Latest news with #CIOs
Zawya
6 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
Synarchy Consulting to support digital transformation and AI journeys in MENA
DUBAI, UAE – S ynarchy Consulting, a leading digital transformation and AI advisory firm with a proven track record, has joined Info-Tech Research Group's global partner ecosystem. This partnership brings world-class IT strategy tools and AI readiness solutions to organisations across the Middle East and Africa, instilling confidence in the region's business leaders. As a certified delivery partner, Synarchy will support regional clients in applying Info-Tech's research-backed methodologies, diagnostic toolkits, and executive advisory frameworks, helping CIOs and business leaders drive greater value from their technology investments. 'Partnering with Info-Tech Research Group allows us to bring a new level of structure and strategic clarity to how regional organisations approach AI, Digital transformation, and IT leadership,' said Ramki Jayaraman, Managing Partner at Synarchy Consulting. 'The timing is right—leaders want to move, but they want to move wisely. This collaboration brings them just that: globally validated guidance, locally delivered.' Bringing Practical Value to the Region's Technology Leaders This collaboration provides MENA organisations with hands-on access to actionable insights and co-delivered services, including: AI & Digital Strategy Readiness Frameworks and assessments to benchmark current maturity and build tailored, executable roadmaps. On-Demand Research and Strategic Intelligence Access to Info-Tech's global research library, toolkits, and benchmarks covering IT leadership, innovation, governance, and vendor landscapes. Facilitated Workshops and Technology Value Diagnostics Delivered by Synarchy's certified advisors to support decision-making, alignment, and execution. Enterprise Policy and Governance Tools Including the myPolicies platform to automate and centralise corporate IT policy management. 'By combining Synarchy's deep understanding of the MENA market with Info-Tech's rigorous, research-backed toolkits, we're giving regional CIOs a clear, practical path to accelerate their AI and digital agendas. This partnership means leaders no longer have to choose between global best practices and local relevance—they get both, delivered seamlessly in their own backyard,' said James Alexander, Regional Vice President – Partners, Info‑Tech Research Group. A Local Partner for Global Tools That Deliver Results With increasing urgency around AI adoption, cost optimisation, and digital agility, this partnership equips organisations to act decisively, without trial and error. Executives interested in assessing their current position and identifying high-impact initiatives can schedule a complimentary Technology Value Assessment, co-delivered by Synarchy using Info-Tech's proven methodology. -Ends- Contact: contact@ Learn More: About Synarchy Consulting Headquartered in Dubai, Synarchy Consulting is a strategy-led advisory firm helping enterprises and governments across MEA navigate AI adoption, digital transformation, and operational excellence. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Retail CIOs Urged to Shift from Cost-Cutting to Innovation with Tech-First Plans: New Insights Published By Info-Tech Research Group
As the retail sector faces a period of unprecedented uncertainty from global supply chain disruptions, shifting consumer behavior, and labor challenges, many organizations continue to rely on outdated strategies that fail to address these risks. Newly published research insights from Info-Tech Research Group urge retail IT leaders to move beyond conventional operational practices and embrace digital agility for long-term resilience. The global IT research and advisory firm's recent blueprint, Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Retail, equips retail CIOs with guidance and tools to assess emerging risks, prioritize technology investments, and build a resilient, technology-driven operational framework. TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Unpredictable economic conditions, fragile supply chains, and rapidly evolving customer expectations and behaviors are creating unprecedented challenges for the retail sector. Recent findings from Info-Tech Research Group highlight that, in this complex environment, technology decisions have become critical to both organizational survival and growth. To help retail leaders navigate these pressures, the global IT research and advisory firm has recently published its Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Retail blueprint. This strategic resource equips IT leaders in the industry with the tools and guidance to leverage emerging technologies, stabilize operations, and foster resilience in an era of constant disruption. Info-Tech's research insights reveal that many retailers remain reliant on outdated strategies that fail to address today's multifaceted risks. Overextended budgets, fragmented systems, and slow decision-making hinder their ability to respond to sudden shifts in market conditions. The firm's insights also show that, while emerging technologies present significant opportunities, they can be difficult to