CISO Tribune

Vendor comparison · 2 companies

Google vs KnowBe4

Google offers the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, an online program that prepares learners for a career as a cybersecurity analyst. 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.

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  • Google
  • KnowBe4
Google vs KnowBe4: Products, Customers and Funding Compared
GoogleGoogle offers the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, an online program that prepares learners for a career as a cybersecurity analyst.grow.googleKnowBe4KnowBe4 sells attack simulation and training, email and collaboration security, and agent security through the KnowBe4 Platform.knowbe4.com
What it sells
  • Google Cybersecurity Certificate[2]A fully online program for an entry-level job in cybersecurity. It teaches how to identify and mitigate common risks, threats, and vulnerabilities.
  • Google AI Professional Certificate[6][7]A certificate in which learners gain hands-on experience building AI skills.
  • 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
Not stated on its pagesClearwater, United States
Founded
Not stated on its pages2010[1]
Ownership and funding
Not stated on its pagesOwned by Vista Equity Partners since 2023[2][4][8][9]
Named customers
Not stated on its pagesNot stated on its pages
Recent news
  • November 10, 2026Google issued a Chrome security update fixing an eighth actively exploited zero-day vulnerability of 2026.[8]
  • 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: listed, seen November 11, 2026[9]
  • 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
Not written yetNot written yet
Last verified
November 11, 2026September 27, 2026

Where they overlap

  • Security awareness training is the primary category of both Google and KnowBe4.

Where they differ, field by field

  • KnowBe4 is also filed under Human risk management, Email security and AI model and agent security.
  • Google lists Google Cybersecurity Certificate and Google AI Professional Certificate. KnowBe4 lists Security Awareness Training, Cloud Email Security, Defend, Prevent, Compliance Plus and 3 more.
  • KnowBe4 is headquartered in Clearwater, United States.
  • KnowBe4 was founded in 2010.
  • KnowBe4 is owned by Vista Equity Partners, since 2023.

What it sells: Google

What Google Cybersecurity Certificate does[2]
Google Cybersecurity Certificate is a fully online program that provides the skills for an entry-level job in cybersecurity. Learners use industry standard tools including Python, Linux, SQL, SIEM tools, and Intrusion Detection Systems. The program covers detecting and responding to incidents using an intrusion detection system. Chronicle and Splunk are named as examples of security information and event management tools.
What Google AI Professional Certificate does[6][7]
Google AI Professional Certificate gives learners hands-on experience building AI skills. The Google AI Professional Certificate is available for learners on Coursera, Google Skills, and Udemy.

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 Google and KnowBe4

What do Google and KnowBe4 sell?
Google sells Google Cybersecurity Certificate and Google AI Professional Certificate. KnowBe4 sells Security Awareness Training, Cloud Email Security, Defend, Prevent, Compliance Plus and 3 more.
Are Google and KnowBe4 in the same category?
Yes. Security awareness training is the primary category of both on CISO Tribune.
Where are Google and KnowBe4 headquartered?
KnowBe4 is headquartered in Clearwater, United States.
When were Google and KnowBe4 founded?
KnowBe4 was founded in 2010.
Who owns Google and KnowBe4?
KnowBe4 is owned by Vista Equity Partners, since 2023.
What have Google and KnowBe4 announced recently?
November 10, 2026: Google issued a Chrome security update fixing an eighth actively exploited zero-day vulnerability of 2026. May 5, 2026: KnowBe4 launched a two-tier Security Awareness Training offering and a new AI defense agent for custom content creation.

About Google

Google offers the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, an online program that prepares learners for a career as a cybersecurity analyst. The Google Cybersecurity Certificate provides the skills for an entry-level job in cybersecurity. No prior cybersecurity experience or specific knowledge is required to take the Google Cybersecurity Certificate. Cybersecurity analysts are described as tasked with monitoring and safeguarding networks, devices, individuals, and data.[1][2]

The Google Cybersecurity Certificate teaches how to identify and mitigate common risks, threats, and vulnerabilities, and how to use AI in cybersecurity. The Google Cybersecurity Certificate teaches how to protect information and systems from unauthorized access and cyber threats. Learners in the Google Cybersecurity Certificate use industry standard tools including Python, Linux, SQL, Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) tools, and Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS). The Google Cybersecurity Certificate covers detecting and responding to incidents using an intrusion detection system.[1][2]

The Google Cybersecurity Certificate names Chronicle and Splunk as examples of security information and event management tools. The Google Cybersecurity Certificate names Suricata as an example intrusion detection system, NIST CSF, NIST RMF, and the CIA Triad as example frameworks and controls, and tcpdump and Wireshark as examples for packet capture and analysis. The Google Cybersecurity Certificate covers business skills including communication, critical thinking, collaboration and teamwork, prioritization, and escalation.[2]

The Google Cybersecurity Certificate is delivered as a fully online program. Learners work through interactive content such as hands-on activities, discussion prompts, and quizzes, with 5-10 hours of study a week, in under six months.[2]

On the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, graduates in the US gain access to CareerCircle, which offers personalized coaching, mock interviews, and resume-building tools. After graduating from the Google Cybersecurity Certificate, learners have access to career resources and the opportunity to connect directly with over 150 employers who are committed to considering Google Career Certificate graduates for open entry-level jobs in cybersecurity.[2][7]

In the Google AI Professional Certificate, learners gain hands-on experience building AI skills. The Google AI Professional Certificate is available for learners on Coursera, Google Skills, and Udemy. The AI for Brainstorming & Planning course teaches learners to centralize projects in Gemini Notebook and to use AI as a thought partner to brainstorm concepts, evaluate risks, and build execution-ready plans.[3][4][5][6][7]

Google on the record

Sources

Google full record

  1. [1]CybersecurityGoogle · grow.google · undated page, accessed November 11, 2026 · Tier A
  2. [2]Launch a Cybersecurity Career | Get Job-Ready | GoogleGoogle · undated page, accessed November 11, 2026 · Tier A
  3. [3]Digitale Kompetenzen für alle - Google ZukunftswerkstattGoogle · undated page, accessed November 11, 2026 · Tier A
  4. [4]Digitale Kompetenzen für alle – Google ZukunftswerkstattGoogle · undated page, accessed November 11, 2026 · Tier A
  5. [5]Digitale Kompetenzen für alle – Google Atelier DigitalGoogle · undated page, accessed November 11, 2026 · Tier A
  6. [6]Grow with Google - Training to Grow Your Business & Career.Google · undated page, accessed November 11, 2026 · Tier A
  7. [7]AI for Brainstorming & Planning | Grow with GoogleGoogle · undated page, accessed November 11, 2026 · Tier A
  8. [8]Google Issues Chrome Security Update for Eighth Actively Exploited Zero-Day of 2026The Hacker News · published November 10, 2026 · Tier B
  9. [9]Google Workspace Reviews & Product DetailsG2 · undated page, accessed November 11, 2026 · Tier C

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

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