In this interview, we delve into the remarkable story of how John Stigerwalt, the Founder of White Knight Labs, embarked on his path to success in the world of cybersecurity. Join us as John shares his experiences, notable accomplishments, leadership style, and the values that have guided him along the way. Discover what sets White Knight Labs apart from other agencies, how John navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, and his aspirations for the future. Get ready to be inspired by John’s journey as a CEO and his relentless pursuit of excellence in the field of cybersecurity.
Introduction and Career Journey
John Stigerwalt is the co-founder of White Knight Labs, a global cybersecurity consultancy specializing in offensive cyber engagements. Early in his career, John recognized the critical importance of cybersecurity and dedicated himself to mastering the field. The goal when founding White Knight Labs was to deliver top-tier offensive security services that exceed industry standards. John’s passion for offensive cybersecurity is rooted in a desire to understand and counteract the tactics of attackers. Founding White Knight Labs enabled John to transform his passion for cybersecurity into a mission-driven enterprise, bringing together a team of experts committed to safeguarding businesses and enhancing digital security. John’s dedication, combined with a passion for protecting businesses, led him to establish White Knight Labs and drive its success.
Trends and Challenges in 2025
Technology advancements and emerging threats are driving the continuous evolution of the cybersecurity landscape. In this field, innovation and adaptability are crucial. Technology plays a significant role in enhancing security measures, while innovative ideas are essential for staying ahead of cyber threats. At White Knight Labs, John and his team embrace this dynamic environment by constantly developing new strategies to address the ever-changing challenges faced by clients.
Recent Innovations and Initiatives
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted businesses across industries. Remote and hybrid work has become the norm for many companies since the onset of the pandemic. New vulnerabilities introduced caused businesses to invest in securing numerous endpoints. White Knight Labs’ penetration testing services are designed to identify these vulnerabilities without disrupting daily operations. By being fully remote from the start, White Knight Labs was well-positioned to support companies adapting to this new work environment, providing them with the security needed in a more distributed workforce. Additionally, White Knight Labs customizes its services to address specific company needs, such as healthcare organizations protecting patient data under HIPAA and financial institutions complying with PCI-DSS regulations. The team regularly participates in advanced training, certifications, and industry conferences, ensuring they remain at the forefront of the industry.
Fostering a Culture of Innovation
As Co-Founders, John Stigerwalt and Greg Hatcher lead White Knight Labs as a team. They push each other to achieve greater heights and propel the company to new levels. John believes that the key to a successful team lies in creating an environment where every member feels valued and has the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the company’s success. He fosters a culture of open communication and idea-sharing, which not only drives innovation but also strengthens mutual respect among team members. Offering opportunities for professional growth, recognizing individual achievements, and ensuring that each team member feels motivated to excel are important principles for John.
Qualities Essential for Leadership
John believes in the importance of curiosity, self-discipline, having a growth mindset, and being a lifelong learner. He places a strong emphasis on continuous learning, both for himself and his team. Staying engaged with the latest research, tools, and techniques, and collaborating with industry experts, are key elements of his approach to refining their methods and maintaining a cutting-edge stance in the field. Flexibility, adaptability, and creativity are also essential for a leader, as each client’s environment presents unique challenges that require tailored solutions.
Technology Transforming the Industry
Innovation is at the core of White Knight Labs’ operations. The company continually explores new technologies, methodologies, and approaches to stay ahead of the curve. Whether it’s developing new penetration testing techniques or enhancing adversarial emulation capabilities, innovation drives the company’s ability to provide cutting-edge solutions that address the ever-changing threat landscape. John emphasizes the importance of investing in cutting-edge tools and technologies to enhance the ability to detect and respond to emerging threats, ensuring clients are prepared for future changes.
Overcoming Significant Challenges
The biggest challenges in John’s entrepreneurial journey have been scaling the business while maintaining high-quality services and staying ahead of industry trends. Educating clients on the importance of cybersecurity, adapting to the fast-paced changes in the field, and managing internal growth have all been hurdles. Each of these challenges has taught valuable lessons that have helped strengthen White Knight Labs.
Ensuring Resilience and Sustainability
Treating each assessment as a unique engagement allows White Knight Labs to thrive and hold a key place in the market. Because White Knight Labs offers tailored solutions that meet the specific needs of each client, the company ensures comprehensive coverage and protection. White Knight Labs adheres to a 20/80 testing standard, where 20% of the process is automated and 80% is manual, guaranteeing comprehensive coverage. Engineers also utilize a bespoke internal playbook, crafted from years of hands-on testing experience, ensuring resilience and sustainability.
Values and Principles Guiding Decisions
When making decisions, John actively seeks and welcomes ideas from others. Keeping the team aligned with their vision involves open communication, fostering a collaborative environment, and recognizing and rewarding excellence. John believes that it is crucial to maintain a work-life balance. He achieves this by setting clear boundaries between work and personal time, ensuring he has moments to recharge and refocus. Additionally, for John, family time is as important as his time at work, and he makes sure to set aside time to spend with his family.
Advice for Aspiring Leaders
John’s advice is to embrace continuous learning, stay adaptable, and lead with integrity. As cybersecurity is an ever-changing field, John emphasizes that only those who are dedicated to innovation and excellence will drive the future of this industry.
Upcoming Projects and Initiatives
White Knight Labs is excited about expanding service offerings to include red teaming and covert operations, which will provide deeper insights into clients’ security posture. The company is also developing new certification courses aimed at entry-level engineers looking to break into penetration testing. These initiatives, along with an ongoing commitment to excellence, position White Knight Labs to remain at the forefront of the cybersecurity industry.
Vision for the Future
White Knight Labs has grown tremendously in the U.S., and John intends to expand the company’s international footprint. In addition to that, he and his team are focused on the further growth of their U.S. team. White Knight Labs is committed to developing new services to address the evolving needs of clients. John envisions securing clients worldwide, one at a time, and maintaining a position at the forefront of the cybersecurity industry.
Significant Achievements and Milestones
John Stigerwalt’s journey as a cybersecurity leader has been marked by numerous accomplishments. While specific milestones were not provided in this interview, his dedication to building White Knight Labs into a leading cybersecurity consultancy stands as a testament to his hard work, vision, and commitment to excellence.
In conclusion, John Stigerwalt’s journey as a visionary leader and cybersecurity expert highlights his dedication to innovation, adaptability, and excellence. Through his work at White Knight Labs, John has not only built a thriving enterprise but also created a culture of collaboration, learning, and resilience. His ability to anticipate and address emerging threats has positioned his company as a trusted partner in safeguarding businesses. With a clear vision for the future and a passion for empowering the next generation of cybersecurity professionals, John continues to make a lasting impact on the industry and set new standards for success.
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