CI
Chris an Novosel Execu ve Vice President and Chief Digital Officer
WestJet
The CIO is no longer just a . They are a TECHNOLOGIST strategic , BUSINESS LEADER driving digital transformation and .INNOVATION
The Driving Force Behind Digital Leadership ‘
Theroleofdigitalleadershipextendsfarbeyondtechnology.Itrequiresa
deepunderstandingofbusinessstrategy,innovation,andtheabilityto translatedataintoactionableinsights.Thoseatthehelmofdigital transformationarenotjustdecision-makers;theyarevisionarieswhorecognize thevalueofadaptabilityandlong-termgrowth.Asorganizationsrefinetheir digitalstrategies,theindividualsguidingthisevolutionplayacrucialrolein shapingthefuture.
Thisedition, Top 10 Most Influential Chief Digital Officers to Follow in 2025, highlightsprofessionalswhoareredefininghowbusinessesapproachdigital transformation.Theirexpertisespansmultipleindustries,influencingtheway companiesoptimizeoperations,enhancecustomerexperiences,andembracethe potentialofemergingtechnologies.Throughtheirleadership,theydrive progress,enablingbusinessestostayaheadinanincreasinglydigitalworld. Theirstrategicinsightsandforward-thinkingapproachescreateopportunities thatextendbeyondimmediateinnovation,settingthestageforsustained success.
OnesuchleaderisChristianNovosel,aseniorexecutiveanddataevangelist withanextensivebackgroundindigitalstrategyandtransformation.Withyears ofexperienceinbusinessdevelopment,processmanagement,andmergersand acquisitions,hehasledlarge,internationalteamsandplayedakeyrolein reshapingorganizationalstructures.Hisabilitytobuildhigh-performanceteams anddevelopfutureleadershaspositionedhimasatrustedauthorityindigital transformation.
Thiseditionbringstogetherinsightsfromindividualswhocontinuetoshapethe digitalfuturethroughtheirexpertiseandleadership.Theircontributionsnotonly impacttheirindustriesbutalsoprovidevaluablelessonsforprofessionals seekingtostrengthentheirdigitalstrategies.Asyouexploretheirjourneys,may theirexperiencesserveasinspirationtopushboundaries,embraceinnovation, andleadwithconfidenceinanincreasinglyconnectedworld.
Haveagreatreadahead!
CO NT EN TS
Novosel Wings of Passion
18. Peter Wilfahrt Passion to Pragmatism C X O
26. Navigating the Cybersecurity Risks of AI: Strategies Challenges and Mitigation
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
Cathy Thomson EVP Marke ng & Chief Digital Officer
Chris an Novosel Execu ve Vice President and Chief Digital Officer
Featuring WestJet westjet.com
Company Name
Northland Proper es northland.ca/
Dr. Chris an Marwitz
Chief Digital Officer
Dr. Simon Hassannia
Chief Digital Officer
Jens Seeger
Chief Digital Officer
Peter Wilfahrt
Chief Digital Officer
Roy Toh
Group Chief Execu ve Officer
Sandra Mueller
Chief Digital Officers
Shobhit Tandon Group Chief Digital and Technology Officer
Thanos Papadimitriou
Chief Digital Transforma on Officer
BWI GmbH bwi.de/
SAL Saudi Logis cs Services sal.sa/home
APZ GmbH apz.de/
IHK Für Oberfranken Bayreuth ihk.de/bayreuth/
Terra Systems terra.systems/
Descrip on
Cathy, with extensive experience in marke ng, customer experience, and digital strategy, has played a key role in driving growth and innova on in the hospitality industry.
Chris an Novosel is senior execu ve and data evangelist with proven track record in business transforma on on Clevel.
Dr. Chris an, A2:C21with a strong background in digital transforma on, plays a key role in advancing BWI’s IT strategy, focusing on automa on, resilience, and next-genera on IT solu ons.
Dr. Simon Hassannia is a highly experienced Execu ve for Digital Transforma on, Innova on and IT with track record in industry & consul ng.
Jens plays a key role in driving the company's digital transforma on, focusing on process automa on, datadriven decision-making, and enhancing customer experiences through innova ve technologies.
Peter Wilfahrt has been working in the IT Security branch for more than 20 years, crea ng profitable, scalable, and robust IT services.
With over two decades of transforma ve experience in the IT & Cybersecurity industry, Roy proudly lead Terra Interna onal, an Interna onal Group with over 10 global subsidiaries.
Kreis Herford kreis-herford.de/
Alamar Foods Company alamar.com
Sandra's exper se spans both public administra on and private-sector digital technologies, always focusing on op mizing digital tools for government efficiency.
Shobhit has 25+ years of rich experience in opera ons, marke ng, and business management with a proven track record of establishing, managing, and scaling up businesses.
Intermass Engineering & Contrac ng Company L.L.C intermassgroup.com
Thanos has consistently demonstrated success in leading digital transforma ons, propelling business growth, and aligning cu ng-edge digital strategies with a visionary longterm business outlook.
Chstian Novosel
Wings of Passion
Promo ng a collabora ve mindset with clear accountabili es via objec ves and key results enhances efficiency, aiding in achieving shared business objec ves.
Chris an Novosel Execu ve Vice President and Chief
From Childhood Dreams to Lifelong Passion for Aviation and the Power of Data!
Canyouimagineaworldwithoutairplanes?What
woulditbeliketobegrounded,unabletosoar throughtheskiesandexplorenewhorizons?For ChristianNovosel,ExecutiveVicePresidentandChief DigitalOfficeratWestJet,aviationisn'tjustacareer;it'sa lifelongpassionthatbeganinhisyouthandcontinuesto fuelhisambitionstoday
Growingupnearabustlingairlinehub,Christianwas captivatedbythesightofairplanestakingflight.Hisearly fascinationwithaviationledhimtopursueflightlessons duringuniversity,eventuallyearninghispilotlicense.Even now,amidsthisexecutiveresponsibilities,hestillfindstime totaketotheskies,atestamenttohisenduringlovefor flying.
ForChristian,theallureoftheairlineindustryliesinits uniqueblendofenchantmentandchallenge.Ononehand, airlinesofferthepromiseofunitinglovedones,fostering connections,andfacilitatingexploration.Yet,behindthe scenes,theindustrypresentsformidableobstacles—from optimizingnetworkstomanagingcomplexoperations—that demandingenuityandexpertise.
