HackEDU
HackEDU (operating via its Security Journey subsidiary) provides cloud-based, interactive secure-code training to enterprise software developers, combining 800+ hands-on lessons, full-application sandboxes, and AI-powered code-security guidance.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2017
- HeadquartersPittsburgh, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What HackEDU does
HackEDU is a Pittsburgh-headquartered, private cybersecurity education company that delivers interactive secure-code development training to enterprise software-engineering organizations. Following its May 2022 acquisition of Security Journey, the unified platform centers on a cloud-based training library of more than 800 lessons spanning 45+ technology stacks, delivered through full-application sandbox environments that let developers find and remediate vulnerabilities in realistic scenarios rather than isolated code fragments. Supplemental modules include Developer Insights (skill profiling, four-domain Security Knowledge Assessments, and the Aspen: Adapt recommendation engine), the Aspen: Guardian AI code-security assistant that intercepts insecure patterns generated by AI coding tools, and engagement/gamification features (tournaments, leaderboards, the Security Champion Passport program) intended to drive durable behavior change.
HackEDU firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- HackEDU
- Legal name
- HackEDU
- Website
- https://hackedu.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2017
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- HackEDU (operating via its Security Journey subsidiary) provides cloud-based, interactive secure-code training to enterprise software developers, combining 800+ hands-on lessons, full-application sandboxes, and AI-powered code-security guidance.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
HackEDU industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Application Security Training Software
- NAICS
- Computer Training (61142), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Computer Systems Design and Related Services (5415)
- SIC
- Services-Prepackaged Software (7372), Services-Computer Programming, Data Processing, Etc. (7370)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Application Security & Secure Software (DevSecOps) (EDAOAIAK)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Secure Software & DevOps Awareness (Secure Coding Basics) (EDABAGAN), Cybersecurity Learning Platforms (EDAFANAF), Cybersecurity Training & Awareness Programs (BPAEANAF)
Keywords
Where HackEDU is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pittsburgh
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Markets served
HackEDU business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Secure Code Training Subscriptions: Annual subscription-based training programs for organizations. Includes access to training library, assessments, certifications, and administrative dashboards. Pricing based on seat count with tiered plans based on team size and feature access.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Enterprise and team-based plans with custom pricing |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
HackEDU product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HackEDU operates the Security Journey platform, delivering cloud-based, interactive secure code training and application security education for software developers. The platform combines 800+ hands-on lessons in full-application sandbox environments, role-based learning paths, developer knowledge assessments, and an AI-powered code security assistant (Aspen: Guardian AI) to help organizations reduce code vulnerabilities and meet compliance mandates such as PCI DSS 4.0 and NIST SSDF.
Product overview
HackEDU operates as a platform-plus-modules architecture following its acquisition of Security Journey in May 2022. The unified platform centers on the Training Library as the core content engine (800+ hands-on lessons), supported by Program Administration for training management and Developer Insights for personalized assessment and learning recommendations. The product suite includes Aspen: Guardian AI as an AI-powered add-on for real-time code security guidance in AI coding tools, and Developer Engagement features (tournaments, leaderboards, Security Champion Passport) to drive behavioral change. The architecture integrates with existing enterprise infrastructure including LMS, SSO/SAML, and SCORM/xAPI standards for seamless deployment in organizational learning environments.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Training Library Cloud-based library of 800+ hands-on secure coding lessons covering application security knowledge across the software development lifecycle, including OWASP Top 10, AI/LLM vulnerabilities, and secure development fundamentals, with monthly content updates. Used by enterprise security and developer teams to train engineers on secure coding practices.
- Program Administration Platform module that streamlines AppSec training program management through automated assignments, learner management, compliance tracking, and reporting dashboards designed for security and leadership teams.
- Developer Insights Developer profiling and assessment module that provides visibility into development teams' experience, security knowledge, and real-world coding behavior, including Developer Profiles, Security Knowledge Assessments, and Aspen: Adapt for personalized learning recommendations.
