* [![perspectives](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/prespective-icon.png)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives) * 5 Things That Keep CIOs Up at Night (Hint: It's Not Always the Obvious Stuff) English * [English](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/perspectives/5-things-that-keep-cios-up-at-night) * [Français (French)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.fr/perspectives/5-things-that-keep-cios-up-at-night/) * [日本語 (Japanese)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.jp/perspectives/5-things-that-keep-cios-up-at-night/) * [简体中文 (Chinese -Simplified)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.cn/perspectives/5-things-that-keep-cios-up-at-night/) * [繁體中文 (Chinese -Traditional)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.tw/perspectives/5-things-that-keep-cios-up-at-night/) * [Deutsch (German)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.de/perspectives/5-things-that-keep-cios-up-at-night/) * [한국어 (Korean)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.co.kr/perspectives/5-things-that-keep-cios-up-at-night/) # 5 Things That Keep CIOs Up at Night (Hint: It's Not Always the Obvious Stuff) ![5 Things That Keep CIOs Up at Night (Hint: It’s Not Always the Obvious Stuff)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/5-things-that-keep-cios-up-at-night.jpg) **By [Meerah Rajavel](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/author/meerah/ "Posts by Meerah Rajavel")** | **6 min read** | ![share icon](https://paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/cxo-perspectives/images/cxo-share.svg) * LinkedIn button ![linkedin-icon](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/microsite/cortex/images/share-linkedin.svg) * Twitter share button ![twitter-icon](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/microsite/cortex/images/share-twitter-x-black.svg) * \[Email share button ![email-icon](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/microsite/cortex/images/share-email.svg)\](mailto:?subject=5 Things That Keep CIOs Up at Night (Hint: It’s Not Always the Obvious Stuff)\&body=Check out this article https%3A%2F%2Fwww.paloaltonetworks.com.au%2Fperspectives%2F5-things-that-keep-cios-up-at-night%2F "Share in Email") * ![copy-icon](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/themes/csp2025/dist/images/icons/icon-share.svg) [](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/5-things-that-keep-cios-up-at-night/?pdf=download&lg=en&_wpnonce=3cf69e56f6 "Click here to download") MEET THE AUTHOR ![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Meerah-Rajavel-headshot.jpg) As Chief Information Officer, Meerah is responsible for Palo Alto Networks' global information technology functions, driving a comprehensive strategy to scale and rapidly deliver innovative solutions for our worldwide teams. Prior to joining Palo Alto Networks in 2022, Meerah was CIO at Citrix and held past leadership roles at McAfee, Forcepoint, Cisco and Infosys. Meerah deeply understands the IT challenges across the industry, among organizations of all sizes. Meerah holds a Bachelor's in Computer Science \& Engineering from the Thiagarajar College of Engineering at Anna University in Chennai, India. She also holds a Master's of Business Administration from the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, California.... [Learn more](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/author/meerah/) ## IN THIS ARTICLE [G](https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-great-it-outage-of-2024-is-a-wake-up-call-about-digital-public-infrastructure/)[lobal digital outages](https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/new-atlanticist/the-great-it-outage-of-2024-is-a-wake-up-call-about-digital-public-infrastructure/) do more than disrupt commerce and business operations in multiple industries. They send harsh and frightening reminders to chief information officers (CIOs) that new threats will emerge around any corner at any moment --- and they must be prepared. Many CIOs [lose sleep](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/5-security-concerns-for-cisos.html?utm_source=google-jg-amer-unit42-unrc-unpr&utm_medium=paid_search&utm_campaign=google-unit42-more_prepared-amer-multi-lead_gen-en-non_brand-broad&utm_content=7014u000001VSLUAA4&utm_term=virtual%20ciso&cq_plac=&cq_net=g&gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy6nfxZHohwMVwTmtBh26cQ0DEAAYASAAEgJ-S_D_BwE) anticipating a middle-of-the-night cybersecurity alert. Their concerns run the gamut from the newest ransomware attack to the expanding threat vectors of edge computing and the internet of things. Add in big-impact issues such as artificial intelligence as a [double-edged cybersecurity sword](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2024/05/ais-offensive-defensive-impacts/), the rising costs of data breaches, and a deepening and widening cybersecurity skills gap, and there's no wonder why sleeplessness plagues these C-suiters. But while the threats and their implications weigh heavily on the minds of technology executives, they are actually symptomatic of bigger, more strategic issues. Here are the five that stand out as relentless causes of insomnia and anxiety. 1. Reducing Complexity Before It Strangles the Organization ----------------------------------------------------------- It may sound like belaboring the obvious, but complexity is a substantial and still-growing threat to solid cybersecurity. In fact, complexity is the No. 1 factor cited by countless [studies and research reports](https://www.techtarget.com/esg-global/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/The-Life-and-Times-of-Cybersecurity-Professionals-Volume-VI.pdf). Fortunately, organizations are investing heavily in digital infrastructure to make their operations more efficient and transform how they compete. However, much of the purchasing, deployment, and management of new technologies and tools is done on an ad hoc, transactional basis. As a result, there are huge amounts of incompatibilities and inefficiencies in everything from antimalware to ransomware detection. These disparate cybersecurity silos inhibit communications about threats, bad actors, and potential remedies, making the day-to-day life of a cybersecurity leader more challenging every day. As a result, many organizations are embracing new approaches, such as integrated cybersecurity platforms. This move toward [platformization](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/2024/06/platformization-unified-platforms/) is a major step forward for CIOs who are looking for any way possible to reduce complexity. 