Asanindustryleader,Christianthrivesonnavigatingthis
intricatelandscape,constantlyseekinginnovativesolutions totheindustry'smostpressingissues.Forhim,themagicof aviationliesnotonlyinitsabilitytoshrinktheworldbut alsoinitspowertofosterculturalexchangeandmutual understanding.
ThroughWestJet,heisnotjustshapingthefutureofair travelbutalsothewaypeopleconnectandexperiencethe world.Hisunrelentingdedicationtoexcellenceandhis passionforaviationserveasbeacons,guidingWestJet towardnewheightsofsuccess.Inaworldwhereborders seemtobluranddistancesshrink,hestandsattheforefront ofanindustrythatcontinuestoinspirewonderand possibility.Witheachtakeoffandlanding,heremindsus thattheskyisnotthelimit;it'sjustthebeginningofa journeyfilledwithendlessopportunities.
Join us as we delve into the captivating world of aviation with Christian Novosel, exploring the magic, challenges, and endless possibilities of the airline industry
EvolutionandCommitmenttoHospitality
Christianhighlightedthatin1996,WestJetembarkedonits journeywithjustthreeaircraft,fivedestinations,andateam of220dedicatedindividualsknownas“WestJetters.” Today,theairlineoperatesadiversefleetoffouraircraft types,servingover110destinationsacrossNorthAmerica,
Top 10 Most Influen al
CentralAmerica,theCaribbean,Europe,andAsia.Witha commitmenttoexcellence,WestJetensuresthesmooth operationofmorethan600flightsdaily,accommodating millionsofguestswithafleetcomprisingover180aircraft.
WestJet'sreputationforexceptionalhospitalityextends beyondtheconfinesofitsaircrafttothedigitalrealmand associatedtools.Theairlineremainssteadfastinitspromise todeliverunparalleledservice,bothintheairandonline, embodyingacultureofwarmthandcareforeveryguest's journey
AirlineIndustryLeadership
Christiandescribeshislife-changingexperienceworking forairlines.Hematuredhisproblem-solvingabilitiesatThe BostonConsultingGroup(BCG),wherehedevised engagingstrategiesforavarietyofairlines.Histimeat BCGlaidthegroundworkforhisfuturepursuitsbyigniting hisinterestinpragmaticallytacklingproblemsandscalable systemicsolutions.
Transitioningfromconsultancytoexecutiveroles,hejoined JetBlueinNewYork,leadingcosttransformationinitiatives andpioneeringdata-drivenbudgetingmethodologies. Subsequently,attheLufthansaGroup,hechampioneddatadrivendecision-makingfromtheverytop,gettinglivedata
I built communi es across complex organiza onal structures to combine a centralized approach and efficiency with decentralized accountability across all func ons, all of which I strongly believe are the key ingredients to building a sustainable digital and data-driven business transforma on that lasts.
intotheboardroom,andbuildingagroup-wideBusiness Intelligencemovement,hostingglobalanalyticseventsand disruptingtraditionalairlineprofitabilitymodels.
Hisleadershipjourneytookaninnovativeturnashe establishedthedigitalteamatAustrianAirlines, spearheadingacomprehensivedigitaltransformationamid theunprecedentedchallengesposedbyCOVID-19.His commitmenttoagiledevelopmentandcommunity-building facilitatedtherapiddeploymentofcriticaldigitalsolutions, likebuildingadigitalrepatriationplatformwithinthree days,whichwasannouncedbytheforeignministerliveon TVondayfour,settingthestageforLufthansa'songoing digitaltransformation.
Throughouthiscareer,Christianemphasizedthe importanceoffosteringcommunitiesandstrikingabalance betweencentralizedefficiencyanddecentralized accountability Theseprinciples,hebelieves,areessential fornurturingsustainabledigitalanddata-drivenbusiness transformationsintheairlineindustryandbeyond.
LeadershipinOrganizationalDevelopment
Christianemphasizesthepivotalroleofsturdy organizationalandculturalfoundationsinWestJet'sradical digitalization.Followingtheonsetofthedigital transformationjourney,restructuringeffortsledtothe establishmentofastrongdigitalpowerhousewithinthe company
Heintroducednewfunctionstofacilitateaholisticand scalabletransformation,enablingrapidproofofconcepts (PoCs)throughadedicateddigitalbusinessdevelopment andconsultingteam.Bypartneringwithvariousentities withinaninnovationecosystem,suchasairports,startups, andgovernmentalagencies,WestJetformeddigital alliancestodriveinnovationacrossWesternCanada.
Centralizationoffunctionslikeadvancedanalyticsanddata teamsensuredasinglesourceoftruth,bolsteredbyrobust datagovernancecrucialfordrivingscalableAI-based automation.Aproactiveconsultingapproachtowardsthe businessfosteredexperimentationandimplementationof digitalmethods,extendingthetransformation'sreach beyondthedigitalorganization.Additionally,establishing strongproductmanagementanddigitaldelivery capabilities,coupledwithclearbusinessoutcomesand objectives,empoweredagiledeliveryteamstoexecute effectively
However,Christianunderscoresthatorganizational structuresalonedonotguaranteedigitalizationsuccess. Cross-functionalagileproductteams,comprisingbusiness owners,productowners,developers,qualityanalysts,and scrummasters,areheldtogetherbyalignedprocesses, businessobjectives,andWestJet'sstrongorganizational culture.Thiscohesiveapproachensurescontinuous excellenceanddrivesWestJet'sdigitaltransformation forward.
DrivingDigitalTransformation
Christian,sharinganillustrativeexample,notes,"At WestJet,ourvisionistothriveasadigitallyenabled enterprise.Thisvisionentailsnotjustaddressingdataassets andtoolsbutalsoinstigatingapeople-centricshifttowards rapidexecution."
WestJet'sFive-ProngedDigitalStrategy:
• FosteringaDigitalMindset:WestJetemphasizesa blendoftechnologicalunderstanding,efficientprocess management,outcome-focusedthinking,andpragmatic reasoning.Thisapproach,dubbed“ok/good/great,” prioritizesexecutingsimpler,quickersolutionsthatcan evolve.
• DriveAutomationWherePossible:Automation liberatesWestJetemployeestofocusonhigh-value tasks.Thisincludescreatinglivedatavisualizations, usingAPIsforseamlessdataexchange,and implementingroboticprocessautomationforefficiency gains.
