KnowBe4 has expanded its email and collaboration security portfolio with the launch of Defend for Google Workspace, a new solution designed to enhance protection against phishing, business email compromise (BEC), prompt injection, and other advanced cyber threats. The platform brings AI-powered threat detection, automated remediation, and real-time security coaching to organizations using Google Workspace and Gmail.
Built on KnowBe4’s behavioral AI technology, Defend analyzes email activity using more than 1.15 billion daily event signals and over 16 years of cybersecurity intelligence. The solution evaluates multiple behavioral and intent-based indicators simultaneously, enabling it to identify sophisticated attacks that may bypass traditional email security controls.
“Every blocked threat should become a teachable moment. By combining explainable AI detection with real-time user coaching, organizations can build a stronger security culture while improving protection against advanced cyberattacks.”
– Greg Kras, Chief Product Officer, KnowBe4
A standout feature of the platform is its ability to turn security incidents into learning opportunities. When a suspicious email is detected, users receive immediate contextual guidance explaining why the message was flagged. This real-time coaching helps improve employee awareness and strengthens organizational security culture at the point of risk.
The platform also integrates with PhishER Plus, enabling automated threat response. Once a malicious email is confirmed, similar threats can be identified and removed from Gmail inboxes across the organization in less than two minutes, significantly reducing the workload on security operations teams.
Early adopter testing demonstrated strong results. Defend processed 539,384 emails, intercepting 810 dangerous threats, equivalent to one dangerous email in every 666 messages. It also flagged 5,491 suspicious emails that had bypassed native Google protections and helped organizations save nearly 11 hours per week through automated classification and response capabilities.
Available from September 15, 2026, Defend for Google Workspace strengthens KnowBe4’s vision of securing both human users and AI-driven digital workforces through intelligent detection, automation, and continuous security awareness.
