America’s Most Influential CTOs of the Year January2025

Ed Rice

Transforming Media Through Technology

Ed Rice Chief Technology Officer at K-LOVE, Execuve Tech Division Chair at Jessup Global, Board Chair

– John C. Maxwell “

A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.

Impacul Tech Innovators ‘

Technologicalinnovationisthelifebloodthatkeepsbusinessesgrowinginthecurrent

progressivedigitalage.Andwhenitcomestodrivingthatinnovationforward, there'snorolemorecrucialthantheChiefTechnologyOfficer Thesearethe visionaryleaderschartingthecourse,creatingculturesofcreativity,andreimaginingwhat's possible.

CTOsarethearchitectsoftechnologicalstrategy,ensuringtheirorganizationsstayaheadof thecurvebyacknowledgingprogressivesolutions.Theypossessauniqueblendoftechnical expertise,businessacumen,andforward-thinkingmindsetsthatenablethemtoidentify emergingtrendsandseizeopportunitiesthatothersoverlook.

Beyondmereimplementation,CTOsfosterenvironmentsconducivetoinnovation.They empowerteamstothinkoutsidethebox,encouragingcalculatedrisk-takingand experimentation.Bybreakingdownsilosandfosteringcross-functionalcollaboration,they unlockthecollectiveingenuityoftheirorganizations,catalyzingbreakthroughsthatredefine industries.

ThisissueofTheCIOWorldshinesaspotlightontheinnovatorsdirectingthefutureof technologyinAmerica.Fromrevolutionizingindustrieswithfuturisticsolutionsto promotingacultureofinnovationwithintheirorganizations,theseCTOsareleavingan everlastingmarkonthenation'stechscene.

Asyouflipthroughthesepages,you'llgetaninsidelookattheminds,methods,and mindsetsthatmakeAmerica’stopCTOssosuccessful.Theirstoriesareequalparts fascinatingandmotivating–proofpositivethatwiththerightmixtureofvision,talent,and tenacity,there'snolimittowhatcanbeachieved.

Inanerawheretechnologyisthedrivingforcebehindprogress,America’smostinnovative CTOsarepavingtheway,ensuringthatthecountryremainsattheforefrontofdigital transformation.Theirdedicationtoexcellenceandtheirabilitytoanticipateandadaptto emergingtrendshaveearnedthemwell-deservedrecognitionontheglobalstage.

Wehopethisedition,titled ‘America's Most Influential CTOs of the Year’willinspirethe nextgenerationoftechleadersandentrepreneurs.Preparetobeamazedbytheingenuityand forward-thinkingofAmerica’smostinnovativeCTOsasyouexplorethiscompelling edition.

Haveanenlighteningreadahead!

CIO

CO NT EN TS

C O V E R S T O R Y Ed Rice Transforming Media Through Technology

20. C X O Michael Yang The Rise of the Machines

A R T I C L E S How Storytelling Enhances Communication Between CTOs and Teams Why Human Error Remains the Leading Cause of Cybersecurity Breaches

Editor-in-Chief

Deputy Editor

Managing Editor

Assistant Editor

Visualizer

Art & Design Head

Art & Design Assitant

Business Development Manager

Business Development Executives

Technical Head

Assitant Technical Head

Digital Marketing Manager

Research Analyst

Circulation Manager

David

Mia

Richard

Adi Kavaler

Chief Technology Officer

Doug Williams

Chief Technology Officer

Featuring American Airlines Center www.americanairlines center.com

Zilliant www.zilliant.com

Ed Rice

Chief Technology Officer

Richard Baird Senior VP and CTO

Tom Kershaw

Chief Technology Officer

Educaonal Media Foundaon K-LOVE & Air1 Media Networks www.klove.com

Kyndryl www.kyndryl.com

Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) www.bmi.com

Descripon

Adi Kavaler leads technology advancements in B2B commerce, focusing on intelligent pricing strategies and revenue opmizaon to empower businesses.

