# Pioneering Cybersecurity: The Journey of George Kurtz
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Chapter 1: The Visionary Behind Cybersecurity Giants
George Kurtz, a self-taught programmer, sought to shape his own future by establishing two prominent cybersecurity firms: Foundstone and CrowdStrike. His desire for autonomy and creativity drove him to take risks and invest in himself, ultimately leading him to launch his first enterprise.
Kurtz's expertise in cybersecurity has made him a sought-after figure in the industry, earning him a fortune exceeding $4 billion, thus making him the wealthiest individual in Paradise Valley, Arizona. He is recognized as the co-founder and CEO of CrowdStrike, founder of Foundstone, and former chief technology officer at McAfee.
Section 1.1: Early Life and Education
Born and raised in New Jersey, Kurtz completed his bachelor’s degree in accounting at Seton Hall University in 1992. He began his career as a certified public accountant at Price Waterhouse, before transitioning into a specialized security division. In 1999, he co-founded Foundstone, marking the beginning of his entrepreneurial journey.
Subsection 1.1.1: Authorship and Foundstone's Foundation
In 1999, Kurtz co-authored the influential book Hacking Exposed 7: Network Security Secrets and Solutions, which solidified his reputation as an authority in cybersecurity. This prompted him to co-establish Foundstone, a company focused on vulnerability management software and consulting services. In 2004, McAfee acquired Foundstone for $86 million, allowing it to function as an independent consultancy under its umbrella.
Section 1.2: Transition to McAfee
Post-acquisition, Kurtz held several positions at McAfee, including risk manager and senior vice president. He played a pivotal role in shaping the company's security risk management strategy. By 2009, he rose to the position of chief technology officer and executive vice president, where he assisted major corporations like Google and Adobe in fortifying their defenses against cyber threats. However, by 2011, his dissatisfaction with McAfee’s technology led him to establish a new venture, CrowdStrike.
Chapter 2: The Rise of CrowdStrike
In 2011, Kurtz co-founded CrowdStrike Holdings, Inc., which quickly became a leader in next-generation endpoint protection and threat intelligence services. Notably, in 2016, CrowdStrike was tasked with safeguarding the Democratic National Committee’s servers.
Kurtz's customer-centric approach was evident when, after the company's public offering in 2019, he committed to meeting 100 customers in 100 days. Under his leadership, CrowdStrike garnered accolades, including SC Magazine’s best security company award in 2020 and recognition by Fortune magazine as a premier workplace in technology. Today, CrowdStrike is valued at over $40 billion, with revenue surpassing $870 million in 2020—a remarkable 82% year-over-year growth.
Have you heard of CrowdStrike prior to this article?
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