August 20, 2026 · More Stories
MAD Security Finds New Ways to Better Serve Defense Contractors
The Defense Industrial Base is made up of thousands of companies that provide manufacturing, engineering, technology and countless other specialized capabilities in support of our nation’s defense. Yet many of these organizations lack the cybersecurity and compliance expertise needed to meet increasingly complex federal requirements.
“Defense contractors are not cybersecurity experts; they’re not compliance experts, and they shouldn’t have to be,” said Jeremy Conway, CEO of MAD Security.
That’s where Conway’s company, MAD Security, comes into the conversation. MAD Security provides managed cybersecurity operations, compliance and advisory services designed specifically for the Defense Industrial Base. The company helps defense contractors protect sensitive information while navigating complex federal cybersecurity requirements, allowing them to stay focused on supporting the national defense mission.
“We built MAD Security to protect the companies that support our nation’s defense because it’s a mission we believe in,” said Conway.
Location has also played an important role in the company’s success. Headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama, MAD Security is near Redstone Arsenal and countless companies serving the defense sector. In addition, the city recently welcomed an FBI research and development center and is preparing to become the home of U.S. Space Command. For Conway, Huntsville isn’t just a city with potential clients – it’s a place where real relationships form and knowledge is shared.
“What makes Huntsville special isn’t just the number of defense companies here. It’s the relationships, collaboration and shared understanding of the mission,” said Conway. “Being part of that community has been invaluable to our growth and culture.”
As MAD Security refined its business model over the past seven years, the company decided to step away from retail offerings and focus exclusively on serving the Defense Industrial Base. That evolving focus prompted Conway and his team to commit to a 24×7 Security Operations Center, ensuring clients had access to cybersecurity experts around the clock. For Conway, the vision was about more than adding square footage. It was about creating an environment that fosters collaboration, innovation and a culture of excellence.
“We wanted to build a 24×7 Security Operations Center where our analysts sit together – almost like a command center,” said Conway. “We envisioned a high-tech LED video wall at the front of the SOC that gives our analysts real-time visibility, creating an environment built for collaboration, faster decision-making and better outcomes for our customers.”
Executing that vision required more than strategy and determination. It required access to capital. So, they went to ServisFirst Bank to explore their options. Through that meeting, they learned about Innovate Alabama’s credit initiative, LendAL, which partners with private lenders to extend credit to small businesses and entrepreneurs, ultimately fostering growth, innovation and job creation.
After connecting with the program, MAD Security secured the capital needed to relocate into a larger headquarters, build a state-of-the-art 24×7 Security Operations Center, expand its service offerings, and invest in artificial intelligence that enhances analyst productivity. Those investments expanded MAD Security’s ability to protect more defense contractors, strengthen the Defense Industrial Base, and create additional high-skilled cybersecurity jobs in Alabama.
And, for Conway and his team, better serving the sector is bigger than the company’s bottom line. It’s driven by a deeper connection to and appreciation for the field.
“I’m a veteran, and many of our team members are, too. We’re very patriotic,” said Conway. “Knowing our work helps protect the companies that support our nation’s defense gives purpose to what we do every day.”
Today, MAD Security’s expanded headquarters and state-of-the-art Security Operations Center demonstrate how strategic investment can help Alabama companies innovate, grow, create jobs and strengthen industries that are critical to our nation’s defense.
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