TALKING

Various analysts and the US federal government , have advised that the CIO must lead the way in adopting the Zero Trust Model ( ZTM ) of least privileged access to mitigate the impact of any attack , be it ransomware , stolen credentials or network penetration . With the ZTM at its core , enterprises can protect users and data , wherever they are , facilitating new work practices and business models without adding risk or expanding the attack surface .

This is of particular importance as infrastructure and equipment , from plant machinery to smart UPSs , are being instrumented and turned into devices that can be vulnerable . These enablements must be treated as part of the digital estate that must be managed for cyber risk , just like a server or network switch . Even as such devices contribute to the rich data for DCIM / ESG / ESM systems , they must be protected as with any data device and always updated with the latest firmware .

Persistent resilience

With these imperatives of sustainability and security addressed strategically , the next order of business for the CIO is to ensure resilience . The continuous series of shocks in recent years have demonstrated the need for all organizations , large and small , to be resilient while remaining agile .

By building resiliency with technology , CIOs will be enabled to think more strategically for the company as a whole . It is well argued that having the right technology can create a ripple-like effect that empowers employees , which in turn promotes satisfaction and a superior experience .

Perseverance combined with resilience , will be the operating theme for the CIO and the IT team , as shocks and opportunities are dealt with over time . Retaining agility will be key , as hybrid architectures , sophisticated systems and myriad permutations create challenges for IT management and orchestration .

The digital transformation multiplier

Many organizations have recognized the imperative of transformation to enhance their future competitiveness . This trend is gaining traction among CIOs , who are now focusing on establishing a single technology vision .

This shift represents a departure from the historical practices of global enterprises in managing acquired companies and multiple lines of business . In the past , each business retained its distinct technology stacks . However , through 2024 , CIOs will increasingly undertake the task of consolidating these tech stacks to enhance overall business performance .

As digital transformation matures and looks to make ready for new and emerging technologies , from the enterprise metaverse to Web3 , a single technology vision is harder to maintain , but no less required .

Analysts emphasize that when businesses focus on multiple technology initiatives , they risk losing momentum and efficiencies . CIOs must adeptly guide enterprise resources to seamlessly interweave various technology initiatives , implementing them before their impact wanes . The difficult economic conditions place additional pressure on CIOs to make the right technology investments .

Skills and talent at the forefront

The combined effect of these various efforts is to provide a single technology vision for the business , that is efficient , resilient and agile , meeting the needs of sustainability , security , and most importantly , employees .

Attracting , retaining and developing talent is becoming more of a challenge for every industry , but particularly in tech . We have seen how IT professionals will go where technology makes the job easier , there are fulfilling projects to work on , and they can make a difference through applied skills , and not just get ground down in a constant firefight .

In an ever more competitive market for top tech talent , especially in new in-demand areas such as AI / ML , Web3 and automation , having the right technology infrastructures in place that demonstrate future readiness will be key to attracting and retaining the right talent to maintain that trajectory . CIOs then , must also provide learning pathways to allow people to develop and grow , as well as nurture new talent .

We , as vendors , have an important part to play in providing training and education to ensure that partners and customers can quickly attain knowledge and achieve proficiency across the range of electrical , IT infrastructure and automation solutions . Knowledge forums and resources also play a vital role in allowing experts to share resources to the benefit of all .

Software tactical plays

Even as the CIO is working to implement strategic goals , there are tactical wins to consider . Asset management is an area where quick wins can be had . Similarly , in a large data estate , the visibility to ascertain what is in use and levels of utilization , but also a state of repair or configuration , is hugely valuable .

CIOs are facing challenges in resource management due to constraints in talent and budgets . Intelligent cloud-based , interoperable asset management systems offer time , labour and cost savings , as well as the ability to enhance resilience and agility through features such as preventative maintenance .

The EcoStruxure Platform has a range of services for inventory and performance management , dovetailing with EcoStruxure IT Expert DCIM , to provide visibility and management capabilities over the entire enterprise estate .

CIOs future outlook

The CIO outlook for the next 12 – 24 months will be dominated by meeting a diverse set of challenges across sustainability , security , resilience , agility , and adaptability , while under the influences of tightening budgets , a struggle for talent , changing customer and employee expectations and the relentless march of AI .

Those businesses with a sound , digital core defined by a single technology vision will be able to thrive . The transformative CIO will need to work more closely with every element of the business to inform and partner , as well as inspire . As almost every challenge faced will have a digital , technological element to the solution , the CIO has once again emerged as one of the most valued CxO roles . p

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