Do you need a virtual CIO?

May 2024 Editor's Choice, News & Events, Infrastructure

Despite reassurances from the country’s president that the plan to save Eskom is slowly bearing fruit, South Africa is still very much navigating harsh economic headwinds made worse by crippling power cuts, the highest interest rates since the global recession, unsustainable unemployment and more.


Craig Allen

Businesses are feeling the pinch because despite having to cut costs in an environment where consumers may not be spending as feely, they also have a workforce that is equally under pressure to make ends meet and often susceptible to more attractive job offers.

Factor this into the reality that we live in a digital world where a business’s IT infrastructure is more important than ever, we can appreciate the shared pain in the market regarding a crippling IT skills shortage. If you have a CIO, rest assured that your competitors have noticed and will come knocking on their door sooner or later. This is not cynical; it is a healthy dose of reality.

At first glance, contracting may look like a solution. Still, even with contracting, there comes a time when either the contract must be terminated, where the business loses continuity, or the person needs to be employed, which defeats the point of trying to cut costs. This is where the Virtual CIO (VCIO) becomes a compelling solution – especially in the current economic climate.

A VCIO becomes a trusted advisor to the business, and the best VCIO-managed services approach the partnership with a long-term lens. What does this mean? It means that if a managed service provider (MSP) is only contracted to take care of desktops, that is what they do. A VCIO, on the other hand, even if only contracted on one element of the IT infrastructure, automatically fulfils a CIO advisory role and alerts the business to risks in its IT landscape and the best course of action. This is far more valuable than a ‘tool for hire’ approach.

At qwerti, for example, we approach the VCIO engagement with a holistic view of the entire environment. Even if we are not contracted to handle other elements within the ecosystem, we proactively monitor and, aligned with ISO standards, flag risks in the business and log them in a risk register. We do this so that the business can make the decision on how to manage, insure against or fix the risk – because this makes business sense.

Think about the skills required to fulfil a CIO role. Then, think about the unique contexts of different environments. If a business is to build up an internal resource, it will cost upwards of R2,5 million in two years, including basic starting salaries and expensive certifications, and then they still sit with the risk of this key IP leaving for greener pastures or being out of commission for whatever reason.

Now, compare this to engaging with an MSP whose workforce of consultants is made up of former IT managers, operations managers, solution architects, and many more, from industries as diverse as mining, retail, and financial and legal services. This broad skill set becomes available at huge monthly savings, making the VCIO value apparent, but the value goes beyond mere savings and IP retention.

A good VCIO service provider will send these skilled and experienced professionals into a customer’s business to meet all the relevant HODs and develop a thorough understanding of the customer’s business. This includes a thorough grasp of their business-critical systems and a comprehensive audit of the IT environment as it currently stands.

Alongside the business, the VCIO will then look at all the risks, as well as the desired state of where the business needs to be in six, 12 or 24 months. A roadmap, with quantifiable milestones, is then designed and followed to close the gap between the two states – as well as thorough and ongoing risk analyses and managing of the IT landscape. This is where the value extends far beyond easily quantifiable cost savings because it is here where the VCIO shines as a neutral adviser with the business’s best interests at heart.

The world is evolving. The workplace is evolving. Costs and risks are increasing. However, managed services have evolved to support unique business needs within this new reality. A business would do well to consider the benefits of engaging a virtual CIO.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Highest increase in global cyberattacks in two years
Information Security News & Events
Check Point Global Research released new data on Q2 2024 cyber-attack trends, noting a 30% global increase in Q2 2024, with Africa experiencing the highest average weekly per organisation.

Read more...
Federated identity orchestration
Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice Access Control & Identity Management Security Services & Risk Management AI & Data Analytics
Understanding exactly who resides at the end of a digital device is key, and simple identity number verification by the Department of Home Affairs is no longer a viable solution on its own.

Read more...
From QR code to compromise
Information Security News & Events
A new attack vector involves threat actors using fraudulent QR codes emailed in PDF attachments to bypass companies' phishing security measures by requiring users to scan the code with their mobile phones.

Read more...
Here’s to a SMART 2025
SMART Security Solutions Editor's Choice News & Events
This is the final news brief from SMART Security Solutions for 2024, and the teams would like to take this opportunity to thank our readers, advertisers and partners and wish everyone a safe and secure festive season.

Read more...
Organisations fear AI-driven cyberattacks, but lack key defences
Kaspersky Information Security News & Events Training & Education
A recent Kaspersky study reveals that businesses are increasingly worried about the growing use of artificial intelligence in cyberattacks, with 56% of surveyed companies in South Africa reporting a rise in cyber incidents over the past year.

Read more...
Threats, opportunities and the need for post-quantum cryptography
AI & Data Analytics Infrastructure
The opportunities offered by quantum computing are equalled by the threats this advanced computer science introduces. The evolution of quantum computing jeopardises the security of any data available in the digital space.

Read more...
ONVIF launches new online learning initiative
Training & Education Surveillance News & Events
ONVIF has released the first course in a new online learning initiative designed to promote greater knowledge and understanding of ONVIF's workings. The first “Introduction to ONVIF” course is now available.

Read more...
Axis introduces ACS Edge and cloud storage
Axis Communications SA Surveillance Infrastructure Products & Solutions
Axis Communications has launched two new solutions within the AXIS Camera Station ecosystem, AXIS Camera Station Edge (ACS Edge) and AXIS Camera Station Cloud Storage (ACS Cloud Storage).

Read more...
Axis announces ARTPEC-9 SoC
Axis Communications SA Surveillance News & Events
Axis Communications has announced the 9th generation of its system-on-chip (SoC). ARTPEC-9 builds on and refines the capabilities and features of previous generations of the company’s in-house designed SoC, including exceptionally low bitrate, AI-powered analytics, quality imaging, and enhanced cybersecurity.

Read more...
Enhanced remote video management
Duxbury Networking Surveillance News & Events
Duxbury Networking has announced the release of Milestone Systems’ XProtect 2024 R2 advanced video management software (VMS), offering improved remote management, optimised video performance, and further enhancing the operational efficiency of businesses across various sectors.

Read more...