• TreatingDataasanAsset:Acknowledgingthevalue ofdata,WestJetstandardizesdatamanagementtools, establishesrobustdatagovernance,andcentralizesdata sources.Thisensurestimely,accuratedatafor operationalefficiencyandinformeddecision-making.
• DeliveringValueatPace:WestJetadoptsapragmatic andagiledeliveryapproachtoreleasechangesswiftly. Thefocusisonproof-of-concepts(POCs)forrapid learningandminimallyviableproducts(MVPs)to swiftlyachievebusinessvalue.
• NurturingDigitalTalent:Recognizingtheimportance ofdigitalskills,WestJetinvestsinlearningpathsto developitsworkforce.Theaimistoempower employeestodrivebusinessoutcomesandcultivate enduringdigitalcareers.
WestJet emphasizes a blend of technological understanding, efficient process management, outcomefocused thinking, and pragma c reasoning. This approach, dubbed “ok/good/great”, priori zes execu ng simpler, quicker solu ons that can evolve.
WestJet'sstrategyhassignificantlyenhanceditsexecution capabilities.Forinstance,amobileapplicationfeature initiallyutilizedbyonly5%ofguestssawadoptionsurgeto 77%afteriterative,data-drivenimprovements.Leveraging itsecosystemofpartnersandstart-ups,WestJethas exploredartificialintelligence(AI)tosupportourcontact centeragentsandreducecalltimessignificantlyby providingauthenticationandintentassessmentdigitally. Recently,aninternallydevelopedsolutionwaslaunchedto enablegueststoself-serveduringdisruptedtravelevents, whichsaw68%ofguestscompletechangesand cancellationsonlinewithouttheneedtocallthecontact centeranymore.
WestJetemphasizescollaborationbetweentechnologyand businessteamsinanagilesetup.Thiscollaborative environmentfostersconsistentvaluecreation,innovation exploration,andthemaintenanceofcoretoolsets.Through thisholisticapproach,WestJetisnotonlyinvestingin foundationalapplicationsbutalsotransformingitswork cultureandexpandingitsdigitalcompetencies.Ultimately, theaimistorealizethevisionofadigitallyenabled enterprise.
MaximizingDigitalRevenueGenerationand OperationalEfficiency
Christian,leadingtheDigitalteam,sharesanotableproject exemplifyingtheircommitmenttostreamliningprocesses anddrivingefficiency Throughastructuredintakeprocess, cross-functionalteamsproposeandprioritizedigital features,whicharesubsequentlyexecutedviaformalA/B testingprotocols.Thisapproachyieldedsignificantrevenue gainsandenhancedguestexperienceswithinthepastyear alone.
Embracingpragmatism,theteamrecentlydevelopedan operationaldashboardtoproactivelyidentifyguestsatrisk ofmissingconnectionsbasedonliveflightschedules.This simpleyeteffectivesolutionunderscorestheirdedicationto swiftproblem-solvingandcontinuousimprovement.By consistentlyseekingdigitalsolutionsandcollaboratingwith businesspartners,theycreatetangiblebenefits,including operationalefficiencies,costsavings,andanoverall enhancedexperienceforbothemployeesandguests.
ImpactonAirlineStrategyandPartnerships
ChristianhighlightsWestJet'sproactiveapproachto collaborationwithintheaviationecosystem.Underhis guidance,theairlinehascultivatedstrongerrelationships
withbusinessandinnovationteamsacrosscoreairports, includingtheirhub.Thesecollaborationshaveledtojoint ProofofConcepts(POCs)aimedattestingandlearning effectively,essentialforstayingcompetitiveinthedynamic aviationindustry
Hefurtheremphasizesthevalueoffindinglike-minded partnerswhoprioritizeagilityandinnovation.Byaligning withsuchpartners,WestJetaimstoadaptquicklytomarket changesanddrivejointsuccess.WestJetisafounding partneroftheAlbertaAerospaceInnovationHub,attracting exceptionalmindstoWesternCanadatobuildaninnovation clusterinCalgary,withafocusonapplyingcutting-edge technologytoadvanceaviationandmakeWestJetmore competitiveandsustainable.
NurturingCollaborativeSynergy
Incultivatingcollaborationwithindiverseteams,Christian emphasizestransparentcommunication,ensuringall perspectivesarevalued.Settingcleargoalsanddecisionmakingprocessesfostersanoutcome-drivenculture.
Promotingacollaborativemindsetwithclearaccountabilitiesvia objectivesandkeyresultsenhancesefficiency,aidingin achievingsharedbusinessobjectives.Establishingarobust governanceprocessdefinesroles,metrics,feedbackchannels,and documentation.Leadingbyexampleandremainingadaptableto evolvingbusinessneeds,hechampionscollaborationand synergy.
ChampioningTalentGrowth
Inhiscommitmenttofosteringhigh-performanceteams, Christiansharesaremarkablesuccessstoryhighlightingthe transformativeimpactoftalentgrowthonorganizational performance.Asanadvocateforpeople'sdevelopment,he recognizesthepivotalroleofleadershipincultivatingsuccessin today'sfast-pacedandunpredictablelandscape.Byempowering histeammemberstoexcelandfosteringacultureof accountability,hehasplayedakeyroleinshapingthecareersof numerousindividualswhohavegoneontoachievesignificant successintheirrespectivefields.Amidstthecompetitivedigital technologyspace,hispassionforcreatinganenvironmentthat attractstoptalentshinesthrough,layingthefoundationfor sustainedgrowthandexcellencewithintheorganization.
I discovered my passion for deriving systemic solu ons that s ck and scale sustainably. I also developed a healthy dose of pragma sm, leading teams to focus on what ma ers and ensure we were solving the business's real problems and root causes.
BuildingHigh-PerformanceTeams
Christianemphasizestheimportanceof instillingpurposeandmotivationwithin histeams.Attheheartoftheirstrategy liesalignmentwiththeorganization's values,ensuringeveryteammember contributestocommongoals.
