Hello from Scott Barbour – Founder of OpenEFA

[adrastosefa]

Hi everyone!

I'm Scott Barbour, and I'm thrilled to welcome you to the OpenEFA community forum. I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share a bit about why this project means so much to me.

My Journey with Open Source

I've been deeply involved in open-source software for over 20 years, and honestly, it's been one of the most rewarding aspects of my career. There's something magical about the collaborative nature of open source – the way communities come together to solve real problems, the transparency, the innovation that happens when brilliant minds share ideas freely. I've seen firsthand how open-source solutions can match (and often exceed) enterprise proprietary systems, especially when they're backed by passionate communities like this one.

Throughout my career, I've worked with everything from Linux infrastructure to email systems, web servers, and security platforms. Each project taught me something new, and each community I've been part of has shaped how I think about technology and collaboration.

About Segue Logic

Today, I'm the owner of Segue Logic, an MSP (Managed Service Provider) IT firm that serves customers across the United States and Canada. We're fortunate to work with an incredible international team – collaborating with talented professionals from India, Germany, the Netherlands, and the Philippines. This global perspective has taught me that great ideas and expertise know no borders, and it's one of the reasons I believe so strongly in open-source collaboration.

Why Email Security Matters

If there's one area of IT that I'm absolutely passionate about, it's email platform administration and security. Email remains the backbone of business communication, yet it's also one of the primary attack vectors for cyber threats. Spam, phishing, malware, ransomware – the challenges are constantly evolving, and so must our defenses.

I've always believed that small businesses, nonprofits, and organizations with limited budgets deserve the same level of email security as Fortune 500 companies. That's what drew me to the EFA Project years ago, and it's why I'm committed to continuing that mission with OpenEFA. We're building an enterprise-grade email security platform that's accessible to everyone – no vendor lock-in, no astronomical licensing fees, just solid, reliable protection backed by a community that cares.

Why OpenEFA?

The original EFA Project created something truly special – a complete, battle-tested email filtering solution that thousands of organizations relied on. When the project concluded, I knew the community and the need didn't disappear. OpenEFA is our way of honoring that legacy while pushing forward with modern technologies like AI-enhanced filtering, improved threat detection, and better manageability.

But here's the thing: this isn't just my project – it's ours. I'm here to contribute, to learn, and to collaborate with all of you. Whether you're a longtime EFA veteran, a fellow MSP, a hobbyist running your own mail server, or someone just discovering the world of email security – your voice matters here.

Let's Build Something Great Together

I'm excited to see where this community takes OpenEFA. Share your ideas, ask questions, challenge assumptions, and let's build something that makes email safer for everyone.

Looking forward to getting to know all of you!

Scott Barbour Founder, OpenEFA Project & Owner, Segue Logic