, PCI and GDPR. Organizations can upload SCORM-compliant content to the KnowBe4 LMS.
What Student Edition does[5]
The KnowBe4 Student Edition enables academic institutions to prepare students to identify and prevent modern cyberattacks. Its training content covers phishing, BYOD risks, password hygiene, social media risks and campus scams.
What BreachSim does[14]
BreachSim is a free tool from KnowBe4 to identify network vulnerabilities. BreachSim tests over 12 realistic data exfiltration scenarios following the MITRE ATT&CK framework.
What Weak Password Test does[15]
The Weak Password Test is a free tool to help IT Administrators know which users have passwords that are easily guessed. It checks the Active Directory and generates a report of users with weak passwords.

Questions about Brite and KnowBe4

What do Brite and KnowBe4 sell?
Brite sells BriteStar, BriteProtect, Zero Trust and Penetration Testing. KnowBe4 sells Security Awareness Training, Cloud Email Security, Defend, Prevent, Compliance Plus and 3 more.
Are Brite and KnowBe4 in the same category?
They share Security awareness training. Brite's primary category is Managed security service providers and KnowBe4's is Security awareness training.
Where are Brite and KnowBe4 headquartered?
Brite is headquartered in Victor, United States. KnowBe4 is headquartered in Clearwater, United States.
When were Brite and KnowBe4 founded?
Brite was founded in 1983. KnowBe4 was founded in 2010.
Who owns Brite and KnowBe4?
Brite is owned by Sole Source Capital, since 2026. KnowBe4 is owned by Vista Equity Partners, since 2023.
Who are Brite and KnowBe4 sold to?
From its own pages, Brite sells mainly to businesses and organizations of all types that need IT, cybersecurity, and public safety solutions.
What have Brite and KnowBe4 announced recently?
May 5, 2026: KnowBe4 launched a two-tier Security Awareness Training offering and a new AI defense agent for custom content creation.

About Brite

Brite offers managed IT and cybersecurity services through its BriteStar and BriteProtect offerings, and public safety technology for first responders and municipalities. Brite was originally founded in 1983 as a custom computer manufacturer in Rochester, NY. Brite works within IT services, cybersecurity, and public safety technology. Brite is headquartered in upstate New York and has satellite branches nationwide, including the New York City metro area, Utah, and South Carolina. Brite is based in Victor, NY. Brite is backed by Sole Source Capital LLC. Brite announced the acquisition of Xobee Networks, a Fresno, California-based provider of managed IT and cybersecurity services.[3][4]

BriteStar is a full-service, US-based 24/7 managed IT service that protects and manages IT infrastructures for companies across the country. BriteStar includes 24/7 monitoring, unlimited help desk assistance, and complete cybersecurity defense. BriteStar covers unlimited help desk, proactive support, advanced cyber defense, and strategic recommendations. Brite's proactive approach includes patch management, risk assessments, and policy implementation. Brite offers backup and recovery solutions that ensure the integrity of data, availability of operations, and access to systems when disaster strikes. Brite offers IT consulting with dedicated consultants, regular optimization assessments, and IT budget roadmapping.[4]

Brite offers management, migration, and optimization services for Microsoft environments. Brite offers Azure migration services. Brite offers Apple device management capabilities through Apple Business Manager (ABM) and Microsoft Intune. Brite's deployment services draw on certified engineers and project management specialists.[8][9]

BriteProtect offers 24/7 expert-managed services by US-based Brite employees. The BriteProtect service is offered to manage an existing SIEM or includes a SIEM. BriteProtect includes managed compliance services that keep an organization audit-ready and compliant with cyber regulations. Brite provides an Open XDR platform with 24/7 protection provided by US-based experts. Brite's managed security services work with existing security investments while Brite detects, responds to, and neutralizes cyber threats in real-time. Brite's SOC solutions monitor, manage, and respond to threats before they escalate into incidents. Brite uses an integrated, AI-powered security stack across its SOC, endpoint protection, email security, and data loss prevention.[3][4][8][9][10]