Doug Williams oversees technology operaons at a major sports venue, ensuring seamless integraon of digital soluons to enhance visitor experiences and operaonal efficiency.

Ed Rice drives technological innovaon at a nonprofit media organizaon, enhancing content delivery and audience engagement through strategic technology iniaves.

Richard Baird, Senior VP and CTO at Kyndryl, leads with experse and vision, driving innovaon in IT infrastructure globally, ensuring transformave soluons for clients and society.

Tom Kershaw champions technological growth at a music rights organizaon, leveraging digital tools to opmize licensing processes and support arsts.

Ed Rice Chief Technology Officer at K-LOVE, Execuve Tech Division Chair at Jessup Global, Board Chair

Ed Rice

Ed has confronted significant technological challenges that have shaped his leadership approach.

Inatimewheretechnologyisadvancingfasterthan

ever,ethicalquestionsarestrugglingtokeepup.AI canmakedecisionsinablink,self-drivingcarsmove throughbusystreets,anddataiscollectedmorequickly thanwecanimagine.Butwithallthisprogress,important questionsremain:Howdoweprotectourprivacy?What happensifaself-drivingcarcausesanaccident?Andhow dowekeepourpersonaldatasafefrombeingmisusedby systemswebarelyunderstand?

Technologicalbreakthroughshavethepotentialtoenhance lives,butwithoutarobustethicalframework,theyrisk causingunintendedharm.It’snolongerjustaboutwhatwe candowithtechnology,butwhatweshoulddo.As innovationaccelerates,it’sessentialforpolicymakers, businesses,andtechnologiststoworktogethertoensure thathumanity’smoralcompassisn’tlostintherace. Because,ultimately,technologyshouldservetouplift society,notundermineitscorevalues.

EdRice,ChiefTechnologyOfficeratEducationalMedia Foundation(K-LOVE)andaseasonedenterprise technologyleader,isattheforefrontofthistransformation. Withacareerspanningovertwodecades,hehas consistentlydemonstratedhisabilitytoleveragetechnology toenhanceoperationalefficiencyandfostergrowth.

Ed’sjourneybeganwithasolideducationalfoundation, holdingdegreesinreligiousstudies,business,and technology.Hisearlycareerincludedpivotalrolesat HewlettPackard,whereheledthesuccessfulseparationof thecompanyintotwoFortune50entities.Thismonumental taskrequiredinnovativestrategiesandmeticulousplanning, showcasinghisexceptionalleadershipskills.Underhis guidance,theseparationofficewasabletosplitafortune15 companyintotwofortune50companiesin9monthswith notechnicalentanglement.

AtK-LOVE,Edhasspearheadedinitiativesthatintegrate artificialintelligenceandroboticsintoeverydayoperations. Hisroboticsprogramnotonlystreamlinedprocessesbut alsocontributedindustrybestradioandstreaminguptimeof greaterthan59’s,autotranslationandlocalization(intext andspeech)ThisinnovativeapproachhaspositionedKLOVEasaleaderinutilizingtechnologyforgood,aligning withEd’svisionofcreatingethicalAIsolutionsthatmeet businessneedswhilepreparingorganizationsforfuture challenges.

Beyondhiscorporateachievements,Edisdedicatedto educationandcommunityservice.AstheExecutiveTech

DivisionChairatJessupGlobalatWilliamJessup University,heshareshisextensiveknowledgewithaspiring leadersinbusinessstrategyandtechnology Thisspring JessupGlobalwillbelaunchinganewAIassistedlearning platforminstructingourfuturetechnologyleadersina wholenewwaythatletstheprogressattheirownpace, tailerthelearningstotheirindividualgoalsanddoingsoat apricepointthatwillopentheadvantagesofatop ChristianUniversitytotheglobalstage.

By

regularly engaging with business leaders, Ed translates their goals and challenges into aconable technical strategies.

