WAN Transformation 2026
April 23, 2026
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5 strategies for CIOs to get ahead with global connectivity
- Ciaran Roche
In an increasingly AI-driven business world, Chief Information Officers (CIOs) have an untapped opportunity to lead their organization’s transformation journey. As senior executives with a unique blend of technical expertise and strategic influence, CIOs are perfectly positioned to champion a shift towards connectivity-first and innovation-led enterprises. To get ahead, connectivity must be an urgent priority.
In our inaugural Global Business Connectivity Outlook Report 2025–2026, we interviewed 50 senior leaders from diverse backgrounds about their priorities for global business expansion in 2025 and 2026. Our research found that while 65 percent of leaders recognize connectivity as very important at the enterprise level, 22 percent report that it is only occasionally discussed, and 13 percent say it is not very visible.
The disparity between connectivity as a strategic priority and limited conversations in the boardroom appears to stem from a lack of understanding of global connectivity and its role in global growth. This is why CIOs must lead the charge and reframe connectivity as a growth enabler rather than a technical upgrade.
The current state of play for CIOs
CIOs offer unique insight into the power of technology and innovation to shape competitive standing. By effectively communicating the value of technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and reinforcing the power of robust network security, CIOs can unlock future business success. And yet, CIO Magazine’s ‘State of the CIO Survey 2025’ found that 9 out of 10 CIOs are not fulfilling their aspirations as true technology leaders. Evidently, there is an untapped opportunity for CIOs to turbocharge technology adoption.
Interestingly, the CIO survey found that despite not yet fulfilling their full potential, CIOs are leading the AI charge. The survey revealed that 80 percent of CIOs are responsible for researching and evaluating AI products, positioning them as key players in their company’s AI strategy, adoption, and management. Every CIO has an important decision to make about whether they will continue maintaining systems as they are or challenge the status quo.
Top 5 tips for CIOs to help lead the change
1. Leverage your expertise to guide the C-suite
When it comes to enterprise-wide transformation, hesitation at the C-suite level is common as the stakes are high and the cost of failure is even higher.
Yet our Global Business Connectivity Outlook Report reveals a telling trend: while AI dominates technology investment priorities for the next year (31%), followed by cloud computing (24%), and optimized network architecture (19%) – connectivity is still treated as an afterthought.
These findings signal a critical gap. Leaders want to embrace change, but they lack the strategic guidance to connect the dots between technology, security, and global growth. Without that clarity, IT leaders will struggle to keep up in the race of innovation and resilience.
As a CIO, you have a unique opportunity to guide your peers through the innovation journey. According to PwC’s ‘28th Annual Global CEO Survey – Australian insights’, more than half of CEOs (56 percent) expect AI to be fully embedded in their business strategy within the next three years. A further 42 percent of CEOs say GenAI has especially achieved efficiencies in their employees’ time, and 40 percent expect to see increased profitability from GenAI this year. The prioritization of AI at the executive level means you can initiate important conversations with your colleagues.
Lean on your position and expertise to connect technology priorities with business outcomes. Begin by advocating for a connectivity-first approach. After all, AI cannot succeed without strong foundations. Help your colleagues understand that modern infrastructure and robust security are not constraints but strategic enablers for AI adoption and enterprise-wide innovation.
Work together to:
- Embed connectivity into the core of transformation plans, ensuring scalability and resilience.
- Position security as a growth driver, protecting data and enabling trust across the organization.
- Champion systems and workflows that streamline operations, so AI delivers measurable impact rather than complexity
2. Communicate clearly and actively with your team
CIOs are adept at translating technical information into relatable concepts – and we know from our research that communication is very important in building a connectivity-first enterprise. With more than half of companies (54 percent) considering new markets in their global expansion plans, long-term success relies on bringing everyone along for the ride. A CIO-led connectivity strategy will equip executives with the right mindset and knowledge to embrace collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning.
CIOs, being active communicators, are well-placed to understand the audience and speak their language, breaking information down into simple concepts with actionable steps. You can offer your technical knowledge to brainstorm and map out sustainable connectivity goals.
