Perry Carpenter

Perry Carpenter
Carpenter in 2019
Education	Norwich University (M.S.)
Occupation(s)	Cybersecurity strategist, author
Known for	Work on security awareness and human risk management
Title	Chief Human Risk Management Strategist

Perry Carpenter is an American cybersecurity strategist, author, researcher and known for his work in the field of security awareness and human risk management, and for his role at KnowBe4, a company that provides security awareness training and phishing simulation. ^{[1] [2]}

Early life and education

Carpenter holds a Master of Science degree in information assurance from Norwich University. ^{[3] [4]}

Career

Carpenter served as a Research Director at Gartner covering security awareness and human‑risk topics. He joined KnowBe4 in 2017 as Chief Evangelist and Strategy Officer and later became Chief Human Risk Management Strategist. He has contributed to awareness initiatives and behavioral research in cybersecurity, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s Investor Advisory Committee on AI‑enabled fraud and deception and also collaborated with Kevin Mitnick (KnowBe4’s Chief Hacking Officer) on educational webinars and events covering social engineering, OSINT, and pretexting. ^{[3] [5] [6]}

Publications

Carpenter is the author of the book Transformational Security Awareness: What Neuroscientists, Storytellers, and Marketers Can Teach Us About Driving Secure Behaviors (2019). ^[7]

He co-authored The Security Culture Playbook: An Executive Guide to Reducing Risk and Developing Your Human Defense Layer (2022). ^[8]

Carpenter is the author of FAIK: A Practical Guide to Living in a World of Deepfakes, Disinformation, and AI-Generated Deceptions (2024). The book discusses artificial intelligence, disinformation, and the societal challenges created by synthetic media. ^{[9] [10]}

Carpenter has conducted research into AI-based social engineering and human vulnerability to voice-based deception techniques. His studies explore how artificial intelligence can affect trust and communication security. ^{[11] [12]}

Awards

In 2021 he received a National Silver Azbee Award (and Southeast Regional Silver) from the American Society of Business Publication Editors for the multi‑part feature series “’Acme Corporation’ Suffers a Breach,” published in InfoSecurity Professional magazine. ^{[13] [14]}

References

1. "Perry Carpenter | Chief Human Risk Management Strategist - KnowBe4, Inc". Forbes Business Council. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
2. "Perry Carpenter". CSO Online. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
3. "Perry Carpenter". SANS Institute. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
4. "Perry Carpenter". businessabc.net. 2025-02-18. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
5. "Perry Carpenter | Psychology Today". www.psychologytoday.com. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
6. "Perry Carpenter". Forge Institute. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
7. "Transformational Security Awareness: What Neuroscientists, Storytellers, and Marketers can Teach Us About Driving Secure Behaviors - Confident Change Management". 2020-10-27. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
8. "The Security Culture Playbook". The Security Culture Playbook. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
9. "Perry Carpenter - GovInfoSecurity". www.govinfosecurity.com. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
10. Carpenter, Perry (2025-05-20). "How C2PA can safeguard the truth from digital manipulation". SC Media. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
11. Carpenter, Perry (2025-05-30). "Centaur vs. Cyborg: Learning to Use AI for Good". CPO Magazine. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
12. Carpenter, Perry. "AI Agents May End Search As We Know It". Forbes. Retrieved 2025-11-07.
13. "Perry Carpenter". Forge Institute. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
14. "Bonus: Cybersecurity Canon Hall of Fame interview with Perry Carpenter". N2K CyberWire. Archived from the original on 2025-06-21. Retrieved 2025-11-14.