implement without a structured approach and guidance. "CIOs are the strategic bridge between business needs and technology delivery to ensure that innovation serves both operational efficiency and customer impact," says Donnafay MacDonald, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "When economic shifts or policy changes begin to disrupt sales, CIOs are often the first to detect the ripple effects, whether through slowing transaction volumes, changing customer behavior, or supply chain strain. Their end-to-end visibility enables early intervention." Technology-First Steps for Retail IT Leaders to Address Market Challenges Grounded in its latest retail sector research, Info-Tech advises in its Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Retail blueprint a technology-first methodology that provides CIOs with a clear and actionable roadmap for transforming market disruption into strategic advantage. The structured four-phase approach guides IT leaders through the following steps: Assess Uncertainties and Opportunities: Retail CIOs and their leadership teams can begin by scanning the environment for macro-level vulnerabilities such as policy shifts, labor shortages, and supply chain risks. They then evaluate how these uncertainties can affect their organization and identify technology-enabled opportunities with the greatest potential impact. Review Budget, Staffing, and Contracts: IT finance and operations leaders conduct a comprehensive review of current spending, staffing, and vendor contracts across the organization. This phase identifies opportunities to cut costs and reallocate funds toward innovation and strategic technology investments. Build the Technology-First Action Plan: CIOs work with cross-functional stakeholders to assess and prioritize the initiatives that will drive technology transformation. They consolidate these into a focused 12-month roadmap that aligns with strategic objectives and organizational readiness. Get Ready to Execute: IT leaders finalize initiative descriptions, define success metrics, and build a flexible communications plan. This ensures clear accountability, executive alignment, and adaptability during execution, which enables organizations to act swiftly as conditions change. Info-Tech's insights highlight that retail organizations navigating constant disruptions require more than point solutions or temporary fixes; they need a cohesive strategy that links technology investments to measurable outcomes. In the resource, the firm encourages IT leaders to act decisively, balancing cost discipline with innovation. As MacDonald notes, "in times of uncertainty, the best path forward isn't just to cut costs; it's to starve waste and feed a revolution. That's how retail IT can shift from defense to growth and turn volatility into a competitive edge." By applying the insights and the actionable methodology outlined in Info-Tech's blueprint, retail organizations can build operational agility, optimize technology spending, improve customer responsiveness, and make more informed decisions. For exclusive and timely commentary from Donnafay MacDonald, an expert in retail tech and access to the complete Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Retail blueprint, please contact pr@ About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@ For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit and connect via LinkedIn and X. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
Associated Press
4 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Retail CIOs Urged to Shift from Cost-Cutting to Innovation with Tech-First Plans: New Insights Published By Info-Tech Research Group
As the retail sector faces a period of unprecedented uncertainty from global supply chain disruptions, shifting consumer behavior, and labor challenges, many organizations continue to rely on outdated strategies that fail to address these risks. Newly published research insights from Info-Tech Research Group urge retail IT leaders to move beyond conventional operational practices and embrace digital agility for long-term resilience. The global IT research and advisory firm's recent blueprint, Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Retail, equips retail CIOs with guidance and tools to assess emerging risks, prioritize technology investments, and build a resilient, technology-driven operational framework. TORONTO, Aug. 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Unpredictable economic conditions, fragile supply chains, and rapidly evolving customer expectations and behaviors are creating unprecedented challenges for the retail sector. Recent findings from Info-Tech Research Group highlight that, in this complex environment, technology decisions have become critical to both organizational survival and growth. To help retail leaders navigate these pressures, the global IT research and advisory firm has recently published its Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Retail blueprint. This strategic resource equips IT leaders in the industry with the tools and guidance to leverage emerging technologies, stabilize operations, and foster resilience in an era of constant disruption. Info-Tech's research insights reveal that many retailers remain reliant on outdated strategies that fail to address today's multifaceted risks. Overextended budgets, fragmented systems, and slow decision-making hinder their ability to respond to sudden shifts in market conditions. The firm's insights also show that, while emerging technologies present significant opportunities, they can be difficult to implement without a structured approach and guidance. 