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Security and innovation driving transformation of the CIO, study finds

Insight research highlights growing importance of IT in the workplace with 8 in 10 business decision makers planning to invest more over the next year

• 61% of enterprise technology projects are funded by the business rather than the IT department
• Just under half of CIOs outsource maintenance and ongoing support of their applications
• 77% believe security is the number one challenge for CIOs

LONDON, UK; 26 January 2016 - Research  from Insight UK, a global provider of IT hardware, software and service solutions has highlighted the continuing shift in the CIO role, thanks in part to the increased prominence of technology in the workplace. The survey findings also show the growing importance of IT within organisations, with 8 in 10 (79%) business decision makers saying their company plan to invest more in tech over the next year.

The statistics also reflect a shift – from the business at least – in the role of the CIO. The findings highlight that while the role of the CIO has traditionally been technology efficiency, over the last five years this has transformed into security (70%), cost-effective spending (57%) and innovation (52%). A direct effect of the increasing use and understanding from the wider management team of technology, this means that the CIO now needs to demonstrate the impact of IT on the bottom line.

This might not be an easy task for the traditional CIO who, according to the findings, needs to evolve to maintain their role in the decision making process. The results show that nearly a quarter (22%) of senior directors believe the majority of the technology budget should sit with the board. Meanwhile over half (55%) questioned believe the CIO’s role below the rest of the senior management team and 44% feel the CIO is less important than they were two years ago.

“There is a real need for organisations, particularly the leadership teams, to ensure they are united. The study gives a clear message to the CIO to act now and educate the wider business, or risk losing your role in the boardroom,” said Mike Guggemos, Global CIO, Insight. “CIOs play a vital role in the organisation, driving forward an era where businesses approach technology in a profound new way. Although this was reflected in the statistics, they are failing to showcase their value to the boardroom. Those who learn this language will continue to succeed – and play a vital role in the organisations of tomorrow.”

Further differences come to light when discussing the strategic importance of the CIO’s role. The findings suggest that most business decision makers think their CIOs are focused on executional elements of the job, such as managing the IT budget and workflow, implementing large IT projects and ensuring IT equipment is secured against threats. The only areas, according to the research, where most C-suite directors think CIOs have taken on more responsibility over the past five years is in implementing large IT projects and securing equipment against threats.

“In recent years, IT has transformed from a relatively functional area for businesses to the engine of the organisation, as companies look to understand the potential for intelligent technology to transform their business. In parallel, tech-savvy employees are adopting ‘bring your own platform’ services in the workplace,” said Guggemos. “These developments have forced a systematic shift in the role of the CIO to the business, as we can see from the research, one that currently, other decision makers have failed to see.”

The survey of 100 UK CIOs and 100 UK Line of Business directors was undertaken in July 2015 by independent research company, Coleman Parkes. Participants worked for organisations across multiple sectors of between with staff employee numbers ranging from 100 to over 1,000 people.

Explore the changing role of the CIO with the Insight report

About Insight

From business and government organisations to healthcare and educational institutions, Insight empowers clients with intelligent technology solutions to realise their goals. As a Fortune 500-ranked global provider of hardware, software, cloud and service solutions, our 5,400 teammates provide clients the guidance and expertise needed to select, implement and manage complex technology solutions to drive business outcomes. Through our world-class people, partnerships, services and delivery solutions, we help businesses run smarter.

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