Each week in CIO Influence brings fresh challenges and groundbreaking innovations that redefine the IT landscape. As we move through February, the rapid pace of change demands that technology leaders stay ahead of the curve—where adaptability isn’t just an advantage but a necessity.
This week, cloud computing solidifies its role as a key driver of enterprise agility, while AI-driven automation continues to reshape workflows and decision-making processes. Meanwhile, cybersecurity remains a pressing concern, with evolving threats forcing organizations to rethink their security postures.
In this roundup, we explore the pivotal trends influencing IT leadership, from transformative technologies to strategic insights that shape the future of business. Whether you’re tracking the latest advancements or seeking expert analysis, these stories provide essential takeaways to keep you informed and ahead in the digital era.
IT Snapshot: Top Trends and Innovations Unpacked
Weekly Security Insights
Sophos and Pax8 Announce Strategic Partnership to Streamline Security Management
Sophos, a global leader of innovative security solutions for defeating cyberattacks, today announced a strategic partnership with Pax8, the leading cloud commerce marketplace. The collaboration introduces the most comprehensive portfolio of cybersecurity solutions available to Pax8’s network of more than 40,000 managed service providers (MSPs).
“Sophos and Pax8 are strongly aligned in our mission to empower MSPs with best-in-class end-to-end security services and products while simplifying lifecycle management of these solutions and reducing operational overhead. MSPs want to align with vendors who are easy to work with and this agreement will make it even easier for MSPs to work with Sophos, something we’ve long been committed to,” said Joe Levy, CEO of Sophos
Menlo Security Acquires Votiro to Deliver Easy, AI-driven Data Security to Enterprises
Menlo Security, the industry leader of Secure Enterprise Browsers, today announced the acquisition of Votiro, a data and file security platform that specializes in advanced Content Disarm & Reconstruction (CDR) and data loss prevention. Together, Menlo Security and Votiro will enable enterprises to quickly and easily implement data security best practices without slowing employee and business productivity.
“Acquiring Votiro expands the capabilities of our product offerings and delivers a workspace security solution unlike anything else on the market. This solidifies our market leadership and empowers enterprises to secure their data across every business critical workflow, all while enabling them to move at the speed of modern work,” said Amir Ben-Efraim, co-founder and CEO, Menlo Security.
Cloud Bytes of the Week
Genetec Introduces Cloudlink 210: Industry’s First Multi-Workload Cloud-Managed Appliance
Genetec Inc., the global leader in enterprise physical security software, announced Genetec Cloudlink™ 210, the industry’s first cloud-managed appliance to support multiple security workloads, including video management, access control, and intrusion detection. As the latest addition to the Genetec Cloudlink family, this new device simplifies security infrastructure by consolidating critical functions into a single, scalable appliance.
EY Announces Alliance With Zscaler to Help Secure and Simplify Digital Transformations Through Cloud-Delivered Services
The EY organization today announces a strategic alliance between Zscaler, Inc., a leader in cloud security, and Ernst & Young LLP (EY US) (Alliance). The Alliance aims to help address network architecture challenges with secured and simplified cloud-delivered services.
Dan Mellen, EY–Zscaler Alliance Leader, Ernst & Young LLP, says:
“EY teams are looking forward to scaling the great work Zscaler and EY US have done to help organizations move with greater confidence in their digital, artificial intelligence and cyber transformation journeys. The Alliance envisages to help clients achieve this by magnifying the impact of Zscaler’s security platform supported by unique delivery and operations accelerators. With these innovations, the Alliance aims to help address the modern world’s need for simplified architecture, greater security as well as an improved user experience – all while driving value in the most important areas for the business.”
The Data Brief
Backblaze and Kandji Partner to Deliver Comprehensive Device Management and Data Protection for Businesses
Backblaze,the cloud storage innovator providing a modern alternative to traditional cloud backup and storage, and Kandji, the Apple endpoint management and security platform, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver comprehensive device management and data protection for businesses of all sizes.
This partnership builds on that success, and enables customers to:
- Effortlessly deploy Backblaze using Kandji. Easily install and configure Backblaze on their managed devices through Kandji’s automated workflows.
- Enhance data security. Ensure critical data is protected with Backblaze’s secure and reliable cloud backup service.
- Scale for growth. Both platforms support organizations of all sizes, from startups to enterprise environments.
- Reduce IT overhead. Streamline device management and data protection with a single, unified platform.
DeepCoolAI and Cisco Partner to Engineer the Future of AI Data Centers
DeepCoolAI and Cisco Partner to Engineer the Future of AI Data CentersAs artificial intelligence (AI) workloads continue to push computing infrastructure to its limits, DeepCoolAI and Cisco have entered into a strategic partnership to deliver cutting-edge liquid cooling solutions that optimize thermal management, energy efficiency, and performance in high-density AI data centers.
By integrating DeepCoolAI’s TOOFAN RDHx liquid cooling technology with Cisco’s advanced AI data center platforms, this collaboration offers multiple benefits for AI-driven data centers:
Enhanced Thermal Dissipation: Efficiently removes extreme heat loads from high- performance racks, maintaining a room-neutral environment.
Optimized Energy Efficiency: Reduces PUE (Power Usage Effectiveness), lowering operational costs and improving sustainability.
