What Leaders Should Be Asking Right Now About Technology and Security

In today’s fast‑moving digital landscape, technology isn’t just a support function it’s the backbone of business continuity, customer trust, and growth. Yet recent events show that even small and mid‑sized businesses are increasingly exposed to high‑impact risks: from exploited software vulnerabilities and AI‑powered cyberattacks to supply-chain exposures and cloud provider outages.

For executives, the critical question isn’t whether technology is “working”, it’s whether it’s resilient, secure, and aligned with strategic goals.

Here are the questions every leader should be asking right now:

Are our systems truly up to date?

Ensure servers, endpoints, and cloud applications are patched against known high‑severity vulnerabilities. A single unpatched system can be a gateway for attackers.

Are we prepared for AI-driven threats?

Phishing, identity fraud, and automated attacks are evolving. Traditional defenses may no longer be enough. Leadership needs visibility into these emerging risks.

Do we fully understand our data and dependencies?

Know where your critical data resides, on-premises, cloud, or third-party vendors and ensure every partner adheres to strong security protocols.

Can we stay operational during a provider outage or breach?

Evaluate redundancy and business continuity plans. Even the most reliable vendors can fail, and downtime can translate into lost revenue and reputational damage.

Are we measuring security at the leadership level?

Security shouldn’t be just IT’s problem. Metrics like incident response times, risk exposure, and third-party compliance should be visible and actionable at the executive table.

Bottom line: Technology risk is a business risk. Executives who proactively ask these questions — and act on the answers — not only protect their organizations but position them to leverage technology as a competitive advantage.