Three-quarters (75%) of CISOs plan to invest in data security and integrity, yet less than half (44%) of CIOs see security as a priority, new data from The Network Group Events shows

More than half of CIOs or CDOs do not plan to invest  in security even as they continue to digitise their operations, new data from The Network Group Events has revealed. The data, which is taken from a survey of attendees at the Digital Transformation Network event, found that only 44% saw security as a priority. The results show a disparity between CIOs/CDOs and their colleagues in information security, 75% of whom planned to invest in data security and integrity.

Instead, a ‘Cloud First’ approach stood as the most important priority for IT experts, with nearly three-quarters (73%) planning to invest in cloud systems over the next 12 months. CIOs and CDOs also saw improving their mobile presence as a key objective, with 61% saying they would be investing in the area. Over half (59%) also saw using digital to harness customer data through business intelligence and analytics as their priority, whilst the same amount also said they would prioritise improving their customer experience through digital.

Jake Summerfield, Managing Director, The Network Group Events, said:

“More and more businesses are seeing the digitisation of their business model as the next step. In particular, the Cloud is a clear priority for CIOs and CDOs, with our data showing nearly a half of IT experts taking a ‘Cloud First’ approach and investing in this technology.

“However, whilst digital brings opportunities to create a competitive advantage or target a different audience to seize a greater market share, it also creates challenges that experts will need to address. With cyber-attacks on the rise it is particularly concerning to see less than half of IT experts planning to invest in security. The move to digital creates a range of security threats that CIOs must address, and it is vital that they work closely with their information security colleagues to ensure that the digitisation of their business does not leave them open to a potentially catastrophic attack.”

For more information about the Digital Transformation Network event, which takes place between 19-20 June 2017, please visit: https://thenetwork-group.com/digital-transformation-network/