Mobility and Millennials Revealed as Biggest Influence on the Changing Role of CIOs Across Canada

Survey of Canadian CIOs Unveils Technology Trends Influencing the Evolution of the Workplace

MISSISSAUGA, ON, Aug. 13, 2014 /CNW/ - A recent IDC survey commissioned by Samsung Electronics Canada¹ found that technology trends such as Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), which reflect the growing use of personal tablets and smartphones in the workplace, is driving change for the Chief Information Officer (CIO) and businesses across Canada. Of the CIOs surveyed, 58 per cent said the number of mobile workers at their company has increased and that 68 per cent of these workers use tablets in addition to mobile phones.

BYOD is quickly becoming the new norm for companies across Canada with 52.5 per cent of CIOs open to employees bringing their own devices to work. When asked why CIOs have a bring their own device policy, 50.8 per cent responded saying it was to appeal to young workers which will make up 75 per cent of the workforce by 2028.  While security still remains a core component, CIOs are being driven by workplace trends to help future-proof their organization.

"Part of the CIO's role is to anticipate trends in technology and understand how they influence corporate policy while maintaining security and aligning with the strategic vision of the company," said Warren Shiau, Director, Buyer Behaviour Research Practice, IDC Canada. "The CIO role is shifting from a concentrated focus on managing and protecting centralized back office IT resources to driving employee productivity and empowerment."

The survey also reflects a shift in attitude by CIOs who have traditionally acted independently to implement IT regulations. The survey reveals that fifty-five per cent of CIOs are actually adjusting their IT policies based on employee feedback and beginning to recognize the value of these insights in helping to create a more empowered workforce.

When asked about their biggest IT priorities for 2014, CIOs responded by saying that improving staff productivity (60 per cent) and IT security (70 per cent) were at the top of that list. Specifically, 96 per cent of respondents that support BYOD said that security is important which is why CIOs are turning to Samsung KNOX, a secure mobile enterprise security platform for Android, to create a protected IT environment.  

"At Samsung, we are deeply committed to 'people-inspired innovation' and we listen to our customers – both consumers and enterprises – and innovate to address their issues," said Paul Brannen, Senior Vice-President, Enterprise and Mobile Solutions, Samsung Electronics Canada. "As the first commercially available, secure Android platform for mobile enterprise, Samsung KNOX gives CIOs peace of mind by allowing their employees to easily and securely switch between work and play on their devices with the press of a button."

While security remains a top priority for CIOs, metrics and measurement are areas that have potential for growth with 43 per cent of respondents saying that measuring mobile security effectiveness is not an exact science and hard metrics aren't being utilized. Fifty-two per cent of CIOs surveyed don't currently measure security effectiveness although 52 per cent say they will soon which speaks to the direction the ever-evolving role of the CIO may go next.

KNOX is currently supported by a range of Samsung mobility products including the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy NotePRO 12.2. To learn more about Samsung KNOX secure Mobile Enterprise platform, visit www.samsungknox.com

About Samsung Electronics Canada
Samsung Electronics Canada is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for young minded consumers everywhere through innovation, stylish design and premium experiences. Through relentless innovation and discovery, Samsung is transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. As a result, Samsung has become a true leader in the technology industry. In 2013, Samsung was ranked #8 in the Interbrand 100 Best Global Brands while the Canadian arm was named as one of Strategy Magazine's 2013 Brands of the Year and Marketing Magazine's 2012 Top 10 Marketers of the Year in Canada. Globally, Samsung employs 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion.

To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

Follow Samsung Canada at facebook.com/SamsungCanada or on Twitter @SamsungCanada.

About IDC
International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. IDC Canada is part of a network of over 1,000 analysts providing global, regional, and local expertise on technology, industry opportunities and trends with more analysts dedicated to understanding the Canadian market than any other global research firm.

About the Survey
The telephone survey of 120 major Canadian organizations was completed during February 2014 by IDC Canada and represents a cross-section of the Canadian private and public sectors from Business Services, Financial Services, Retail, Communications and Media, Transportation and Warehousing and Utilities, to Government, Healthcare, and Education.  The survey was designed to obtain an illustration of major Canadian organizations' attitudes and behaviour within the mobility area.  Survey respondents were composed of CIO or CIO equivalent IT-decision makers.

SOURCE: Samsung Electronics Canada

Hannah Korsunsky, North Strategic (for Samsung Canada), 647-922-5550, [email protected]