About Us

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About Cigent

Who We Are

Cigent was developed by experts in advanced data recovery, storage, and cyber security who have been rooted in this work since 1987. Cigent’s modern, “next-gen” approach to data recovery and data loss prevention (DLP) protects your information from even the most advanced data recovery techniques like ransomware, malware, and quantum computing attacks. We adopt a proactive approach to securing your information because we were built on the notion that systems will be hacked and adversaries may be in your systems for months before you know it. The result is a data-loss prevention solution that is one step ahead and that takes all aspects of this threat landscape into consideration.

We don’t just know data security—we're leading the way.

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Discover why Cigent is a leader in securing data across various platforms and industries and learn how we're revolutionizing data protection with unique security solutions that guard against sophisticated cyber threats.

Our Founder

John has over 35 years of experience in commercial and government organizations working at the American Embassy Oslo, Norway and the National Security Agency, where he received training in operational tradecraft including advanced data recovery, hacking techniques, computer security and forensics. While at NSA he was awarded the National Scientific Achievement Award for his technological innovations.

Cigent® co-founder John Benkert 20 years in USAF Intelligence and seven in the NSA where he received the National Scientific Achievement Award for technological innovations in data security. He is the owner of CPR Tools, leading experts in data recovery, forensics, and destruction since 1987.

Recognizing the vulnerabilities in data security solutions including FDE and SEDs, Benkert set out to design a more secure approach to data protection - one that could not be defeated no matter the situation or adversary. He formed a team of experts in storage, data forensics, and cyber security.

Securing funding from In-Q-Tel, the Cigent team has achieved Benkert’s vision of developing the most secure data security solution available.

John Benkert

CEO

Our Management Team

A common concern a visitor experiences is how well will the product or service be supported. Introducing the team eases fears while showing confidence.

Kelly Hicks

Chief Financial Officer

Kelly Hicks has over thirty years of experience at numerous high-technology companies. Prior to Cigent, Hicks held CFO and Senior Financial Management positions at LiveAction, Aryaka Networks, Chordiant (NASD:CHRD), Verity (NASD:VRTY), Tahoe Networks, PumaTech IntelliSync (NASD:PUMA), and The Santa Cruz Operation (NASD:SCOC). Hicks earned his BS from Chico State University.

Tom Ricoy

Chief Revenue Officer

Tom Ricoy has 30 years of IT experience. Prior to Cigent, Tom was responsible for Dell commercial PC data and endpoint security for five years. While there, the team launched BIOS malware/IoA detection, in-transit supply chain security, EDRM, and the first NGAV EPP Suite. He has established global alliances with IT and cyber security leaders and worked with federal agencies to deploy new solutions to improve national security.

Brett Hansen

Chief Growth Officer

Brett Hansen has 30 years of IT experience. Prior to joining Cigent, held leadership positions with companies providing SaaS data solutions. He was also an executive at Dell for over a decade overseeing Client Software organization including developing and leading Dell Data Security business that provided integrated hardware and software security solutions. Brett started his career with IBM holding leadership positions with various software organizations focusing on IT management, development, and security.

Tony Fessel

VP Engineering

Tony Fessel is a designer, developer, and researcher with a deep understanding of technology, a tenacious desire to identify and solve problems through creative design, and nearly 15 years of experience creating storage-focused products and applications for commercial and government markets. Tony’s design experience ranges from firmware-level storage systems up to simple, scalable, intuitive applications.

David Wolf

VP Product Management

David Wolf has over 25 years of experience in guiding products, from vision to reality, that solve real customer challenges while meeting business expectations. Prior to Cigent, Dave was Senior Director of Product Management for the Cloud at Oracle, where he managed the product teams responsible for security monitoring and analytics, security compliance, and orchestration services. Dave has held senior leadership positions at both large enterprises and startups, including Oracle, Computer Associates, Fidelity Investments, mValent, and Cendura.

Matthew Frazier

VP of Worldwide Sales

Matthew has over 20 years of Sales and Sales Leadership in technology sales. Spending many years working on M&A activities and bringing new technology to the market. Matthew has a knack for developing unique GTM strategies to accelerate growth. He is a passionate Sales leader with numerous awards and accomplishments.