Let us learn more about his journey:

TheInspiringOrigins

K-LOVERadioandWilliamJessupUniversitysharea commitmenttocommunityservicethroughfaith-driven missions.K-LOVEbeganin1982asagrassrootsinitiative inSantaRosa,California,foundedbypassionatebelievers aimingtospreadhopeviaupliftingChristianmusic.

Overtheyears,itevolvedintoanationalnetwork,reaching millionswhilemaintainingitscoremission.Similarly, WilliamJessupUniversity,establishedin1939asSanJose BibleCollege,aimedtodevelopChrist-centeredleaders. Bothorganizationsstartedwithlimitedresourcesbutgrew significantly,exemplifyinghowfaithanddeterminationcan leadtoimpactfulsocietalcontributions.

The

Journey

toChiefTechnologyOfficer

Ed'spathtobecomingaChiefTechnologyOfficer(CTO)is markedbyinnovationandresilience.Hiscareerbeganwith ablendoftechnicalskillsandstrategicvision,leadingto impactfulrolesatHewlett-Packard.There,hedeveloped manyofhistechnicalaswellasbusinessskills,learning

thattechnologydoesn’texistforitselfbutrathertosolve andsupportthebusinessgrowth.

Theseexperiencesemphasizedtheimportanceofagility andcollaboration.FollowingHP,Edchampionedinitiatives utilizingAIandroboticstoenhanceoperations, demonstratinghisbeliefintechnologyasanempowering tool.Hisleadershipstylefocusesonbuildingcohesive teamsandmakingdata-drivendecisionsforbusiness success.

NavigatingTechnologicalChallenges

Throughouthiscareer,Edhasconfrontedsignificant technologicalchallengesthathaveshapedhisleadership approach.Onemajorhurdlewasadaptingtotherapid generationalshiftinmediaconsumptionatK-LOVE,where hehelpedleadtheexpansionfromtraditionalbroadcasting todigitalplatforms.Thisrequiredarobusttechnology strategythatintegratedcloudsolutions,enhancing reliabilityandscalabilitytoengageyoungeraudiences whilepreservingbroadcastquality

AtWilliamJessupUniversity,hefacedthedemandsof remotelearninganddigitalliteracy.Herehe’sworkingwith JessupGlobaltoimplementanAI-drivenLearningOrientedEnvironments(LOE)topersonalizeeducation, facilitatingseamlessin-personandonlineexperiences.

Thistransformationnecessitatedextensivetrainingfor facultyandstudents,fosteringacultureofadaptability.His journeyillustratesthatovercomingtechnologicalchallenges involvesnotjustembracingnewtools,butalsocultivating anorganizationthatvaluesinnovationandcontinuous learning,ultimatelyempoweringteamstothriveinevolving landscapes.

Additionally,atWilliamJessupUniversity,theneedfor dynamic,AI-drivenlearningenvironmentstosupport remoteeducation.Thistransformationrequiredextensive trainingandchangemanagementbutisresultingina resilienteducationalplatform.Edemphasizesthat overcomingchallengesinvolvesembracingnew technologieswhilefosteringacultureofadaptabilityand lifelonglearningwithinorganizationsandtransferringthat loveofchangetohisstudentsaspartofhisprograms.

TheFutureofTechnologyinOurIndustry

Edenvisionsatransformativefuturefortechnologyinthe industryoverthenextfiveyears,emphasizingits

Rather than allowing division, Ed facilitated open discussions that encouraged team members to express their perspecves fully.

foundationalroleindrivinginnovationandpersonalization. Heanticipatesthatartificialintelligencewillautomate routinetasks,providepredictiveinsights,andenhance audienceengagement,allowingfortailoredcontentthat resonateswithdiversegenerationalpreferences.

Ubiquitouscomputingwillfurtherreshapeoperationsby enablingfasterscalabilityanddata-drivendecision-making, facilitatingcollaborationacrossdistributedteamsand removecommunicationbarriors.Additionally,hehighlights theimportanceofcybersecurityasthreatsbecome increasinglysophisticated,necessitatingproactivemeasures toprotectsensitivedata.

