1. Cybersecurity requires proactive, evolving strategies
To keep organizations safe, CIOs and CTOs must stop thinking defensively and start thinking offensively, just like the attackers themselves. The first step? Ask the tough questions: Where are we most exposed? What would a skilled adversary do to break in? And perhaps most critically, what are our competitors doing that we aren’t?
The stakes are high. As Loren Margolis highlights, the talent pool needed to counter these threats isn’t growing fast enough. While the cybersecurity workforce expanded by 12.6% between 2022 and 2023, the global gap remains staggering—nearly 4 million professionals short. That’s a vacuum adversaries are all too eager to exploit.
Adding complexity are rapidly shifting privacy and security laws. Regulatory landscapes differ across regions, so IT leaders need to track not just one, but a mosaic of rules. Falling out of compliance is a hit to reputation and customer trust. The solution lies in building agile teams capable of adapting to evolving threats, integrating new technologies like AI for threat detection, and closing talent gaps through aggressive training and recruitment efforts.
2. Driving value from IT investments, particularly in AI
AI is under a microscope. In 2024, many organizations poured money into AI projects, only to find returns far below expectations. Heading into 2025, the focus is squarely on ROI. Enterprises are shifting their AI strategies from “let’s try this” to “show me the numbers.” And it’s about time.
The key is making sure people actually use them. Change management is the name of the game. Employees need AI tools that are simple to adopt and directly applicable to their jobs. Tools that save them time, not create more headaches. That’s why human-centric AI, which is intuitive and workflow-aligned, is taking center stage.
Uzi Dvir, the Global CIO at WalkMe, points out that the adoption metrics for AI need to improve. Employees are skeptical about investing time in learning tools that don’t immediately prove their value. Visibility into these adoption rates and optimization efforts will separate the winners from the rest. For organizations ready to tackle these barriers head-on, AI will stop being a cost center and start being a true driver of growth.
3. Budget constraints require efficiency-driven technology use
Budgets are tighter than ever, but the demand for results has only grown louder. The solution isn’t throwing more people at the problem, but rather making smarter use of technology. Low-code platforms, machine learning, and AI tools are the assets CIOs and CTOs are leaning on to meet higher expectations with fewer resources.
Take GitHub Copilot, for example. Steven Berkovitz estimates it could boost developer productivity by 10% to 20%, saving precious hours on repetitive tasks like boilerplate code. That’s like adding an entire extra developer to the team without increasing headcount. And let’s be clear: these tools aren’t replacing people and are instead amplifying them. Developers who use AI aren’t less necessary, they’re more valuable. They’re freed up to tackle the complex problems that no algorithm can solve.
The fear of job loss to AI is a narrative that needs to be retired. These tools aren’t here to take over; they’re here to supercharge human effort. And for organizations willing to embrace this efficiency-first mindset, the returns are undeniable.
4. Bridging talent shortages is a persistent challenge
Talent is the fuel that drives innovation, but the tank is running on empty. The global shortage of skilled professionals, particularly in cybersecurity and AI, is a hurdle that every industry is feeling. According to the World Economic Forum, the cybersecurity workforce gap alone is nearly 4 million professionals. It’s a crisis.
Regulated sectors like healthcare and government are especially hard hit. These industries face complex compliance demands while contending with the same talent drought everyone else is battling. On top of that, the pace of change is relentless. New threats emerge daily, and teams are burning out just trying to keep up.
Addressing this shortage means rethinking how organizations find, train, and retain talent. Leaders need to cultivate a workforce that’s resilient, adaptable, and ready for what’s next.
5. Collaboration and cross-functional problem-solving
The days of IT operating in a silo are long gone. Today’s CIOs and CTOs are as much collaborators as they are technologists. They sit at the intersection of every department, uniquely positioned to tear down walls and solve problems that span the entire enterprise.
Joe Logan puts it best: the companies that figure out cross-functional problem-solving will always outperform those that don’t. Why? Because when departments work in harmony, they find insights and efficiencies that no single team could achieve on its own. Whether it’s streamlining processes, improving customer experiences, or driving innovation, the results speak for themselves.
