How to become A Chief Information Officer

• CIO
• IT Director
• IT Manager

What do Chief Information Officers do?

A Chief Information Officer would typically need to:

• Deliver desired business outcomes through the design, management, and implementation of Information Technology strategies
• Shape organisational strategies that bring to light the significant impact of information technology on business operations
• Establish and share technological goals, opportunities, and concerns across the organisation
• Monitor technological development and the enforcement and progress of short-term and long-term IT strategies at the organisational level
• Support and manage the conception and implementation of interdepartmental tech policies
• Make sure all employees have the best possible access to essential technology that aids productivity and significant growth in profit and client base
• Address information security concerns to prevent unauthorised access to sensitive data; build processes for quality assurance
• Evaluate the challenges of implementing new technologies and computer systems or upgrading existing ones in the face of evidence from emerging technology trends
• Recommend appropriate hardware and software upgrades to improve work performance and increase profitability
• Undertake relevant commercial tasks, such as development, hiring, and budgeting in regard to new technologies to streamline the business process
• Ensure that organisational hardware and software meet current business needs; guarantee optimal online infrastructure with a tight inventory of related assets
• Create and maintain a tried-n-tested disaster recovery plan to be deployed in case of technical glitches
• Build a competent network of IT specialists to offer support and advice on relevant issues; set objectives and strategies for the IT department
• Establish and maintain industry standards for software development, network security, and related areas of technical expertise
• Conduct adequate market research and cost-benefit analysis in the assessment and selection of potential vendors and suppliers of hardware and software
• Attend strategy sessions and management meetings with business units and vendors to aid the informed purchase and implementation of organisational information systems
• Serve as the organisational spokesperson at technological conferences and networking events

Chief Information Officers are found in nearly every industry where there is a need for streamlining technology processes. They usually work out of clean, comfortable, and well-lit offices in large and small companies.

A fast-paced and demanding environment which requires collaboration with multiple stakeholders at varying levels within and outside the organisation and significant time at the computer is typical.

Local and international travel can be required for in-person meetings and attending conferences and seminars. Job transfers are also common, depending on company policy and needs.

Although 45-50 hour work weeks are supposed to be the norm, CIOs put in longer hours, whenever necessary, to meet deadlines and project goals.

Research suggests that flexible hours and generous telework policies appeal more than salary to the younger generation. There has been an incremental increase in employers willing to give promising employees a chance to adjust their schedules per the work pressure.

Finding a new job may be challenging. Chief Information Officers can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, attending job fairs, leveraging social media and inquiring at staffing agencies.

Chief Information Officers are generally employed by: 

• Information Systems Firms
• Information Technology (IT) Companies
• Privately Held Companies
• Public Firms
• Government Organizations
• Non-Profit Organizations
• Non-Governmental Organizations
• Colleges & Universities
• Libraries
• Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

Professional associations and organisations, such as the CIO Executive Council (CEC), are crucial for Chief Information Officers interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. 

Professional associations provide members with continuing education, networking opportunities and mentorship services. Membership in one or more adds value to your resume while bolstering your credentials and qualifications.

• The need to balance innovative technology with cost-effective efficiency
• Accountability to multiple stakeholders, resulting in intense stress and frustration
• Increased cyberattacks that put organisational data and systems at risk
• Outdated and difficult-to-maintain legacy systems that must be modernised with minimal disruption to operations
• The constant pressure to stay motivated and keep motivating others
• Misalignment between organisational culture and processes and digital transformation goals
• Lack of the right talent, training programmes, and corporate culture to encourage innovation and collaboration
• The need to remain patient and proactive in the face of slow-moving, delayed or cancelled projects
• The ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Tight and often unrealistic deadlines 
• Budget constraints that force one to do more with less

To prove their mettle for this role, aspiring Chief Information Officers need a well-calculated combination of relevant degrees, requisite skills, and over a decade of appropriate managerial experience in technological positions. 

One may begin their career as an intern or in an entry-level IT position as a computer programmer or systems analyst. Receiving mentorship from experienced IT professionals is a sure-shot way to convert short-term gigs into long-term job opportunities and solidify one’s technical skill sets en route to becoming the CIO.