'CIOs are the strategic bridge between business needs and technology delivery to ensure that innovation serves both operational efficiency and customer impact,' says Donnafay MacDonald, research director at Info-Tech Research Group. 'When economic shifts or policy changes begin to disrupt sales, CIOs are often the first to detect the ripple effects, whether through slowing transaction volumes, changing customer behavior, or supply chain strain. Their end-to-end visibility enables early intervention.' Technology-First Steps for Retail IT Leaders to Address Market Challenges Grounded in its latest retail sector research, Info-Tech advises in its Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Retail blueprint a technology-first methodology that provides CIOs with a clear and actionable roadmap for transforming market disruption into strategic advantage. The structured four-phase approach guides IT leaders through the following steps: Info-Tech's insights highlight that retail organizations navigating constant disruptions require more than point solutions or temporary fixes; they need a cohesive strategy that links technology investments to measurable outcomes. In the resource, the firm encourages IT leaders to act decisively, balancing cost discipline with innovation. As MacDonald notes, 'in times of uncertainty, the best path forward isn't just to cut costs; it's to starve waste and feed a revolution. That's how retail IT can shift from defense to growth and turn volatility into a competitive edge.' By applying the insights and the actionable methodology outlined in Info-Tech's blueprint, retail organizations can build operational agility, optimize technology spending, improve customer responsiveness, and make more informed decisions. For exclusive and timely commentary from Donnafay MacDonald, an expert in retail tech and access to the complete Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Retail blueprint, please contact [email protected]. About Info-Tech Research Group Info-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact [email protected]. For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit and connect via LinkedIn and X. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
Fast Company
5 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
The cloud's greatest vulnerability is hiding in plain sight
A crisis is unfolding across enterprise cloud environments—one that's easily overlooked but becoming impossible to ignore. As organizations rush to embrace AI and next-generation digital infrastructure, a dangerous blind spot has emerged: the unseen, unprotected, and autonomous communication between cloud workloads. In this new era of agentic and generative AI, where autonomous systems operate at scale and data flows faster than ever, the risks have never been greater. This isn't a theoretical risk. It's a structural weakness baked into the way the modern cloud operates—and it represents the largest unguarded attack surface in the enterprise today. For CEOs steering digital transformation, CIOs focused on app modernization, and CISOs responsible for the associated security investments, it demands attention now. Cybersecurity teams must move at the speed of the cloud. For years, cybersecurity was grounded in a familiar model: Build a strong perimeter, monitor the edges, and keep the bad actors out. That worked in the era of centralized data centers. But the cloud rewrote the rules. Today, the internet is your default enterprise network, and trusted services now communicate across inherently untrusted infrastructure. Applications are ephemeral and composed of containers, APIs, and serverless functions that spin up and down in seconds. The perimeter has fragmented into thousands of microservices, workloads, and endpoints spread across cloud regions, providers, and platforms. And yet, most organizations still attempt to secure these environments using decades-old approaches. That mismatch is creating serious consequences. The space between workloads has become a high-risk blind spot. Internal communication paths—once considered 'safe'—are often trusted implicitly and go unmonitored. Attackers have taken notice. Modern threat actors aren't always looking to break in through the front door. Increasingly, they're entering through softer, less protected surfaces, then moving laterally inside the cloud to escalate privileges and exfiltrate data without detection. AI introduces not only speed and scale, but architectural chaos. AI systems often behave unpredictably, change communication patterns on the fly, and create autonomous data flows that evade traditional inspection. Your current security stack can't stop what it can't see: Posture tools don't detect AI agents that self-configure Endpoint protection can't monitor ephemeral AI workloads Perimeter firewalls don't inspect encrypted AI