CIOs fret over consolidation, cybersecurity

CIOs and IT managers will focus on systems consolidation and security through the end of the fiscal year.That’s the chief finding from a new survey of 44 CIOs. The driving factors behind IT consolidation are cutting costs and improving network cybersecurity, respondents said in the 15th annual Federal CIO Survey.CIOs also identified risk management, integrating physical and IT security, and assessing the vulnerabilities of less crucial systems as among their top priorities.The survey, conducted by the IT Association of America, found that CIOs want to reduce the number of e-mail, file and print servers in use as well as cut the number of data centers.Aside from IT consolidation and cybersecurity, CIOs will continue to focus on strategic planning to align technology and agency mission goals, project management improvement and enabling e-government, the survey found.CIOs said finding qualified employees—especially experienced middle managers—remains one of the biggest challenges.To see the survey, go to and enter 371 in the Quickfind box.