The Point

Defendify Co-Founder Rob Simopoulos interviewed Chuck Wilson, the Executive Director of the National Systems Contractors Association (NSCA) to learn more about what the new 2020 MasterFormat® regulations say about cybersecurity and what changes are impacting the building and construction industry.

You probably already have clearly defined policies on things like paid time off while at work, but do you have a policy that sets expectations for use of company data and technology resources? These are the things we interact with most and carry considerations around confidentiality and security, yet are not always clear—for employers or employees.

As we continue to bring more technology into our daily lives the number of alerts and notifications we receive is skyrocketing. It can be tough to filter through the noise, especially to stay informed on key business issues like important cybersecurity news, breach announcements, emerging threats, and new vulnerability warnings.

While unearthing a vulnerability isn’t something anyone wants to hear, it’s something business owners, IT resources, and cybersecurity providers need to know about sooner, not later. The good news is, there is an easy way to detect vulnerabilities in your networks and web applications: Run vulnerability scans.

One of the things we hear from many business owners and even some IT folks is, “I don’t know where our cybersecurity stands. Are we good? Bad? Do we have holes? How do we know where to start?” A cybersecurity assessment is an easy way to begin to answer all these questions and more–some you probably didn’t even know you had.

With many small businesses suddenly shifting to a work-from-home (WFH) model due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there’s no denying that change is afoot. From process to productivity and communication to culture, businesses have found themselves examining many areas of their operations to keep up.

Cybersecurity might not be the first thing on your mind as you navigate your business through the current COVID-19 situation, but unfortunately, cybersecurity threats aren’t slowing down.

Cyberattackers have long been taking advantage of uncertain times to craft convincing (and dangerous) phishing emails, and predictably, we’ve started to see an increase in Coronavirus-related phishing attacks targeting small businesses.

Picture this: You’re visiting a prospective business partner to learn more about them, but when you show up, it’s a bad scene. The building was broken into, the alarm is sounding, and there’s graffiti on the walls. Doesn’t make you feel great about the business, does it?

Now how would you feel if someone had a similar experience on your website?

Defendify sponsored and attended the National Systems Contractors Association’s (NSCA) 22nd annual Business and Leadership Conference (BLC), held in Irving, Texas on February 26-28, 2020. This year’s theme was “Creating Loyal Clients, Passionate Employees, and Profitable Business.”

It’s easy to list the things we could tackle if we just had more time, especially within a Small Business.

The good news is that 2020 is a Leap Year, so we actually do have more time with a bonus day. The purpose of Leap Year is to help us get back on track with the astronomical year. Why not use the extra day to get on track in other areas, too—most importantly, your cybersecurity?

Defendify recently participated in USAV Group’s Spring Partners Meeting, co-located with the NSCA BLC in Irving, Texas on February 24-25, 2020. Co-Founder Rob Simopoulos had the opportunity to co-host a discussion around cybersecurity awareness and education for USAV members and other audio-visual professionals.

Defendify recently rolled up their sleeves to volunteer at the Center for Grieving Children in Portland, Maine, deep cleaning, sweeping, dusting, restocking, and sorting the rooms in the facility used for group meetings and other activities. The team was so glad to lend a hand, and even enjoyed themselves in the process—cleaning is much more fun when it’s for a good cause!

Got 5 minutes? Here are 5 easy tactics to improve your company’s cybersecurity.

Now of course we all know that having truly strong cybersecurity isn’t as simple as flipping a switch—nothing can replace a comprehensive cybersecurity program. But every little bit helps reduce your risk of a cybersecurity incident.

Here are 5 cybersecurity tips that include settings, habits, and policies you can update today.

Defendify hosted a meetup of cybersecurity and privacy professionals on February 13th at the startup company’s home office in Portland, Maine. The event attracted a great turnout of local people—from lawyers to students to developers—involved in the cybersecurity, privacy, and technology field.

NIST, CMMC, CCPA, SHIELD — you’ve likely heard the acronyms, but how much do you know about the laws behind them?

The cybersecurity regulation landscape can be confusing, and it’s not getting any simpler: thirty-one states enacted cybersecurity-related legislation in 2019 alone, and that’s not counting federal or industry standards.

Defendify is a proud Portland, Maine-based startup, and was recently featured as such at the Maine Technology Users Group (MTUG) Peers and Beers event, held on January 29, 2020 in Saco, Maine. Co-Founder Rob Simopoulos presented on the Defendify story to a group of MTUG members and their networks.

On January 28th, we celebrated Data Privacy Day: an international effort to empower individuals and business to respect privacy, safeguard data, and enable trust. Defendify was a Champion of Data Privacy Day again this year, and as part of our commitment we’ve gathered a few of our key takeaways from Data Privacy Day 2020—from big privacy topics for Small Business to a noteworthy new resource.

Portland, ME - January 28, 2019 - Defendify, an all-in-one SaaS cybersecurity platform developer, announced today that it has closed its $2 million seed round. Existing investor 3dot6 Ventures doubled down and led the round with participation from York IE, Maine Technology Institute (MTI), Maine Venture Fund (MVF), FreshTracks Capital, and Wasabi Ventures.

As a small business, your top-notch employees are your most valuable asset. They keep your sales coming, your customers happy, and your business running on all cylinders.

With proper knowledge and education, your team can also help maintain your business’ cybersecurity. The first step in nurturing their A-game is setting expectations for how they can build and support your company’s cybersecurity posture—something that requires a little thought and guidance.

