Swiss CIOs cautious towards new technology

Deloitte in Switzerland has published its first CIO survey. Information security risks are considered high by 60% of the responding CIO’s, only 10% of CIOs have adopted public cloud technologies, and only 37% believe IT is an innovation hub for their business.

For the first Deloitte CIO survey, conducted from June to August 2013, more than 50 Swiss CIOs answered questions about their profession, their challenges and opportunities for the future.

The Deloitte survey shows that the highest priority for Swiss CIOs for the coming year is to maintain the current service. In comparison, their international peers are focused on implementing change. As Michael MacNicholas, Deloitte Director in Consulting explains: “Only 37% of CIOs state that IT is considered a hub of innovation in their company, and in Switzerland less IT functions are outsourced than is typical internationally.”

Over 30% of CIOs assess state or industrial espionage a “high risk”

More than 60% of CIOs consider newly emerged information security risks as a high risk. As Mark Carter, Deloitte Risk Advisory Partner for Cyber Security explains: “Internal risks – from employees or suppliers – rate highly for Swiss CIOs. New external threats such as “hacktivism” and state sponsored attacks are also regarded as real.” More than 30% of CIOs rate the possibility of state or industrial espionage as “high risk”.

Cloud Technology implementation

Based on Deloitte’s results, public cloud technologies are being studied by Swiss CIOs but not yet implemented. The level of adoption of public cloud is notably lower in Switzerland (10%) than internationally (23%). Over 30% of CIOs attribute the slow adoption to Swiss data privacy protection and legislation.

IT specialists go for content, not money

A majority of companies in Switzerland (62%) are experiencing issues hiring skilled IT staff. CIOs are using a variety of tactics to retain people – such as offering access to the best projects. The only retention option out of favour is paying people more – which only 5% do. In addition, 0% of CIOs consider an improved salary as key for a new role in their professional career.

The Deloitte CIO Survey

The first Swiss Deloitte CIO Survey was conducted from June to August 2013. The participating 56 CIOs (55 male) are highly experienced and have more than 28,000 people working within their IT departments. 43% of participants are from the Private Services, 29% Life Sciences,16% Financial Sector and 12% Public Sector. In parallel, Deloitte has run an international survey encompassing 700 responding CIOs across 36 countries in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Australia.

About Deloitte in Switzerland

Deloitte is a leading accounting and consulting company in Switzerland and provides industry-specific services in the areas of audit, tax, consulting and corporate finance. With approximately 1,100 employees at six locations in Basel, Berne, Geneva, Lausanne, Lugano and Zurich (headquarters), Deloitte serves companies and institutions of all legal forms and sizes in all industry sectors. Deloitte AG is a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP, the UK member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (DTTL). DTTL member firms comprise of approximately 200,000 employees in more than 150 countries around the world.

Note to editors

In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte AG, a subsidiary of Deloitte LLP, which is the United Kingdom member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), a UK private company limited by guarantee, whose member firms are legally separate and independent entities. Please see www.deloitte.com/ch/about for a detailed description of the legal structure of DTTL and its member firms. Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries are leading business advisers, providing audit, tax, consulting and corporate finance services through more than 12,600 exceptional people across the UK and Switzerland. Known as an employer of choice for innovative human resources programmes, it is dedicated to helping its clients and people excel. Deloitte AG is recognised by the Federal Audit Oversight Authority and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority. The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.