Pressures to remain competitive can override the need to be strategic about the use of these new technologies. Discerning what is hype, and what is real gets harder when every day brings new claims about AI’s capabilities (and risks), and everyone from cruise-ship operators to fast food chains is studying how to harness its power to transform their business. This work calls for a strategy about the medium-to-long-term impact and opportunities, all while managing a rapidly changing policy and security environment, demanding investors and most importantly, an anxious workforce.

So as a CEO, how do you lead and provide oversight in this environment and lead with a strategy to realize the opportunities but also minimize the risks to your business?

10 things you can do right now

1. Have a plan and commitment to separate hype from strategically significant developments, now and over time. Develop trusted resources for information and a framework for taking in information.
2. Empower a small advisory team dedicated to providing unvarnished, diverse perspectives on external and internal developments and possible impacts; a small advisory squad of internal and external voices for whom no question is off the table and difficult discussions are encouraged in order to advise the CEO and other senior executives and the Board.
3. Consider the immediate and medium-to-long-term impacts of these developments separately and with clear eyes about your strategies and resources. For example, are the AI tools today suitable for the nature and quality of the data you can access currently? Is your organization mature on technology training and security? What is likely to impact your workforce this year? And in two years? How will these technologies help you provide greater value to the customer/client or solve a particular business problem?
4. Develop a technology governance roadmap that sets a journey-not-a-destination mindset and allows your organization to start the work in steps and build competency. It is a visual plan that will help you consider your current capabilities and resources and likely regulatory environments, and plan a way forward that is consistent with internal standards and improves the odds the business generates value from investing in these new cutting-edge technologies.
5. Build a diverse and effective (for you) Digital Governance council for the company or similar group. They can be tasked as a resource and/or as arbiters who  reflect your organization’s needs and operational priorities while ensuring the boardroom also has the skills and knowledge to provide oversight
6. Understand and govern your

1. 1. Data needs and capabilities
   2. AI needs and capabilities
   3. Cybersecurity needs and capabilities

7.  Integrate cybersecurity, privacy, and, as needed, national security considerations into everything from corporate governance to operations to technology development and procurement.

8. Account for the people in your organization, by way of workflows and training, but also their resilience and how they are interacting with and being affected by advanced technologies. Consider the opportunities to build confidence in your people by informing and leading, as well as change management approaches and resources that support successful transformations.

9. Incentivize and accommodate good question-asking and critical thinking behaviors in addition to good and fast answers. This will help with engagement and encourage innovation across your organization.

10. Stay agile and curious and develop methods of leadership and strategic planning that expect the unexpected, change, and opacity.

CEOs are not alone in their excitement but also their concern about how advanced technologies will impact their businesses (and their lives). Creating the right environment now will help maximize down the road, so that your journey is towards a destination with purpose, success, and longevity.

Claudia Salomon, President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration, and Karen Silverman, CEO and Founder of The Cantellus Group

The post 10 Strategies for CEOs to realize the opportunities and manage the risks of cutting-edge technologies appeared first on CEO Medium.

consulting firm based in Toronto.  Adam’s passion for cybersecurity began early in life and he decided to continue his passion by earning a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science from the University of Toronto, followed by a Master’s degree in Cybersecurity. At Fortress Tech Consulting, Adam and his team take a personalized approach to cybersecurity, working closely with small and midsize businesses to understand what their security vulnerabilities are and how to combat them.

1. Adam, thank you for taking the time to speak with us today. Can you start by telling us a bit about yourself and your background in cybersecurity?

Adam McManus: Of course, thank you for having me. I’ve been in the cybersecurity industry for over 15 years now. I started my career as an IT technician, and over time I developed a passion for cybersecurity. I went back to school to get my degree in cybersecurity, and since then I’ve worked for a number of different companies and consulted for many more.

2. Can you tell us more about Fortress Tech Consulting and what the company does?

Adam McManus: Sure, at Fortress Tech Consulting, my team and I provide cybersecurity consulting services to businesses – mostly small and midsize businesses. Our goal is to help our clients protect their sensitive data and infrastructure from cyber threats. We offer a wide range of services, including vulnerability assessments, penetration testing, and security audits.

3. What, from your experience, do you think are some of the biggest cybersecurity threats that businesses face today?

Adam McManus: There are many different threats that businesses face today, but some of the most common ones include phishing attacks, ransomware, and insider threats. Cybercriminals are always coming up with new ways to exploit vulnerabilities, so it’s important for businesses to stay vigilant and keep their security measures up to date.

4. How do you work with clients to help them identify and address these threats?

Adam McManus: Well, we take a proactive approach to cybersecurity. We start by conducting a thorough assessment of our client’s infrastructure and identifying any vulnerabilities that exist. From there, we work with our clients to develop a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy that addresses their specific needs and goals. We also provide ongoing monitoring and support to ensure that their security measures remain effective over time.

5. How do you keep up with the latest trends and developments in cybersecurity?

Adam McManus: Like a lot of tech areas, cybersecurity is a ever-evolving, so it’s important to stay up to date on the latest trends and developments. I make it a priority to read cybersecurity blogs and news sites, and network where I can. Additionally, my team and I are always learning and expanding our knowledge base to better serve our clients.

6. What advice do you have for businesses that are just starting to take cybersecurity seriously?

Adam McManus: My advice would be to start with a comprehensive assessment of your infrastructure and identify any vulnerabilities that exist. From there, develop a cybersecurity strategy that addresses your specific needs and goals. And most importantly, make cybersecurity a priority and invest in ongoing monitoring and support to ensure that your security measures remain effective over time.

7. What are some common misconceptions that businesses have about cybersecurity?

Adam McManus: One common misconception is that cybersecurity is only necessary for large businesses or those in certain industries. The truth is that any business that collects, stores, or processes sensitive data is at risk of a cyber attack. Another misconception is that investing in cybersecurity is too expensive or time-consuming. While there is a cost associated with cybersecurity measures, the cost of a data breach or other cyber attack can be far more costly in the long run..

8. What do you think the future of cybersecurity looks like?

Adam McManus: I think that cybersecurity will continue to become more sophisticated and complex as cybercriminals develop new methods of attack. At the same time, I think that there will be an increased focus on proactive measures, such as threat hunting and machine learning, to identify and prevent threats before they can cause harm. Additionally, with the growing importance of remote work, we can expect to see an increased emphasis on securing remote access and endpoints.

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