New phone under the tree this year? Investing in mobile devices for your business with your 2020 budget? We store a ton of sensitive data on mobile devices, from contact information and private messages to location data, passwords, bank accounts, and business documents. You may have already started to consider cybersecurity for mobile devices in your business, but what about the apps that you use every day?

Defendify was recently featured in the short film “Crunch Time,” which debuted on December 18th, 2019 in Portland, Maine. The screening was a great opportunity for the Portland community to see the tremendous influence and reputation that Maine startups are gaining on the international stage. Startup Maine and Maine Startups Insider have been hard at work getting entrepreneurs from the Pine Tree State on the map by selecting eight startups to attend TechCrunch Disrupt and documenting the experience through a short film.

Catchy holiday tunes aren’t the only thing that can get stuck in your head—for a small business, it’s hard to turn the volume down on growing threats. At Defendify, we wanted to help silence some of those fears and spread a little cyber-cheer with a timely holiday cyber-checklist. ‘Tis always the season for strong cybersecurity!

The end of the year is a perfect time for reflection on the past while planning for the future. In business, this often means strategizing for the upcoming year—everything from budgeting and hiring plans to marketing tactics and more. This year we want to make sure your “more” includes taking a close look at your organization’s cybersecurity posture. What’s the best way to do that, you might ask? Gear up for a cybersecurity risk assessment!

Defendify Partner Success Manager, Shanna Utgard, was recently asked to exhibit with Defendify partner RoundTable Technology at Nonprofit New York’s Best Nonprofit Conference, held December 10th, 2019 in New York City. The thoughtfully curated conference was designed to strengthen nonprofit organizations throughout New York in many different ways. This event was a great opportunity for groups to learn from—and aspire to—the best practices of exceptional nonprofits.

Defendify’s article on the basics of budgeting for cybersecurity was recently published on Business.com. Cybersecurity is becoming more relevant as a business priority, but it can be challenging to figure out how to consider financially. Read our summary and introduction below, then check out the full article.

Defendify Partner Success Manager, Shanna Utgard, was recently invited to join channel partner RoundTable Technology at the Maine Association of Nonprofits (MANP) Charting Change: 2019 Nonprofit Finance Conference. MANP’s one-day conference, held December 4th, 2019 in Bangor, Maine, brought together nonprofit executive directors, finance staff, board members, program, development, and operations staff, and more for education, collaboration, and networking.

Defendify Co-Founder Rob Simopoulos was recently asked to discuss cybersecurity with a local group of dentists at their group meeting on Wednesday, November 20th, 2019. The group meets regularly to discuss various topics and learn from each other, and was interested in having a conversation about cybersecurity.

Accounting, project management, HR—you name it, you can (and probably do) use a software solution to manage it. All businesses rely to some extent on third-party vendors, and share a lot of sensitive data with them. If one of these companies experiences an incident or gets breached, your information could be compromised, corrupted, or stolen.

Defendify Partner Success Manager Shanna Utgard was recently invited to speak to students on a panel of cybersecurity professionals at the University of Southern Maine (USM). Shanna was quick to accept and share her cybersecurity and career expertise with the students.

Defendify Co-Founder Rob Simopoulos recently spoke at the (ISC)2 Maine Chapter’s monthly networking and educational event, held in Yarmouth, Maine on November 13th, 2019.  Rob’s presentation, “Cybersecurity: Big Topics for Small Business,” covered cybersecurity threats to Small Business today, the importance of reducing cybersecurity risk, and how cybersecurity leaders and professionals can help.

Defendify’s article on three things MSPs can learn about cybersecurity from Game of Thrones was recently published on Channel Futures. Read our summary, introduction, and thoughts for cybersecurity providers here, then check out the full article to help prevent a bad ending.

A key part of staying safe in business is being on-guard for scams, attacks, and financial losses, no matter where they come from. And they do come from just about everywhere, including disguised as seemingly harmless cold calls and emails. All businesses need to keep the lights on, but unfortunately, some go about their sales in unexpected (and even misleading) ways. We’ve seen a flurry of sales and marketing tactics that we’re skeptical of lately—check out some examples and learn how to help protect your company and educate your customers.

Halloween is right around the corner, and we’ve got ghosts, goblins, and pumpkin patches on the mind. We’ve also reached part 3 of 3 in our National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) theme series, digging into “Protect IT,” the final piece of the theme “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.” One of the National Cyber Security Alliance’s focal topics is a very familiar one for providers: If You Connect, You Must Protect: updating to the latest security software, web browser and operating systems. Patching doesn’t have to be spooky—read on!

The Defendify team recently spent the afternoon helping out at the Animal Refuge League of Greater Portland (ARLGP) as one of our regularly scheduled group volunteer events. Don’t think we got out of an animal shelter event without a souvenir—one Defendify team member went back first thing the next morning to adopt a puppy that stole his heart.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), and this year’s theme is “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.” We’ve discussed the overarching goals of NCSAM before, and began exploring the theme last week. Part 2 of 3 in our NSCAM theme dives into an important part of Secure IT—Shake Up Your Passphrase Protocol: create strong, unique passphrases. We’ve covered building a strong passphrase before, but passphrases also need to be unique to be truly formidable. Why? Read on.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), and this year’s theme is “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.” We discussed NCSAM’s overall goals at the beginning of the month, and in the next three weeks, we’ll dive into key parts of the theme as they relate to Small Business and the cybersecurity providers they rely on. Part 1 of 3 in our NSCAM-focused series spotlights a component of Owning IT: Never Click and Tell: staying safe on social media.