The challenge lies in breaking the old habits that keep departments in their corners. IT leaders must lead by example, facilitating conversations, aligning goals, and making sure every stakeholder feels part of the solution. Look beyond the technology, and focus on the culture.
6. Cloud adoption trends are accelerating in lagging industries
For years, industries like maritime and oil and gas have lagged behind in adopting cloud technologies. But thanks to advancements like satellite connectivity, the tide is turning. Teams in remote or hard-to-reach locations now have access to real-time data processing capabilities, transforming how they operate. Andrew Lunstad highlights that cloud solutions are helping remote teams to manage critical processes without relying on bulky on-site infrastructure.
The benefits are clear: reducing physical equipment saves space, cuts costs, and minimizes the risk of data loss. With cloud adoption, teams gain instant access to data wherever they are, empowering faster decision-making and improved resilience.
This shift isn’t automatic though. Long-standing practices and deeply rooted processes can make the transition bumpy. Change management becomes key in aligning teams, educating them about new systems, and keeping adoption smooth and aligned.
7. Agility is key to address geopolitical and cybersecurity threats
The global stage is volatile, and that volatility is reshaping the nature of cyber threats. Lou Steinberg’s analysis lays out a stark picture: adversaries’ tactics are evolving alongside geopolitical tensions, and organizations need to stay light on their feet to respond effectively.
Expect an escalation in tactics like DDoS attacks, ransomware, and disinformation campaigns, with regional nuances driving these threats. What then does this mean for CIOs and CTOs? Cybersecurity strategies can no longer be static. Teams must prepare for threats specific to their region, industry, and geopolitical realities. Agility is the only way to make sure defenses align with an ever-changing threat landscape.
8. Innovation requires ecosystem collaboration
Innovation thrives in environments that embrace bold thinking and collective effort. For CIOs and CTOs, fostering that environment is as much about culture as it is about technology. Joe Batista’s advice is simple but profound: risk-taking is key, and failures should be seen not as setbacks but as stepping stones.
To get there, leaders need to look beyond their own walls. Collaborating across ecosystems, whether with other companies, suppliers, or even competitors, creates opportunities to align business goals with technological possibilities. This kind of collaboration generates new ideas and builds resilience and adaptability in the face of market disruptions.
Ultimately, the most innovative organizations are those where teams feel free to experiment. Encouraging exploration, celebrating lessons from failure, and building partnerships create the conditions for breakthroughs that keep businesses ahead.
9. Understanding customer experiences drives competitive advantage
CIOs and CTOs have a unique role in making customer experience a central part of their organization’s strategy. Joe Batista argues that the key lies in truly understanding not just your customers, but your customers’ customers.
Start by mapping out the entire customer journey. What pain points exist? What surprises and delights them? Go further and spend a day in your customer’s shoes and hold regular insight sessions to dive deeper into their needs. This isn’t a one-time exercise, and needs to be an ongoing commitment to curiosity.
Engaging deeply and consistently, IT leaders can anticipate future skills and technology needs, positioning their businesses to deliver proactive solutions. The organizations that succeed in this space will be those that blend empathy with data, using insights to craft experiences that resonate.
10. Effective data management find insights and supports AI workloads
Unstructured data is growing exponentially, and for CIOs and CTOs, managing it effectively is both a challenge and an opportunity. Carl D’Halluin points out that as hybrid cloud environments become the norm, the importance of global data management practices is only increasing.
The lifecycle of data, from creation to archiving, needs to be optimized to extract meaningful insights. Data lakes and lake houses are critical for making sure the right data supports AI and machine learning workloads. Without proper management, organizations risk drowning in irrelevant or redundant information, slowing down their progress.
In 2025, the growth of unstructured data stored across public and private cloud environments will dominate IT conversations. Organizations that embrace robust data strategies will not only improve their analytics capabilities but also drive smarter decisions and better outcomes across the board.
Final thoughts
Is your organization prepared to adapt faster than the challenges it faces? Whether it’s leveraging AI for real ROI, fortifying against cyber threats, or understanding your customers in ways no competitor does, the future belongs to those who move intentionally and think differently. So, what’s holding your team back from success in 2025? Remember, if you don’t push the boundaries, someone else will.
