Leader: Keep CIOs in the compliance loop

Corporate regulations - whether Basel II from Europe, Sarbanes-Oxley courtesy of the US or other - are coming fast and furious.

And they all require new IT for companies to comply.

So what's a CIO to do?

More than ever, he must be a businessman first and a tech meister second.

This has already been a factor for a few years, going back to when IT budgets started to tighten post-boom. CIOs have had to think strategically, learn to weigh ROI over 'gee-whiz' factors when purchasing tech.

But now the flood has really come on. Marketing, sales, accounting, the CEO - they all have projects related to compliance that must be put in place. Now.

A CIO must be diplomatic. He or she must explain - in terms other execs can understand - what the best approach is, whether or not deadlines can be met and why.

For this to really work, though, the CIO must not be the last to know - must not be just an implementer, a puppy who runs when the CEO shouts "Go".

He should be involved from the beginning in discussions about which new regulations are coming down the pipeline, which business areas will be affected and what the best way is to comply with the letter of the law.

Think of it as 'preventative management'. Think of all the arguments, delays and confusion an organisation can avoid by letting the IT strategists, well, strategise.

There aren't just geeks in the server room anymore. They're professionals with value to bring to the table - if you invite them.

If your business does it, it'll be better in the long run.

Giving IT a voice in compliance means companies will be better able to meet deadlines and will have flexible, scalable solutions.

You may even end up with a better-integrated, smoother-running IT operation than you began with - one that's a little bit more efficient and useful than your competitors'.

All is takes is a little plannning.