From the Land of Jobs-That-Didn’t-Exist-A-Couple-Of-years-Ago comes the Chief Internet of Things (IoT) Officer. Not only is it new, it looks like it may well become a critical position within the executive suite.
The Internet of Things, one of the most fashionable buzz-terms of the moment, refers more or less to the interconnection of everything – every machine, device, animal, person, event – in which embedded sensors or software or electronics allow them to communicate with each other. All of these interconnected Things supposedly function rather like the Internet we are all accustomed to.
But infusing connected technology into products means that IT departments will have to work with research and development departments and product design teams in ways that are unfamiliar to most IT professionals. Somebody will need to facilitate that interaction. And somebody will need to keep track of all the connections, all the objects that are talking to each other, all the smart, data-producing Things that companies are madly churning out. Somebody will need to coordinate these interconnected products and make sure they actually work together the way they’re supposed to.
That somebody is the new Chief IoT Officer.
This function is still so new that many companies are shuttling it back and forth between the CIO and CTO. But experts believe that the unique need for a bridge between R&D and IT, along with the rapid growth of interconnected products, will ultimately require companies to create a dedicated position to handle the job.
Clearly, Chief IoT Officer is a great new career opportunity in a field known for great new career opportunities.