Brite offers penetration testing as a service in basic and advanced tiers. Brite's penetration testing services simulate real-world attacks to help identify and address potential security weaknesses. Brite offers data discovery, data protection, and data loss prevention services. Brite offers Email Security solutions with advanced threat detection, encryption, spam filtering, and phishing protection. Brite offers Identity Access Management (IAM), Privileged Account Management (PAM), and Identity Governance Administration (IGA) consulting programs. Brite perimeter security uses protection systems that monitor traffic and watch for unusual patterns. Brite offers point-in-time discovery or continuous inventory management for asset visibility. Brite reviews a customer's current cybersecurity infrastructure and creates a tailored roadmap. Brite offers adaptive cybersecurity education and behavior-driven processes for organizations.[3][8][9]

Brite brings rugged computing, in-vehicle video, communications, fleet management, and other public safety technologies together into a connected ecosystem. Brite has over 25 years of experience providing and supporting public safety technology. Brite helps public safety organizations design a total package for their vehicles, their investigative needs, and their security needs.

Brite provides IT, cybersecurity, and public safety solutions to all types of businesses and organizations. Brite provides technology services and solutions for local customers in the Syracuse, Buffalo, and Rochester areas. Brite has expanded its customer base to all 50 U.S. states, including branches in NYC, Salt Lake City, and Charleston.[1][3][4][8]

Brite on the record

Sources

Brite full record

  1. [1]AboutBrite · brite.com · undated page, accessed November 6, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Sole Source Capital Acquires Brite a Cybersecurity Managed Services ProviderBusiness Wire · businesswire.com · published January 12, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]brite.comBrite · brite.com · undated page, accessed November 6, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Managed Services | BriteBrite · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Brite | Managed IT, Cybersecurity, & Public Safety TechBrite · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]About Us | BriteBrite · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]Our Service Areas | BriteBrite · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Cybersecurity Technology Solutions | BriteBrite · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  9. [9]Cybersecurity Consulting Services | BriteBrite · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A
  10. [10]Top 5 Security Projects of 2019 | BriteBrite · undated page, accessed November 10, 2026 · Tier A

KnowBe4 full record

  1. [1]About usKnowBe4 · knowbe4.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Vista equity partners completes acquisition of knowbe4KnowBe4 · knowbe4.com · published February 1, 2023 · Tier A
  3. [3]Contact usKnowBe4 · knowbe4.com · undated page, accessed September 27, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]KnowBe4 | Secure Your Digital Workforce: Human + AIKnowBe4 · undated page, accessed October 26, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]KnowBe4 Student Edition | KnowBe4KnowBe4 · undated page, accessed October 26, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Warning: Attackers Are Using Calendar Invite Files to Evade Security FiltersKnowBe4 · undated page, accessed October 26, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]KnowBe4 Launches AI-Native Attack Simulation & Training Product and Twelfth AI AgentBusiness Wire · published May 5, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]KnowBe4 Security Awareness Training Reviews 2026 - G2G2 · undated page, accessed October 26, 2026 · Tier C
  9. [9]KnowBe4 Reviews, Ratings & Features 2026 | Gartner Peer InsightsGartner Peer Insights · undated page, accessed October 26, 2026 · Tier C
  10. [10]Cloud Email Security for Microsoft 365 | KnowBe4KnowBe4 · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  11. [11]Pricing | DefendKnowBe4 · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  12. [12]Pricing | Prevent | KnowBe4KnowBe4 · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  13. [13]Compliance Plus: Compliance Training Platform | KnowBe4KnowBe4 · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  14. [14]BreachSim | KnowBe4KnowBe4 · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  15. [15]Weak Password Test | KnowBe4KnowBe4 · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  16. [16]Security Culture Report Analysis Center | KnowBe4KnowBe4 · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  17. [17]KnowBe4 Customer Success | KnowBe4KnowBe4 · undated page, accessed November 4, 2026 · Tier A
  18. [18]Dashlane Launches First-of-its-Kind Integration with KnowBe4 to Transform Security Awareness into Proactive DefensePR Newswire · published April 6, 2026 · Tier A

Spot a factual error? Request a correction.