ByimmersingthemselvesinWestJet's existingvaluesystem,hisdigitalteam derivedtheirvisionandguiding principles,fosteringcohesiontowards sharedobjectives.Thisdedicationwas furtherreinforcedthroughinitiativeslike WestJet'sinauguralDigitalDay,which unitedover700WestJetterstocelebrate achievementsandshowcasedigital innovations.Continuingthemomentum, heexpandedDigitalDayanditsthird iterationin2024,sawover1,200 participantsactivelyengaged.Now establishedasaninnovationeventinthe eco-system,itservesasacatalystfor collaborationandconnectionacrossthe WestJetandaviationcommunity.Digital Dayalsodeliversreal-timeresultswith theadditionoflivehackathonssolving realbusinessproblemswithin6hours, learningsessionsthatfosterdigital mindsetsanddashboardcreationsessions thatdesigndatavisualizationassets.
In2024,corporate-wideInnovation AwardswerelaunchedbyChristianto celebrateindividualdigitalmindsets,to showcasetheirdigitalinitiativeand achievementsandtorewardthedigital behavioursWestJetisstrivingfor.
Thiscommitmenttoalignmentextendsto regularteamrituals,suchasstand-upsand townhalls,wherecommunicationand contextareprioritized.Christian underscorestheimportanceofleadingby example,andprovidingclarityonthe "Why?"behindinitiatives.Through consistentcommunicationandafocuson sharedpurpose,heensuresthatevery teammemberfeelsempoweredtoexecute andcontributetoWestJet'ssuccess.
CorporateSuccess:TestimonialsandAccolades
Intestimonialsfromsatisfiedclients,it'sevidentthatWestJet's continualgrowth,soaringguestnumbers,andexceptionalnetpromoter scoresareatestamenttotheircommitmenttoexcellence.Christian,a keyplayerinthissuccess,notonlyexcelsinadvancingWestJet's digitalizationbutalsocontributeshisexpertisetothebroader technologycommunity WithhighratingsontheDevOpsmaturity scale(DORA)andhavingheldanotableroleonTableauSoftware's advisoryboard,Christian'sdedicationtoinnovationshinesthroughin hisdualrolesasspeakeranddigitaltechnologyadvocate.
I firmly believe that a core competency of a successful leader in today’s fast and ambiguous environment is to create highperforming teams.
Recently, Chris an Novosel, along with five (5) founding partners, was proud to announce WestJet’s par cipa on in Calgary’s new Aerospace Innova on Hub. The opening event was held in the Aerospace Innova on Hub’s future home, a highly visible loca on on the departures level of the Calgary Interna onal Airport, WestJet’s home base.
This new Aerospace Innova on Hub will serve as an incubator for startups as they research and develop aerospace, travel, airline, and manufacturing technology and equipment—innova ons that will help us be er serve our guests and stay at the forefront of automa on and technology in the avia on and travel industries.
It is a tangible example of our commitment to collabora on and ac ve par cipa on in the avia on ecosystem, and we are confident that with WestJet’s valuable insights and prac cal advice, the Aerospace Innova on Hub will solidify Calgary’s posi on as a global leader in this industry.
PeterWilfahrt
Passion to Pragma sm
Balancing Passion, Security, and ROI for a Lasting Impact in Business Transformation!
Anecessaryaspectofbeinghumanischange.We
areinaconstantprocessofchange,fromthe minutewebreatheourfirstbreathuntilourlast heartbeat.Theproverbthatreads,"Changeisthelawof life,"capturesthespiritofourcommonlifeandurgesusto celebratethechangingaspectofourpath.Theabilityof changetobringaboutdevelopmentandregenerationisone ofitsessentialrealities.Similartohowtheseasonsshift fromwinter'sfrosttospring'sbloom,changegivesusthe chancetoletgoofouroldselvesandopenourselvestonew possibilities.Itpushesustoventurebeyondourcomfort zones,cultivatingflexibilityandresilience.
Thisthoughtsetsthestageforourexclusivefeatureon PeterWilfahrt,thevisionaryChiefDigitalOfficeratIHK fürOberfrankenBayreuth.
Withaspecialcombinationofpassionandpracticality, Peterbreaksnewgroundatthejunctionoftechnologyand businessinthefast-pacedworldofdigitaltransformation. Hisentryintothedigitalsphereisaresultofhisdeep dedicationtobringingaboutsignificantchangeinthe corporateworld,notjustacareermove.
Fuelingthiscommitmentisagenuinefascinationwiththe transformativepoweroftechnology.ForWilfahrt,it'snot aboutchasingfleetingtrendsorsuccumbingtoindustry buzzwords.Instead,hisfocusliesincraftingstrategiesthat seamlesslyintegrateinnovationwithagrounded perspectiveonReturnonInvestment(ROI).AstheChief DigitalOfficer,heunderstandsthattruedigital transformationgoesbeyondsurface-levelchanges;it's aboutcreatingvaluethatendures.
Wilfahrt'sstrategyiscenteredonacommitmenttoIT securityandunderstandingitscriticalroleinsecuring enterprises'digitalfutures.Thoughtheenvironmentiseverchanging,hisunrelentingdedicationtouser-centric solutionsguaranteesthattechnologybenefitsthepeopleitis meanttoempower
Forthoseseekinginspirationintherealmofdigital transformation,Peter'sjourneyservesasabeacon—a testamenttotheharmoniousmarriageofinnovationand practicality,reshapingthelandscapeoftraditionalindustries onestrategicdecisionatatime.
Below are the interview highlights:
Couldyougiveourreadersaninsightintoyour companyanditsinceptionstory?
TheIHKforUpperFranconiaBayreuth,deeplyrootedin theregion'seconomiclandscape,servesasapivotal connectorbetweengovernment,industry,andSMEs.Our evolutionhasbeenintertwinedwiththatofUpper Franconia,particularlyasweembracedthedigital revolution.Thistransitionhasnotjustbeenaboutadopting newtechnologies;it'sbeenaboutredefininghowwe supportourmembersinthedigitalage.
Whatkeyskillsandqualitiesdoyouconsidervitalfor successindrivingdigitaltransformation?
Forsuccessindigitaltransformation,severalkey competenciesarecrucial.First,adeepunderstandingof digitaltechnologiesandtheirapplicationpossibilitiesis indispensable.Thisincludesknowledgeinareassuchas cloudcomputing,dataanalytics,andartificialintelligence. Equallyimportantistheabilitytostrategicallyplanand implementdigitalstrategiesthatarealignedwithboth short-termneedsandlong-termgoals.
