From Firewalls to Fail Fests: Lessons in IT Leadership and Security

In this episode of Reboot IT, host Dave Coriale, President of DelCor, sits down with Adam Kuhn, IT Director and DelCor alum, to discuss the evolving role of IT in associations. From foundational infrastructure to advanced cybersecurity strategies, Adam shares lessons learned from both sides of the fence—being an internal influencer and a business partner. The conversation explores how IT leaders can move beyond “keeping the lights on” to proactively shaping organizational maturity, especially in the face of overwhelming system data and increasing security demands.

Summary:

Cybersecurity as a Strategic Investment

• Cybersecurity tools like Arctic Wolf elevate IT maturity beyond basic infrastructure.
• Associations must move from reactive to proactive security strategies.
• Cyber insurance requirements are evolving and often unclear, requiring IT guidance.

IT Maturity: From Core Requirements to Electives

• Adam compares IT infrastructure to college coursework—core requirements vs. electives.
• Core includes cloud migration, Microsoft 365, and basic security tools.
• Electives like threat detection systems represent strategic growth and investment.

Information Overload & the Need for Synthesis

• Devices generate massive amounts of data that are impossible to interpret manually.
• Security operations centers help synthesize logs and alerts across systems.
• IT teams need tools to manage and interpret this data effectively.

IT’s Role in Business Decision-Making

• IT should be a trusted advisor, not a gatekeeper or veto power.
• Excluding IT from technology selection leads to costly integration surprises.
• IT’s involvement ensures better alignment, risk mitigation, and long-term success.

Building Cross-Departmental Partnerships

• IT needs access to systems it doesn’t own to ensure full security coverage.
• Business units must understand their role in cybersecurity and collaborate with IT.
• Partnership is essential—not optional—for organizational safety and resilience.

Influencing Leadership & Budget Decisions

• IT leaders must make cogent cases for investment in security and infrastructure.
• Budget support depends on trust and clear communication with leadership.
• Adam emphasizes gratitude for working in a supportive environment that values IT input.