Kofi’s Korner April 2026

Rising technology costs, evolving cyber threats, and increasingly complex IT environments are forcing organizations to rethink how they plan, protect, and scale their infrastructure. In this edition of Kofi’s Korner, we explore what’s driving today’s unpredictable pricing landscape, how a layered security approach strengthens resilience, and why solutions like SecurShield IDS/IPS are critical in a firewall-first world. Discover practical insights and strategies to help your organization stay secure, compliant, and ahead of what’s next.

Kofi Kankam

April 13, 2026
1:17 pm

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Kofi’s Korner April 2026

Rising Technology Costs: What You Need to Know

Technology costs continue to climb, driven by supply chain pressures, increased demand for AI and data processing, and ongoing vendor price adjustments. As a result, pricing has become less predictable, and quote timelines are shortening, making it more challenging for organizations to plan and budget effectively.

To stay ahead, organizations should take a proactive approach to IT planning, aligning technology investments with business goals, accounting for potential cost fluctuations, and working with trusted partners to navigate changing market conditions.

See the following DataComm post describing the reason for the increasing costs and the real-world impact on business, ways that organizations can respond, and how DataComm Network can help you manage and plan for success, in the face of these ongoing challenges

Our Managed Service Approach to Protecting Your Data Protection

DataComm Networks Incorporated implements a multi-layered security architecture designed to protect against malware, ransomware, phishing, unauthorized access, and data exfiltration. This approach integrates endpoint protection, email security, web filtering, backup and recovery, and continuous monitoring to provide comprehensive coverage across the environment.

Endpoint Protection

Endpoints are secured using Sophos Central with Sophos Intercept X, a cloud-based endpoint protection solution that delivers anti-malware, anti-ransomware, exploit prevention, and real-time threat detection and response capabilities.

Email Security

Since email remains the primary attack vector, DatComm leverage Zix Secure Cloud to secure customer email. The solution enforces spam filtering, malware inspection, URL rewriting with time-of-click analysis, and additional anti-phishing controls prior to message delivery by routing all email traffic through Zix Secure Cloud, (which includes ZixProtect capabilities).

Web and Browser Security

Web access is protected through endpoint-based protection and DNS/web filtering utilizing our SecurFirewall Managed Service. These controls block access to malicious or high-risk domains, prevent drive-by downloads, and reduce exposure to browser-based exploits and routine firewall security reviews are performed to ensure the firewall security rules are enforced at the recommended standards.

Backup and Recovery

Critical systems and data are protected by the SecurBackup solutions that utilize Datto Backup provided by DataComm. Backups are securely stored and regularly tested to ensure recoverability in the event of ransomware, data corruption, or accidental deletion.

Monitoring and Incident Response

DataComm provides continuous 24/7 monitoring and incident response via SecurShield/SecurCentral services. This includes real-time alerting, threat investigation, and containment actions to detect and respond to unauthorized activity while maintaining overall security posture.

This layered control framework aligns with industry’s best practices and supports audit and compliance requirements while reducing overall organizational risk.

How Can DataComm Help?

DataComm Sales Department can provide more information on Email Security solutions, SecurShield, SecurFirewall and SecurBackup services and can answer any questions that you may have. Please reach out via DataComm Support @ 877.544.3655 or email helpdesk@datacomm.com.

SecurShield IDS/IPS: Extending Protection Beyond the Firewall

As organizations adopt hybrid and cloud-connected environments, firewall-based security alone often lacks the depth and visibility needed to detect and respond to advanced threats.

This overview of DataComm’s SecurShield IDS/IPS explains how a dedicated intrusion detection and prevention layer enhances traffic inspection, improves visibility across network activity, and strengthens overall threat detection beyond built-in firewall capabilities.

Read the full article to learn how SecurShield IDS/IPS supports a more layered and proactive security strategy.

How Can DataComm Help?

DataComm Sales Department can provide more information on our SecurShield/SecurCentral service and can answer any questions that you may have. Please reach out via DataComm Support @ 877.544.3655 or email helpdesk@datacomm.com.

Cybersecurity Assessment Tool Replacement Alternative

With the FFIEC CAT sunset last August, many of our clients are evaluating what to use next.

Most replacement options focus primarily on control frameworks and require institutions to rebuild their inherent risk profile from scratch. Additionally, solutions like the CRI Profile or CISA CPG spreadsheets are not comprehensive and are tedious to use.

If you are on a search for alternatives, DataComm would be happy to connect you with our partner, Finosec. Their Cybersecurity Assessment Tool (CAT) platform was built specifically to replace the FFIEC version while preserving the inherent risk methodology your team and board are already familiar with. Finosec’s cloud-based platform is designed to make the transition from your FFIEC CAT smooth and practical.

