Infrastructure is the underlying focus of the CIO. That said, other topics intrude on the daily focus, but connectivity and the devices that enable all those other topics must be in place and under constant scrutiny to form the base of the CIO's purview. With so much change with regard to exactly what devices are in use, and what networks carry enterprise data, it's important to have a good understanding of the changes that will be coming down in the near term.
I asked Kenji Obata, Founder and CEO, Spoon.net for his take on how infrastructure changes will affect the enterprise over the next 2 years.
"Over the next 2 years, the very definition of IT infrastructure will change from physical resources — computers, networks, and servers — to knowledge resources — applications, information, and users. As employees increasingly use their own devices and control the location and tools they use in their job, the primary role of the CIO will be to facilitate the choices made by users while preserving the security and availability of business information.
"Employees will be working on sensitive business data using their personal devices and the public Internet, no matter the corporate policies in place. CIOs rightfully fear leaks or loss of critical files. Unless new technologies and business methods are adopted, data will indeed be compromised and privacy standards violated. To make things worse, companies whose employees don't have instantaneous access to the applications and data they need will be at a significant competitive disadvantage.
"The explosion of personal smart devices, cellular networks, and remote work among the knowledge workforce has removed the traditional source of the CIO’s power. Existing tools such as enterprise desktop management software, VPNs, and firewalls will make little sense in the IT world of 2016. The employee will soon be in control of where, how, and on what device she does her job, and she will have little patience for a poor user experience or Draconian network restrictions. Companies must become employees' allies in this new reality or fall prey to the dangers of the 'shadow IT' world.
"CIOs that adapt and deploy the new technologies necessary to exploit this trend will enjoy tremendous gains in workforce productivity and flexibility. Those that don’t will be as obsolete as the legacy IT infrastructure they couldn't leave behind."
While I agree with Obata that CIOs need to adapt to the new order of user controlled devices, I believe there are constructive ways they can deliver on user demands while still keeping the enterprise secure.
Scott Koegler practiced IT as a CIO for 15 years. He also has more than 20 years experience as a technology journalist covering topics ranging from software and services through business strategy.