This is now the third iteration of the original article I first wrote in 2006 when I launched this site. At its core, it explores a problem that has stretched across three decades—now encompassing the CISO dilemma, evolving cyber threats, and Artificial Intelligence.
Over three decades, I have revisited the same challenge—now as a CISO: navigating chaos in an ever-changing business landscape, where cybersecurity threats loom larger than ever before.
Back in college, I was deeply influenced by Tom Peters’ “Thriving on Chaos”, and through the 2000s, I watched teams and businesses struggle to manage chaos.
Then came the 2010s, ushering in the mobile app era. In my second iteration, I highlighted some staggering statistics:
- 68% of all IT projects fail
- 47% of CRM projects fail
- 74% of ERP projects fail
These findings came from numerous studies and publications. Yet despite report after report, there was no uproar. No “system failure” halted business as usual.
Business As Usual
Surprisingly, the 2010s produced the longest bull market run since the 1850s. The S&P 500 surged by 370%, thriving even in the midst of chaos. Yes, there were notable failures (see failures of 2010s), but overall, businesses adapted. By the end of the decade, it almost seemed like we had learned to operate within chaos—if not fully manage it.
Then came COVID-19 in December 2019. Suddenly, chaos took on a whole new meaning.
Previously, I wrote that everything becomes obsolete in three years—a cycle far too short to keep pace with shifting market forces. For businesses, this meant operating at peak efficiency: acquiring technology, deploying it, and generating ROI before repeating the cycle.
The Era of the Virus
Then came COVID-19, and those timelines were slashed to days. If you couldn’t respond in days, you risked becoming irrelevant. This was true for entire teams, companies, and, tragically, entire communities.
In earlier articles, I asked readers to ‘step through the looking glass’ to experience a world of controlled chaos. But in 2020, chaos gave us no choice. It demanded we adapt—like it or not. For CISO, CIO, and cybersecurity leaders, this marked a turning point. The need for agility and real-time decision-making became non-negotiable.
Some organizations, positioned to adapt through either foresight or sheer luck, managed to survive. Others—believing they had more time—vanished or suffered at the hands of what I now call the Agents of Chaos. These agents weren’t limited to the virus. They included cyber threats, broken supply chains, and changing labor dynamics, forcing leaders to rethink strategies and embrace applied AI to stay ahead.
This period highlighted one truth: the ability to respond quickly separates success from failure. Thought leadership in cybersecurity and technology is no longer optional—it’s essential for survival in the modern business landscape.
The virus was only one. Other agents included changing consumer behavior, supply chain breakdowns, and massive government funding. Cybersecurity threats surged, labor dynamics shifted, and the dreaded word inflation emerged, all wreaking havoc.
Among these disruptions, changing labor dynamics stood out to me the most. In just eight months, we went from mass unemployment to the Great Resignation and skyrocketing wages. For CISO and CIO, this shift created an urgent need to rethink workforce strategies and talent retention amid chaos.
Previously, I claimed the difference lies in the application of knowledge—in foresight and experience. Looking back, that statement now feels almost comical. Yet, some companies proved it true. Those with both knowledge and foresight, like the teams that developed the COVID-19 vaccines, applied their expertise to solve unprecedented challenges. Their ability to act quickly, backed by data and innovation, highlights the power of applied AI and strategic decision-making in times of crisis.
History offers perspective for CIO and CISO
The last time a coronavirus outbreak reshaped the world, we entered the roaring 1920s. That decade was followed by the Great Depression and World War II—a sobering reminder that chaos often precedes transformative change. For modern leaders in cybersecurity and technology, the lesson is clear: foresight, adaptability, and leadership are non-negotiable.
Having lived through the chaos of 2020 and 2021, we must ask ourselves: Have we gained the foresight to prepare for the next wave of disruptions? What happens when a new, unknown Agent of Chaos emerges?
The key question for a CISO or CIO is this:
“How can we leverage today’s technology to build resilient platforms that not only help us survive but also thrive in the Kingdom of Chaos?”
Let me be clear—this isn’t a job pitch. But if you’re ready to explore how to transform technology into a competitive niche or unlock exponential growth, I would be honored to meet with you.
Over the past 20 years, I’ve learned one truth: No two problems are alike, and no problem is unsolvable.
Feel free to contact me. Let’s turn IT project failure and chaos into business profitability and success.
If you like this story you should check out some of the other stories in the Management section
You can also find more of my Cybersecurity writings here in the Cybersecurity section
