Glenn Wilkinson – The Ethical Hacker Revolutionising Ransomware Defence
Who Is Glenn Wilkinson?
Glenn Wilkinson is a renowned ethical hacker, keynote speaker, and the CEO of Agger Labs, a cutting-edge cybersecurity firm based in the United Kingdom. With a dual master’s background from the University of Oxford and a proven record as a Rhodes Scholar, Wilkinson has built his reputation at the intersection of hacking expertise, innovative leadership, and cyber protection. His career journey—from early days as a penetration tester to becoming one of the most respected cybersecurity figures—demonstrates how passion and intellect can reshape the digital defence landscape.
Glenn Wilkinson: A Leader in Cybersecurity
From Hacker to Visionary CEO
At the heart of Glenn Wilkinson’s work lies a lifelong fascination with understanding how attackers think. Having legally hacked over 100 organisations, Wilkinson’s philosophy is simple yet transformative: to outsmart hackers, you must think like one. This belief has shaped the foundations of Agger Labs, the company he co-founded in January 2025, which focuses on stopping ransomware before encryption even begins.
His approach moves beyond the traditional reactive cybersecurity model. Instead of waiting for malware signatures or known threats, Agger’s system acts pre-emptively, killing ransomware in milliseconds and ensuring businesses never face data hostage situations.
Agger Labs – Killing Ransomware, Fast
Under Wilkinson’s leadership, Agger Labs has positioned itself as a revolutionary force in the fight against ransomware. The company’s slogan, “We kill ransomware. Fast.”, encapsulates its mission. Agger’s technology integrates seamlessly with existing Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) systems, neutralising ransomware—including zero-day variants—before they can encrypt files.
Unlike many security tools that depend on signatures or constant updates, Agger’s innovation lies in its signatureless architecture. It requires no tuning, no manual updates, and no alert fatigue, freeing cybersecurity teams to focus on strategic tasks. This lightweight agent has earned attention from both corporate and governmental entities seeking resilient defence mechanisms against the ever-growing cyber threat landscape.
Speaker Zero – Translating Hacker Knowledge into Inspiration
The Art of Cyber Storytelling
In 2024, Glenn Wilkinson founded Speaker Zero, a dynamic speaking and training platform. Drawing from over a decade of experience at major cybersecurity conferences such as DEF CON, BlackHat, and 44Con, Wilkinson developed a reputation for captivating audiences with live hacking demonstrations and thought-provoking narratives.
Speaker Zero focuses on transforming complex cybersecurity concepts into engaging, human-centred experiences. Through live demos, workshops, and keynotes, Wilkinson educates audiences ranging from C-suite executives to law enforcement agencies. His delivery style blends entertainment with expertise—showing exactly how hackers operate and how organisations can protect themselves in real time.
Inspiring a Safer Digital Future
Wilkinson’s vision for Speaker Zero extends beyond corporate engagements. He aims to inspire public awareness about cybersecurity, empowering individuals to adopt proactive safety habits online. His ability to connect technical details with real-world relevance makes him a rare voice bridging the gap between the hacker community and everyday users.
Previous Ventures and Entrepreneurial Spirit
Kapenta: Building Cyber Awareness
Before Agger Labs and Speaker Zero, Glenn Wilkinson launched Kapenta in 2020. The platform was designed as a phishing simulation and user awareness tool, helping organisations strengthen their human firewall through practical training. Kapenta’s emphasis on simplicity and effectiveness reflected Wilkinson’s belief that cybersecurity education should be accessible, measurable, and impactful.
Maervo: Security Consultancy and Innovation
Wilkinson’s entrepreneurial journey began with Maervo, founded in 2016. Through this consultancy, he provided penetration testing, software development, and advanced security training. Maervo allowed Wilkinson to explore emerging vulnerabilities and design bespoke solutions for clients, further solidifying his role as a trusted authority in ethical hacking.
Polira: A Prelude to Agger’s Innovation
Between 2017 and 2019, Wilkinson founded Polira, focusing on software development and network security solutions. Polira acted as a conceptual forerunner to Agger Labs, enabling Wilkinson to experiment with real-time protection technologies that would later form the backbone of Agger’s ransomware-prevention system.
Professional Roots: SensePost and the Foundations of Ethical Hacking
Before venturing into entrepreneurship, Glenn Wilkinson spent several years with SensePost, a leading cybersecurity firm under Orange Cyberdefense. From 2008 to 2016, he held progressive roles as Security Analyst, Lead Security Analyst, and eventually Senior Security Analyst.
During this period, Wilkinson delivered training at global conferences and worked on innovative research projects that attracted media attention from CNN, BBC, Channel 4, and VICE. His research contributions included tools and frameworks recognised among the Top 10 Web Hacking Techniques of 2008, highlighting his technical brilliance and forward-thinking mindset.
Academic Excellence: From Rhodes University to Oxford
Glenn Wilkinson’s academic foundation is as impressive as his professional journey. He earned a BSc (Honours) in Computer Science from Rhodes University, where his dissertation focused on developing a custom network emulator—an early sign of his talent for designing technical solutions to complex network challenges.
He later pursued two Master’s degrees at the University of Oxford: one in Computer Science and another in Comparative Social Policy. His dissertation, “Identification of Hostile TCP Traffic using Support Vector Machines,” showcased his early integration of machine learning in cybersecurity, years before AI became a mainstream defensive tool.
These academic achievements, combined with his recognition as a Rhodes Scholar, positioned him among the world’s most promising cybersecurity thinkers.
Ambassadorship and Industry Influence
In 2025, Glenn Wilkinson became an Ambassador for The Hacking Games, an initiative aimed at nurturing the next generation of cybersecurity professionals through gamified training and competitive learning. His involvement underscores his commitment to fostering ethical hacking as both an educational and societal good.
Through mentorship, public speaking, and advocacy, Wilkinson continues to influence cybersecurity discourse—urging companies and governments to prioritise proactive protection and invest in cyber resilience rather than reactive recovery.
Legacy and Future Vision
Redefining Cyber Defence
Glenn Wilkinson’s career encapsulates the evolution of cybersecurity—from manual penetration testing to intelligent, autonomous ransomware prevention. His focus on speed, simplicity, and intelligence has challenged the conventional wisdom of slow, reactive defences.
At Agger Labs, he envisions a world where ransomware no longer threatens hospitals, corporations, or governments. By eliminating the time gap between detection and response, his company is setting a new benchmark in digital security.
Empowering the Next Generation
As both a hacker and educator, Wilkinson’s greatest contribution may lie in his ability to humanise cybersecurity. Through Speaker Zero, he continues to inspire professionals across industries to understand and embrace the hacker mindset—not as a threat, but as a tool for progress and protection.
Conclusion
Glenn Wilkinson stands as one of the most influential ethical hackers and cybersecurity innovators of his generation. His work—from the early SensePost days to the founding of Agger Labs, Kapenta, and Speaker Zero—represents a rare blend of technical mastery, visionary leadership, and genuine commitment to societal safety.
With his Oxford intellect, hacker instinct, and entrepreneurial courage, Wilkinson is not just defending the digital world—he is reinventing how we fight back.