2. Building a More Beneficial and Honest Relationship with the C-Suite and Board -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- As cybersecurity grows in complexity and criticality, boards of directors are becoming more interested and involved. The old practices of making periodic presentations at board meetings have been replaced with more frequent, strategic, and at times "urgent" communications. The prevalence of communications tools like Zoom and Microsoft Teams makes it far easier to discuss cybersecurity threats and challenges in real time, rather than waiting for a quarterly board presentation. While these conversations can be great ways to demonstrate their business acumen to the board in framing cybersecurity in an operational, marketing, or financial light, the reality is that these meetings are often fraught with uncertainty and complexity. That's why it's more important than ever to position the CIO as a critical, integral, and strategic part of the leadership team in the eyes of the board. That's not to say it's easy. The term "boardroom politics" is widely used and understood by savvy executives, creating further stressful scenarios. CIOs need to think about their language for the board, with a focus on 360-degree problem-and-solution discussions in an honest, candid manner. Although many of those conversations focus on risk, it's also important for CIOs to talk about how cybersecurity strategies and tactics actually increase business opportunity. 3. Becoming an Expert in Resource Management -------------------------------------------- This is actually an amalgam of challenges, requiring deft skill in assessing and prioritizing challenges even as new ones emerge. Consider these facts: * The cybersecurity skills gap is huge, and despite a surge in hiring around the world, that gap is still growing.[The World Economic Forum](https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2024/04/cybersecurity-industry-talent-shortage-new-report/) noted that the global cybersecurity workforce grew by more than 12% in 2023---but there still is a global shortage of more than 4 million cybersecurity-related workers. * Organizations continue to allocate an increasing portion of their technology budgets to cybersecurity readiness and defense---yet budgets still often aren't sufficient to keep up as threats expand in volume, velocity, creativity, and effectiveness. * Automation and intelligence-based tools are helping immeasurably, but new threats are emerging faster than ever, blunting the impact of these productivity improvements. [Research](https://aag-it.com/the-latest-cyber-crime-statistics/#:~:text=With%20an%20average%20of%2097,their%20data%20leaked%20every%20second.) indicates that a cybercrime is committed every 37 seconds, putting CIOs on a continuous treadmill of threat and response. The most successful CIOs are the ones who understand how to accumulate, assess, and marshal the right resources at the right time to make the most out of what they already have. Questions like "can we leverage AI copilots to glean operational efficiencies and reduce the outsourcing budget or at least mitigate the need to expand it?" are complex to answer but critical to success. They must also fine-tune their abilities to go to the gatekeepers, lobby effectively, and use political guile to point out the costs of not putting together the proper and sufficient cybersecurity resource portfolio. 4. Prioritizing Data Storage and Security for AI Usage ------------------------------------------------------ A 2022 study reported that 63% of the respondents used the cloud "heavily." The use of cloud services in 2021 was 59%, and 53% in 2020. A 2023 Cloud Security Alliance report, surprisingly, revealed that [98% of organizations worldwide use cloud services](https://cloudsecurityalliance.org/artifacts/state-of-financial-services-in-cloud). Not only do CIOs need to be more than cognizant of data storage, it needs to be a top priority. Not long ago, data storage and security were already complex issues, but AI has added a new layer of urgency. The vast amounts of data required to train and run AI models weren't on most CIOs' radars 18 months ago, yet today, these models demand large-scale, secure data environments. CIOs now face the challenge of balancing data security, privacy regulations, and managing the growing storage needs that AI technologies require---all while ensuring that sensitive data isn't exposed or mishandled. This added burden requires CIOs to rethink their storage and security strategies, introducing new protocols and tools for safeguarding data across these AI-driven environments. What was once an afterthought is now a critical need for staying ahead of threats and maintaining operational integrity. 5. Taking Care of Professional Needs and Personal Well-Being ------------------------------------------------------------ The responsibilities and challenges facing a CIO are significant and complex. Sure, those are prestigious, generally well-paying positions. But the pressure they are under has always been intense and often unacknowledged. Now, that pressure is building in direct relationship to the stakes of a failure. It's important to keep in mind that CIOs may have trouble sleeping at night because they are, unlike their AI counterparts, human. The life of a CIO can be tremendously satisfying and a source of great professional pride. It also can be terrifyingly confusing and fraught with risk. Those executives---and the organizations that employ and rely on them---need to understand and focus on big picture issues and not get caught up in the technical minutiae. While CIOs certainly need to focus on how to turn data into business opportunity and competitive advantage, they can't do that if this critical asset is in perpetual jeopardy. A multitude of CIOs may