A firm grasp of IT systems and infrastructure, computer security, and IT governance will prove advantageous. Honing transferable strategic planning, leadership, project management, and management skills will help ease the path to this coveted C-suite position. 

Candidates with expertise in one or more IT-related disciplines, such as cloud storage, IT security, collaborative technologies, customer relationship management, and resource planning, may have the edge over their peers.

In companies that allow for such roles, the vice president of information technology is well-placed to gain the requisite knowledge and skills. Otherwise, middle-level managers who run technology training programmes, design and implement help desks, supervise small database systems, or manage small IT departments would typically qualify for the job.

You can never begin too early to plan for success and implement your game plan. Even in high school, you can check with a teacher or counsellor about relevant work-based learning opportunities available in your school or community to help you connect your school experiences with real-life work.

Pick up leadership roles and manage teams of students for organised classroom or extracurricular activities. Join the computer or IT club to learn about the Internet, networks, and computer systems and have fun while being directed toward a future career. 

Read about the profession and interview or job shadow experts in information technology to prove your commitment to course providers and prospective employers.

Strategic leaders with excellent communication skills and a comprehensive understanding of technology and business, Chief Information Officers owe their success to the acquisition of relevant academic qualifications. 

An accredited bachelor’s degree in computer science, information technology (IT), software engineering, computer information systems, IT management, database administration, management information systems, or business administration will set you on the right path to achieving professional goals.

The next steps should include a master’s in information systems, management information systems, or business administration to equip you with the interpersonal, entrepreneurial, technological, and financial skills essential for positive outcomes as a CIO. 

Most employers prefer candidates with one degree in computer science or a related field and another in business administration. Some aspirants prefer to get the first degree in information technology and opt for a part-time programme in management while pursuing a full-time career in IT.

Recommended college preparatory courses in high school include computer science, mathematics, and business. English and speech classes will help you develop your research, writing, and oral communication skills.

Remember that completing a particular academic course does not guarantee entry into the profession. Be that as it may, your professional qualifications and transferable skills may open up more than one door.

Do your homework and look into all available options for education and employment before enrolling in a specific programme. Reliable sources that help you make an educated decision include associations and employers in your field.

Certification demonstrates a Chief Information Officer’s competency in a skill set, typically through work experience, training and passing an examination. Successful certification programs protect public welfare by incorporating a Code of Ethics.

Certifications in cybersecurity, risk and compliance, software security, security administration, leadership and operations, cloud security, and governance from an objective and reputed organisation may be helpful to aspiring and current CIOs.

In addition, accredited certifications at varying levels of expertise in data and analytics, technological infrastructure, and cybersecurity can help you stand out in a competitive job market and carry a significant salary premium of up to 18 per cent.

Furthermore, professional certification in open group architecture framework and application of Agile tools, such as Scrum, Lean, Kanban, Extreme Programming (XP), and Test-Driven Development (TDD), may increase your chances of advancement and allow you to become an independent consultant.

Also of value would be authorised certifications in information technology, information systems, program management, and project management. Certifications that promote understanding of the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and process improvement tools such as Six Sigma are worth acquiring.

CIOs may also need to undergo an employment background check, including but not limited to a person’s work history, education, credit history, motor vehicle reports (MVRs), criminal record, medical history, use of social media and drug screening.

Praiseworthy expertise in IT, managing large-scale projects, leading teams, and effective communication will pave the way for a long and fruitful career as an organisation’s Chief Information Officer. 

Although a lateral move to the CTO position or promotion to the CEO role is typical, a higher salary at a more prominent organisation also signals job-related progress.

With the acquisition of significant knowledge and experience, one can become Director or Chair and serve on corporate boards. CIOs with an entrepreneurial bent of mind may choose to establish their own firms or shift gears and switch to independent consulting.

The desire to accelerate career growth and personal development has an increasing number of millennials choosing to job hop and build a scattershot resume that showcases ambition, motivation and the desire to learn a broad range of skills.