Defendify recently exhibited at TechCrunch Disrupt, the internationally recognized tech startup conference, held in San Francisco October 2-4. Defendify joined hundreds of other cutting-edge startups from around the globe for three days of innovation, education, and inspiration.Defendify was one of eight companies selected to exhibit in the Maine Pavilion, a section of the event’s Startup Alley that features companies from the state of Maine.

Defendify recently published an article on Business.com speaking to third-party cybersecurity risk assessments, increasingly a part of life for Small Business. Check out our takeaways for cybersecurity providers here, and don’t miss the original article on Business.com.

Defendify is proud to be an innovative startup business, and was recently selected to attend TechCrunch Disrupt, the internationally recognized tech startup conference, held in San Francisco on October 2-4, 2019. Defendify Co-Founders Rob Simopoulos and Andrew Rinaldi were on the ground at the event for three days, showing demonstrations of the groundbreaking Defendify all-in-one cybersecurity platform, making connections, and learning from other innovators.

This October marks the 16th annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), an effort founded by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Department of Homeland Security to provide Americans with the knowledge and resources they need to stay safer and more secure online. This year’s NCSAM theme is “Own IT. Secure IT. Protect IT.”, focusing on personal accountability and proactive behavior in security best practices.

Rob Simopoulos, Defendify Co-Founder, recently hosted a presentation at the ISACA New England Chapter’s Maine event in Portland, Maine on September 27th. The event brought together cybersecurity and risk management professionals from all over New England for a day of education and networking.

Defendify recently attended the National Systems Contractors Association’s annual Pivot to Profit conference, held September 24-25th in Irving, Texas. Co-Founder Rob Simopoulos hosted both a group presentation and a round-robin Toolkit Talk, covering all things cybersecurity for integrators and Small Business.

Defendify Co-Founder Rob Simopoulos was recently featured as a speaker at the PSNI Global Alliance Member Meeting, held in Philadelphia, PA on September 17-20th. PSNI Global Alliance is an alliance of elite technology integrators, manufacturers, distributors, and service providers around the world. The annual Member Meeting is the alliance’s official gathering, offering networking opportunities and topical discussions of interest to the members.

Defendify was recently selected to represent Maine at TechCrunch Disrupt.Amid our excitement to be featured at the event, we got to thinking more about everyone participating in Disrupt this year and in the future. Startup companies and investors are two groups that many don’t immediately think about when it comes to cybersecurity, despite compelling reasons to. Perhaps we need to remind ourselves it doesn’t hurt to disrupt our thinking about our target markets, stretching the imagination beyond what we’re used to.

It may be back-to-school season, but it’s far from back-to-business: you’ve been hard at work all summer working on your customers’ networks, managing their updates, and helping improve their cybersecurity posture. While it’s important to pay attention to the programs, software, and hardware you have in place, the educated provider knows that there’s more to cybersecurity than just technology. Back-to-school season is a great reminder as to the importance of end-user education and training in cybersecurity.

HIPAA and GDPR and PCI…so many acronyms, so little time! You’ve likely run into myriad compliance regulations that can inform your customers’ cybersecurity posture. But you may also realize that compliance is about more than just cybersecurity, and likewise cybersecurity goes beyond compliance.

Cybersecurity news, breach announcements, emerging threats, and new vulnerability warnings come from hundreds of sources every day. For the modern provider and small business, it’s good there are so many sources spreading the word, but it can be tough to filter through the sheer volume of notifications to stay informed on issues that matter to you. Here are a few insights on how to follow cybersecurity threat alerts, which ones to look for and share with customers, and what to do with those that are relevant.

Defendify recently attended ChannelCon, hosted by CompTIA August 5-7 at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas. The event provided a unique opportunity to join top technology industry professionals, thought leaders, and vendors for three days of learning sessions, collaboration, and networking. ChannelCon attendees had the opportunity to win a jackpot of new ideas and tools to grow their business and keep the technology industry at the top of its game.

The terms “privacy” and “security” are surfacing everywhere in business, from legal policies and terms of use to marketing, media, and regulations. The words are often used in tandem, but they’re really two distinct concepts that frequently overlap, especially regarding sensitive data.So, what’s the difference between privacy and security, and how does each apply to your customers?

The last thing a small business needs is a weakness in their network or systems – especially one nobody knows is there. We’ve discussed the importance of Vulnerability Scanning before, and are excited to announce that Defendify’s vulnerability scanning tool is now included in the core Defendify platform.

Defendify’s article on cyber insurance was recently published on Business.com. Cyber insurance is no substitute for a strong cybersecurity program, but it is an important consideration for you and your customers. Read our thoughts for cybersecurity providers here, and then check out the original article on Business.com.

You know your customers better than anyone and how important cybersecurity is to each and every one of them. All organizations have sensitive data that is valuable to cyberattackers, and that’s why it’s critical everyone – including the millions of small businesses out there – employ steps to improve their posture and reduce their risk.Speaking of critical, some sectors are often in the limelight when it comes to cybersecurity, and for good reason. Do you have customers in these key categories?

The Defendify team is dedicated to protecting Small Businesses from cyberattacks, but recently spent a little time protecting some of our local open spaces, too. Defendify spent the afternoon upkeeping local nature paths with Portland Trails, a nonprofit dedicated to maintaining 70 miles of trails in Greater Portland to provide effective on-foot transportation and aid in conservation.

