Defendify

The Elephant in the OT Room ?? Mike Holcomb believes the number one way to secure your OT environment is to completely isolate it from IT. Here’s why…. The reality is, your corporate IT network is the most likely entry point to a breach. And if a breach happens, any connection between IT and OT becomes a big hole for threats to cross into the OT environment. OT security can't be an afterthought because the risks are too high. We're talking about threats that could shut down manufacturing lines, disrupt industrial control systems, and wreak havoc on critical infrastructure. It's time to start thinking of OT as a new beachhead that attackers will target once they've entrenched themselves in IT. As counterintuitive as it sounds, the best way to secure OT is by implementing a complete air gap between IT and OT networks. Of course, this isn't always practical. So at minimum, you need robust segmentation, strict access controls, and 24/7 monitoring to detect any malicious lateral movement. The bottom line? Securing OT can't be an afterthought. It needs to be a first-class priority given how high the stakes are. #OTSecurity #IndustrialControl #CriticalInfrastructure

Your technical chops alone won't cut it as a cybersecurity leader. We've all been there - loving the deep dive into security controls, threat hunting, you name it. But at some point, you need to level up. The cold hard reality? Cybersecurity is a business problem, not just a technical one. You could be the world's greatest practitioner, but if you can't influence your leadership team, you won’t be able to make your full impact. Here's the good news - mastering executive communication skills is a superpower. It lets you: ? Secure buy-in (and budget) for critical security initiatives ? Build a culture of security-awareness across the org ? Get air cover when things go sideways The path? Ditch the tech jargon. Focus on risk, business impact, and ROI. Make cybersecurity relatable to leaders' priorities. It's not easy, but it's a career-maker. Level up your leadership skills and watch your impact soar. To see our full videocast with Mike Holcomb, where he talks about this and so much more, click the link in the comments below. #cybersecurity #leadership #OT

Cybersecurity is challenging. Protecting critical infrastructure gives it a run for it’s money ??. We've seen the headlines - hackers disabling pipelines, breaching power grids, and disrupting transportation networks. But what does it actually take to secure these vital operational technology (OT) systems that quite literally keep the lights on? ?? Our Community Manager Ashley McCurry sat down with Mike Holcomb, Cybersecurity, ICS/OT Cybersecurity Global Lead at Fluor Corporation, to get the inside scoop. Here are the key takeaways: Takeaway 1: After cutting his teeth in traditional IT security roles, the Stuxnet revelation in 2010 opened his eyes to the high-stakes world of OT/ICS security. Takeaway 2: OT systems control the physical operations of critical infrastructure like power plants, factories, and transit systems. Securing these systems is a monumental challenge - antiquated protocols, limited resources, and overcoming cultural resistance are just a few hurdles. Takeaway 3: To break into this niche but essential field, Mike recommends mastering IT security fundamentals first (e.g. Security+), developing broad cybersecurity skills, checking out free resources like his ebooks/YouTube course, and attending affordable OT conferences.?(Links to Mike's resources in the comments ? ) Takeaway 4: With proper network segregation, monitoring, and an OT-centric mindset, defending these critical systems IS possible. It just takes the right skills and strategies. Protecting the critical systems that power our world is no easy feat. But as Mike shows, with the proper training and mindset, we can absolutely rise to the challenge. Check out the whole conversation. Link in comments?? #OTSecurity #IndustrialControl #CriticalInfrastructure #CyberSecurity

?? Ever wondered how the negotiation process unfolds when hackers hold data for ransom? Ransomware is scary. And dealing with attackers who essentially have your business in their hands is even scarier. On August 29th at 2PM EDT, we're going behind the scenes with Kurtis Minder, a veteran ransomware negotiator. He's brokered deals for companies both big and small. And he'll share... ? War stories from real ransomware negotiations.? ? The thought process and psychological play behind each negotiation. ? Legal nuances in the context of ransomware and its negotiations. ? Plus, an AMA to answer all your questions Kurtis has seen it all. The good, bad, and very ugly. Don't miss this look into one of cybersecurity's highest-stakes scenarios. Register now to save your virtual seat. https://lnkd.in/eCdD5RFz

Thanks to Mainebiz for the Inc. Magazine Inc. 5000 shoutout. We're proud to be #MaineBuilt and congratulate all the other Maine companies that made the list. With over 500% growth ?? over the past 3 years, we're excited for the next steps in our journey to make cybersecurity accessible for EVERY business. https://lnkd.in/ee4cmuzX

Is Your Third-Party Risk Program stuck at the starting line? ?? Many IT leaders know they need a strong third-party risk management program, but actually getting it off the ground is the hard part. The key? Start small but smart. Design your program to be data-driven from the get-go. Bake in the right processes to continually capture risk intelligence on your vendors - what you'll need for a mature program down the road. Don't try to boil the ocean at first. Focus triage efforts on your most critical vendors, the ones who truly keep you up at night if they were breached. Get those relationships buttoned up before expanding further. And document everything as you go. Having a paper trail demonstrates you have a plan, even if it's still a work in progress. Lay out a multi-year roadmap for program growth when auditors come knocking. 2?? emerging risk areas to prioritize: AI/ML and evolving regulations. These aren't going away anytime soon, so get ahead of the curve. Finally, leverage your colleagues - cybersecurity teams, legal, compliance, etc. They're a wealth of tribal knowledge on risk and controls. Let them vet your assessments and policies. You'll get way better results. Third-party risk is a team sport. But if you make smart choices upfront, you'll be well-positioned to win big down the line. Get more insight into Third-Party Risk by watching our full session with Falicia Foster-Cruz. Link in comments. #cybersecurity #vendorrisk #riskmanagement #IT