Ultimately,hebelievesthatembracingadvancementsin technologywillleadtoricher,moreinteractiveexperiences foraudiences.Byfosteringacultureofadaptabilityand stayingaheadofemergingtrends,organizationscan continuetothriveanddeliverlastingvalueinarapidly evolvinglandscape.

LeadingTechnologicalTransformation

EdsuccessfullyledatransformativeprojectatK-LOVE, harnessingAItoenhancelistenerengagement,he’s dramaticallyimproveduptimeandisleadingthechargeto moveanaginginfrastructureforward.HedevelopedanAIpoweredsentimentanalysissystemthatidentifiesurgent emotionalcues,suchaspotentialsuicidenoteshidden withinprayerrequests.ThistechnologyallowsK-LOVEto providetimelysupporttoat-riskindividuals,fundamentally changinghowtheorganizationconnectswithitsaudience.

Additionally,heimplementedalanguagetranslationsystem thatsupportsover300languages,broadeningK-LOVE's globaloutreach.

AtWilliamJessupUniversity,Edisaleaderininnovative AI-enhancedlearningmodelthatpersonalizeseducation beyondtraditionalmethods.Thismodelassessesstudent progressandtailors’instructiondynamically,enablinga trulyglobaleducationalexperience.Theseinitiativesreflect leveragingtechnologyforimpactfuloutcomes,fromsaving livestotransformingeducation,showcasinghowpurposedrivenAIapplicationscanmeetbothorganizationalgoals andhumanneedseffectively

FosteringaStrongTeamCultureinTechnology

Edprioritizesbuildingastrongteamculturebycreatingan empoweringenvironmentthatembraceschangeand encouragescalculatedrisk-taking.Hebelievesadaptability andinnovationarecrucialintechnology-driven organizations,sohemotivateshisteamtoexperimentwhile providingasupportiveframeworkforlearningfrom failures.Bysharingaclearvisionandtherationalebehind goals,Edinspireshisteamtoinvestinoutcomes.

Hecelebratesbothsuccessesandlessonslearnedfrom setbacks,fosteringopennessandtrust.Thiscollaborative atmosphereenhancesmotivationandstrengthensteamwork, enablingtheorganizationtoremainagileandalignedwith itsmission,ultimatelydrivingimpactfulresults.

Ed provides a thorough assessment of technology iniaves, driving connuous improvement and alignment with organizaonal objecves.

MasteringProjectManagement

Edprioritizesandmanagescompetingprojectsand deadlinesthroughastructured,priority-drivenapproach alignedwithorganizationalgoals.Heevaluateseach project'simpact,urgency,andresourcerequirements, utilizingprojectmanagementsoftwareandvisual dashboardsforreal-timeoversight.Collaboratingwith cross-functionalteams,hesetsclearprioritiestoaddress criticaltasksandpotentialbottlenecksearly.

Regularcheck-inswithprojectleadsensureongoing alignmentandadaptability,allowingforquickadjustments asneeded.Heemphasizesclearcommunicationand transparency,fosteringacollaborativeenvironmentwhere teammembersfeelempoweredtoaddresschallengesand innovatesolutions.Thisflexibleyetstructuredstrategy enableshimtokeepprojectsontrack,meetdeadlines,and achievehigh-impactresults.

AligningTechnicalVisionwithBusinessStrategy

Edensuresalignmentbetweenhistechnicalvisionandthe company'sbusinessstrategythroughactivecollaboration withleadership.Hefocusesonidentifyingcorecapabilities thatdrivemarketvalue,believingthattechnologyshould enhancebusinessobjectivesandfostersustainablegrowth. Byregularlyengagingwithbusinessleaders,Edtranslates theirgoalsandchallengesintoactionabletechnical strategies.

Forinstance,atK-LOVE,heimplementedAI-driven sentimentanalysistoimprovelistenersupport,particularly insensitiveareaslikesuicideprevention,directlyaligning withtheorganization'smission.

