CIOs and CISOs have greater role in Vision 2040

Muscat: The CIOs (Chief Information Officer) and CISOs (CISO (Chief Information Security Officer) have greater roles to play in helping the organisations achieve their desired goals and enhance the information sector of the Sultanate towards meeting the goals of the national Vision 2040, according to information experts.

While Chief Information Officer (CIO) is

responsible for overseeing an organisation's information technology (IT) strategy and operations, the CISO is tasked with overseeing an organisation's information and cyber security and a perfect amalgamation of their key responsibilities can help the organisations achieve their set targets.

Speaking to the Observer on the sidelines of the next generation CIO & CISO Academy titled ‘Building local talent pool of future CIOs and CISOs in Oman; Essential skills that CIOs and CISOs need to thrive in the digital future – maintaining a human-centric approach in the age of AI’, Ahmed al Qassabi, Oman Managing Partner of Deloitte, said as integrating technology and managing cyber risk become increasingly central to national agendas, CIOs and CISOs must strengthen their ability to work across government, industry and academia.

“This CIOs and CISOs Academy focuses on building that ecosystem mindset by equipping leaders with the strategic perspective needed to protect critical systems, enable innovation, and translate technology into long-term public value. Hosting the Next Generation CIO & CISO Academy in Muscat forms part of a wider regional initiative, with alumni gaining access to an ongoing network, knowledge sharing and future leadership forums and reflects our commitment to supporting Oman’s national digital ambitions by investing in the people who will help realise them,” Al Qassabi said.

The Academy was designed for professionals identified as the next generation of CIOs and CISOs and focused on equipping participants with the strategic, commercial, and people-leadership capabilities required to lead complex, digital-first organisations, while navigating evolving technology and cyber risk landscapes.

Patrycja Oselkowska, Middle East Growth Leader added, “The Next Generation CIO/CISO Academy reflects our long-term commitment to leadership development. By bringing this programme to Muscat, we are helping future leaders build the capabilities required to drive sustainable growth, resilience and innovation within their organizations and the wider Middle East economy.”

The Next Generation CIO & CISO Academy in Muscat convened a select group of high-potential technology and cybersecurity leaders across Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Kuwait and Oman to prepare them for senior leadership roles and the Muscat edition reflected Deloitte’s commitment to supporting Oman’s digital transformation agenda and strengthening the local technology leadership pipeline.

“As organisations across the region accelerate their technology, digital and cybersecurity agendas, the role of the CIO and CISO has never been more critical. This Academy is about investing in people and equipping the next generation of technology leaders with the skills, confidence and perspective needed to lead at the highest levels, while also supporting the development of strong local tech talent in Oman and across the region,” Rashid Bashir, CEO Technology and Transformation at Deloitte Middle East, said.