On the Record: Portland IT startup Defendify aims to ‘democratize cybersecurity’

Photo / Jim Neuger 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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By Renee Cordes

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.

Mainebiz: What happens here, inside your security operations center?

Rob Simopoulos: This is our 24/7 SHIELD Center. SHIELD stands for Security Hub for Intelligence and Excellence in Learning and Defense. Here, we continuously monitor and protect our customers’ digital environments across the globe. Our team of cybersecurity 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 organizations who don’t have a dedicated in-house cybersecurity team. Similar to how HubSpot streamlines sales and marketing and QuickBooks accounting 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 something organizations can afford to cut. Unfortunately, during periods of economic uncertainty, crime often increases, making security even more critical.

MB: With the federal government cutting back on cybersecurity spending, what are your concerns?

RS: The 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, industries 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: The biggest mistake is assuming they’re not a target. Every organization, regardless of size or industry, is a potential target. Cybercriminals often view smaller businesses as easy opportunities because many lack robust, comprehensive security measures but still have valuable data and systems to compromise.

MB: What can the average person do to guard against data breaches and cyberattacks?

RS: They 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 paradigm shift. Small and mid-size businesses 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 implement appropriate cybersecurity protection 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 organizations as possible. Our platform currently includes 13 integrated cybersecurity 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.