The importance of creating a strong company culture is obvious: it helps attract and retain great employees, drives productivity, and creates an environment where team members are dedicated to the business. What isn’t so obvious – something that modern business leaders are now starting to realize – is that this dedication can be harnessed to turn employees into cyber-defenders who will stop at nothing to guard the workplace they have come to love.

Summertime is prime beach season! Between the sun and sand, cybersecurity might not be the first thing on your customer’s mind. But dig a little deeper and you’ll be surprised to find that cybersecurity has a few similarities to a great trip to the beach – check out three beachy tips that can help promote a safe and cybersecure summer.

USB drives are extremely popular in business and in personal use, making it easy to store and transfer files. They’re inexpensive, portable, and can hold a ton of information in various file formats.But the cost of convenience can be high – USB drives can be used to easily transmit malicious files and put company data at risk.

Portland, ME, June 19, 2019 - Defendify, an all-in-one, SaaS-delivered cybersecurity platform developer, announced today $1.6 million in pre-seed funding. Led by private investors with participation from Maine Technology Institute (MTI) and early stage cybersecurity industry investor 3dot6 Ventures.

Defendify’s article on techniques to keep your data and company safe while you’re out of the office was recently published on Business.com. We’ve shared some insight and tips on coaching your customers through travel best practices here, and don’t forget to check out the full article on Business.com.

Of course you do, and so does every one of your customers. Even though it might not always be immediately obvious, all businesses – even small businesses – have some degree of information that warrants protection due to its confidential nature.

When you think “cybersecurity threat,” what comes to mind? A hoodie-clad hacker in a basement breaking into the network or an army of cyberattackers sending ransomware at other unsuspecting nations? Probably. But the truth is, many incidents can actually start from inside your customers’ organization.

We use mobile phones for so much more than talking and texting – half of all web traffic comes from mobile devices, and there are apps for everything from social media to transportation and beyond. Mobile devices appear near-constantly in the workplace as well – but we don’t always take the time to think about what that means – especially in terms of security.

Defendify’s article on rolling out a Clean Desk Policy and how it relates to protecting sensitive data was recently published on Business.com. Read our tips for cybersecurity providers here, and don’t miss the full article on Business.com.

Defendify loves to volunteer in the community, and jumped at the opportunity to participate in the United Way Day of Action: an annual day of service sponsored by United Way of Greater Portland, Maine, held this year on May 16th. Defendify spent the morning on a different kind of “hacking:” removing invasive plants that have grown rampant in the habitat.

National Small Business Week is a tradition of more than 50 years recognizing the critical contributions of entrepreneurs and small business owners. But as you know, the increasing proliferation of cyberattacks can mean big trouble for Small Business.So as the provider of cybersecurity to the undercurrent of the economy, it falls on you to educate Small Business customers on the why and how of cybersecurity.

Defendify Co-Founder Rob Simopoulos was recently invited to join the Maine State Bar Association’s Real Estate Institute as the Plenary Speaker on May 3rd in Augusta, Maine. Defendify’s presentation, Cybersecurity: Raising the Bar covered cybersecurity threats that real estate law professionals need to know about.

Nowadays, a password – no matter how formidable – just isn’t enough to protect the throne. With all the critical information we store online, Two-Factor Authentication adds an important security step to help your devices confirm that the person trying to log in is, well, you.

Defendify Co-Founder Rob Simopoulos recently attended the Maine Insurance Agents Association (MIAA) Annual Convention to speak on cybersecurity awareness for insurance agents and their businesses. Held in South Portland, Maine April 29-30, the Annual Convention brought insurance agents and other industry professionals together for a business meeting and breakfast, educational seminars, and an annual banquet.

A firewall is industry-standard protection for Small Business. Often the first line of defense against outside threats, a firewall forms a barrier between the full scope of the Internet and your customer’s private internal network. Firewalls, however, are a specific product built to perform a specific task, and they don’t provide complete cybersecurity. So how can you expand your cybersecurity program beyond a firewall to provide comprehensive protection?

The Defendify team recently headed to Hartford, Connecticut to sponsor Data Connectors cybersecurity conference on April 18th, 2019. Geared towards IT professionals, the conference featured educational sessions, a keynote presentation, cybersecurity exhibits, and more. This year’s Hartford event was jam-packed, with attendees and sponsors coming from all over New England and beyond.

Defendify’s article on how businesses can use their strong cybersecurity program as a competitive business advantage was recently published on Business.com. And it’s even more relevant for cybersecurity providers – read our take on using your own cybersecurity posture to differentiate your business, and be sure to check out the original article on Business.com.

As a cybersecurity provider, you know the importance of setting your customers up with top-notch training, services, and technology products to protect against modern threats and improve cybersecurity posture. But it can be tough to know what to evaluate – and when. So just how often should you be testing your customers’ network, systems, and people?

The Defendify team loves to volunteer in the community, and our most recent activity was at the Ronald McDonald House. The team stepped out of the office and into the kitchen to prepare a homemade meal for families staying at the local House right in our backyard in Portland, Maine.

While cybersecurity should be part of every employee’s job, some roles naturally carry more responsibility—Management and IT are two that certainly come to mind. At the same time,  so many elements of cybersecurity are truly human-centric, making it so important to consider the key role HR plays in keeping everyone safe and sound.  The masters of employee matters have a few tricks up their sleeve – so how can business leaders lean on HR to help build a effective cybersecurity program and culture?

Defendify is proud to announce their support of Computer Science for Maine (CS4ME) as a business member. They join local and national organizations in an effort to ensure that computer science is a subject area offered to all Maine K-12 students.

