IT-Seal

IT-Seal GmbH, an entity operating from Darmstadt, Germany, has established a notable position in the cybersecurity sector by focusing on the human element of information security. Founded in 2016 by David Kelm, Alex Wyllie, and Yannic Ambach, the company directs its efforts towards cultivating a sustainable security culture within organizations. The founding team remains involved in developing the company's products and services following its acquisition.

The company's business model is centered on providing security awareness as a service, primarily targeting B2B clients. This is delivered through its Awareness Academy, a platform that automates and manages employee training. The core of IT-Seal's offering is the patented Employee Security Index (ESI®), a scientific metric used to measure and benchmark an organization's security awareness. This index is derived from employee responses to simulated social engineering and phishing attacks, providing a quantifiable measure of the 'human firewall'. The ESI® allows for comparisons across industries and internal departments, enabling targeted training interventions.

IT-Seal's technology includes a patented Spear-Phishing-Engine that creates realistic, automated attack simulations tailored to different difficulty levels. The Awareness Engine then uses the ESI® data to deliver needs-based training modules, including e-learning, videos, and other materials, creating individualized learning paths for employees. This approach aims to train employees effectively without overwhelming them, using positive reinforcement to enhance self-efficacy. In May 2022, IT-Seal was acquired by Hornetsecurity, a global provider of email cloud security and backup solutions. This acquisition integrated IT-Seal's awareness training into Hornetsecurity's broader suite of cybersecurity services, which now covers prevention, detection, and response. IT-Seal continues to serve a diverse client base that has included over 800 customers such as BMW, FC Bayern Munich, and the German Federal Bank.

Keywords: security awareness training, phishing simulation, cybersecurity culture, Employee Security Index, ESI, spear-phishing engine, human firewall, IT security training, social engineering, cybersecurity metrics, automated awareness training, B2B cybersecurity, Hornetsecurity, David Kelm, Alex Wyllie, Yannic Ambach, Darmstadt, cybersecurity education, risk quantification, employee training platform