find more nights sleepless than others, but embracing proactive techniques and acknowledging the risks, rather than ignoring them, could be the first steps toward getting a good night's sleep. For more information on how you can address the skills shortage gap, check out our [Cybersecurity Perspectives article](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cybersecurity-perspectives/5-steps-we-can-take-to-address-the-cyber-skills-shortage). * [Cyber as a Boardroom Topic](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/all-articles/?cat=cyber-as-a-boardroom-topic) * [Platformization](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/all-articles/?cat=platformization) * [Staying Ahead of Evolving Threats](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/all-articles/?cat=staying-ahead-of-evolving-threats) ## Related Content ![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Securing-the-Wrong-Layer-featured.jpg) BLOG ### Staying Ahead of Evolving Threats **Cybersecurity in 2026: What we predicted, what surprised us, and what's next** At Palo Alto Networks, we are privileged to sit at the intersection of cybe... [Haider Pasha](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/author/haider-pasha/ "Posts by Haider Pasha") [](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/cybersecurity-in-2026-what-we-predicted-what-surprised-us-and-whats-next/) ![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/AdobeStock_704394220-16x7-1-scaled.png) BLOG ### AI **Is Your Enterprise Architecture Ready for the Agentic Workforce?** Exploring autonomous, agent-to-agent risk: Why your security needs governed... [Anand Oswal](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/author/anand-oswal/ "Posts by Anand Oswal") [](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/is-your-enterprise-architecture-ready-for-the-agentic-workforce/) ![](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/New-Economics-of-Cyber-Resilience-featured.jpg) BLOG ### AI **From Insurance Policy to Growth Engine: The New Economics of Cyber Resilience** Security is not a shield. It is a sensor for business velocity.... [Ben Hasskamp](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/author/ben-hasskamp/ "Posts by Ben Hasskamp") [](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com.au/perspectives/from-insurance-policy-to-growth-engine-the-new-economics-of-cyber-resilience/) STAY CONNECTED ## Connect with our team today Job Level Sign me up to receive news, product updates, sales outreach, event information and special offers about Palo Alto Networks and its partners. By submitting this form, I understand my personal data will be processed in accordance with Palo Alto Networks [Privacy Statement](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown) and [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown). This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google [Privacy Policy](https://policies.google.com/privacy) and [Terms of Service](https://policies.google.com/terms) apply. Reach out {#footer} Products and Services * [AI-Powered Network Security Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security?ts=markdown) * [Secure AI by Design](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-security?ts=markdown) * [Prisma AIRS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/ai-security/prisma-airs?ts=markdown) * [AI Access Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/ai-access-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Delivered Security Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/security-subscriptions?ts=markdown) * [Advanced Threat Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-threat-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Advanced URL Filtering](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-url-filtering?ts=markdown) * [Advanced WildFire](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-wildfire?ts=markdown) * [Advanced DNS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/advanced-dns-security?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise Data Loss Prevention](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/enterprise-device-security?ts=markdown) * [Medical IoT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown) * [Industrial OT Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/medical-device-security?ts=markdown) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown) * [Next-Generation Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/next-generation-firewall?ts=markdown) * [Hardware Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/hardware-firewall-innovations?ts=markdown) * [Software Firewalls](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/software-firewalls?ts=markdown) * [Strata Cloud Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/strata-cloud-manager?ts=markdown) * [SD-WAN for NGFW](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/sd-wan-subscription?ts=markdown) * [PAN-OS](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/pan-os?ts=markdown) * [Panorama](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/network-security/panorama?ts=markdown) * [Secure Access Service Edge](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown) * [Prisma SASE](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase?ts=markdown) * [Application Acceleration](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/app-acceleration?ts=markdown) * [Autonomous Digital Experience Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/adem?ts=markdown) * [Enterprise DLP](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/enterprise-data-loss-prevention?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/access?