Peter Wilfahrt
Chief Digital Officer
IHK für Oberfranken Bayreuth
P et er Wilf ahrt
By fostering an environment where risk-taking and crea vity are valued, I encourage my team to develop and implement new ideas.
Fosteringacultureofinnovationisanotheressential quality.Thisinvolvesstimulatingcreativityanda willingnesstotrynewapproaches.Agoodunderstandingof ITsecurityisalsocrucialtominimizingtherisksofdigital initiatives.Finally,astronguser-centricfocusisnecessary toensurethatdigitalsolutionsaretailoredtotheneedsof end-users.
Howdoyoufosteracultureofinnovationandadigital mindsetwithinyourteam?
Tofosteracultureofinnovationandadigitalmindset,we focusoncontinuouseducationandtraining.Weencourage teammemberstoconstantlyeducatethemselvesandstay up-to-datewiththelatestdigitaltrendsandtechnologies. Wepromoteopencommunicationandidea-sharingtocreate anatmospherewherecreativitycanthrive.Wealsouse interdisciplinaryteamstocombinedifferentperspectives andexpertise,leadingtoinnovativesolutions.Additionally, werecognizeandrewardinnovativeideasandprojectsto encouragecontinuousimprovement.
Highlightadigitalinitiativeorprojectyou'reproudof anditsimpactontheorganization.
OneprojectIamparticularlyproudofisthedevelopment andimplementationofourdigitalconsultingplatform.This platformallowsourmembercompaniestoeasilyand efficientlyaccessresourcesandexpertknowledge.Itoffers personalizedconsulting,interactivetools,andresourcesto supporttheirdigitaltransformation.Thisinitiativehasnot onlychangedthewayweinteractwithourmembersbuthas alsosignificantlyenhancedthedigitalmaturityofour membercompanies.
Howdoyoustayupdatedonemergingdigitaltrends andtechnologies?
Tostayupdatedonthelatestdigitaltrendsand technologies,Iuseacombinationofongoingeducation, attendingindustryconferences,andnetworkingwithother professionals.Iregularlyreadindustryjournalsandblogs andparticipateinwebinarsandworkshops.Additionally,I encourageexchangeswithinmyteamandwithexternal expertstogaindiverseperspectivesandinsights,ensuring wecollectivelystayattheforefrontofdigitalinnovation.
Howdoyoupromoteeffectivecollaborationbetween differentdepartmentsindigitaltransformation?
Effectivecollaborationiscrucialforthesuccessofdigital transformation.Wepromotethisthroughregular
interdisciplinarymeetingsandworkshops,wheremembers fromdifferentdepartmentscometogethertoshareideasand definecommongoals.Wealsouseprojectmanagement toolsandplatformsthatfacilitatetransparent communicationandcollaboration.Bycreatingashared understandingandinvolvingalldepartmentsinthe transformationprocess,weensurethateveryone understandstheirroleandcontributiontotheoverall success.
Shareachallengeyoufacedinleadingdigitalinitiatives andhowyouovercameit.
Resistancetonewtechnologiesisacommonhurdle. Overcomingthisinvolvedatwo-prongedapproach: comprehensivetrainingtodemystifynewtechnologiesand atransparentcommunicationstrategythathighlightedthe tangiblebenefitsofthesechanges.
Oneparticularchallengewasovercominginternal resistancetochange,especiallywhenintroducingnew technologies.Toovercomethischallenge,wefocusedon comprehensivetrainingandtransparentcommunication.We clarifiedhowthesechangeswouldbenefiteachindividual andtheorganizationasawhole.Byhighlightingsuccess storiesandpositiveoutcomes,wewereabletodispel doubtsandfosterapositiveattitudetowardsdigital transformation.
Howdoyoubalanceinnovationwithmaintainingdata securityandprivacy?
Weachievethebalancebetweeninnovationanddata securitybyadoptingastrategythatfostersinnovation withoutcompromisingsecurity WerelyonrobustIT securityprotocolsandprivacypoliciesthatareconsidered inallstagesofdigitalsolutions'developmentand implementation.Additionally,weregularlytrainour employeesinsecuritybestpracticesandconductauditsto ensurethatoursystemsandprocessesmeetthehighest securitystandards.
Howdoyouinspireandmotivateyourteamtoembrace digitalchange?
Moreover,Iensurethateveryteammemberhasaccessto theresourcesandtrainingtheyneedtobesuccessful.
Whatdoyouseeasthemostexcitingopportunitiesand disruptionsinthedigitallandscape,andhowareyou preparingyourorganizationforthem?
Thedigitallandscapeischaracterizedbyrapid developmentssuchasartificialintelligence,machine learning,andtheInternetofThings.Thesetechnologies offerimmenseopportunitiesforefficiencyimprovements andinnovation.Atthesametime,theypresentuswith challengesintermsofdataprotectionandITsecurity To prepareourorganizationforthis,weinvestinthelatest technologiesandcontinuouslyeducateourteam.Weare alsoworkingondevelopingflexibleandadaptable strategiesthatallowustorespondquicklytochanges.
Pleaseprovideuswithafewclienttestimonialsaswell asanyawardsorrecognitionthataccuratelyreflectyour achievementsinthisindustry.
OneofthemostnotablerecognitionsIhavereceivedisthe RainerMarkgrafPreisin2023,aprestigiousawardthat acknowledgesoutstandingcontributionsandinnovative approachesinthedigitalsector.Thisaccoladeisatestament toourcommitmenttoadvancingdigitaltransformationand excellence.
Additionally,Iamproudtohighlightasignificant achievementintheopen-sourcecommunity.My contributionshaveledtomorethan17millioninstallations ofmyopen-sourcesoftware.Thismilestonenotonly demonstratesthewide-reachingimpactofourdigital initiativesbutalsounderscoresthequalityandrelevanceof ourcontributionstothebroadertechnologycommunity
Clienttestimonialshaveconsistentlyreflectedthepositive impactofourwork.Manyclientshavecommendedour abilitytoprovidetailoreddigitalsolutionsthatmeettheir specificneeds,enhancingtheiroperationalefficiencyand competitiveedgeinthemarket.Theirfeedbackemphasizes ourrolenotjustasaserviceproviderbutasastrategic partnerintheirdigitaltransformationjourney Top 10 Most
Imotivatemyteambyconveyingavisionforthedigital futureoftheorganizationandhoweachindividualcan contributetothisvision.Irecognizeandcelebrate successes—bothindividualcontributionsandteam achievements.Byfosteringanenvironmentwhererisktakingandcreativityarevalued,Iencouragemyteamto developandimplementnewideas.