Basketball fan or not, March Madness is a springtime staple in friendly competition. With the rise of online brackets, it can be a great way to connect with friends and family for a little fun. So, when a friend sends you a bracket invitation in the middle of the week, you probably want to check it out right away!The average worker spends six paid hours at work building their bracket, checking scores and rankings, and watching the games.

Defendify’s article on systems integrators’ next steps towards cybersecurity was recently published in Security Business Magazine. Read our short introduction below, then check out the full article here.

Defendify’s article on how to get started in cybersecurity – and who to work with – was recently published on Business.com. We’ve introduced the article here, but don’t forget to check out the full article on Business.com.

March 8th is International Women’s Day: a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women and marking a call to action for accelerating gender parity. This year’s theme is #BalanceForBetter, aiming for gender balance throughout the workplace, boardroom, government, and more.Gender balance in cybersecurity isn’t simply a women’s issue – it’s also a crucial business issue.

Defendify recently sponsored and attended the National Systems Contractors Association’s (NSCA) Business & Leadership Conference (BLC). Held in Tampa, Florida February 27-March 1, 2019, the BLC provided integration firm leaders with a new level of business insight, camaraderie, and innovation, and helped them improve sales and leadership skills.

Defendify co-founder Rob Simopoulos was recently welcomed as keynote speaker at the TechSec Solutions New Technology Conference, held February 25-26 in Delray Beach, Florida where the theme was Securing a Connected World.

While it may be cold outside, phishing remains the hottest attack vector in business: Over 90% of all successful cyberattacks are said to start with a “phishing” email. And these attacks have become far more advanced throughout the years, with the potential to fool even the most vigilant. With this cold truth in mind, what should you be on the lookout for?

Defendify hosted a cybersecurity awareness workshop for Small Business with SCORE Portland on February 19th in Portland, Maine. Like other workshops put on by the group, it was free to attend and aimed to provide information relevant and useful to Small Business.

It’s Valentine’s Day, what better time to talk about our vulnerabilities? Don’t worry, we won’t get into analyzing your love life, rather it’s your network and systems our heart is after.Your network and firewall are often the first line of defense against cyberattacks, and one of the first things cybercriminals do is look for common vulnerabilities.

Picture this: You’re the finance manager at a fifty-person manufacturing firm. Your best customer’s account is overdue – unusual, as they typically pay in full. Your customer, however, insists they’ve already paid and presents proof from the bank. So why didn’t you receive the payment?Business Email Compromise (BEC) has cost businesses over $12.5 billion since 2013,  and it’s a trend on the rise with a 136% increase in losses from 2016 to 2018.

Defendify is proud to announce several female team members will join the Day of Shecurity on Friday, February 22nd. Held at the Federal Reserve Bank in Boston, MA, the Day of Shecurity is a one-day, women-only conference advocating for the inclusion of women and diversification of cybersecurity.

Are you ready for the big game? The Super Bowl is a global phenomenon: over a hundred million people tuned in to cheer on their favorite team (or at least watch the ads) last year.While the old adage “the best defense is a good offense” understandably rings true for football, in many ways the same can be said for cybersecurity.

Data Privacy Day is January 28th, and it’s a great opportunity to evaluate how you handle and store your company’s sensitive data. Cloud storage is a very popular method: 63% of small businesses use the cloud to store their company data and files, and that number appears to be on the rise. But as with most technology, it comes with risk. So what can you do to ensure that your – and your customers’ – data is kept private?

Having an effective cybersecurity posture requires vision and support from business leaders and often builds out of the natural relationship that runs between cybersecurity and technology. We discuss the topic in our recent article on Business.com. We’ve included an introduction and summary below, but be sure to read the full article here.

Defendify’s co-founder Rob Simopoulos spoke on cybersecurity awareness at KMA Human Resources Consulting’s Breakfast Brief series on January 15th in Falmouth, Maine. KMA’s Breakfast Briefs bring together employers, subject matter experts, and HR professionals throughout the year to learn and share information on a variety of HR-related topics.

You may recall the old Benjamin Franklin axiom, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”  Well, it’s true, for you and for your computer. As flu season is upon us, we remind you to protect your business from getting a “bad cold” by paying extra attention to its immune system.

We all know the drill by now: the beginning of the year is a fresh start, and the perfect time to set a goal. 40% of Americans make a New Year’s resolution each year, and whether that’s sticking to a budget, finding a new hobby, or getting more exercise, they don’t waste a minute making that goal a reality.This time of year, the gyms are packed – but don’t let that discourage you! You can increase your cyber-strength from the comfort of your desk chair.

By this time of year, Santa has nearly wrapped up his list, but have you started yours? We’re all busy and no stranger to lists when it comes to getting things done efficiently and completely. You probably have a list for your gifting, a grocery list for the big family meal, and even a to-do list of critical tasks to finish at the office before you head home for the holidays. This year, consider adding just one more list to your arsenal: A cybersecurity checklist is one quick way to see if your company’s cybersecurity program is naughty or nice.

Our article on how to identify and avoid holiday phishing attacks at work was recently published on Business.com. We have included a summary and introduction in our post, but don’t miss the full article here.

Let it…glow? We live in a connected world, and it’s especially apparent through the holidays with so many internet-connected (IoT) children’s toys lining the shelves. We recently discussed prioritizing security with IoT devices in your home and office, and toys are no exception.As with any internet-connected devices, it’s important to keep in mind things aren’t always manufactured with top line security.

