The 21st century is marked by an unprecedented breakthrough of new technologies, especially within companies. In this context, CIOs play a preponderant role.
Long perceived as technical managers, information systems directors (DSI) now occupy a strategic role within organizations. Indeed, they are today at the heart of the digital transformation and the resilience of companies. Between the rise of cybermenaces, a revolution of artificial intelligence and optimization of IT infrastructure, their role becomes more central than ever.
What are the challenges and priorities of CIOs for 2025? What trends will make their mission in an increasingly complex and competitive environment?
Victor Delancray, Head of Sales & Marketing at the Docoon publisher, returns to the profound changes in companies with the advent of new technologies, and some of the major issues they face.
1️ – Cybersecurity: the number one issue of CIOs
Cyberattacks have become a daily threat to businesses. According to a study by the Gartner firm, 68 %* of CIOs consider cybersecurity as their absolute priority for 2025. A concern which is explained by the increase in attacks targeting critical infrastructures and sensitive data from businesses. And the examples are unfortunately daily. Health, finance, … whether it is the public or private sector, no one is spared. CIOs will therefore have to anticipate the threat through in particular:
– A trust zero posture: adopting an approach where no connection or user is automatically approved.
– Automation of cybersecurity: deploy solutions to detect and counter threats in real time.
– Cloud security: 83 %* of companies plan to increase their cybersecurity budget for cloud environments.
With a clear objective in mind for CIOs: anticipating attacks and strengthening their defensive posture.
2️ – The rise of new technologies: AI and Cloud in mind
CIOs can no longer ignore the impact of emerging technologies, in particular artificial intelligence (AI) and the cloud. True levers for innovation and cost optimization, they must quickly be integrated into organizations like these concrete applications for example:
– AI and Automation: Use of AI to improve data analysis, automate certain tasks and optimize customer relations.
– Cloud hybrid and data sovereignty: Adopting a hybrid approach will allow flexibility to benefit from local regulations.
3 – Data governance and regulatory conformity: a constantly evolving challenge
With the multiplication of data protection regulations (GDPR, SECNUMCLOUD, etc.), and the multiplication of sanctions, data governance becomes a critical issue for CIOs, with major challenges such as:
– Respect for international regulations – especially with the arrival of the compulsory electronic invoice (PEPPOL, etc.): adaptation to legal requirements to avoid sanctions.
– Securing sensitive data: implementation of strict management and information protection policies.
– Data Governance and access management: adoption of centralized and secure data management.
In France, many companies are gradually migrating to sovereign cloud solutions to better control their sensitive data.
4 – Optimization of IT costs: the CIO will have to find the right balance
Accelerated digitalization puts under pressure the IT budgets. According to a Forrester study, 65 %* of CIOs are responsible for optimizing IT costs while continuing their digital transformation. One of the most difficult equation to be resolved in the current context, so the strategies to be deployed to optimize costs will consist in integrating in particular:
– Finops: Best management of cloud expenditure to avoid waste.
– The rationalization of applications: Reduction of the number of redundant tools to reduce maintenance costs.
– Outsourcing and Managed Services: Indeed, more and more companies outsource certain IT functions to focus on their core business.
5 – Attract and retain IT talents: a concern always relevant
The fact is not new: the IT sector is experiencing an increasing talent shortage. In 2025, 69 % of CIOs estimated that skills management and recruitment are major challenges (source: McKinsey). But how to solve this problem? The CIO must, as soon as it can, look at different opportunities:
– Upskilling and Reskilling: Train internally to compensate for the lack of skills available on the market. Thus, faced with the scarcity of cybersecurity experts, some companies now form their own internal specialists via bootcamps and certifying routes.
– Hybrid and flexible work models: despite the trend that aims to recall the teams in the premises, to attract talent, companies will have to bet on telework and more agile environments.
– IT employer brand: highlight innovative technological projects to seduce experts.
6️ – The role of CIOs in sustainability and digital responsibility
Companies are increasingly faced with environmental and societal requirements. The digital transition must now integrate a more responsible and sustainable approach. According to Gartner*, 60 % of CIOs consider eco -responsibility as a priority axis (reduction in the carbon footprint).
Initiatives in favor of sustainable digital will have to integrate:
– Green IT: Optimization of IT infrastructure to reduce the energy consumption of data centers.
– Digital sobriety: lighter and less energy -consuming applications.
– Recycling and reuse of equipment: adoption of a more circular approach to limit electronic waste.
Thus, some companies migrate to data centers fueled by renewable energies to reduce their environmental impact.
Today CIOs have truly become central actors in digital transformation. In 2025, they are no longer just technical officials, but real strategic pilots of the company. They must juggle between security, innovation, cost optimization, customer experience, sustainability and regulatory compliance.
Thus, if the trend continues, the CIO of tomorrow will be above all a strategist, an innovator and a guarantor of the digital resilience of companies.
And you, are you ready for the IT challenges of 2025?
Sources:
https://www.gartner.fr/fr/articles/priorites-auxlelles-les-dsi-devront-se-consacrer-en-2025-aselon-l-enquete-aux-dsi-de-Gartner