P et er Wilf ahrt
Why Digital Transformation Starts with Executive Leadership
Withtherateofinternationalbusinesscontinuing
toincreasenowadays,supplychain managementhasalsobecomemoredynamic andcomplexthanbefore.Firmsmustcontendwithvolatile demand,riskglobalizationinprocurement,andincreased customerexpectations.Real-timeinformationhasprovedto bethemostcriticalfactorinfacilitatingintelligent decisions,andEnterpriseResourcePlanning(ERP)systems areinstrumentalinprovidingreal-timeinformation.
ContemporaryERPsoftwarecombinesbusinessactivities, providinginstantaneousinformationregardinginventory, manufacturing,logistics,andsoforth.Decision-makersare abletoleverageminute-to-minutedata,makingiteasyto reactinstantlytochanges,optimizeprocesses,andstay ahead.
Thisarticledelvesintothewaysthatreal-timeERPdata enablessupplychaindecision-makingtocreateefficiency, accuracy,andvelocityinthefirm.
1.Real-TimeVisibilityAcrosstheSupplyChain
Oneofthegreatestadvantagesofreal-timeERPdatais greatervisibilityacrosstheentiresupplychain.More mature,disparatesystemsaremorepronetogenerating informationsilosthatcausedelaysandmiscommunication. AnewERPsystemconsolidatesdatafromnumerous differentplacesandprovidesanoverallviewofoperations.
Forexample,real-timeshipmenttrackingisfacilitatedby logisticsmanagers,whilewarehousepersonnelareableto seeinventorylevelsimmediately Thistransparencymakes itsimpletoidentifybottlenecks,preventstockouts,and streamlineworkflow Therefore,companiesmakeproactive decisions,improvingoperationalefficiencyandcustomer satisfaction.
2.Faster,Data-DrivenDecision-Making
Insupplychainplanning,actioncanbethedifference betweenlong-termsuccessandtrouble.Real-timeERP informationguidesmanagerstomakefast,gooddecisions thatarebasedontoday'srealityandnotyesterday'sbygone days.
Forexample,ifoneofthesuppliersislate,thedeliverydate canautomaticallybechangedbytheERPsystem.The productionschedulecanberevisedoralternativesuppliers broughtintooffsettheeffect.Thisabilitytorespond increasestheabilitytoreacttochangingmarketsand unexpectedissues.
3.ImprovedDemandForecastingandInventory Management
Goodforecastingiscrucialtodemand-supplybalance.In real-timedatarefreshedwithcustomerorders,sales,and inventoriesprovidedbyERP,thereareimprovedforecasts toprovidehighlevelsofaccuracy
Byvisualizingthingsinreal-time,businessesadjuststock basedonactualdemandratherthanforecast.This eliminatesover-stockedproducts,lowerscarryingcosts, andpreventsstockouts.Businessesthenmaximizelevelsof customersatisfactionbybringingmerchandisewhereand whentheyareneeded.
4.EnhancedSupplierCoordinationandRelationship Management
Suppliersplayakeyroleinprovidingsupplychain performance.Real-timeERPinformationallowsformore collaborationbyprovidingtheright,real-timeinformation tosuppliers.
Forexample,supplierscanviewordermodifications, deliveryschedules,andperformancemetricsthroughone ERPwindow.Thistransparencybuildstrust,improves communication,andenablescoordination.Companiescan monitorsupplierperformanceinreal-timetoo,andcorrect problemsbeforetheybecomehugeissues.
5.ProactiveRiskManagement
Supplychainsareexposedtomanytypesofrisks,from naturaldisasterstogeopoliticalevents.Real-timeERP informationallowscompaniestobeproactiveinrisk management.
ERPsystemscanbeintegratedwithexternaldatasources, likeweatherforecastsorinternationalnewsfeeds,to anticipateimminentdisruptions.Ifaportstrikeispredicted, thesystemwillalertlogisticspersonneltodivertshipments topostponeitasmuchaspossible.Firmscanrespondto triggercontingencymeasuresandmaintainbusiness continuitybyidentifyingriskinadvance.
6.CostOptimizationandEfficiencyGains
Costcontrolisoneofthemostcrucialobjectivesforsupply chainmanagers.Real-timeERPinformationprovides insightintocostdriverssobudgetsmaybecontrolledmore effectively
Forinstance,businessescantracktransportationcost, identifyinefficiencies,andrenegotiatewithtransportation providers.ERPautomatesthemundaneactivitieslikeorder entryandinvoicematching,reducingadministrative overhead.Thesecostsavingsarereflectedinreduced operatingcostsandgreaterprofitability
7.BetterCustomerSatisfactionandResponsiveness
Customerneedshavechanged,withtimelyordertracking andtimelydeliverybecomingthenorm.Real-timeERP datamakesthispossiblebyenhancingorderaccuracyand deliveryperformance.
Customersaregivenaccurateinformationregardingorder status,deliverydate,anddelayintheeventofany. Customersupportstaffintheeventofanissuecanuse timelyinformationtorespondquicklyandeffectively.This opennessallowsfortrustandbettercustomerexperience.
Conclusion
Real-timeERPdataisnowasecrettoeffectivesupplychain decision-making.Withitsprovisionofreal-timevisibility andtheabilitytomakefasterdecisions,coupledwithbetter forecasting,ERPsystemsallowfirmstoeffectivelyhandle complicated,dynamicsupplychains.
Sincetheintricaciesofsupplychainscontinuallyshift, thosethatsurfthewaveoftoday'sERPtechnologieswillbe bestsuitedtorespondfaster,automateoperations,and provideimprovedcustomerservice.Futuresupplychain successhingesontheabilitytodrivedecisionswith data—andreal-timeERPdataisthekeytomakingit happen. CIO
Navigating the Cybersecurity Risks of AI: Strategies Challenges and Mitigation
- Authored by Roy Toh, PBM, a distinguished AI and cybersecurity business leader in the Asia-Pacific region with Terra International.
