Mainebiz

V O L . X X X I N O. X X S E P T E M B E R 8 , 2 0 2 5 22 O N T H E R E C O R D B Y R E N E E C O R D E S B Y R E N E E C O R D E S ainebiz: What happens here, inside your security operations center? Rob Simopoulos: is is our 24/7 SHIELD Center. SHIELD stands for Security Hub for Intelligence and Excellence in Learning and Defense. Here, we continuously monitor and pro- tect our customers' digital environments across the globe. Our team of cyber- security experts detects, analyzes and responds to cyber threats in real time, ensuring our customers are safeguarded from cyberattacks around the clock. MB: Who and where are your customers? RS: Defendify supports small and mid-size organizations worldwide, protecting organizations in over 20 countries. While we have a global reach, many of our customers are based in the United States, spanning various industries and sectors. MB: What's your market niche or sweet spot? RS: Defendify is built for organiza- tions who don't have a dedicated in-house cybersecurity team. Similar to how HubSpot streamlines sales and marketing and QuickBooks account- ing and finance, Defendify provides an all-in-one cybersecurity solution. Our platform integrates essential security tools used by IT teams and is reinforced by our cybersecurity experts who deliver 24/7 monitoring and response, making enterprise-grade security accessible to smaller organizations. MB: Is cybersecurity a recession- proof business? RS: Cybersecurity is rarely some- thing organizations can afford to cut. Unfortunately, during periods of eco- nomic uncertainty, crime often increases, making security even more critical. MB: With the federal government cutting back on cybersecurity spending, what are your concerns? RS: e reality is that nation-state attackers and their affiliates continue to target U.S. businesses and government entities. Adequate funding for federal cybersecurity programs is crucial to safeguard national infrastructure, indus- tries and citizens. Underfunding these initiatives poses significant risks to the country's digital resilience. MB: What is the biggest mistake companies make when it comes to protecting their IT? RS: e biggest mistake is assuming they're not a target. Every organization, regardless of size or industry, is a poten- tial target. Cybercriminals often view smaller businesses as easy opportunities because many lack robust, comprehen- sive security measures but still have valu- able data and systems to compromise. MB: What can the average person do to guard against data breaches and cyberattacks? RS: ey can start by establishing strong cybersecurity hygiene. Examples include: using a password manager to create and store unique passwords for every account; keeping devices and software updated, including installing patches as soon as they're available; enabling two-factor authentication wherever possible; and staying vigilant by scrutinizing emails, texts and calls to avoid phishing and scams. MB: What is sparking Defendify's growth, and how do you keep it sustainable? RS: We're on the front lines of a para- digm shift. Small and mid-size busi- nesses are realizing cybersecurity is no longer a nice-to-have. Several forces are driving this. Cyber insurers now require comprehensive safeguards before offering coverage, regulators are mandating cybersecurity standards for compliance, and larger companies are insisting smaller partners imple- ment appropriate cybersecurity pro- tection before doing business. MB: To what extent is AI a deterrent to or defense against cybercrime? RS: AI is a powerful tool in modern cybersecurity. It helps identify system vulnerabilities, detect anomalies and prioritizes threats for human response teams. While not a silver bullet, AI enhances defenses by enabling faster, smarter and more proactive protection. MB: What's next for Defendify? RS: We're on a mission to democratize cybersecurity, committed to protecting as many small and midsize organiza- tions as possible. Our platform cur- rently includes 13 integrated cybersecu- rity tools, and we're actively developing new features to expand our capabilities. Growth plans include scaling our team and continuing to innovate, ensuring our customers are always a step ahead of cyber threats. Cybersecurity is rarely something organizations can afford to cut. M Defendify, a Portland cybersecurity startup founded in 2017 by Rob Simopoulos, the CEO, and Andrew Rinaldi, has raised $10 million to date, employs around 40 people and has been on the Inc. 5000 list of the nation's fastest-growing private enterprises for two years in a row. Weeks after the company moved to a spacious new office in the city's Old Port where team members monitor — and thwart — threats around the clock, Mainebiz stopped by for an update. P H O T O / J I M N E U G E R Rob Simopoulos is co-founder and CEO of Defendify, a Portland startup that provides cybersecurity for small and medium-sized businesses around the globe.

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