- Aspen: Guardian AI
Quantifiable outcome
- Organizations report fewer high-seeverity findings in code scans after implementing training programs
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use HackEDU
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
HackEDU technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
HackEDU partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- HackerOnecoreCustomer-partner relationship where HackerOne uses Security Journey's training platform. Security Journey transformed HackerOne's secure coding training into a developer-led culture initiative, with the program scaling across approximately 100 engineers and anchoring onboarding, team identity, and continuous learning.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
HackEDU competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- SANS Institute: Established incumbent in cybersecurity training and certifications. While broader than HackEDU, SANS overlaps on developer/AppSec courseware (e.g., SEC542) and competes for the same enterprise security training budget, often at premium price points.
- OffSec (Offensive Security): Long-standing offensive security training provider (OSCP, etc.). Overlaps on advanced AppSec and secure development topics and serves similar security-savvy buyers, though leans more toward offensive/pentesting than developer-focused secure coding.
- KnowBe4: Largest security awareness and training platform, now expanding into more technical content. Overlaps with HackEDU's compliance-driven security training use case and addresses the same CISO buyer, though its core focus remains phishing and awareness rather than secure coding.
- Pluralsight: Broad technology skills platform owned by Vista Equity Partners. Provides developer and cloud/security tracks used by enterprises for upskilling, making it a substitute and a bundling competitor to dedicated secure-coding training like HackEDU.
Emerging players
- Cybrary: Cybersecurity skills training platform with courses for security and development audiences. Smaller and broader than HackEDU but pursues similar enterprise and individual learners and overlaps on hands-on, role-based training content.
- TryHackMe: Gamified, hands-on cybersecurity learning platform popular with developers and security practitioners. Comparable interactive, lab-driven approach and developer audience, though primarily self-serve rather than enterprise AppSec-focused.
- SecureFlag: Enterprise secure coding training platform with hands-on labs focused on OWASP and developer security upskilling. Directly comparable in targeting enterprise CISOs and engineering leadership with practical developer training content.
- Codefinity: Hands-on coding and tech skills learning platform serving developers and enterprise L&D. Comparable in delivering interactive, code-execution-based lessons to engineers, positioning it as an adjacent substitute for some of HackEDU's developer upskilling use cases.
Direct peers
- Secure Code Warrior: Direct competitor in interactive secure coding training for developers. Competes head-on with HackEDU/Security Journey's sandbox-based, role-based learning paths and tournament-style engagement features, and is similarly positioned against the same AppSec training budget.
- Immersive Labs: Direct competitor offering hands-on cyber labs and exercises for developers and security teams, including secure development content. Comparable in delivering role-based, scenario-driven training to enterprise CISOs and engineering leaders.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
HackEDU social profiles
Digital presenceHackEDU compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
HackEDU financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
HackEDU leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
HackEDU subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
HackEDU funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds1 record
Investors1 record
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
HackEDU M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about HackEDU
What does HackEDU do?
HackEDU operates the Security Journey platform, delivering cloud-based, interactive secure code training and application security education for software developers. The platform combines 800+ hands-on lessons in full-application sandbox environments, role-based learning paths, developer knowledge assessments, and an AI-powered code security assistant (Aspen: Guardian AI) to help organizations reduce code vulnerabilities and meet compliance mandates such as PCI DSS 4.0 and NIST SSDF.
When was HackEDU founded?
HackEDU was founded in 2017. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is HackEDU based?
HackEDU is headquartered in Pittsburgh, United States, in the North America region.
How does HackEDU make money?
One revenue line is on record: secure Code Training Subscriptions.
Who are HackEDU's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are SANS Institute, OffSec (Offensive Security), KnowBe4 and Pluralsight. Emerging players are Cybrary, TryHackMe, SecureFlag and Codefinity. Direct peers are Secure Code Warrior and Immersive Labs.
Does HackEDU have an API?
No public API is recorded for HackEDU.
What industry is HackEDU in?
HackEDU's product category is Application Security Training Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAOAIAK, Application Security & Secure Software (DevSecOps), with a secondary code of EDABAGAN, Secure Software & DevOps Awareness (Secure Coding Basics). Its NAICS code is 61142 and its SIC code is 7372.