Innovative Global Technology Group: Pioneering IT Solutions for Drag Racing
In the ever-changing world of drag racing, precision, speed, and security are paramount. Enter Innovative Global Technology Group (IGTG), the creation of Scott Kunau. Founded in 2006, IGTG has become a pioneering force in IT solutions, particularly within the drag racing community.
[Editor’s Note: This story originally appeared in DI #190, the State of Drag Issue, in September/ October of 2024.]
Kunau, known as “the expert’s expert,” is a name synonymous with innovation in IT consulting. Holding certifications in OpenText (Novell), Microsoft, and SUSE, Kunau has been teaching and implementing advanced networking and messaging technologies since 1994. His expertise, combined with a hands-on approach, has made him a sought-after engineer and consultant.
Kunau regularly attends races with his son, Sam, who also works in the business on a part-time basis.
Kunau’s passion for drag racing has driven IGTG to develop specialized IT solutions tailored for racing teams. Since beginning their sponsorship journey in 2019 with a single team for one race, IGTG has significantly expanded its involvement in drag racing. They sponsored two teams for one race in 2020, increased to three races in 2021, and in 2022, supported Krista Baldwin and Paul Lee, later adding Matt Smith at Indy.
By 2023, IGTG had all three teams under its wing. To mark Kunau’s 30th year in business, 2024 saw a full-time sponsorship with Krista Baldwin Racing, Paul Lee Racing, Matt Smith Racing, Angelle Sampey Racing, and is working with three other teams for the historic NHRA U.S. Nationals. This growth illustrates Kunau’s unwavering dedication to the sport through his IT company.
IGTG supports a number of drivers and teams, including Krista Baldwin and Paul Lee.
Recognizing that these teams operate as complex businesses, IGTG provides robust systems to ensure data synchronization and Cybersecurity, enabling teams to focus on performance without worrying about technological vulnerabilities.
“Race teams (professional and sportsman) and their sponsors are businesses of all sizes,” explains Kunau. “It is estimated that 86% of small and medium-sized businesses are not prepared for any kind of a cyber-attack or cyber event. And when, not if, one occurs, 60% of the businesses affected (of all sizes) likely don’t recover due to extortion costs (the ransom), loss of critical data (financial, customer data, even race car tuning data), and loss of reputation.
“To recover from the average attack likely costs nearly $100,000,” Kunau continued. “IGTG and our team want to help lower these statistics by helping race teams, their businesses, and their sponsors’ businesses prepare through our managed operational services and our cyber analysis programs.”
One of IGTG’s groundbreaking innovations is Managed Operational Services (MOS). Traditional Managed Service Providers (MSPs) often require teams (customers) to adopt new, expensive technologies. However, IGTG’s MOS utilizes existing infrastructure, managing current technologies while gradually introducing more secure solutions.
“Our idea is to take what the company is using today – be it antivirus, firewall technology, server management, or patch management – and help them manage it until the terms expire,” says Kunau. “During this period, we’re using their products, seeing how they work, and potentially introducing better, more secure products.”
One of the standout products in IGTG’s arsenal is Black Fog, a data exfiltration prevention solution. This technology is crucial for racing teams, preventing unauthorized access and data breaches.
“Black Fog identifies unusual behavior and prevents any unauthorized data from leaving a device or network, stopping potential cyber-attacks in real time, mitigating the risks around ransomware and extortion,” adds Kunau. “This is essential for keeping the team’s data and strategies secure.”
IGTG emphasizes the importance of business continuity, especially in the fast-paced world of drag racing. Kunau stresses the need for regular backups of mission-critical systems, ensuring that teams can recover quickly from any cyber-attack, minimizing downtime and potential losses.
IGTG’s involvement in drag racing extends beyond providing IT solutions. Kunau and his team are committed to educating racing teams about cybersecurity and efficient data management. By implementing advanced synchronization systems, IGTG ensures that teams can operate seamlessly, with real-time data updates crucial for race-day decisions.
While IGTG has made a significant impact in drag racing, their expertise extends to various other sectors. IGTG supports businesses of all sizes, providing tailored IT solutions and hands-on support to ensure optimal performance and security.
Innovative Global Technology Group, under the leadership of Scott Kunau, continues to redefine IT consulting and systems integration. By bringing cutting-edge solutions to the drag racing community and beyond, IGTG ensures that its clients are well-prepared for the challenges of the digital age. With a focus on security, cost-effectiveness, and client satisfaction, IGTG remains a pioneering force in the world of IT solutions.
For further information about cyber prevention strategy or for assistance managing IT systems, contact IGTG and Scott at 513-300-5198 or email skunau@igtgracing.com.
This story was originally published on October 17, 2024.
The post Innovative Global Technology Group: Pioneering IT Solutions for Drag Racing first appeared on Drag Illustrated.