Additionally,heemphasizesemergingtechnologiessuchas AIandUbiquitouscomputingsolutionstomaintainagility andscalability Thiscapability-focusedapproachnotonly alignstechnologywithbusinessstrategybutalsopositions itasagrowthengine,ensuringthatthetechnicalvisionis integraltoachievingbothimmediateandlong-term organizationalobjectives.

NavigatingConflictResolutionwithCollaboration

Edapproachesconflictresolutionbyfocusingoncommon groundandsharedgoals.Duringastrategicinitiative involvingsignificanttechnologychanges,differingopinions amongteamleadersandexecutivescreatedastandstill. Ratherthanallowingdivision,Edfacilitatedopen discussionsthatencouragedteammemberstoexpresstheir perspectivesfully

Ed approaches conflict resoluon by focusing on common ground and shared goals.

EvaluatingSuccessinTechnologyInitiatives

Edemploysacomprehensiveapproachtoevaluatethe successoftechnologyinitiativeswithinhisorganization, focusingonbothquantitativeandqualitativemetricsthat alignwithstrategicobjectives.Keymetricsinclude:

1. ReturnonInvestment(ROI):Heassessesthe financialimpactbycomparingcostswithbenefitssuch asincreasedrevenueandimprovedefficiency, providinginsightintotheoverallvalueofinvestments.

Heguidedtheconversationtowardidentifyingoverlapping goals,framingthedialoguearoundaunifieddirectionand actionablesteps.Byactivelylisteningandacknowledging eachleader'sviewpoint,heemphasizedhowtheproposed changesalignedwiththeircollectiveobjectives.This collaborativeapproachnotonlyresolvedtheimmediate conflictbutalsostrengthenedfuturealignmentamongteam members.

Hebelievesthatnurturingacultureoftrustandopen communicationisessentialforeffectiveteamwork.His experiencedemonstratesthatprioritizingsharedvisionand valuescandefusetensions,enhancecollaboration,and ultimatelyleadtomorecohesiveandproductiveteams.

PrioritizingDataSecurityinDecision-Making

DatasecurityisacriticalcomponentofEd'sdecisionmakingprocess,particularlyinorganizationslikeK-LOVE andJessupUniversity,wheresensitiveinformationis prevalent.Heprioritizesdataprotectionthrough comprehensivestrategiesthatbalanceaccessibilitywith security

Hebeginsbyassessingexistingsystemstoidentify vulnerabilitiesandthetypesofdatacollected,including personallyidentifiableinformation(PII)andconfidential donordetails.Heemphasizesadherencetoindustry standards,suchasFERPAandGDPR,ensuringcompliance atalllevels.Regulartrainingandawarenessprogramsare implementedtofosteracultureofsecurityconsciousness amongstaffandstudents.

Additionally,headvocatesforadvancedtechnologieslike encryptionandmulti-factorauthenticationtosafeguarddata andmonitorforsuspiciousactivity.Hisproactiveapproach integratesbestpracticesintotheoperationalframework, ensuringsensitiveinformationisprotectedwhile maintainingtrustandtransparencywithintheorganization.

2. UserAdoptionRates:Trackinghoweffectivelynew technologiesareembracedhelpsdetermineifthey meetuserneedsandenhanceworkflows.

3. PerformanceImprovements:SpecificKPIs,suchas reducedprocessingtimesandincreasedproductivity, gaugetheeffectivenessofinitiativesinachieving operationalgoals.

4. CustomerSatisfaction:Surveysandfeedback mechanismsmeasuresatisfactionlevelsamong externalstakeholders,allowingfornecessary adjustments.

5. IncidentResponseTimes:Incybersecuritycontexts, monitoringresponsetimestoincidentsreflectsthe robustnessofsecuritymeasures.

6. ScalabilityandFlexibility:Evaluatinghowwell initiativescangrowwiththeorganizationensures long-termsustainability.

7. AvailabilityandUptime:ForK-LOVE,maintaining continuouson-airavailabilityiscrucial,asevenbrief interruptionscanleadtolostlisteners.

