Mirrored Defense: Accessible Cybersecurity for State and Local Governments & SMBs
Cybersecurity threats constantly evolve, and many organizations struggle to keep up. Evan Francen and Seth Bowling founded Mirrored Defense, a subsidiary of FR Secure, to deliver accessible, effective cybersecurity solutions for state and local governments (SLEDs) and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). These organizations face limited budgets and small IT teams, yet they deserve the same high level of protection as larger enterprises—without the high costs or complexity.
Mirrored Defense specializes in attack surface management (ASM), combining advanced technology with a community-focused approach. We aim to give smaller entities the visibility and tools they need to secure their systems, leveling the playing field and empowering them to protect their assets effectively.
Whether you’re managing IT for a rural county or overseeing network security for a small business, our goal is to help you understand, secure, and take control of your network.
The Origin Story
A project called ‘Broken Mirror’ sparked the idea for Mirrored Defense. When Evan realized that no one was systematically assessing the attack surface of U.S. state and local governments, he felt compelled to take action. Through Project Broken Mirror, he conducted a nationwide assessment of the attack surface of every county government, aiming to identify vulnerabilities and provide a comprehensive view of cybersecurity in the public sector.
Our view of our own attack surface is fragmented, incomplete, or distorted—much like looking into a broken mirror.
The findings from Project Broken Mirror revealed a wide range of security issues across public entities, highlighting just how exposed many of these organizations were. The critical insight that emerged was simple: attackers already know your vulnerabilities—it’s time you do, too. This realization became the driving force behind Mirrored Defense, empowering state and local governments as well as SMBs to understand their risks and take action to secure their environments.
Project Broken Mirror revealed vulnerabilities and demonstrated the need for an affordable, easy-to-use solution that could help smaller entities take charge of their security. This project laid the foundation for Mirrored Defense, ultimately creating a community-focused cyber defense initiative that equips organizations with the tools to protect themselves effectively.
The Challenges
SLEDs, along with SMBs, face unique challenges when it comes to cybersecurity. Limited funding, scarce IT resources, and bureaucratic hurdles often prevent these organizations from implementing effective security measures. Unlike large enterprises with dedicated security teams and generous budgets, smaller public entities and businesses must do more with less.
These challenges leave them vulnerable to attacks, as many of these organizations lack the resources to stay ahead of emerging threats. The complexity of traditional frameworks, such as the NIST Cybersecurity Framework, can also be overwhelming for these smaller teams, making it difficult to know where to start and how to prioritize their efforts.
There is a clear gap in the market for solutions that are simple, affordable, and tailored to the specific needs of these organizations. Mirrored Defense aims to fill this gap by providing attack surface management tools that are easy to use, cost-effective, and designed specifically for SLEDs and SMBs. By addressing their unique challenges, Mirrored Defense helps these organizations build a more robust security posture without requiring extensive resources or expertise.
The Product and Its Impact
Mirrored Defense offers advanced attack surface management (ASM) cloud software for quick deployment and ease of use. Our software conducts comprehensive surface area analysis to pinpoint vulnerabilities and provide actionable insights that help organizations secure digital assets.
The ASM solution offers rapid visibility into the attack surface, allowing organizations to understand where they are most vulnerable quickly. By identifying internet assets that could be compromised, the software guides users through prioritizing remediation steps, offering clear instructions that even teams with limited cybersecurity expertise can follow.
A key feature of Mirrored Defense’s product is a free initial scan, allowing organizations to see their risks firsthand without any upfront cost. Our benchmarking capabilities also let organizations compare their security posture with regional peers, promoting community progress and shared responsibility.
Mirrored Defense empowers SLEDs and SMBs with the tools and knowledge to protect their attack surface effectively. We provide visibility and practical remediation guidance, equipping these organizations to face the evolving cybersecurity landscape confidently.
Why Mirrored Defense is Different
Mirrored Defense sets itself apart from traditional security providers by focusing on simplicity, affordability, and accessibility. We design our product specifically for state and local governments and SMBs’ unique needs rather than for large enterprises, as with many other cybersecurity solutions. We understand that smaller organizations face unique challenges—tight budgets, lean teams, and bureaucratic hurdles—so we craft solutions to meet these needs.
Many cybersecurity vendors prioritize profit, often creating products out of reach for smaller entities. Mirrored Defense, on the other hand, prioritizes community impact over profit. Our founders are committed to removing the barriers that prevent smaller organizations from achieving strong cybersecurity. By offering affordable tools and emphasizing community-driven defense, we’re making high-quality cybersecurity accessible to everyone.
Additionally, our community-focused approach means we’re not just providing software but building a support network. Through Project Broken Mirror and our collaborative initiatives, Mirrored Defense encourages knowledge-sharing and collective problem-solving. We’re fostering a community where cybersecurity professionals can come together to protect their local environments, making the entire ecosystem more secure.
Where traditional providers might see smaller entities as a low priority, Mirrored Defense sees an opportunity to make a real difference. We are committed to addressing the needs of those often left behind by the cybersecurity industry, creating practical, effective, and attainable solutions for state and local governments and SMBs.
Next Steps
Are you ready to take the first step toward a more secure future? Join the growing community of organizations dedicated to protecting their attack surfaces and securing their assets. Mirrored Defense provides the tools, support, and knowledge you need to succeed.