Cyber Monday did not disappoint this year: Americans spent a record-breaking $6.59 billion online, up 16.8% from last year.With the pressure on to snap up those deals before the end of the day, some are tempted to take a quick peek at their personal inbox or favorite shopping sites while at work. Seems harmless, but what we don’t always consider are the cybersecurity risks involved when employees use work computers for personal activities.

Your Thanksgiving table is set: turkey, stuffing, and all the fixings.  After many years of experience, you know to expect the unexpected and are as prepared as can be.In business, we set the table for strong cybersecurity by having multiple layers of ongoing defense. But what we don’t always plan for is the end-of-day cleanup: in the unfortunate case of a breach or incident, how does the company respond?

Defendify announces its participation in the upcoming ISC East Show on November 14-15, 2018. Held at the Javits Center in New York City, the International Security Conference & Exposition is the largest security convention held annually in the Northeast U.S.

Using a personal phone, computer, tablet for work is called Bring Your Own Device (BYOD). Most of us are no stranger to the concept, in fact, 64% of all employees report using a personal smartphone for work.Companies allow personal devices because it’s convenient for the employee and, on the surface, seems to save money. But BYOD can be BYODangerous, so it’s important to closely consider the potential hazards.

We were recently published on Business.com, discussing how cybersecurity isn’t one person’s responsibility. Everyone in the organization is a cyberdefender and needs to be on board to build a genuine culture of cybersecurity. We’ve included a summary and introduction below, but you can check out the full article on Business.com.

This week’s National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) theme is “Securing Our Nation’s Critical Infrastructure.” The 16 critical infrastructure sectors are designated by the Department of Homeland Security as crucial to the nation’s safety, security, and wellbeing.Cyberattacks to critical infrastructure are often very large in scale, could pose physical safety concerns, and may have catastrophic consequences.

Anyone can be a target of a cyberattack that can affect the whole organization. The good news is, we can all be cyber-defenders, taking responsibility for cybersecurity by being cyber-aware and following our organization’s guidelines.In addition to overarching cybersecurity responsibility, all departments face different challenges and threats. And each has unique opportunities to protect their organization.

October is National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM), and this week’s theme is “Millions of Rewarding Jobs: Educating for a Career in Cybersecurity.” Cybersecurity is an exciting and booming field currently experiencing a talent shortage. It’s estimated that by 2021, there will be 3.5 million cybersecurity job openings, and in a field maintaining a 0% unemployment rate, the reality is that cybersecurity jobs aren’t all hyper-technical. This NCSAM, we wanted to inspire some thinking around careers through the lens of multiple layers of defense: Foundation, Culture, and Technology.

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the network of physical products and devices that connect to the Internet. Common household IoT devices include Internet-connected thermostats, alarm systems, and televisions, and even kitchen appliances. By 2020, there will be over 30 million IoT devices worldwide.There is no doubt about it, “smart” devices have become a part of everyday life. But the thing we have to remember is: If it connects to the Internet, it has the potential to be hacked.

This October is a big month in the cybersecurity world – it’s the 15th annual National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, led by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the Department of Homeland Security. National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) was created as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure every American has the resources they need to stay safer and more secure online.Defendify is proud to be a NCSAM Champion again this year, and to promote cybersecurity awareness in October and every month.

The Defendify team loves to make a difference, and one way we do so is volunteering as a group. We recently took some time out of our workday to pitch in at the Preble Street Resource Center soup kitchen. The Resource Center is located right around the corner from the Defendify office, making the volunteer experience that much more meaningful.

We were recently published on Business.com, discussing the importance of cybersecurity for Small Business and how to prioritize it organizationally. We’ve included a summary and introduction below, but you can check out the full article on Business.com.

School season is in full swing and the kids are back to learning. With all that hard work, they’re getting pretty smart, but they’re not the only ones. The rise of machine learning means computers are also honing their skills, especially when it comes to cybersecurity.Artificial Intelligence (AI) in cybersecurity can be complicated, but it’s also a valuable resource in many areas, from detecting intruders to preventing attacks. While AI may seem overwhelming for Small Business, there’s actually a fairly simple way to make use of it as a part of your cybersecurity arsenal in the form of Next-Generation Antivirus software.

It’s September and many students are starting fall internships while recent graduates are diving into great new jobs. Young professionals are on the scene! Millennials recently became the largest generation in the U.S. labor market, and Generation Z is just beginning to intern and graduate college. Young professionals may understand basic cybersecurity concepts simply from growing up surrounded by technology. But cybersecurity extends far beyond technology and becomes even more mission-critical when applied to the workplace—especially for those coming in for the first time.

Many historic New England towns once featured a profitable commercial whaling industry. Fortunately, that has been banned in most parts of the world, replaced by whale watching trips popular with tourists and locals alike.The humpbacks might be off the hook, but there is a new kind of “whaling” on the scene. It’s a subset of phishing aimed at a high-level targets such as small business owners and executives. And it’s only building in popularity – whaling attacks increased an estimated by 200% in 2017.

Defendify has announced that they have become a Champion of National Cybersecurity Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2018. They will be joining a growing global effort among businesses, government agencies, colleges and universities, associations, nonprofit organizations and individuals to promote the awareness of online safety and privacy.

It’s hot out there and the sun, sand, and salt water are calling our names. Summer is a great time to relax, so cybersecurity might not be top of mind. But, believe it or not, a safe and successful day at the beach happens to have a lot in common with a safe and successful cybersecurity posture. Check out these three tips for keeping summertime beach season, not breach season.