ArtificialIntelligence(AI)isincreasinglyintegralto
variousindustries,offeringtransformativebenefits suchasautomation,enhancedprecision,and heightenedefficiency.However,theintegrationofAI technologiesalsointroducesuniqueandmultifaceted cybersecuritychallenges.ToleverageAIeffectivelywhile safeguardingcriticalsystemsandsensitivedata,itis imperativetoexploretheinherentrisksandexaminerobust mitigationstrategies.
AI’sadoptionhasrevolutionizedcybersecuritybyenabling enhancedthreatdetectionandmitigationcapabilities. However,ithasalsorenderedsystemsvulnerableto exploitation.CybercriminalshavecapitalizedonAI’s capabilitiestoconductsophisticatedandhigh-impact attacks.
Oneprominentareaofconcernispromptinjectionattacks, wheremaliciousinputsarecraftedtomanipulateAI systems.Forexample,chatbotsmightprocesscleverly disguisedcommandsembeddedinuserqueries,causing unintendedandpotentiallyharmfulactions.Toaddress thesevulnerabilities,organizationsmustimplement stringentinputvalidationprocessesandensurethatalldata processedbyAIsystemsissanitized.
Anothersignificantriskarisesfrommodelpoisoning attacks,whereinadversariesmanipulatethetrainingdataof AIsystems.Byintroducingbiasedormaliciousdataduring thetrainingphase,attackerscanembedbackdoorsor influencemodeloutputs.Forinstance,anAImodeltrained withtampereddatasetsmighterroneouslygrant unauthorizedaccessunderspecificconditions.Mitigating
thesethreatsinvolvessecuringtrainingpipelines,auditing datasetsregularly,andutilizingcryptographictechniquesto verifydataintegrity
AdversarialexamplesalsoposeacriticalthreattoAI systems.Theseinvolvesubtlemodificationstoinputdata designedtodeceiveAImodels.Anotablecaseisthe manipulationofimagestobypassfacialrecognition systemsbyalteringkeyvisualfeatures.Developerscan enhancetherobustnessofAImodelsbytrainingthemwith adversarialsamples,ensuringtheyareequippedto recognizeandresistsuchattempts.
TheissueofdataleakagefurthercomplicatesAI’sadoption incybersecurity.AIsystemstrainedonsensitive informationmayinadvertentlyexposeconfidentialdata.For instance,languagemodelsmightgenerateoutputsthat revealproprietaryinformationembeddedintheirtraining datasets.Theuseofdifferentialprivacytechniquesandthe avoidanceofunprocessedsensitivedataduringtrainingcan significantlymitigatethisrisk,safeguardingboth organizationalandindividualprivacy.
AI’spotentialmisusebymaliciousactorsamplifiesthe scaleandeffectivenessofcyberattacks.AdvancedAI technologieshavebeenemployedtoautomatephishing campaignsanddevelopsophisticatedmalware.AIgeneratedphishingemails,forexample,areoftenmore convincingandpersonalized,increasingthelikelihoodof success.Organizationsmustadoptadvancedthreat detectionmechanismsandinvestinemployeetrainingto recognizeandcounteractsuchAI-enhancedthreats effectively
Therelianceonthird-partycomponentsinAIsystems introducessupplychainvulnerabilities.Compromised librariesorpre-trainedmodelscanserveasvectorsfor malwareorothersecuritybreaches.Toaddresstheserisks, organizationsshouldprioritizesourcingcomponentsfrom trustedproviders,conductingrigorousaudits,andensuring timelysoftwareupdates.
Recentreal-worldincidentsunderscoretheurgencyof addressingAI-drivencybersecuritythreats.Anotable exampleistheuseofdeepfaketechnologyincorporate fraud.In2024,amultinationalcorporationinHongKong sufferedasignificantfinanciallossofHK$200million whenscammersuseddeepfakevideostoimpersonate executives,therebyauthorizingfraudulenttransactions.
Thisincidenthighlightsthenecessityofimplementing multi-factorauthenticationandinvestingintoolsthatdetect deepfakemedia.Similarly,inSingapore,actorLawrence PangfellvictimtoanAI-generatedromancescam,losing substantialfundsofS$35,000toahighlyrealisticAIcreatedprofile,“Mika.”TheSingaporegovernment’s introductionofprotectionfromscambillsexemplifiesa proactivelegislativeapproachtomitigatesuchthreats, enablingauthoritiestofreezeaccountslinkedtoscamsand providerecourseforvictims.
Voicecloninghasalsoemergedasasignificantconcern.In aEuropeancase,scammersusedAItoreplicatethevoiceof acompany’sCEO,instructinganemployeetoauthorizea
largefinancialtransferof€220,000.Mitigatingthisrisk requiresdeployingrobustvoiceverificationsystemsand monitoringtransactionpatternsforanomalies.Additionally, AI-poweredphishingcampaignshavedemonstratedthe capacitytobypasstraditionaldefensesbymimicking employeecommunicationstyles.Continuoustraining simulationsandadvancedemailfiltersareessentialto countersuchthreats.
TobuildresilienceagainstAI-relatedcyberthreats,itis crucialtoadoptamulti-layeredandproactiveapproach. Inputvalidationmechanismscanmitigatepromptinjection attacks,whilesecuringtrainingpipelinesandemploying cryptographictechniquescanprotectagainstmodel poisoning.DifferentialprivacymethodsensurethatAI modelsdonotinadvertentlyexposesensitivedata,even underrepeatedqueries.Robustmonitoringsystemscapable ofdetectinganomaliesandrespondingtounexpectedinputs furtherenhancecybersecuritydefenses.
TheconceptofguardrailsinAIgovernancehasgained prominenceasorganizationsrecognizetheneedfor preventivemeasures.Guardrailsrefertoasetofpolicies, practices,andtechnologicalsafeguardsdesignedtoensure theresponsibleuseofAI.Thesemeasuresincludesetting clearethicalstandards,enforcingstrictaccesscontrols,and embeddingtransparencyintoAIsystems.Byincorporating guardrails,organizationscanproactivelyaddresspotential risks,fosteringtrustandaccountabilityinAIapplications.
Educationandawarenessarepivotalinreducing vulnerabilities.TrainingemployeestoidentifyAI-enhanced threats,suchasadvancedphishingemails,equipsthemto actasthefirstlineofdefense.Additionally,securingAPIs andendpointsthroughauthenticationprotocolsandusage monitoringpreventsexploitation.Legislativeframeworks, suchasSingapore’sscampreventionlaws,furtherreinforce organizationaleffortsbyprovidingasupportiveregulatory environment.