8. ImpactonStrategicGoals:Finally,measuring alignmentwithbroaderstrategicgoalsensures technologyinitiativessupporttheorganization’s mission.

Byleveragingthesemetrics,heprovidesathorough assessmentoftechnologyinitiatives,drivingcontinuous improvementandalignmentwithorganizationalobjectives.

HowStorytel ling Enhances Communication BetweenCTOs and Teams

Effectivecommunicationcanbethemostimportant

thingbetweensuccessandfailureinthistechnology world.CTOsplayanimportantroletobridgethe complextechnologicalconceptsbetweentheteam implementingthoseconcepts.Storytellingisanextremely powerfultoolthatcanamplifythiscommunication effectively Thestrategicuseofnarrationintheir communicationscanmakeiteasierfortheCTOtoconnect withtheteam,encourageinnovativethinking,andbring aboutthedesiredchangeinanorganization.

ThePowerofStorytelling

Storytellingisnotaformofart;itisastrategic communicationsmethodthatextractsthehumanemotions andexperiences.So,whenaCTOsharesastory,heorshe doesmorethantalkaboutinformationbutcontextualizes suchinformationinawaythatwillstickwithhisorher audience.Thishelpsbreakdownbarriers,typicalin technicaldiscussions.Insteadofdryfactsandfigures, storytellingismoreengagingandwillcatchtheattentionof theaudience,thusencouragingactiveparticipation.

Theresearchshowsthatthroughnarrations,messagesare recalledmuchbetterthanwhenjustpassedasmeredata. Actually,storiescanbeaseffectiveas22timesbetterat retaininginformationcomparedtoclassiccommunication. Infact,thismakesitevenmoresignificantinembedding narrativesaspartofthecommunicationtoolforanyleader, especiallyintechnologically-drivenenvironments.

EstablishingConnectionsThroughStorytelling

Atitscore,storytellingcreatesassociations.WhenCTOs sharepersonalstoriesoranecdotesfromthecompany journey,theycomealiveandenableteammembersto associatewiththeirpersonalities.Whenteamsfeelthese connections,thentrustisinstilled,followedbyopen,honest dialoguethroughouttheteams.Employeesareattractedto leadersandaremorelikelytoresonatewiththemby sharingtheirlivesandstruggleswhentheyarelookingfora grouptobelongwithandalargerpurpose.

Onepowerfulstorytellingstructureisthe"hero'sjourney," whichdescribesacharacter'sjourney,challenges,and transformation.Astheorganizationassumestheroleofthe herofacingchallenges,CTOscaninspiretheirteamsto cometogetherasoneunitfocusedonacommonobjective. Thisapproachencouragesbothmotivationamong employeesandasenseofownershipintheorganization's mission.

MakingComplexConceptsSimple

Thetechnologylandscapeisfilledwithjargonandcomplex ideasthatmightalienatethemembersoftheteam,whodo nothaveatechnicalbackground.Storytellingbridgesthis gapandhelpstosimplifyconcepts.Byrelating technologicaladvancementsinrelatablestories,CTOscan makeiteasierfortheirteamstounderstandtheimplications ofnewtechnologiesontheirworkandtheorganizationat large.

Forexample,insteadofusingtechnicalspecificationsto describehowanewsoftwareimplementationworks,aCTO maytellastoryabouthowthatsoftwaretransformedthe operationsofanotherorganizationorimprovedcustomer satisfaction.Itiseasierforteammemberstounderstandthe meaningoftheirworkandhowitfitsintobroader organizationalgoalsbyusinganarrativeapproach.

IncitingChangeandInnovation

Changeisinevitableinanyorganization,butespeciallyso intechnologysectorsthatareconstantlyexperiencing growth.Yetchangemanagementdoesnotonlycallforthe declarationofnewinitiatives;italsoinspiresbuy-inby employees.Thisiswherestorytellingcomesintothepicture andhelpsaddcontexttothechange.