Cybersecurity can seem complicated and expensive, especially for Small Business. It leaves most owners and managers wondering where they stand against the growing attacks they read about daily and not knowing how they can protect themselves.Defendify changes all that. The new, web-based platform—a SaaS model—is designed and built exclusively for companies with 500 or fewer employees. It’s an all-in-one solution that’s easy to implement and affordable yet comprehensive, powerful, and scalable.

After hearing about Defendify’s mission to make cybersecurity possible for Small Business and the company’s rapid startup growth, Program Instructor Chris Dube eagerly invited Co-Founders Andrew Rinaldi and Rob Simopoulos to tell their story to 53 aspiring international entrepreneurs at this year’s ‘TrepCamp Boston.Andrew and Rob were quick to accept, welcoming opportunities to give back and help other entrepreneurs by sharing the trials and tribulations of their own journey.

It’s the end of a long workday – time to head home! Pack up your things, kill the lights, and latch the front door with Velcro. Sounds ridiculous, right?We go to great lengths to prevent physical break-ins, but unfortunately, many passwords used today are about as secure as that Velcro. Understand your enemy and learn tips to create secure passphrases.

Ransomware is really a new take on an old crime. Ransomware is a type of malicious software that hackers install to encrypt your data and files, rendering systems unusable until you pay the ransom demand.Believe it or not, demands aren’t always egregious. Paying the ransom is only a fraction of the true cost. Hidden costs are what really hurt, like downtime and brand damage.

They’re computer whizzes, trusted advisors, and downright magicians all at once. IT professionals are the unsung heroes that keep the company engine running. But just like the rest of us, they’re only human. Can we really expect them to take on all aspects of cybersecurity too?

We hope you had a wonderful 4th of July! Fireworks were booming, grills were blazing, and cameras were popping.Social media is a fun and convenient way to show off your photos and connect with others, something many of us do personally and professionally. But we’re a little more hesitant today than we were last Independence Day, and starting to wonder what Privacy is and whether or not it exists anymore.

On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed and the United States of America was born. We celebrate with fireworks and a good ole all-American barbeque. It’s the land of the free and the home of the brave. Let’s keep it that way! Like the generations before us, it’s incumbent upon us all to be vigilant freedom fighters.

Startup Maine supports local entrepreneurs and provides resources to foster new ideas, showcasing that it’s possible to live and work in Maine. The Defendify team attended the Startup Maine Conference held June 21-23, and had the opportunity to participate in a number of workshops and lectures!

At Defendify, we pride ourselves on having a positive impact on our local community. We recently volunteered with Portland Trails and spent the day outside, repairing a trail right in our backyard.

We wanted to take a moment to share some very exciting news!Over the last year, our amazing team of cyber superheroes has been hard at work behind the scenes developing a new product called Defendify: The first all-in-one cybersecurity platform specifically built for Small Business.

We were published in the most recent issue of Security Dealer & Integrator magazine and featured on SecurityInfoWatch. The article, titled “Cybersecurity from the Top,” focuses on effectively creating a cybersecurity and safety culture as a business leader.We’ve included the first few paragraphs of article below. You can read the full version by visiting the SecurityInfoWatch website and flipbook.

Starting a business is rewarding, but it’s far from easy. You’re being pulled in a lot of directions, under pressure, moving fast, and probably tight on cash. Cybersecurity probably isn’t what comes to mind as a first order of business—or budget. But it should be, and here are a few reasons why.

It’s that time of the year again where we hunker down and fill out those tax returns, then hope for a nice refund check! But before you start dreaming of buying that new TV or trying out that hot new restaurant, keep in mind tax season means hunting season for cybercriminals.

We were recently published in Security Dealer & Integrator magazine and featured online on the industry leading website, SecurityInfoWatch. The article, titled “A KRACK in the Wireless Armor” was published in Vol. 40, No. 2, the February 2018 issue.We’ve included the first few paragraphs of article below. You can read the full version by visiting the SecurityInfoWatch website and flipbook.

Each day, millions of people court the internet looking for more than the latest fashions, high-tech gadgets or home supplies. Instead, they are looking for love! But it can be hard to decide how much to share on an online dating site while attempting to keep privacy and security in mind.

Welcome to 2018! We have to wonder what this year will bring after an eventful cyber scene in 2017. Looking back for a moment, it was certainly a year of emergence. As we forge our way into 2018, we wanted to share insights on a handful of important topics we thought worthy of keeping in mind for the year ahead.

The gifting season is upon us and the growth of online shopping continues to explode in 2017. It should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyways: Keeping yourself and your organization safe during the holidays is extremely important. Here are some things to think about and tips from our team we hope help.

We mostly think about cyberattacks as coming from an external source—someone or something outside the organization and, well, often outside the country. But there is something else much closer to home we really need think about. It lurks and waits, using business data every day, and it may even be sipping a latte in your conference room right now. It’s called the Insider Threat.

It’s true, we all have a sensitive side. Especially when we’re talking about data. Believe us when we say, every organization has sensitive data. Whether you operate a manufacturing business, law firm, dental practice, or hair salon, you have confidential information hackers would love to get their hands on. What exactly is “sensitive” data?

Wi-Fi is everywhere—we can barely function at work, home or on the go without it. We live in a connected world and we ♥ wireless. Devices often connect wirelessly through WPA2, it’s just about everywhere. Bad news, we just found out WPA2 has a great big hole in it.