Inconclusion,whileAIoffersimmensepotentialto transformindustriesandenhanceefficiency,italso introducescomplexcybersecuritychallenges.Incidents involvingdeepfaketechnology,AI-generatedscams,and adversarialattacksillustratethebreadthoftheserisks.By implementingcomprehensivemitigationstrategies, includingrobustguardrails,organizationscannavigatethe cybersecuritylandscapeeffectively.AsAIcontinuesto evolve,maintainingvigilanceandadaptabilitywillbe criticaltosafeguardingsystemsanddataagainstemerging threats. CIO
Executives Must Prioritize
Cybersecurityin Digital Initiatives Why
Withthefast-evolvingdigitalscenarioofthe
modernage,organizationsfromallindustries areadoptingtechinnovationforefficiency, customeroutreach,andbusinessgrowth.Startingfrom cloudcomputingtoAIandIoT,thetechnologieshave movedtoacultureoflivingamongbusinessmodelsofthe modernage.Butallthisdigitalboomcarriessomereally gravecybersecuritythreats.
Cyberattackshavebecomeincreasinglycomplexand intrusive,commandeeringcustomertrust,business processes,andconfidentialinformation.Cybersecurityis notanoptionforCEOsanymore—cybersecurityhas becomeacornerstoneofeffectivedigitalinitiatives.Read thefollowingarticleonwhyeachCEO'sagendaneedstobe focusedoncybersecurityandhowbusinessescan incorporateethicalsecuritypracticesintodigitalinitiatives.
TheGrowingCyberThreatLandscape
Moreandmorebusinessesgetautomated,andthusthe attacksurfaceislargerforcybercriminals.Ransomware attacks,databreaches,andphishingattacksareincreasingly commontodayandtargetbusinessesofanysize.
Byindustryestimates,cybercrimewillinflicttrillionsof dollarsindamageeveryyear.Attackersaretaking advantageofsystem,program,andevenhuman vulnerabilities.Withcloudenvironments,remote workspaces,andnetworkeddevicesbeingutilized increasingly,organizationsneedtobevigilantforthese ever-evolvingthreats.
Executivesneedtorealizethatcyberthreatsarenotjustan ITthreatbutabusinessthreatthatcanstrikeatrevenue, reputation,andcustomerloyalty
DataProtectionandIntellectualProperty
Sensitiveinformation—customerdata,research milestones—isahigh-valuecyberattacktargetinthedata economy.Databreachescanbesanctionedwithregulatory fines,financialloss,andlong-termreputationalharm.
Robustdataprotectioncontrolslikeencryption,access controls,andauditneedtobeputinplacebyexecutives. Data-centricsecurityisastrategythatprotectsvaluabledata whereverit'sstoredandwhereverit'sused.
BuildingCustomerTrustandBusinessReputation
Trustiscentraltoahealthybusinessrelationship.One mistakealongthelinesofcybersecuritywillruindecadesof trustforacompany.Consumerstrustcompaniestotake careoftheirowninformation,particularlyinthecaseofan onlinetransactionorsendingsensitiveinformationontothe worldwideweb.
Investmentinsecuritymeansthatthefirmsvaluethe customerinformation.Disclosureofsecuritypracticesand timelynoticeintheeventofabreachcanalsobuildtrust andconfidence.
CompliancewiththeRegulatoryRequirements
Governmentsandregulatoryagenciesaroundtheworld haveimposedstrictregulationsondataprotectionto combatcybercrime.TheEuropeanGeneralDataProtection Regulation(GDPR)andtheUSA'sCaliforniaConsumer PrivacyAct(CCPA)establishedstrictregulationson handlingpersonaldata.
Executivesneedtobecognizantofpertinentcompliance stepsandincorporatethemintheircybersecuritypolicies. Otherwise,theyriskpayinghugefines,legalrecourse,and lossofthecompany'sreputation.
TheCloudUsageandRemoteWorkRevolution
Remoteworkrevolutionandcloudusageexplosion revolutionizedcybersecurityissues.Remoteemployees accessingcompanyinfrastructurefromremotedevicesand locationsaremostlikelytargetsforhackers.
Toopposesuchthreats,organizationsneedtoimplement secureremoteaccesstechnologies,i.e.,VirtualPrivate Networks(VPNs)andmulti-factorauthentication(MFA). Apartfromthis,commercialcontractswithcloudhosting serviceswithindustry-standardsecuritycontrolscan discouragetheaffiliatedrisksofcloudoperation.
CybersecurityasaBusinessEnabler
Whilesomebelievethatsecurityinhibitsinnovation,a strongsecuritystancecanliberatebusinessestoinvest safelyininnovation.Byincludingsecurityindigital programsfromthebeginning,executivesminimizethe potentialforexpensivebreachesanddowntime.
Securedevelopmentpractices,suchasDevSecOps,allow securitytobeincorporatedintoeverystageofthesoftware developmentlifecycle.Thisreducesvulnerabilitywhile speedingupthedeploymentofnewdigitalproducts.
TheRoleofLeadershipinCybersecurity
Thecybersecuritymustbeaddressedtop-downwiththe initiativespearheadedbytheexecutives.Thebusiness executivesmustinstillasecurityculturewiththevalueof protectingcompanyassetsbeingconveyedasateameffort withindepartments.
Trainingemployeesisaninvestmentthatminimizeshuman mistakes,whicharestilloneofthemajorreasonssecurity breachesoccur.Additionally,aninvestmentincybersecurity staff,machines,andapplicationskeepstheorganization agileinresponsetoincreasingthreats.
Conclusion
Ascompaniesmovemoretowardsdigitaltransformation, theircybersecurityneedstobeintegratedintotheiroverall strategy.Executivesneedtocontributetomakingthis happenbylearningabouttheevolvingthreatenvironment, protectinginformationasatoppriority,andembeddinga cultureofsecurity.
Byinvestingintherightcybersecuritypractices,companies cansafeguardtheirbusiness,maintaincustomerconfidence, andachievelong-termcybersecurity-facilitatedbusiness sustainability.Withthesedaysofbeingconstantlyonline, anactiveandcompany-wideapproachtocybersecurityis nolongerachoiceforadefensestrategy.It'sabusiness necessity
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