If you’re in the middle of a digital transformation or looking to level up your IT strategy, you’re probably seeking out information and advice. As you learn new ways to scale and improve your IT strategy, it’s imperative, but difficult, to stay up-to-date on developments in the industry. How can you absorb the breadth of knowledge and steady stream of news (when your full-time job keeps you plenty busy), without having to speed-read a stack of industry books or take time off work to attend more trainings?
The upside of an ever-widening media landscape are the opportunities to learn in passive ways, during your commute, while checking social media, or multi-tasking.
Here are 5 IT industry leaders you should follow online:
- Gene Kim - Kim is considered the foremost expert on DevOps today. His books, The Phoenix Project and The DevOps Handbook have helped define DevOps for IT professionals and developers. If you’re in IT or research and development, his ideas and case studies about collaboration will encourage your work in this space.
- Brian Krebs - Krebs is best known for breaking journalistic stories on major data breaches, including Staples, Ashley Madison, Home Depot, Target and many others. Often sought out by top media outlets to weigh in on data security, Krebs’ blog, krebsonsecurity.com, is an excellent resource on topics of cybercrime, data security, etc.
- Allison Miller
Miller serves as Ads Risk strategy at Google, and her risk research in anti-fraud/anti-abuse automation positions her as a cybersecurity mogul. Miller’s Twitter account, upon which she is active, will keep important security issues on your radar.
- Sugata Mistra - This is the only true blue educator on this list, but his dream of having a “School in the Cloud” will inspire you in terms of how it is coming to fruition on a global scale. You may be overwhelmed by your business’ migration to a cloud platform, but behold the potential for this technology to change the world.
- MIT Bitcoin Club - Yes, a college club isn’t an obvious frontrunner for the prize of industry thought leadership, but if you’re looking to get a quick skim of the latest and greatest ways cryptocurrency is being used, MIT Bitcoin Clubs’ online presence may provide you with a snapshot. Did you know MIT is already allowing students to pay for items with bitcoin? The club is also involved in efforts to transform the image of bitcoin as an emblem of greed to be one used for good.
These thought leaders may inspire your IT strategy and help you to address aspects you hadn’t considered. For example, have you thought about your business continuity plan in case of a major disruption? If not, what are you waiting for? Take this free short quiz and see if your business is prepared for all the “What Ifs.”