Iain White talks about the role of Chief Information Officer.

Iain White Technology Manager

A Chief Information Officer (CIO) is the company executive responsible for the management, implementation, and usability of information and computer technologies. Because technology is increasing and reshaping industries globally, the role of the CIO has increased in popularity and importance. The CIO analyzes how various technologies benefit the company or improve an existing business process and then integrates a system to realize that benefit or improvement.

The role of the CIO has changed over the decades. In the 1980s, the position was more technical as companies maintained their internal computers, databases, and communications networks. In the 2010s, thanks to cloud computing, wireless communications, big-data analytics, and mobile devices, CIOs develop strategies and computer systems that keep businesses competitive in a fast-changing global marketplace. One major responsibility of a contemporary CIO is to predict the future of computer technology trends that give a business an advantage over others. The day-to-day operations of maintaining a computer system generally fall on a person known as a chief operating officer of IT.

The CIO’s responsibilities include the following:

  • Managing IT staff and developing department goals;
  • Developing and overseeing the IT budget;
  • Planning, deploying and maintaining IT systems and operations;
  • Managing the organization’s software development needs
  • Developing IT policies, procedures and best practices
  • Staying updated on IT trends and emerging technologies;
  • Developing and enforcing IT best practices across the organization;
  • Ensuring IT strategies and processes support company-wide goals;
  • Overseeing relationships with vendors, contractors and service providers; and
  • Explaining to the board of directors and other executives the benefits and risks of new IT-related projects.
Scroll to Top