API calls Identity tools fail when agents create their own authentication contexts AI is accelerating innovation—but also dissolving control. To secure AI operations across multicloud, edge, and neo-cloud environments, organizations need frictionless, embedded architecture that inspects and governs workload-to-workload traffic in real time. That's why control—not just speed—is the real AI imperative. FROM REACTIVE DEFENSE TO A CLOUD NATIVE SECURITY FABRIC As cloud environments become more distributed, dynamic, and ephemeral, traditional security strategies are increasingly misaligned with how modern applications operate. In response, the concept of a cloud native security fabric (CNSF) is gaining traction as a new architectural approach—one that reflects the need for embedded, adaptive, and policy-driven protection within the cloud itself. CNSF isn't a product or a single solution. It's a strategic framework that considers the full complexity of today's enterprise cloud: the dissolution of the perimeter, the proliferation of microservices, the need for real-time response, and the pressure to innovate rapidly. Rather than relying solely on edge defenses or post-incident detection, CNSF proposes a shift toward proactive, in-line security, where workload-to-workload communication is inspected and governed by context-aware policies as it happens. WHY THIS BELONGS IN THE BOARDROOM This isn't just a CISO problem; it's a C-suite priority. If your cloud security posture still assumes that internal traffic is safe by default, or if your teams are overwhelmed managing fragmented tools across cloud and on-prem environments, then your business is operating with invisible risk. Consider the following: Business Continuity: Lateral breaches often go undetected for weeks, silently compromising critical systems. Innovation Speed: Burdensome security tools slow down DevOps. CNSF enables protection without bottlenecks. Cost Control: Fragmented firewalls, agent sprawl, and manual monitoring create both financial and operational drag. Reputation And Trust: Breaches aren't just IT failures—they're brand and boardroom crises. As with companies that embraced DevOps, microservices, and containerization at the start, the organizations that embrace architectural shifts early are often the ones that lead their industries forward. By embedding zero trust principles into the cloud fabric itself, CNSF enables enterprises to innovate with confidence, rather than fear. The early adopters of AI-optimized architectures will not only be safer—they'll be faster. THE BOTTOM LINE The cloud isn't just the next phase of IT—it's the foundation of modern business. Unless we secure it from the inside out, we risk building our future on an unstable core. CNSF represents a necessary evolution in companies to protect enterprise infrastructure. This requires adopting a new mindset—one that treats the cloud as it truly is: dynamic, distributed, and always in motion. The future of enterprise security is about building a foundation that makes AI innovation safe, secure, and scalable by design. As technology leaders, our responsibility is to enable innovation responsibly. The cloud is our future. It's time we secure it from the inside out.
Yahoo
11-08-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Manufacturers Urged to Act With Technology-First Plans as Disruption Intensifies, Says Info-Tech Research Group in New Report
With volatility across supply chains, energy markets, and labor, manufacturing CIOs are being pushed beyond traditional cost containment strategies to enable rapid digital transformation and operational resilience. Insights from Info-Tech Research Group's newly published blueprint, Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Manufacturing, outline a six-pillar strategy to help IT leaders address disruption, prioritize innovation, and build a technology-first foundation for growth. TORONTO, Aug. 11, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - With renewed volatility across supply chains, energy markets, labor availability, and regulatory environments, manufacturers are once again confronting a wave of operational and strategic disruption, according to new research findings from Info-Tech Research Group. As CIOs are increasingly being asked to reduce spending while also enabling automation, AI adoption, and tighter integration across IT and operational systems, the global IT research and advisory firm has published a comprehensive framework to support IT leaders in the manufacturing sector in navigating uncertainty and driving strategic outcomes. Grounded in proven research and developed by expert analysts, Info-Tech's blueprint, titled Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Manufacturing, outlines how a technology-first plan can help manufacturing organizations shift from reactive decision-making to proactive resilience by using IT to enhance visibility, accelerate transformation, and maintain momentum through uncertainty. "Cost-cutting in times of crisis works. But doubling down on innovation works even better," says Shreyas Shukla, a principal research director at Info-Tech Research Group. "Manufacturing leaders can no longer afford to take a wait-and-see approach. A technology-first mindset