It’s midnight. I stayed up intentionally even though I’m waking up at 6. The reason is midnight marks the birth of an incredible human being that changed my life. His name was: Kevin Mitnick. I have his picture in my walk in closet in my house, I see his face everyday and I miss him. Kevin was instrumental on who I am today. When I released the social engineering toolkit, he emailed me from [email protected]. He said dude love the work you’re doing if you ever need anything / hit me up anytime. I had an oh shit moment. Was this really Kevin? I remembered watching the news when I was in high school and his entire career. He was a hero to me early on. I reached out, and mind you this was 2006. He responded back immediately with his cell. I talked to Kevin for hours. After that we forged a friendship. Everyday we grew stronger. Many knew Kevin based on the news and his contributions and books to the industry. I knew Kevin for who he was: something that was obsessed with hacking, being the best, and would burn through the hours he had on engagements just because he wanted to own everything. Someone that just wanted to do the best he possibly could and help others around him. Kevin was my hero. They say never meet your heroes. This is false. Kevin was more than I could have imagined from one human being and someone that deeply cared for his friends. I’ll tell you a story about Kevin. He asked me if I wanted to go see Aerosmith. He said I got some decent tickets - offer is yours. A time to hang with Kevin and see Aerosmith ? Absolutely. What he didn’t tell me was we had backstage band member access. I literally hung out with Aerosmith with just Kevin and I as if we were part of the band. Got to talk to all of them, as they tuned their guitars, got to party with them. I could literally walk on stage with the band as if I was a member. I said Kevin - dude were you going to tell me any of this? He said, I just wanted to see your reaction and excitement. That was Kevin. We lost Kevin to pancreatic cancer and it was devastating to the community, his family, and me. I remember him telling me early on when he got diagnosed. I told him dude you are Kevin Mitnick, you can absolutely beat anything. I believed it. Even in his last days, he was asking me to ship the latest rainbow tables to him - as he was on his last breath. Kevin was elite. He was one of the best hackers I had ever met. He never let those skills fade. He learned from the people he trusted, wanted to understand every aspect of the technical details. Again, he was elite. The dude fought so hard. Stayed strong. A few weeks before his death he came to visit me at my house and I took him for a Delorean ride. He seemed super healthy and we were confident he had beat it. Unfortunately- nature took his toll and he passed. I will always remember the impact Kevin had on me professionally but also how he made me a better human being. One of my best friends. It was never Kevin the celebrity he was, it was Kevin my best friend and one of the best human beings I have ever met. I miss you everyday my friend. You have taught me so much and I will continue to help others just as you helped me. @kminx Kimberly / thank you for always being a friend to me. I know how much you suffered during this time and how much you stood next to Kevin during his most challenging times. You are blessed with Morty his son, and I know this kid will be the most elite hacker that has ever set foot on this earth. I wish only happiness for you and for Morty. He always has a spot at TrustedSec however I have a feeling he will not need that and forge his own path. Kevin, I think and pray for you everyday. Thank you and for the legacy you instilled on this industry and the people that you helped. You are gone for now, but the legacy you left will span generations. Until we meet again in the future my friend. Happy Birthday Kevin.