Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 95 | Page 51

FEATURE : INNOVATION
Leading means many things in this context . Demonstrating deep business and technology acumen , effectively engaging and energising stakeholders , promoting disciplined programme and project management skills , and doing so with a collegial , collaborative , can-do attitude .
Supplementing the above with a clarity of vision and an ability to simplify the inherently complex , and CIOs stand a good chance of being viewed as strong business leaders .
Alain Penel , Regional VP , Middle East and Turkey , Fortinet
A lot of CIOs are under pressure from businesses to take risks when it comes to digital transformation , but it is vital that they can ensure their existing security platform can still protect these new technologies .
CIOs that have invested in human intelligence and AI-powered services and solutions are finding good value for their organisations . CIOs could consider investment in sophisticated detection solutions .
Many organisations faced increased cyber risks resulting from the convergence of IT and operational technology networks . Investment in solutions like FortiNDR can allow organisations to quickly identify anomalies , analyse emerging threats in real time , and automate responses to mitigate cyberattacks .
Sujoy Banerjee , Associate Director , ManageEngine
CIOs and IT decision-makers need to understand the organisation ’ s overall business strategy , goals , and challenges by regularly engaging with business leaders to align IT efforts with business objectives .
They must also collaborate on identifying opportunities where technology can drive innovation and solve specific business problems ; evaluate IT initiatives based on their potential to deliver measurable business value ; and consider factors like revenue growth , cost reduction , improved customer experiences , and enhanced competitive positioning .
They should define clear metrics and KPIs that align with business objectives and use them to measure success , and place the customer at the centre of IT decisions to enhance user experiences and align IT initiatives with customer needs and preferences .
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