N2K Networks Creates Trusted Communication Channels with Stakeholders and Sources
"It's a sacred responsibility for us to be able to talk with these folks and share what we're supposed to share, and keep confidential the things that we're supposed to keep confidential."
Peter Kilpe
CEO
If you work in cybersecurity, chances are you already trust N2K, the news-to-knowledge network that helps business and professionals grow, learn, and stay informed. Through their media network of industry-leading podcasts and newsletter briefings (including CyberWire Daily and Hacking Humans), and their performance-driven learning solutions, N2K delivers the critical industry insights and strategic intelligence that cybersecurity professionals, teams, and organizations rely on to climb the knowledge curve.
Team members at N2K practice what they preach: They take security seriously. In addition to securing internal data, the company also takes steps to protect sensitive information shared externally with customers, confidential sources, board members, and other stakeholders.
For simple, secure external communication, N2K trusts Virtru for email encryption and secure file sharing. CEO Peter Kilpe discovered Virtru when CyberWire and CyberVista merged to form N2K Networks in 2022, and he immediately recognized Virtru’s value in protecting sensitive data.
The Result
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Frictionless Gmail Security: Virtru seamlessly integrates into N2K’s Google Workspace environment, enabling the team to protect sensitive communications with one click, maintaining efficiency for time-sensitive business operations and news deadlines.
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Stakeholder Confidence: By demonstrating a comprehensive security posture, N2K strengthens relationships with security-conscious stakeholders that operate under strict compliance requirements.
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Trustworthy Communications: N2K establishes trusted, secure channels for off-the-record conversations with sources, protecting sensitive information shared by cybersecurity leaders, intelligence professionals, and industry experts worldwide.
The Right Security Balance for a Critical Transition
Prior to using Virtru, Kilpe had tried a wide range of secure email solutions. "I've gone through a lot of investigations and trial-and-error in the past to find ways to secure basic communications, like emails and file sharing with people outside my own network," Kilpe explains. These solutions often required expensive server setups and extensive configuration — yet they still created friction in daily workflows.
When CyberWire and CyberVista merged to form N2K Networks, the need for secure communications came into sharp focus. Sensitive financial and business information needed to be shared with banking partners, board members, and company leadership throughout the process. "When we had our recent merger, the challenge was just heightened—a lot more people to talk to," says Kilpe. "It just so happened that the company we merged with had Virtru, and it was my first opportunity to try it. It solved a lot of problems in one fell swoop."
A Seamless Security Experience
For Kilpe and his team, Virtru’s ease of use is its greatest feature. "The lack of friction is what made it immediately valuable to me," Kilpe notes. "Virtru is, in most ways, seamless. I can click a button, and I can protect a message. I can even dive deep and protect that message in different ways… for example, let that message expire or set other preferences with regard to its visibility and security."
Unlike most portal-based email encryption providers, Virtru doesn’t require recipients to register for a separate system or create a new password to access protected messages — and this has increased adoption. N2K has a diverse set of stakeholders—from public enterprises to small businesses, from the intelligence community to civilian government entities. Because Virtru is platform-agnostic, any recipient can easily access secure content, regardless of their email client, device, or browser.
Kilpe also notes how Virtru has built security awareness into daily operations. N2K sees value in setting up security rules to alert the user when potentially sensitive information is detected in outgoing emails. “It's actually very valuable to give a second thought to, ‘What did I just send?’ or ‘What am I about to send?’ and make sure that I'm good with it being in the clear — or whether I need to encrypt that message, or set some security settings.”
“When you have something that's embedded with your email platform that is almost transparent to the user, it just gives you a great degree of comfort that you're operating securely,” he notes.
Respecting Data and Building Trust
Trust is the lifeblood of N2K’s business. As a leading source of cybersecurity information, they engage with influential sources to gain timely, accurate insights for their podcasts and training materials. "It's a sacred responsibility for us to be able to talk with these folks and share what we're supposed to share, and keep confidential the things that we're supposed to keep confidential," explains Kilpe.
In an era of AI-generated content and propaganda, N2K’s trusted, professional news coverage and intelligence tools are a welcome source of information to security leaders worldwide. Virtru supports this mission by enabling secure channels of communication that protect both N2K and their sources, both on and off the record. "People need to know that there are sources they can trust," Kilpe emphasizes, "and we help separate that signal and noise."
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