Big Challenges Facing CIOs And IT Leaders In 2019

Unique Issues To Contend With

Technology develops at a rapid pace that’s hard to keep up with, even for those operating in the tech industry’s core. There are a number of reasons for this, chief among them “Moore’s Law”.

This is a precept which has become considerable in the tech industry. Many say it’s over, but technically, transistor size and subsequent computational ability is still doubling on the same statistical “curve”.

That said, other technological functionality has leveled off in terms of development. Even so, quantum computing is here—IBM’s got a working unit being tasked with varying things at this very moment.

What this indicates is that, though Moore’s Law may be the nearest it’s ever been to its apex, new thresholds will develop with time. In 2019, we’re presently on the precipice of some substantial transitions. Following, we’ll briefly go over three trends which will continue to be prescient to tech groups through the end of the year and into 2020.

Mobile Issues

For the first time, in 2018, mobile web interface outpaced traditional desktop interface. Essentially, this may be remembered historically as the official year decentralization became mainstream. Cloud computing solutions allow for software design options that can be pursued from your smartphone on the bus on your commute from home to work.

People can do what they used to on a laptop from their phone or tablet. This is because server arrays making up varying clouds and operating on connections of the 4G and burgeoning 5G variety make it possible to outsource processing power. Your smartphone is interacting with a server array comprised of millions of individual units—think “pixels”.

Also, BYOD is now becoming a defining factor of the market. Bring Your Own Device protocols allow employees to use their own devices to accomplish company work, which saves hardware, space, commute, taxation, and other related costs while giving employees greater freedom, and so often producing increased productivity.

For tech companies, a decentralized operational profile allows you to better serve remote clients. If you’re providing services for clients, they’ll likely be moving toward BYOD with greater totality in 2019 and going forward. Focusing on mobile options and optimizing toward them yourself will be strategically viable. As a CIO, it’s also integral to understand security issues related to mobile infrastructure.

Scaling Out

In this IT transformation playbook you can find some key tips involved with scaling out. Part of this process will involve scaling “in”. Since everything’s going the decentralized route, one way you can free up funds to expand is through phasing out on-site server arrays in lieu of private or hybrid cloud computing options. Clientele will likewise be pursuing such solutions.

Accordingly, CIOs need to understand pros and cons of varying scale-out techniques. Sometimes it’s better for smaller companies to retain on-site tech, but other times this will reduce their ability to both scale out and retain competitive viability. The mobile component will be a big part in scaling out, but remember this: size doesn’t equate to profitability.

The larger the “surface area” of your tech profile, the more security considerations you’ll need to take into account, and the more abstract management becomes—even with the most elite decentralized protocols. Different companies will have a different threshold for balance here.

Compliance And Security: Navigating Black-Hat Threats

Compliance issues are transforming as technology becomes more integral. Social media is increasingly defined with shifting legal conventions, meaning what was once totally compliant now may be without compliance, and so incur a fee for your tech company. Shared liability is still a thing for many MSPs providing services for, say, healthcare operations.

Something else that will impact you is black-hat tech. The cybercrime industry keeps pace with “white hat” technology in terms of economic impact; 2021 will see cybercrime having a $6 trillion impact, while presently white-hat tech has about a $5 trillion impact.

The two are basically neck-and-neck, and as a CIO, you need to keep personnel operating safely. Thankfully, there are cloud monitoring solutions that can help you keep an eye on operations over the long haul.

Keeping Your Business Viable In 2019 And Beyond
Marketing now tends to happen through the internet via SEO, SMO, and PPC operations. Technology is no longer central to locality. Mobile issues will impact your business. If this does not happen directly, it will happen indirectly through clientele.

In short, there are a number of issues unique to 2019 which will likely extend into the future. As a CIO, pay attention to mobile decentralization, proper compliance, security, and scale-out protocols this year. 

Anik is an IT professional and Data Science Enthusiast. He loves to spend a lot of time testing and reviewing the latest gadgets and software. He likes all things tech and his passion for smartphones is only matched by his passion for Sci-Fi TV Series.