When presenting connectivity initiatives to the board and C-level executives, an outcomes-focused approach is key to reassuring and guiding the more risk-averse people in the room. According to PwC’s latest survey, almost three-quarters of Australian CEOs (74 percent) believe their business will be economically viable for more than 10 years if they continue down their current path. There is evidence of rebounding optimism for future business growth. However, to truly capitalize upon the opportunities ahead, you must communicate clearly. Offering strategic advice to your C-suite peers will secure their buy-in.
3. Collaborate with trusted partners
Our Global Business Connectivity Outlook Report highlighted that most leaders struggle to manage connectivity on their own. Global connectivity is undoubtedly complex, and the shrinking pool of specialized network talent is making it even harder for organizations to keep pace. The industry is facing a well‑documented skills gap, with fewer professionals entering the field and seasoned experts in increasingly high demand. As a result, leaders are turning toward external expertise to bridge capability and capacity gaps.
Our research found that for most leaders, management of their company’s network connectivity is mixed, with 43 percent using providers and 38 percent leaning on the expertise of managed service providers (MSPs) in particular. Very few manage enterprises manage connectivity themselves (just 7 percent). The gap in in-house connectivity expertise is a timely opportunity for CIOs to step in and step up, driving collaboration with trusted partners.
4. Be the glue across different geographies
CIOs can be the glue in harnessing connectivity across different geographies. Information sharing and collaboration globally are required to drive transformation. IT leaders who operate in silos risk slowing operations and losing talent along the way.
In a globally connected business environment, success depends on breaking down silos and fostering alignment across geographies, functions, and business units. This means creating structures and processes that encourage transparency, shared accountability, and joint problem-solving.
Cultural differences, such as varying approaches to decision-making, risk tolerance, and communication styles, must be factored into technology rollouts and change programs. Ignoring these dynamics can lead to misalignment, resistance, and wasted investment. True progress happens when leaders actively build bridges across organizational and cultural boundaries, ensuring every stakeholder feels engaged and empowered in the transformation journey.
Interestingly, PwC found that for more 1 in 4 Australian CEOs (27%), workforce talent and skills are key to embracing AI and technological change. A CIO-led connectivity strategy across borders means that no matter where your team members are in the world, they are upskilled in AI and understand that their IT foundations support reliable, scalable connectivity. Across the enterprise, everyone must be on board with the change and vision for the future, or global connectivity across different geographies will falter.
5. Build solid infrastructure and network security
CIOs play a pivotal role in embracing dynamic, secure connectivity that supports innovation and adaptability to change. Solid network infrastructure and a connectivity-first mindset will allow you and other C-level executives to feel secure as well as know that the underlying foundations are highly secure.
In our Global Business Connectivity Outlook Report, we asked leaders where they are heading in the 12 months with global connectivity and technology. 38 percent of leaders said their companies are upgrading with more sophisticated systems such as SD-WAN for more streamlined, adaptive cloud deployments. By taking a proactive approach with platforms like SD-WAN, you can help your enterprise build solid infrastructure and robust security measures, enhancing connectivity and business value.
| Strategy | Core Focus | Business Objective | Key Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Leverage expertise to guide the C-suite | Align technology with enterprise growth | Reframe connectivity as a strategic enabler | Advocate for connectivity-first transformation and secure foundations before AI scaling |
| Communicate clearly and actively | Executive alignment and internal buy-in | Strengthen collaboration across expansion markets | Translate technical priorities into business outcomes |
| Collaborate with trusted partners | External capability and skills support | Bridge internal networking talent gaps | Engage managed service providers and specialist connectivity partners |
| Be the glue across geographies | Global alignment and cross-border integration | Break down silos and enable scalable innovation | Foster structured information sharing and cultural alignment |
| Build solid infrastructure and security | Resilient digital foundations | Enable AI, SD-WAN, and scalable cloud adoption | Invest in modern network architecture and embedded security |
Conclusion
CIOs who lead with courage, communicate with clarity, and collaborate with intent are helping shape the future of their connectivity-first enterprise. However, our research found that most CIOs have not yet stepped into their full potential as leaders.
There is no doubt that today’s CIOs are uniquely positioned to drive their organizations’ global connectivity, innovation, and AI adoption plans. By sharing clear information in the boardroom and beyond, CIOs can secure C-suite buy-in for becoming a connectivity-first enterprise. For those forward-thinking CIOs, the opportunity to lead the way is clear – and it will make or break long-term success.
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