4 Must Haves of a Cloud-Ready Chief Information Officer (CIO)

Chief Information Officer (CIO) or Information Technology (IT) Officer is a dream job for most professionals working in the IT field. The position offers a good amount of opportunities to steer the success of the organization.

However, with the opportunities also come challenges that every CIO need to face in order to sustain business continuity.

Of late, the challenges and opportunities for CIOs have both been elevated to an exceptional level because of the cloud.

When cloud strategy is the decider for the business future, the readiness of the CIO with the cloud can turn the tide in favor of the business. The significance of cloud is only growing, and CIO has to be in sync with this growth.

Here are a few attributes that make a CIO cloud-savvy.

1. Be Curious About Technology

For a CIO, it is an impressive quality to have a keen interest in the latest technologies such as cloud computing. Using in-trend resources, such as gadgets, password manager applications, cross-platform tools, cloud storage, etc. helps them build a robust system for the business.

From executive to the manager, CIO can have a clear view of their requirements and solutions possible with available resources. Personal usage experience allows them to plan the best possible cloud strategy for the business.

Moreover, a CIO having insights into the latest technologies can help the business stay ahead of their competitors as they might not be having the same.

2. Know Your Business

CIO can be critical even for the businesses that are not IT-centric. From gaining online marketplace to increased scalability and efficiency, there are several ways in which a business can benefit from the cloud expertise of a CIO.

But the impact of a CIO’s contribution depends on his/her knowledge with the operations of the company. The more a CIO is aware of the various facets of the business, the better he/she can make cloud-based decisions such as the services and the cloud model to be implemented.

For instance, a particular area of business, such as accounting requires secure storage, while the development department might need processing power. As the cloud offers flexible functioning, the CIO can opt for different services for different departments.

Additionally, indulgence with the client needs is another aspect that CIO should maintain a focus on.

3. Be Decisive

Cloud platform is dipped in dilemmas. There is storage, application hosting, collaboration options, and many other options. Then, there are a plethora of competent cloud service providers in the market.

Furthermore, these providers offer Private Cloud, Public Cloud, and Hybrid Cloud. And then there is inevitable updates, new launches, etc. On top of it all, there are various cloud models (SaaS, IaaS, and PaaS) that a CIO must choose according to the requirement of the process.

Making so many decisions is never easy for a CIO. However, the CIO knows the IT requirements more clearly than anyone in the organization. Hence, he/she has the final say in making these choices.

So, as a CIO of a company, you must be able to decide the best cloud hosting provider available.

4. Target Efficiency and Productivity

Adopting any technology just because of its increasing trend in the market is never a good decision. However, when it comes to cloud technology, this approach could prove fatal. This is because cloud technology has a very wide spectrum.

Factors such as the type of cloud you want to implement or opt for cloud hosting, the resources you require, and the existing IT infrastructure should all the considered before moving to the cloud.

A CIO should be smart enough to calculate the positives and negatives of technology that is being considered for use. For a business, profit is the ultimate ambition, and that pivots on efficiency and productivity.

If a CIO is not able to promise the gains, then convincing the ultimate decision-makers (owners) with the strategy is hardly possible.

Almost everyone is aware that cloud technology is beneficial for businesses. However, the feasibility has to be analyzed by the CIOs and CTOs. Your smart decision can bring vast business progression, and on the other hand, poor choice with cloud service can prove to be the Achilles heel.

CTOs bearing this responsibility must be whip-smart with all the happenings among the cloudy shades.

Take a Proactive Approach

A CIO being active is not enough. He/she should follow a proactive approach, which means anticipating the market before an event. For instance, a CIO should make the decision of moving to the cloud before the competitors.

This will give business the edge that it needs to stay ahead in the market.