What makes it different:

Preserves the inherent risk profile approach used in the FFIEC CAT
Automatically imports prior CAT data
Maintains similar reporting and executive summaries your board expects
Enhances inherent risk questions to address modern banking risks (AI, APIs, real-time payments, etc.)
Includes support (no more going at it alone)
Uses a cloud platform (not a clunky excel spreadsheet)
Minimal onboarding cost and competitive annual/monthly pricing
Endorsed by ICBA

How Can DataComm Help?

DataComm Sales Department can answer any questions that you may have and provide you with a contact at Finosec for a brief 30-minute overview/demo. Please reach out via DataComm Support @ 877.544.3655 or email helpdesk@datacomm.com.

Security Team Engineer Spotlight

Meet the Team Behind the Shield

Darren Staeblor

Senior Software Engineer

Darren has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, including 19 years at DataComm, where he has played a key role in supporting the SecurShield/SecurCentral service. As a Senior Software Engineer, he focuses on designing, developing, and delivering innovative security solutions that help organizations improve visibility, resilience, and overall protection. With a strong foundation in cybersecurity and software engineering, he brings end-to-end experience in protecting and advancing client environments.

He began his career in incident response through SecurShield, later expanding into firewall engineering, network security, and penetration testing. In his role as a Senior Security Engineer, he led key security services, managed critical infrastructure, and developed internal tools to strengthen threat detection and response.

After transitioning into software engineering, he played a central role in building and enhancing security platforms like SecurCentral.

Outside of work, Darren enjoys spending time with his fiancé and son. He also enjoys watching movies, gaming, and attending outdoor events. Although the Tampa Bay area does not offer much cold weather or mountainous scenery, he particularly enjoys experiencing those environments when he can travel.

Jason Anderson

Senior Systems Engineer

Jason has over 25 years of experience in the IT industry, including more than 15 years with DataComm, where he plays a key role in supporting and evolving our SecurShield/SecurCentral services.

At DataComm, Jason began with a primary focus on telephony systems and has grown into a Senior Systems Engineer specializing in security administration, development, and testing. His role has evolved alongside the industry, expanding from traditional voice telephony systems into IP networking, NOC operations, and advanced security monitoring.

Jason is known for his practical, problem-solving approach and deep technical knowledge. Customers can count on him to not only support complex systems but also to continuously improve and adapt solutions to meet evolving security needs.

Originally from Ventura, California, Jason relocated to the Tampa Bay area and continues to bring a strong West Coast foundation of innovation and hands-on engineering expertise to his work. He enjoys spending time with his wife, Marvet—a Project Manager here at DataComm—and their three children.

Outside of work, Jason enjoys cycling, watching movies and television, and building custom tech projects—often for the challenge of making them work as much as for the finished product.

Derek Stewart

Network Security Engineer

Derek has 8 years of experience in the IT industry, those 8 years being here at DataComm working with the Security Team in various roles such as network traffic monitoring for our SecurShield customers and supporting customer network firewalls. Over the years, he has gained technical certifications in the IT industry, including various firewall vendors, and now plays a key role in both SecurShield/SecurCentral sensor and Log detector deployment and migrations, as well as WatchGuard and Fortinet firewall support. He has experience with Tenable Nessus Vulnerability assessment scanning, and within the last year or so began working with rolling out the new Tenable Vulnerability Management cloud platform product.

Derek has a background in Finance and Compliance but decided to change careers and join our security team. In his spare time, Derek enjoys fishing, cooking, spending time with my family, working on his aquariums.

Josh Arnold

Information Security Manager

Josh has 25 years of experience in the IT industry, including 24 years working here at DataComm and playing a key role in supporting our SecurShield/SecurCentral service. He currently serves as DataComm’s Information Security Manager, where he continues to oversee SecurCentral along with the broader information security initiatives.

He began his career with the DataComm in 2001, assembling cable products in the manufacturing department. In 2004, he transitioned into the security space, becoming one of the first team members to work with the newly launched IDS/IPS SecurShield platform. He has been instrumental in evolving SecurShield into the SecurCentral SIEM service.

Find DataComm Across the U.S in 2026 & 2027

Want to connect with DataComm in person? We’re hitting the road and showing up where it matters most—at leading banking, technology, and security conferences across the country. Whether you’re looking to explore new solutions, strengthen your compliance posture, or simply meet the team behind your trusted services, these events are the perfect opportunity.

You can always stay up to date with our latest appearances by visiting our events page, where we regularly post upcoming conferences, speaking engagements, and industry gatherings. As we continue expanding our presence, new events are added throughout the year—so be sure to check back often.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to announce upcoming participation in key 2027 conferences, including the Georgia Bankers Operations & Technology Conference in Savannah, GA , and ICBA LIVE in Las Vegas, NV. These events bring together industry leaders, innovators, and decision-makers—and DataComm will be right there in the mix.

Come find us, connect with our experts, and discover how DataComm is helping organizations stay secure, compliant, and ahead of the curve.

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