Role of CIO in the Era WikiLeaks

As we often read, in the modern enterprise business gait wrestle a lot, or based on information, there is a position that is no less important than the CFO (chief financial officer), the CIO (chief information officer). They both are under the CEO (chief executive officer) that controls the overall operation of the company.

In the world of banking, which now also provides Internet-based electronic services, the CIO responsibility is very great. He must ensure the security of transactions, enterprise information system security is also very sensitive. Understand it, secret bank burglary attempt, as well as piracy transaction, never subsided.

During this chase between the secured party and party that wants to break down the carousel can be likened to the game, other than continue to occur, it is difficult to say where exactly in front of (or superior).

Within the scope of the company, other than the principal task of securing the information, for CIOs now appears a new task. Driven by the emergence of new growth, CIOs are now not only dimensionless "information" but also "innovation", so that the CIO is the chief innovation officer.

As stated Kelly Tan's (The Business Times, 6 / 12), it is now critical for business leaders is knowing how the technology could potentially be used to drive higher efficiency, also utilize the resources better.

About the "I" in CIO itself is described, it emerged today a new meaning, namely of information into innovation.

So, this new understanding is really broaden the scope of responsibility of a CIO. In fact, intrusion attempts (hacking), or infiltration with bad intentions (cracking), sites of government agencies or businesses increasingly rife.

Genesis about leakage secret U.S. government efforts to break-ins by WikiLeaks memuncaki confidential information that could be contemplated for CIOs.

From the security side of Genesis WikiLeaks was rocked various joints on the handling of information and also about the nature of confidentiality. In the context of diplomacy and international relations, reviews in this newspaper has offended some of it.

Included might be new about the meaning and degree of confidentiality. From the wires that leaked secret WikiLeaks sites, one of which mentions the dispute between Internet search company Google and the Government of China. From what is experienced by members of the Politburo Standing Committee, Li Changchun, who found himself among the much criticized after he searched on Google about the profile itself, this figure was then conclude the danger posed by the Internet to the continuity of the Communist regime in China. However, from that experience also revealed how the internet allows someone like Li could do the hacking to obtain confidential information stored on computer rivals, especially the U.S.. (See International Herald Tribune, and The Wall Street Journal, 6 / 12)

In the era of the Cold War, spy-red mirror many recounted in action in Washington, generally disguised as a diplomat. It makes sense also performed by Western spy in Moscow. Difficult to ascertain, the practice of espionage no longer exists today.

Can also be added, in Le Bourget Aerospace Exhibition in Paris in 1993, the U.S. did not exhibit sophisticated products for industrial espionage complained about the many practices in the grand arena. This information also underscores one fact, that the espionage was not limited in political affairs and security, as described in the news WikiLeaks leakage, but also to secret technology product.

Now when many laptops or IT products with American brands such as iPad made with components that are supplied from a number of countries, or the product is manufactured in a multinational workforce, could be questioned, "my ass is still a secret anymore"?

U.S. is called is still very secretive stealth fighter aircraft manufacturing (stealth) F-22 Raptor. Indeed there is a mention, among the workers involved in the project F-22 also came from other countries, but against this staff applied a very stringent staffing requirements, including with whom he hangs out and when or where could leave. It was an effort to prevent confidential leaks.

For the scope of corporate governance CIO, the CIO's role to multiply with the shift and expansion of the meaning of "I". For the scope of the state, also confirmed the role of CIOs increasingly challenging.

In the realm of intellectual though, the discussion about the possibility of robotic war on the National Research Council last week did mention this issue.

In some cases, confidential information has been made fun of because of what he considered to be confidential anyway it turns out a lot that can be burglarized. However, as noted by Time magazine Managing Editor Richard Stengel, a naive and even dangerous if you think the world would be a safer place with no secrets at all (Time, 13/12).

In this regard CIO in bear country-level roles and responsibilities are quite complicated.

Apparently, the statistics showed that there were efforts to close the Digital Divide, which among others is shown by the increasing number of Internet users or number of the owner of a laptop or cell phone no longer sufficient. Are questionable, to what gadgets and IT knowledge, and if any of champion ICT in the country that has captured the direction of development is today and prepare to meet the call of a new task that is raised by these new developments?