What will be the biggest challenges faced by CIOs in the UAE over the next 3-5 years?

Based on current conditions in gulf countries the following can be the biggest challenges for CIOs:

1. Cost reduction while keeping service levels, example of achieving this is through automation of manual tasks and efficiency within the technology
2. Ability to be agile and keep up with Business demand within a changing market
3. Meet the growing Audit and Regulatory demand
4. Reduce footprint, bringing technology such as Cloud
5. Provide a stable environment for their clients while meeting the above demand

CIO's should be focused on the following themes

1) Digital Disruption

2) Big Data

3) Analytics

4) Innovation

5) IoT

1) Simplify IT and Transform Your Spending: Kick the 80/20 Budget Habit.

2) Lead the Social Revolution: Drive the Social-Enabled Enterprise.

3) Unleash Your Company’s Intelligence: Create the Enterprisewide Opportunity Chain.

4) Embrace the Engagement Economy: Merge the Back Office and the Front Office into the Customer Office.

5) Future-Proof Your IT Architecture.

6) Upgrade “Cloud Strategy” to “Business Transformation Enabled by the Cloud.”

7) Transform Big Data into Big Insights, Big Vision, and Big Opportunities.

8) Preside over a Shotgun Wedding: Systems of Record Marry Systems of Engagement.

9) Lead with Speed: CIO as Chief Acceleration Officer.

10) Bend the Value Curve: More Innovation, Less Integration.

Based on current conditions in gulf countries the followings can be the biggest challenges for CIOs in IT sector.

1. Addressing the growing need of agility

2. Breaking free from technical debts

3. Adapting to connected world

4. Cyber Security

5. Competing with the growing market