We often get asked by customers how Defendify started. Today, as we celebrate our place on the Inc. Magazine Inc. 5000 list, it feels like the perfect moment to share our story and reflect on our journey to this point. (Link to full story below. Here's what we cover ??) From a chance meeting over cold beers in Portland, Maine, to becoming an Inc. 5000-listed company, our co-founders Rob Simopoulos and Andrew Rinaldi have navigated the world of cybersecurity through vision, determination, and a bit of serendipity. ?? They saw the huge need for accessible cybersecurity in small and midsize businesses and turned that vision into a reality by creating Defendify. Our platform was designed to bring comprehensive, enterprise-level cybersecurity within reach for organizations of all sizes, transforming how these businesses protect themselves in the "SMB Attack Era." ?? From starting in a 90 sq. ft. office to helping thousands of organizations worldwide, our journey has been nothing short of incredible. The story captures the essence of entrepreneurship, the challenges of cybersecurity, and the power of a strong vision. ?? Dive deep into our journey, the vision that propelled us into the top 25% of the Inc. 5000 list, and the future of cybersecurity for small and midsize businesses. A big thank you to our dedicated team, supportive community, and every single customer who's been part of this remarkable journey. Your trust and partnership mean everything to us. Here's to many more years of innovation, growth, and making cybersecurity accessible to all. ?? Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/eZupvVux. #Cybersecurity #Inc5000 #Entrepreneurship #Innovation

Exciting news: Defendify is ranked as the 12th fastest-growing security company in America on the Inc. 5000 list! From day one, our mission has been clear: bring enterprise-level cybersecurity to every business, regardless of size. Today, that vision earns a spotlight on Inc.'s prestigious platform. It all began in a modest 90 sq.ft. office where Andrew Rinaldi and Rob Simopoulos set out to equip stretched-thin IT teams with powerful, scalable defenses. Their passion sparked our relentless drive to democratize cybersecurity. In a world where threats don't discriminate by company size, we believe strong security shouldn't either. And today, Inc. echoes our conviction — inclusive cybersecurity isn't just necessary; it's achievable. A heartfelt thank you to our dedicated team and the trust placed in us by our incredible customers. Your belief in our work is the reason we're here. Together, we're reaffirming that cybersecurity for all isn't just a goal. It's the new reality.

How robust is your third-party risk management program? For many IT leaders, it's not always a question that's top of mind—but here's why you might want to reconsider. Your organization's risk exposure extends far beyond your own walls. Every vendor, supplier, and partner is a potential entry point for threat actors. It's time to get proactive about supply chain risk: ? Assess your risk tolerance and build security requirements around it. Don't over- or under-engineer based on your actual needs. ? Understand the unique risks in your industry vertical. A SaaS company has very different third-party exposures than a manufacturer. ? Implement consistent monitoring to catch emerging threats early. Suppliers' risk profiles can degrade rapidly. The cost of inaction is high - disruptive breaches, compliance penalties, reputational damage. But with the right third-party risk program, you can sleep better at night. P.S. If you're looking to dive deeper in the topic of Third-Party Risk, check out the replay of our latest webinar, where Falicia Foster-Cruz dropped knowledge bombs ?? for 45 minutes. Link in comments. #cybersecurity #riskmangement #supplychainsecurity #vendorrisk

What's the key to building a strong Third-Party Risk Program? Document, Document, Document When it comes to third-party risk management, the single most important piece of advice is this: document everything from day one. Why? Because if you don't, the chaos will quickly spiral out of control. Third-party risk is a complex topic —depending on the size of your organization, you can have hundreds or thousands of vendors, each with their own risks around data security, compliance, business continuity, and more. Without rigorous documentation from the start, you could soon be lost in a complicated web with no trail of breadcrumbs to find your way out. But there's an upside too: by documenting diligently, you demonstrate program maturity right out of the gate. When auditors or regulators come knocking, you can point to artifacts showing a third-party risk process - imperfect maybe, but better than a blank slate. The next critical step? Map out a multi-year roadmap for steadily maturing your program. Scope it sensibly, focusing first on your highest-risk vendors (tech companies with deep data access, critical suppliers/partners, etc.). Sprinkle in less risky populations year over year. With documentation and a phased roadmap in place, you're on the path to a solid third-party risk program. It's no small undertaking, but the rewards are big: stronger security posture, smoother audits, delighted stakeholders, and less fire-fighting down the road. Gold here from Falicia Foster-Cruz. If you want more insight like this, check out our full session with Falicia in the comments below ?? #ThirdPartyRisk #VendorRisk #ITVendorManagement #CyberRisk