PCI DSS 4 Compliance: Hardening Guide
May 29, 2025
Unleashing the Power of InControl 2.14: Mid-Year Deep Dive
July 17, 2025In a recent Peplink University webinar, Daniel Dean and Michael Reese, co-founders of Darth Tech, shared their decade-long journey of transforming a community bank’s IT infrastructure with Peplink’s ecosystem. What began as a single upgrade evolved into a comprehensive, secure, and scalable network solution that revolutionized their operations. Here’s a deep dive into their story, showcasing the power of Peplink’s technology in high-stakes environments.
The Challenge:
A Fragmented Network in a Regulated Industry
In 2016, Daniel and Michael were managing IT for a small community bank with six to seven branches. Their network was a patchwork of Cisco routers, Fortigate firewalls, and Juniper switches, operating as a flat network. This setup posed multiple challenges:
- Complexity and Inefficiency: Constantly switching between disparate systems was time-consuming, with firmware updates often requiring overnight work.
- Security Risks: The flat network structure left vulnerabilities, particularly with devices like VoIP phones, which were exposed during audits.
- Limited Scalability: Adding new branches or managing Wi-Fi for customers required separate, costly internet connections.
Faced with these issues, the team sought a modern solution. A Google search for SD-WAN led them to West Networks and Peplink, sparking a partnership that would redefine their network architecture.
The Turning Point:
Adopting Peplink’s SD-WAN
The initial collaboration with Peplink began with a fact-finding session led by Peter West of West Networks. Over several days, they mapped out the bank’s environment and identified optimization opportunities. Peplink’s Balance 1350 was introduced as an SD-WAN switch behind the existing Fortigate firewall, creating a hybrid setup that streamlined connectivity across branches.
This architecture offered immediate benefits:
- Simplified Management: Peplink’s InControl platform allowed centralized configuration, reducing the need for manual updates.
- Enhanced Security: VLANs and robust firewall rules segmented the network, addressing vulnerabilities and improving audit outcomes.
- Seamless Transition: The switch to Peplink involved minimal downtime, with the entire migration completed in a single night.
The success of this initial deployment convinced the bank’s IT steering committee to fully embrace Peplink’s ecosystem, including routers, switches, and access points.
Scaling Up:
A Peplink-Centric Network
As the bank grew to 15 locations, Darth Tech replaced Fortigate firewalls and legacy switches with Peplink’s solutions. This shift brought significant improvements:
- Cost Savings: Eliminating expensive licensing fees for Fortigate firewalls saved the bank millions annually.
- Reliability: By leveraging multiple WAN connections (fiber, coax, and cellular), Peplink ensured uninterrupted connectivity, even during hurricanes in South Florida.
- Streamlined Deployments: Standardized configurations for offices, headquarters, and data centers enabled new branches to be set up in 15-30 minutes, even by non-expert staff.
A standout feature was Peplink’s InControl platform, which allowed Daniel and Michael to track devices by MAC address, pinpointing their exact location on the network. This capability simplified troubleshooting and compliance with rigorous banking audits.
Creative Problem-Solving:
Overcoming MSP Challenges
When Darth tech joined a new bank, they encountered a poorly managed network running on a $100 ASUS router. Transitioning to Peplink was a “no-brainer,” but a unique challenge arose: a new branch couldn’t connect to an FDIC data center due to delayed routing approvals. Using Peplink’s SpeedFusion VPN, they implemented a NAT rule to mask the branch as part of the main headquarters’ subnet, ensuring connectivity within hours. This creative solution was reused multiple times, bypassing delays of up to 60 days.
Beyond Banking:
Darth Tech’s New Ventures
With a proven track record in banking, Daniel and Michael founded Darth Tech to tackle diverse IT challenges. Recent projects include deploying Peplink to provide Wi-Fi across a 25-acre nursery and supporting school systems with patch management and network security. Their experience with Peplink’s ecosystem has been instrumental in delivering reliable, secure solutions across industries.
Why Peplink?
The Game-Changing Features
When asked about their favorite Peplink feature, Daniel and Michael highlighted InControl’s client list and firewall management. The ability to see every connected device, its port, switch, and router in real-time has been a “saving grace” for troubleshooting and compliance. Peplink’s responsive support and rapid vulnerability resolution further solidified their trust.
A Partnership for Growth
The collaboration with Peplink and West Networks has been pivotal for both Darth tech and their clients. For the banks, it delivered unbreakable connectivity, robust security, and significant cost savings. For Darth tech, it provided a platform to innovate and scale, supporting their growth from a two-person team to managing billion-dollar institutions.
As Daniel noted, “I’ve had 20-plus years in IT with no breaches. That’s pretty rare, especially for the size of organizations we’ve worked with.” This success is a testament to Peplink’s ecosystem and the partnership with West Networks.
Interested in transforming your network with Peplink? Contact Darth Tech at daniel@dartech.com to explore how their expertise can meet your needs.