Whencommunicatingaboutupcomingchanges—whether theyinvolveshiftsinstrategy,budgetadjustments,ornew policies—CTOscanusestorytellingtoexplainnotjust whatishappeningbutwhyitmatters.Byarticulatingthe reasonsbehindchangesthroughnarrativesthathighlight

potentialbenefitsorlessonslearnedfrompastexperiences, leaderscanhelpemployeesnavigatetransitionswithgreater clarityandconfidence.

EncouragingTeamCollaboration

Effectiveteamworkisbasedonclearcommunicationand mutualunderstandingamongteammembers.Storytelling promotescollaborationbecauseitencouragespeopleto sharetheirownexperiencesandinsights.Whenpeoplefeel comfortablesharingtheirstories,itcreatesanenvironment wherediverseperspectivesarevalued.

Leaderscanfacilitatethisprocessbycreatingopportunities forstorytellingwithinteammeetingsorbrainstorming sessions.Forexample,askingteammemberstoshare successstoriesrelatedtospecificprojectscaninspire creativityandmotivateotherstocontributeideas.This collaborativeatmospherenotonlystrengthensrelationships butalsopromotesinnovationbyallowingdifferent viewpointstoemerge.

DevelopingLeadershipSkills

ForCTOswhowanttobebetterleaders,developing narrationisamust.Itenablestheleaderstocommunicate theirvisioneffectivelytoinspireteamstowardcommon objectives.Anygoodstorycanconveythepassionofa leaderfortechnologyandinnovation,whichhefindsiteasy togetpeopleinspiredforthisvision.

Storytellingcanalsoserveasamentorytoolforusewithin theorganization.Forinstance,usingpersonalgrowthstories orlessonslearnedfromfailure,CTOscanprovideguidance toaspiringleadersastheyjourneyandprovidean atmosphereofcontinuedlearning.

Conclusion

Toputitsimply,storytellingisthestuffofgoldforaCTO wantingtoimprovecommunicationwithherteam.They canestablishconnections,makecomplexideaseasyto understand,inspirechange,promotecollaboration,and buildleadershipintheirorganizationsthroughtheuseof narratives.Therateatwhichtechnologyisdeveloping makesitnecessaryforpeopletobeabletocommunicate effectivelybyusingstorytellingastheystrivetodrive successandcreateinnovationinanytechnology-based environment.Thisapproachenhancestherichnessof internalcommunicationsandbuildsanenvironmentwhere alltheteammembersvaluethemselvesforcontributingto thegreatercauseoftheorganization. CIO

Why Human Error Remains the Leading Cause of Cybersecurity Breaches

Cybersecurityhasnowemergedasoneofthe

biggestchallengesorganizationsworldwideare facingtoday.Interestingly,ithasbeen discoveredthathumanerroristheleadingcauseofdata breaches.Technologyandsecuritymeasuresare evolvingdaybyday,yethumanfactorcontinuesto remaintheweakpoint.Tobuildrisk-mitigating strategies,onemustknowwhythishashappenedfor suchalongtime.

PrevalenceofHumanErrorinCybersecurity Breaches

Recentstudiesportraythathumanerrorcauses approximately88%ofthedatabreaches.Thisisthe proofthatalthoughtechnologyisoneofthevitalaspects ofcybersecurity,oftenit'shumanerrororratherlackof doingthatleadstogravevulnerabilities.Forinstance,a surveycarriedoutin2024mentionedthat68%ofthe breachesincludedsomekindofhumanmistakeeitherby fallingvictimtophishingorsettingthewrongsecurity settings.

Humanerrorcanbecategorizedintodifferenttypes,for instance,sendingsensitiveinformationtothewrong

recipient,failuretofollowsecurityprotocols,orclickingon maliciouslinksbymistake.Shockingly,49%ofbreaches wereduetopersonalinformationbeingsentviaemailor othermeanstothewrongrecipient1.Sucherrorsdemanda comprehensivetrainingandawarenessprogramwithin organizations.

