The Pandemic Effect: A Security Issue

Globally, organizations already have or are in the process of shifting to remote and hybrid work models. This shift brings with it new challenges for technology leaders. As employees work from anywhere, ensuring data/ information security will be one of the top priorities for any tech team. To mitigate the unique security risks posed by remote work, technology leaders must craft and implement clear and comprehensive policies. It is important to ensure that employees are adequately trained in data security protocol. According to the latest Global Security Insights Report, 63% of technology leaders believe that they need better visibility over data and apps to pre-empt attacks. The critical issue is how CIOs/ CISOs can continue to prioritize security and IT governance while still leading innovation. Although most CIOs may not actively oversee their company’s day-to-day security interface and infrastructure, fostering a clear and coherent shared responsibility model for security is increasingly important now more than ever to facilitate the future of work.

Digital Transformation is No Longer A Competitive Advantage

As 2020 taught us, digital transformation is necessary for organizations to simply survive in this dynamic environment. Technology leaders along with their teams must drive this change, investing in customer-facing technology and digital products. In this context, CIOs need to address the challenge of an increasing skills’ gap. Today organizations no longer have the luxury of hiring for in-demand skills – tech executives must recognize that upskilling and reskilling the current workforce are the only sustainable, effective way forward. However, investing in learning is only part of the equation; identifying and prioritizing the critical skills needed for the future is key to driving digital innovation.

By 2024, 25% traditional large enterprise CIOs will be held accountable for digital business operational results, effectively becoming “COO by proxy.”

Like everything else in today’s world, the role of the CIO is evolving. As most business models shift toward digital-first processes and services, technology is playing an increasingly critical role in day-to-day operations as well as driving overall business success. Playing this larger role means that technology leaders are now taking on new responsibilities, and (you guessed it) new challenges. The focus, we believe, needs to be on collaborative leadership. As an integral part of the C-suite, COOs and CIOs must work in lockstep to rapidly respond to market shifts and integrate technology in decision-making, operations, processes, and new customer experiences.

Technology, by its very nature, is always changing. Even without the global crisis, tech leaders would have had to be prepared to meet new challenges, keep up with evolving trends, and drive innovation. The pandemic only accelerated the transformation, teaching organizations and leaders that the future of work must be built on the foundation of agility.

So, how are you and your organization approaching these challenges? Do you think you are prepared to meet the increasing demands of this continuously shifting environment?