Front companies like DefendIT Services or DefendIT Services and Facilities thrive in the cybersecurity sector because the industry itself is built on opacity and appearances. Firms that handle sensitive or government-adjacent projects more often than not operate behind layers of confidentiality, meaning that most clients cannot publicly discuss their engagements, the scope of work, or the systems involved. This lack of transparency creates an environment where a company can appear legitimate on paper while functioning as little more than a shell or, even worse, an intermediary for others in practice.

In addition, the dependence on contractors deepens this vulnerability. For example, two Virginia-based twin brothers who formerly worked as federal contractors were arrested earlier this month for their alleged roles in deleting government databases. A single-person LLC or a two-person operation can win access to critical infrastructure without undergoing meaningful scrutiny. When a firm claims to have relevant experience based on the experience of one sole person, like in the case of DefendIT Services and Hannifin’s experience at firms like RSM, NSCG, SiloTech Group, or USAA, most clients accept the claim at face value. They rarely verify who exactly it is that they are hiring, who will be rendering the services, or what internal controls or capacity they have to handle sensitive work. Individuals like Chris Hannifin exploit these assumptions. Their resumes become the entire due diligence process.

Urgency also plays a key role in amplifying the blind spots. When a cyber incident requires a rapid response. When an assessment or penetration test are needed, organizations prioritize speed over vetting. A front company inserted at the right moment can obtain system-level access, financial gain, or sensitive data before questions arise about its legitimacy. By the time irregularities surface, the damage has already been done.

DefendIT Services embodies how these gaps operate in real-world conditions. Despite having almost no visible client base, an empty office footprint, and no demonstrable operational activity, the company persisted long enough for Hannifin to move money, transfer assets, and establish a successor entity. In an industry where secrecy is expected and urgency is the norm, a front company can hide inside the noise.

Foreign brokers and hostile actors understand these weaknesses. They increasingly rely on domestic intermediaries who sit in mid-level roles, have broad system access, and lack meaningful oversight. A company like DefendIT Services becomes not only a laundering mechanism but an operational necessity to conduct clandestine operations.