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Browser](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/prisma-browser?ts=markdown) * [Prisma SD-WAN](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/sd-wan?ts=markdown) * [Remote Browser Isolation](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/remote-browser-isolation?ts=markdown) * [SaaS Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sase/saas-security?ts=markdown) * [AI-Driven Security Operations Platform](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown) * [Cortex Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud?ts=markdown) * [Application Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/application-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Posture Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/cloud-posture-security?ts=markdown) * [Cloud Runtime Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cloud/runtime-security?ts=markdown) * [Prisma Cloud](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/prisma/cloud?ts=markdown) * [AI-Driven SOC](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsiam?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XDR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xdr?ts=markdown) * [Cortex XSOAR](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xsoar?ts=markdown) * [Cortex Xpanse](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/cortex-xpanse?ts=markdown) * [Unit 42 Managed Detection \& Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-detection-and-response?ts=markdown) * [Managed XSIAM](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cortex/managed-xsiam?ts=markdown) * [Next-Generation Identity Security](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira?ts=markdown) * [Privileged Access Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/privileged-access-management?ts=markdown) * [Identity and Access Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/identity-and-access-management?ts=markdown) * [Endpoint Privilege Manager](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/endpoint-privilege-manager?ts=markdown) * [Identity Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/identity-governance?ts=markdown) * [Workforce Password Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/workforce-password-management?ts=markdown) * [Agentic Identities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/agentic?ts=markdown) * [Secrets Management](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/secrets-management?ts=markdown) * [Unified Secrets Governance](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/unified-secrets-governance?ts=markdown) * [Application Credentials Delivery](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/machine/application-credentials-delivery?ts=markdown) * [Vendor Privileged Access](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/idira/human/vendor-privileged-access?ts=markdown) * [Threat Intel and Incident Response Services](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42?ts=markdown) * [Proactive Assessments](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/assess?ts=markdown) * [Incident Response](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/respond?ts=markdown) * [Transform Your Security Strategy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/transform?ts=markdown) * [Discover Threat Intelligence](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/unit42/threat-intelligence-partners?ts=markdown) Company * [About Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us?ts=markdown) * [Careers](https://jobs.paloaltonetworks.com/en/) * [Contact Us](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/contact-sales?ts=markdown) * [Corporate Responsibility](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/corporate-responsibility?ts=markdown) * [Customers](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/customers?ts=markdown) * [Investor Relations](https://investors.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Location](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/about-us/locations?ts=markdown) * [Newsroom](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/company/newsroom?ts=markdown) Popular Links * [Blog](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/blog/?ts=markdown) * [Communities](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/communities?ts=markdown) * [Content Library](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/resources?ts=markdown) * [Cyberpedia](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/cyberpedia?ts=markdown) * [Event Center](https://events.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Manage Email Preferences](https://start.paloaltonetworks.com/preference-center) * [Products A-Z](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/products/products-a-z?ts=markdown) * [Product Certifications](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center/compliance?ts=markdown) * [Report a Vulnerability](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/security-disclosure?ts=markdown) * [Sitemap](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/sitemap?ts=markdown) * [Tech Docs](https://docs.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Unit 42](https://unit42.paloaltonetworks.com/) * [Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information](https://panwedd.exterro.net/portal/dsar.htm?target=panwedd) ![Palo Alto Networks Logo](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/pan-logo-dark.svg) * [Privacy](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/privacy?ts=markdown) * [Trust Center](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/trust-center?ts=markdown) * [Terms of Use](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal-notices/terms-of-use?ts=markdown) * [Documents](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/legal?ts=markdown) Copyright © 2026 Palo Alto Networks. All Rights Reserved * [![Youtube](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/youtube-black.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/user/paloaltonetworks) * [![Podcast](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/content/dam/pan/en_US/images/icons/podcast.svg)](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/podcasts/threat-vector?ts=markdown) * [![Facebook](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/facebook-black.svg)](https://www.facebook.com/PaloAltoNetworks/) * [![LinkedIn](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/linkedin-black.svg)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/palo-alto-networks) * [![Twitter](https://www.paloaltonetworks.com/etc/clientlibs/clean/imgs/social/twitter-x-black.svg)](https://twitter.com/PaloAltoNtwks) * AU Select your language