The CIO role is safe and sound

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But here's the rub: smart CIOs have already become stronger for the process they've been through. Being challenged to prove their relevance has helped CIOs recognise that great leadership is about avoiding the day-to-day details of operational IT.

If your users want to experiment with new IT services, find a way to let them. If they want to use their own devices, find a way to let them. The modern CIO embraces change and openness, and recognises the IT leader role should enable, rather than control.

Just like the CEO and CFO understand the mechanics of successful business, the CIO understands the governance and risk processes associated to successful IT management. By becoming a risk manager, who is truly aligned with the demands of the modern business, the CIO's role becomes more important than ever before.

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Mark Samuels is a freelance writer specializing in business and technology. For the past two decades, he has produced extensive work on subjects such as the adoption of technology by C-suite executives.

At ITPro, Mark has provided long-form content on C-suite strategy, particularly relating to chief information officers (CIOs), as well as digital transformation case studies, and explainers on cloud computing architecture.

Mark has written for publications including Computing, The Guardian, ZDNet, TechRepublic, Times Higher Education, and CIONET.

Before his career in journalism, Mark achieved a BA in geography and MSc in World Space Economy at the University of Birmingham, as well as a PhD in economic geography at the University of Sheffield.