Studies prove that job hopping, earlier dismissed as “flaky” behaviour, can lead to greater job fulfilment. Employees searching for a positive culture and exciting work are willing to try out various roles and workplaces and learn valuable and transferable skills along the way.

Committed candidates with the necessary technical and people skills, relevant work experience, and educational qualifications that reflect their knowledge of information technology and information systems have the best job prospects.

Continuing professional development (CPD) will help an active Chief Information Officer build personal skills and proficiency through work-based learning, a professional activity,  formal education or self-directed learning. CPD also enables the regular renewal of desirable certifications.

CIOs must be able to pick up and apply multiple professional and technical skills to excel at their job. One must be technologically savvy and have a keen business sense to navigate the problematic corporate climate successfully. 

You must come across as an efficient and organised project manager, an effective and inspiring communicator, and an analytical and solution-oriented leader. 

Seemingly a tall order at the beginning of one’s professional career, judicious on-the-job training, participation in executive workshops, seminars, conferences, and webinars, and consistent practice will equip you with consummate management skills, suitable communication styles, and industry-favourite project management frameworks.

To remain relevant in a constantly changing technological landscape, CIOs must be more strategic in managing the organisational IT landscape and facilitating its migration to a digital ecosystem.

Staying in tune with state-of-the-art disruptive technology, cloud-based technology, mobile-first computing, big data analytics, social collaboration platforms, and target customer base across physical and virtual channels can help CIOs retain a creditable place in the industry. 

Current Scenario

The employment outlook of a particular profession may be impacted by diverse factors, such as the time of year, location, employment turnover, occupational growth, size of the occupation and industry-specific trends and events that affect overall employment.

As technology grows, so will the need for experts who can work with sophisticated computers, information systems, and digital platforms. Organisations increasingly lean towards data analytics to make informed business decisions and require technically-sound and business-savvy CIOs to help them navigate a constantly-changing terrain. 

Industries such as healthcare and other scientific, professional, and technical services exhibit potential demand for efficient CIOs. In addition, small businesses that are beginning to prioritise information management systems offer alternate employment avenues.

Furthermore, a rise in the use of cloud computing, industry mergers and acquisitions, and the need to develop and implement more rigorous cybersecurity measures validate the expected employment growth of this profession. 

Chief Information Officer (CIO) vs Chief Technology Officer (CTO)

Although both play critical roles in the IT department of an organisation, the CIO aims to improve internal processes. At the same time, the CTO uses technology to innovate products and services used by customers. 

However, there may be rare instances where an organisation's size, location, or scope makes it more efficient to combine the two roles.

Chief Information Officer (CIO) vs Chief Information Security Officer (CISO)

CIOs often need clarification with their security counterparts, CISOs (Chief Information Security Officers). The simple truth is that CIOs are IT generalists and strategists with leadership skills in contrast to CISOs with more precise IT security-specific expertise.

Cybersecurity can Make or Break the Business

With cyber-attacks becoming commonplace globally, companies have prioritised cybersecurity and data security to mitigate the loss of sensitive information. CIOs who can implement robust encryption methods, monitor network activities, and train employees on the best practices for web safety in a cost-effective manner will ensure their employer’s success in the industry.

Future Outlook

The analyst firm Gartner notes that 95% of CIOs believe their jobs will soon undergo considerable evolution due to the greater digitalisation of the commercial landscape. 

Stronger emphasis on achieving optimal revenue growth while implementing a seamless digital transformation calls for an increasingly business-centric CIO role with adequate technical savvy. 

With IT innovations and start-ups happening at warp speed, we will likely see considerably younger and less experienced CIOs steering their company safety through the twin seas of technology and operational strategy.

An 8% increase in profits and a 10% decrease in the overall expenditure of businesses validate the estimated US$77 billion value of big data and its impact on modern-day marketing in the last decade.

A technological aptitude heavily laced with an entrepreneurial mindset enables a forward-thinking CIO to encourage the organisation to move away from legacy architecture to high-tech systems and lead a digital transformation more in keeping with the current times.

“A boss long ago advised me to seek out important problems and good people. That advice has never failed me.”

- Cris Ross (CIO, Mayo Clinic)