Chief Information Officers (CIOs), who until recently were seen as technology gatekeepers or even roadblocks, are now tasked with creating business value through technology. Developing innovative solutions, driving integration of emerging technologies, addressing big data’s role, and facilitating cloud transitioning are pressures modern CIOs face.
The first decade of the 21st century can be viewed as a time of great technological innovation. The second will see a return to making the environment new technology exists in more collaborative and people-centric, with managed IT services playing a huge role. Here’s how:
Finally, security remains a top priority, but it comes with a modern twist: how to implement cybersecurity measures that don’t alienate users. This balance is crucial. The push-pull effects of shadow IT as well as the need to provide a culture where employees are empowered to decide where and how they spend their time leave the C-suite in a constant dance between enterprise security and employee satisfaction.
Facing cyberattacks head-on will now be a regular part of life for CIOs and the risks will likely grow larger as attackers find new ways like IoT and crypto-jacking to pose threats to organizations. With ransomware damages alone now clocking in at over $11 billion per year, CIOs are recognizing that in-house efforts alone are not likely to keep them safe, or financially sound. Enter, the rise we see in outsourced managed IT services in enterprise business.
As organizations struggle to find staff that can meet these challenges, they must also keep a finger on the pulse of current and future business needs. To help CIOs reach their goals, managed IT services are now playing a larger role in enterprise organizations for IT functions like storage, backup and recovery, network monitoring, and security.
Nearly 65% of organizations now report they are using some sort of managed services and it is expected that by 2020, the managed services market will grow to $183 billion. What is driving this switch? Studies show it’s much more than cost savings. Improved security tops the list but additional benefits organizations cite include:
Another advantage increasing adoption of Managed Services in large organizations is the ability to tap into cloud solutions, particularly concerning the area of security. With nearly 85% of enterprise workloads expected to be in the cloud by 2020, CIOs are diligently trying to understand how they can use the approach to better address current and future organizational needs. Solutions such as hybrid/multi-cloud solutions, server-less architecture, and backup and disaster recovery are being explored as ways to create a collaborative environment designed to move strategies forward.
The modern CIO is one who helps their organization align, anticipate, and adapt to a changing digital world. They are not waiting for circumstances to force a change in direction. Rather, they are taking the reins, embracing a new technological reality, and fostering the confidence their team needs to achieve success. If you're ready to reprioritize your time and optimize your output, learn more about managed services and how they can help your enterprise with our eBook: The Understated Value of a Managed Service Provider.