If any profession needs elevated in this decade, it is the head of your IT department.
Chief information security officers (CISO) are leaving positions in droves, and this brain drain can only be avoided if top executives give the position the prominence it needs to get the job done.
The head of your IT department, even if they do not carry the elevated title of CISO, is still tasked with everything a big company is asking of its department head and that has changed dramatically.
As technology became the bedrock of every aspect of a company’s operations, the role of the IT department has evolved from a technical position situated in the back offices, to a critically important leadership position, with multiple demands laid on their doorstep, including:
- Evaluating the ROI of new technology
- Assessing the weaknesses and threats of new solutions and integrations
- Understanding and thwarting sophisticated cyber threats
- Ensuring the system meets complex regulatory standards
- Educating staff on tech usage and safety precautions
- Monitoring the use of personal and company tech for compliance
- Establishing a business continuity plan in case of tech failures
- Evaluating and communicating the financial impact of cyber risk
In other words, the head of your IT department now has to have the business acumen of a CEO, the regulatory knowledge of a lawyer, the skillset of a training manager, the expertise of a financial officer, and the wisdom of a risk manager. And let’s not leave out the superhuman ability to communicate complex technological concepts to department heads who will need to work all of this into their business plans.
Raising the Bar for IT
In the face of mounting demands, the IT department heads must have a seat at the C-suite table and be given the authority and resources to ensure the success of tech initiatives.
Here are a few considerations to focus on:
Clearly Communicate Responsibilities
A lot of stress can be relieved if the CISO or IT manager has a clear mandate as well as the staff and resources to successfully achieve expectations.
Give IT Authority to Act
IT must have the authority to implement the critical procedures it knows will provide the highest level of protection for the company, without having to navigate resistance from other department managers who do not understand the risks.
Address Stress and Burnout
IT absolutely knows what is at stake for the company and can find itself in an untenable position when it comes to the stress and burnout for staff and managers. The HR department should be staying ahead of this reality, not coming in after it’s too late to resolve issues.
Liability Protection
One of the main reasons CISOs are leaving their positions is due to their unprotected legal status, making them vulnerable to lawsuits when problems occur. Make sure your IT leaders have the proper liability protection so they can proceed with their work without fear of legal reprisal.
For two decades, filling technology positions with experienced IT personnel has been a challenge and turnover has been a problem. Addressing the issues facing your staff upfront can avert turnover and ensure the smooth implementation of your technological goals.
At Closing Suite, we can take some of the pressure off your IT staff by providing full-service IT infrastructure, lead generation, transaction management solutions, money transfer solutions, back-office support and agency optimization. You don't have to go it alone! Call us today to learn more.