The New Path

The cloud and other new technologies represent an “existential threat to technology companies that don’t move fast enough,” writes Oracle CEO Mark Hurd, in a recent LinkedIn post. OK, but that’s Hurd’s challenge, right? Why do you as a CIO or other IT professional need to worry about this technological change?

Hurd explains. He notes that CEOs are demanding that CIOs help their companies take market share and create new business models by investing in mobile, data analytics, Internet of Things, artificial intelligence, and other digital initiatives. The only way IT teams will have time and money to focus on those new initiatives is by moving to the cloud, freeing IT teams from caretaking of outdated systems. Read Hurd’s analysis in Status Quo Vs. Irreversible Change: We Know How This Will End.

 

—Chris Murphy, Oracle director of cloud content

CIOs: Top 10 Priorities for This Year

Remember when chief digital officers were going to replace chief information officers? We thought that was nonsense then, and we still do. Instead, CIOs must establish or re-establish their digital cred this year, or the CEO will just hire a new CIO. Check out our nine other CIO priorities.

Chief Security Officers: Five Priorities for 2018

In 2018, the CSO’s job is to help the organization grow while helping peers understand the risks and implement appropriate risk mitigation. For starters, CSOs must work with app developers to map out a development process that doesn’t demand separate security guidelines. Four more tips.

CMOs: 2018 Is All About Data

Chief marketing officers should worry more about connecting data across channels. “How does my organization go from thinking about discrete interactions in discrete channels to a single conversation that crosses many channels?” asks marketing expert Steve Olenski. What else should top the CMO’s list?

How to Get Started Using Machine Learning

Machine learning mimics what humans do constantly: build heuristics. But machines can analyze more massive datasets simultaneously. How do you start deploying machine learning? “It should be implemented with a specific goal to improve and streamline current applications,” says Oracle’s Steve Cox. More advice.