Not everyone knows, but October is officially National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM). NCSAM is observed every October and led by the National Cyber Security Alliance and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. It was created in 2004 as a collaborative effort between government and industry to ensure everyone has the information they need to stay safer and protect their personal information online.

It’s that time of year again, school’s back in session. For many, that means putting down the fishing rod and picking up the books. However, not for cybercriminals whose phishing season never ends.In a recent example, Macleans reported MacEwan University got “duped out of $11.8 million” in an apparent spear phishing incident. It’s more proof that hackers don’t discriminate, like jumping in at an opportune time for a busy school system readying for the new academic year.

First, it was HBO and now it’s Time Warner Cable. These are just a couple of household names we’ve seen in the news lately experiencing issues with data leaks and breaches. We’re talking about industry titans with droves of I.T. personnel and high-grade security measures in place. How in the world are these kinds of companies exposing data?

It’s not uncommon to receive seemingly random (and harmless) Linkedin connection requests from people you don’t know. Maybe it’s from someone in the same industry or with a similar personal interest. Or even someone completely unrelated but with an irresistible smile, just wanting to “network.” So how do you know that person is real and if you should make that connection?

The past couple of weeks have been busy for the cybersecurity industry. Many professionals converged on Las Vegas to attend Defcon—one of the biggest hacker conventions on the planet. There is no registration, as many attendees want to stay incognito. Those attending know it can be a dangerous place. So why is there a legal event where hackers get together and are invited to do bad things? Well, it’s actually just the opposite.

A lot of people ask us if Apple devices are immune to hackers. Unfortunately not—all apples can spoil, including Apple iPhone’s, iPads, and Macs. We’ll give credit where credit is due, Apple has invested a great deal in security and their track record shows it. However, it’s not perfect and we’re seeing more and more instances creep up.

One of the holy grails for business leaders is being recognized as running a company with an amazing culture. When team members become raging fans, it drives productivity, creativity, and an energy that is seemingly unstoppable. Employees not only become promoters of the brand but defenders of the enterprise. Culture is a very powerful thing and one of the most important aspects of cybersecurity.

We live in a world of statistics. Everywhere we look, there is a new stat on consumer products or investments or sports. It’s as though we just can’t get enough. But all that data is both interesting and useful to us. Whether to purchase a certain type of car or when to buy an airline ticket, stats help us make educated decisions on things every day. The same certainly holds true in the world of cybersecurity.

Our love of the coffee bean has us frequenting coffee shops more and more regularly (for a growing number of us, too regularly!). And it’s amazing to see how many people have now made the coffee shop their office. Unfortunately, connecting to public WiFi (e.g. at coffee shops, hotels, etc.) can put you at serious risk. Let’s put this in perspective. When you order your coffee, they give you a separate cup. Why?

It comes with real pleasure to announce Launch Security is now a partner of STOP. THINK. CONNECT., the global cybersecurity awareness campaign, to help all digital citizens stay safer and more secure online. Kind of like our forefathers, we’re on a mission. Both as an organization and in the community, now through STOP. THINK. CONNECT.

Last week we shared the recent SD&I cover story about a potential ransomware attack on a security system. This brought on a number of questions about the safety of using security cameras in businesses and homes. One we often hear is, “Can hackers watch me through my cameras?” We always reply with, “Maybe, that’s why you should always be smiling!” We say that half-jokingly because the reality is, it’s certainly possible. More often though, hackers aren’t looking at you, they’re looking at your information.

Exciting news…we were recently featured as the cover story in Security Dealer & Integrator magazine, also featured online on the industry leading website, SecurityInfoWatch. The article, titled “Ransomware: The Risk is Real,” was published in the June edition (Vol. 39, No. 6).

This Monday I awoke at 3am with excruciating stomach pain. My wife made dinner the night before, so crying food poison wasn’t an option. I hoped it would just go away, but 5 hours later I found myself in the cozy comforts of the ER where I learned my gallbladder needed to be removed—emergency surgery! In the end, something I was using every day, that I didn’t really need, ended up causing me tremendous pain. Similar to using a USB thumb drive.

Cringe…the reality is our mobile phones are becoming the epicenter of our waking lives. Take a look around the next restaurant you visit. You’ll likely find a family sitting at the table, not talking to each other, but staring lovingly into their phones. Seems strange to me, but hey, that’s the world we live in! Have you ever thought about how much sensitive data is on a mobile device?

Exciting news…we were recently interviewed and the subject of a cybersecurity business article by Paul Ragusa from Security System News. The article, titled “Launch Security looks for cybersecurity to take off,” was published on Wednesday, May 31, 2017. Thanks, Paul!

IT. You can’t live without them. They’re there when your darn email stops working or your laptop won’t work like it’s supposed to. They stand up antivirus and firewalls for security. They’re great to have on your side. But, just like the rest of us, they’re being torn in so many directions. And they know that checking their own work takes time, and more importantly, just isn’t good security practice.

We recently met with a local company here near Portland, ME who was suspicious their email had been exploited. The finance manager had received an email from the President requesting a wire transfer to be made in order to pay an invoice, totaling upwards of $20,000. While the timing was a little unexpected, the request wasn’t far from business as usual. The email looked real to her and, at first glance, it was very difficult to identify that it was not from him.

The Launch Team attended SecureWorld.  The show was quite packed with the top cybersecurity professionals from all over. The repeating trend was that ransomware is on the rise. 

We are getting ready for the big trip to Las Vegas to attend the ISC West Show.  As usual, we will be getting plenty of education so that we can come back and update our customers.