enables faster response, more informed decisions, and the ability to reconfigure operations with confidence when disruption strikes." A Dual Reality for CIOs in ManufacturingInfo-Tech's research insights highlight the operational challenges threatening performance and margin in the sector. The Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Manufacturing blueprint identifies the following six key pressures: Global Supply Chain Disruption & Re-shoring – Geopolitical shifts and rising transportation costs are driving demand for visibility and risk analytics tools. Volatile Energy Markets – Unstable industrial energy pricing requires IT/OT integration for consumption tracking and smarter energy management. Talent Shortages – Skills gaps in both trades and digital functions are accelerating the need for automation, knowledge capture, and low-code enablement. Capital Constraints – Inflation and high interest rates are forcing tough decisions between near-term survival and long-term transformation. Legacy and Fragmented Tech – Aging systems and siloed architectures hinder integration, scalability, and security. Regulatory Uncertainty – Evolving cyber, trade, and ESG mandates require adaptable, compliance-ready platforms. Info-Tech's Six-Pillar Technology-First Action PlanTo help manufacturing organizations regain control, Info-Tech advises a practical, six-pillar strategy focused on turning uncertainty into a source of strength. Designed with adaptability in mind, the framework found in the new blueprint supports IT leaders in balancing short-term operational needs with long-term innovation, while embedding agility into the digital foundation of manufacturing environments: Lead the Organization, Not Just IT – Proactively neutralize uncertainty by applying Exponential IT principles and delivering real-time visibility, flexible production, and digital twin capabilities. Fund Innovation by Cutting Costs – Free up budget for innovation by consolidating legacy infrastructure, renegotiating vendor contracts, and benchmarking IT spending. Pursue IT Excellence – Continue investing in mission-critical capabilities such as plant connectivity, real-time analytics, and end-to-end supply chain integration. Build an Adaptive IT Workforce – Retain institutional knowledge, upskill internally, and lead talent strategy with agility-focused digital capabilities. Slash Your AI Transformation Timeline – Prioritize immediate ROI through proven vendor-led AI tools for defect detection, predictive maintenance, and operational analytics. Execute and Prepare to Pivot – Develop execution frameworks, establish outcome-based funding, and enable fast course correction with real-time data. Outcomes That Extend Beyond ITThe firm's research-backed resource illustrates how a technology-first transformation can elevate enterprise value by aligning IT capabilities with core business outcomes. Through strategic modernization and more innovative digital execution, the research findings show that manufacturers can unlock benefits such as operational agility, cost optimization, customer confidence, as well as enhanced product quality and engineering velocity. Grounded in proven research and developed by expert analysts, Info-Tech's blueprint provides a comprehensive framework for CIOs and IT leaders in the manufacturing sector to navigate uncertainty and drive strategic outcomes. The resource combines practical tools, step-by-step methodologies, and implementation templates with a four-phase approach that includes assessing macro uncertainties, analyzing IT budgets and workforce alignment, building a focused 12-month technology roadmap, and preparing the organization for execution with a clear value narrative and communication plan. By translating complex challenges into structured, actionable steps, the firm's approach enables manufacturers to stay responsive, reduce transformation fatigue, and lead with confidence through prolonged disruption. For exclusive and timely commentary from Info-Tech's experts, including Shreyas Shukla, and access to the complete Adapt to Uncertainty With a Technology-First Action Plan for Manufacturing blueprint, please contact pr@ About Info-Tech Research GroupInfo-Tech Research Group is one of the world's leading research and advisory firms, serving over 30,000 IT and HR professionals. The company produces unbiased, highly relevant research and provides advisory services to help leaders make strategic, timely, and well-informed decisions. For nearly 30 years, Info-Tech has partnered closely with teams to provide them with everything they need, from actionable tools to analyst guidance, ensuring they deliver measurable results for their organizations. To learn more about Info-Tech's divisions, visit McLean & Company for HR research and advisory services, and SoftwareReviews for software buying insights. Media professionals can register for unrestricted access to research across IT, HR, and software, and hundreds of industry analysts through the firm's Media Insiders program. To gain access, contact pr@ For information about Info-Tech Research Group or to access the latest research, visit and connect via LinkedIn and X. View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Info-Tech Research Group