PsychologicalFactorsContributingtoHumanError

Thepsychologyofhumanerroralsocomesintoplayasto whysucherrorshappen.Employeesoftenareworking underintensepressureanddealingwithmanythingstodo withinspecificdeadlines.Suchacognitiveloadisproneto causedistractionsandlapseinjudgment.Itisestimatedthat 45%ofemployeesmentiondistractionasakeyreasonfor fallingvictimtophishingattacks.Telecommutinghas compoundedthisproblemfurther;mostworkersconfessed thatitiseasiertogetdistractedfromworkwhen telecommuting.Asaresult,theerrorsmadearethosethat compromisesecurity.

Asecondpsychologicalreasonisthatmostemployeesfear disclosingtheirmistakesincasetheymayattract punishmentfordoingso.AStanfordUniversitystudyfound thatnearly50%ofemployeesfelt"very"or"pretty"sure thattheyhadmadeamistakeonthejobthatcouldhave openedupsecuritytorisk,buttheydidnotwanttoadmit thisforfearofwhattheirpeersorsupervisorswouldthink. Suchacultureoffeardoesnothelporganizations effectivelyidentifyvulnerabilities.

TheImpactofTrainingandAwareness

Trainingandawarenessprogramsarecrucialinminimizing theriskofhumanerror.Despitethefactthatmany organizationsacknowledgetheroleofhumanfactorsin cyberbreaches,theydonotoffersufficienttraining.A surveyshowedthatonly54%ofcompaniesprovidesome formofcybersecuritytraining4.Trainingisnotonly requiredatthetimeofonboardingbutalsocontinuouslyto updateemployeesonnewthreatsandbestpractices.

Thebesttrainingprogramsarethosethatpreparethe employeeforsituationsheorshewillmostlikely encounter.Simulationsofphishingattackscanbeoneofthe staffwaysofrecognizingandreactingtopossiblethreats. Second,makinganenvironmentwherepeopleare encouragedtoreportmistakeswithoutfearfostersbotha learningenvironmentandareaswhereimprovementis possible.

MitigatingTechnicalVulnerabilities

Humanerrorisyetanothernotablecauseofcybersecurity breaches,butthetechnicalvulnerabilitiesstillexist.The systemsandsecuritymeasures,whicharenotused,area multiplierofhumanerrorrisks.Organizationsneedto ensurethattheirtechnologicalinfrastructureisrobust enoughsothatsuchpotentialthreatsarenullified.Dataloss preventiontoolsandidentitymanagementsolutionscan reducetheeffectscausedbyerrorsfromhumans.

Asignificantadvantageofauditsandreviewsisthatthey usuallygiveinsightsintothevulnerabilitiesinthe cybersecurityframeworkofanyorganization.Companies canthenproactivelydealwiththeweaknessestohavea saferenvironmentfortheiroperations.

TheFuture:BalancingTechnologyandHumanFactors

Organizationswillhavetorespondtogrowingcyberthreats withholisticapproachestosecurity:balancingadvanced technologicalsolutionswithunderstandinghumanbehavior Suchadvancedsecuritysystemsalonearenotabletodo anythingintheabsenceofalertandinformedemployees,so theinvestmentinthedevelopmentofacomprehensive cybersecuritystrategythatincludestechnology-based defensesontopofanenormoustrainingplanforemployees isthewayforward.

Inanutshell,humanerrorcanbeoneoftheprimecausesof cybersecuritybreachesduetoanassortmentof psychologicalreasons,poortraining,andinherenttechnical vulnerabilities.Anorganizationwillsignificantlyreduce exposuretoitsriskonlywhenitwouldacknowledgethe importanceoftheseelementsandimplementgoodtraining programsalongwithsolidtechnologicalsolutions.When thethreatsgetsophisticated,thenboththehumanandthe technologicalaspectwillbeprioritizedtomaintainthe organizationalsecurityinthisdigitalage. CIO

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Creativity is thinking up new things. Innovation is doing new things.

– Theodore Levitt

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