Seamless Integration: Enables high-density AI cluster deployment without requiring extensive infrastructure modifications.
Scalability for Future AI Demands: Simplifies migration to direct-to-chip cooling, unlocking even greater thermal and energy efficiency.
This Week’s Must-Read Insight
Future Trends in Cloud Integration for Construction Project Management
The construction industry is undergoing a digital transformation, with cloud integration playing a crucial role in enhancing project efficiency, collaboration, and sustainability. This article explores key future trends shaping cloud-based construction project management, highlighting how emerging technologies will redefine industry practices.
Key trends include:
- Real-Time Collaboration: Advanced cloud platforms will facilitate seamless stakeholder communication, reducing data silos.
- AI and Machine Learning: Predictive analytics and resource optimization will enhance decision-making.
- IoT Adoption: Sensors, drones, and GPS trackers will provide real-time project insights.
- Data Analytics & Dashboards: Interactive dashboards will improve project visibility and predictive analytics.
- Cybersecurity: Enhanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, and compliance frameworks will secure cloud-based data.
- Sustainability: Cloud platforms will optimize material usage, reduce waste, and support green building practices.
- Blockchain for Contract Management: Smart contracts will automate payments and ensure transparency in project execution.
- Customizable & Scalable Solutions: Cloud-based tools will offer flexibility for different project scales and requirements.
Incident Management vs. Problem Management: Key Differences and Best Practices in ITSM
This article explores the key differences between incident management and problem management in IT Service Management (ITSM), emphasizing their distinct roles and interdependencies. While incident management is a reactive process that focuses on quickly resolving service disruptions to minimize downtime, problem management takes a proactive approach, identifying and addressing the root causes of recurring issues to prevent future incidents.
The article delves into best practices for integrating these processes, highlighting the importance of ITIL guidelines, collaborative workflows, seamless data integration, and continuous training. By aligning incident and problem management strategies, organizations can improve service quality, ensure business continuity, and enhance overall IT operations.
This comprehensive guide provides actionable insights for IT leaders to implement an effective ITSM framework, balancing immediate response efforts with long-term system reliability.
IT Perspectives from Industry Leaders
CIO Influence Interview with Kirsty Paine, Field CTO & Strategic Advisor of Splunk
In this insightful Q&A, Kirsty Paine shares expert perspectives on cybersecurity challenges and innovations, covering Zero Trust security, AI-driven risk management, predictive analytics, and the future of post-quantum security.
Key takeaways include:
- Zero Trust Security: Splunk enhances Zero Trust implementation through real-time visibility, automation, and integrated security strategies, ensuring continuous verification rather than mere access restrictions.
- AI & Risk Management: Organizations should adopt strong governance frameworks like NIST’s AI Risk Management Framework to balance AI innovation with security risks, focusing on risk assessment, compliance, and continuous testing.
- Predictive Analytics & Threat Intelligence: Splunk integrates machine learning-powered predictive analytics and threat intelligence to shift security operations from reactive to proactive, leveraging Cisco Talos threat intelligence for enhanced threat detection and response.
- Post-Quantum Security Preparedness: Security teams must inventory assets, stay informed about evolving cryptographic standards, and maintain strong security practices to prepare for a potential quantum computing threat.
Market Mover: Brand of the Week
Okta is a leading identity and access management (IAM) provider, recognized for its robust security solutions that help organizations safeguard user authentication and streamline access control. With a strong emphasis on zero trust security, Okta delivers cutting-edge identity solutions, including single sign-on (SSO), multi-factor authentication (MFA), and advanced identity governance. The company continues to drive digital security innovation by integrating AI-driven threat detection and adaptive authentication, ensuring enterprises can enhance cybersecurity, prevent unauthorized access, and maintain compliance in an evolving threat landscape.
CEO – Todd McKinnon
Recent Launch – Okta Unveils Identity Threat Protection to Combat AI-Driven Cyber Attacks
Expert Talks & Conferences: What to Attend
AWE USA 2025
Date: June 10-12, 2025
Location: Long Beach, CA
Augmented World Expo (AWE) is the world’s largest spatial computing event and is the place to be for all things augmented reality, virtual reality, and XR community.
Render 2025
Date: June 11-13, 2025
Location: Atlanta, GA
A tech conference & expo unlike anything you’ve ever seen — a carnival of innovation, code & culture. This is where the unexpected meets the extraordinary.
Generative AI Summit New York
Date: June 12, 2025
Location: New York, NY
New York’s most significant assembly of engineers, developers & executives returns. With greater hardware efficiency and growing industry demand, fine-tuning infrastructure & optimizing deployment environments is essential. Join your peers in facilitating the LLM & multimodal AI era, and leave with the tools to scale powerful, cost-effective applications on the journey to AGI.
TechCon 365 Seattle
Date: June 23-27, 2025
Location: Seattle, WA
Whether you are new to Microsoft 365, Power Platform and SharePoint or an experienced power user, admin or developer, TechCon 365 has content designed to fit your experience level and area of interest. Our workshops and sessions are taught by Microsoft Certified Trainers, Microsoft MVPs, Microsoft Regional Directors, and Microsoft engineers.
