Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 88 | Page 53

FEATURE : DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY technologies and this has created advantages for technology players in the market when governments in the region are taking the lead in becoming early adopters of technology .
Azz-Eddine Mansouri , General Manager , Sales , Ciena Middle East
Walid Issa , Senior Manager , Solutions Engineering , Middle East and Africa , NetApp , said : “ They [ governments ] bring several advantages to the market that will help them to meet the needs of their citizens and support the overall development of the region by providing better data management and cloud adoption . In addition , they will help increase IT modernisation , drive Digital Transformation and modernise their IT infrastructure , enabling them to take full advantage of emerging technologies .”
Issa said another important advantage is enhanced cybersecurity , data protection and Disaster Recovery capabilities , helping these governments to secure critical information and maintain their IT systems in the face of cyber threats .
“ From economical perspective , the adoption of these disruptive technology can drive economic development by creating opportunities for businesses and entrepreneurs to innovate and grow . By becoming early adopters of disruptive technology , governments in the region can position themselves as leaders in the adoption of innovative technology , improving their global competitiveness and positioning the region as a hub for technology innovation . need to have a deep understanding of emerging technologies , such as Artificial Intelligence and cloud computing and how they can be leveraged to drive business value . This will help them strengthen their understanding of Digital Transformation and how to drive change within their organisations .
Walid Issa , Senior Manager , Solutions Engineering , Middle East and Africa , NetApp
Nasri Nassereddine , Regional Sales Director , Software AG , Gulf and Levant , said : “ With over 20 years ’ experience , I ’ ve interacted with numerous of CIOs , and while first impressions do matter , there are only a few who have left a lasting impact through their unparalleled vision and undeniable competencies . I ’ ve been part of an era where the roles and competencies of CIOs have changed drastically – from being a conventional CIO as the guardian of information technology / legacy systems . The CIO now is a strategic business advisor responsible for Digital Transformation , digital customer experiences , business advancements and more . Therefore , some competencies for CIOs to imbibe are : agility and adaptability , wider outlook , and communication and collaboration .
“ Last but not the least , we are people working with other people , exchanging ideas and varied opinions . Digital disruptors typically exist outside of the enterprise ’ s normal range of vision and network , and it is vital to explore the unexplored to define oneself as a disruptor ,” he said .
At NetApp , Issa believes that the first thing that comes to my mind is technical expertise . “ CIOs
“ They also need to have a strong understanding of the business , including market trends , customer needs , and the competitive landscape , in order to make informed decisions and drive value . This will help them to make data-driven decisions , leveraging data analytics to gain insights into market trends , customer behaviour , and operational performance . The list is not complete without cybersecurity , CIOs need to have a strong understanding of cybersecurity and be able to implement effective security measures to protect their organisation ’ s information and systems . So , by mastering these competencies , CIOs can stay ahead of the curve , understand the digital disruption happening in their industry , and drive Digital Transformation and innovation within their organisations ,” he said . p
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