The Evolution of Information Technology
Thank You, Ken Shaurette, for 13 Years at FIPCO!
By Hannah Flanders
On December 31, 2021 Ken Shaurette retired from FIPCO’s Information Security and Audit Services after 13 years with the company. Shaurette launched his IT career in 1976 after completing his associates degree in data processing. Over the past two decades, he has also garnered a collection of training courses through venders and trade schools as well as certifications by the National Security Agency (NSA) in Information Assessment Methodology. In 2008, Shaurette was hired at FIPCO to build the Information Security and Audit Service from the ground up as its director.
Shaurette shared reflections on how the industry has changed over his decades of experience. When his career began, data was stored centrally in large computer data centers. Slowly, the industry began to give more processing power and ability to manipulate data to users and as the data became increasingly decentralized, security professionals had to establish improved policies and information security programs that addressed data no longer being stored in a big computer center, but out at the desktops anywhere in the company.
As data collection and storage abilities improved, not only did it become more difficult for all the information to be properly secured, it became increasingly important. Regulations have been created today in order to meet the expectation that customer data is equally protected no matter the size of the bank. “Information security [must continue to be] part of our individual and our companies DNA” says Shaurette. “Without security controls, your business can’t grow quickly.”
Shaurette’s perspective has allowed him to help banks throughout Wisconsin protect themselves against serious attacks that could in turn affect growth, reliability, and profits. Shaurette notes that “when it comes to information security 80% is the same regardless of [the] industry when securing the data, 15% is unique to the [banking] industry, and probably 5% is the social atmosphere of [each bank].”
“Over the course of the years, his expertise and service have been greatly appreciated and well-respected by our customers and members,” says Pam Kelly, president of FIPCO. “His passion and unfailing dedication to information security and our members has helped hundreds of bankers keep critical data secure, avoid attackers, and meet the needs of their own communities. Thank you, Ken, for 13 years!”
In his retirement, Shaurette looks forward to spending time with his grandchildren, volunteering, and — he jokes — not writing audit reports. However, he leaves FIPCO customers with one last message in appreciation over that last 13 years, “I may be boating off into the sunset, but the sunrise of a new generation is transitioning behind me, and you will be left in very good hands with Rob Foxx. I’ll be waiting for you to show up for an information security peer group meeting or networking round table on the pontoon boat someday soon. Those that know me, the refreshments are always ready.”
