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Vice President for Information Technology and Global University Chief Information Officer

Don Welch

Don Welch is a strategic leader with a profound background in information technology and security, shaped through his extensive roles as CTO, CIO, CISO, and CEO. Throughout his career, Don has consistently demonstrated his ability to create a vision and seamlessly align technology with organizational strategy. His remarkable talent lies in building high-performing teams that consistently exceed expectations and garner genuine appreciation from their customers. Don's expertise extends to every facet of strategic IT leadership, making him a versatile and impactful leader. What sets Don apart is his unique perspective, having personally led, executed, or taught every dimension of IT. He has both consumed and delivered IT services, developed and procured IT products, and ventured into the realm of cybersecurity during his tenure as a professor at West Point. Recognizing the nation's growing need for cybersecurity professionals, he proactively marshaled resources, taught, conducted research, and pioneered a program that has played a pivotal role in shaping cybersecurity education nationwide. At the core of his career is a consistent pattern of innovative vision, strategic execution, and inspirational leadership that has driven his teams to bring these visions to life. Don Welch is not just well-versed in IT; he understands how IT can best support an organization's mission and is adept at making it work seamlessly for the company's benefit.

3 articlesLinkedIn ↗
Contributor Brief·Don Welch · 3 articles
Updated Sep 7, 2023

Organizational silos, not technology gaps, drive IT-OT convergence failure

Welch argues that IT-OT convergence fails not due to technical incompatibility, but because cultural and political divisions between teams create security vulnerabilities and prevent collaboration. Effective leadership must address these human and organizational obstacles before attempting integration, as teams operating in silos represent the primary risk to modern interconnected systems.

2

parallel operating universes with conflicting lifecycles and update cycles

Organizational silos become the biggest security risk when operational and information technology teams collide.

IT and OT Convergence is Raising "Cultural and Political" Obstacles (Pro AV)

organizational silos

identified as single largest security vulnerability in converged environments

As organizations increasingly rely on technology, effective IT leadership has become paramount for operational success.

The Importance of Leadership in IT: Building Trust and Empowering Teams

The walls between IT and OT must be dismantled through trust-building leadership, not technical mandates alone.

IT and OT Convergence is Raising "Cultural and Political" Obstacles (Software and Technology)

Leadership must empower teams to collaborate across historical divides or convergence initiatives will fail.

Themes:Organizational silos as primary convergence barrierLeadership as prerequisite for IT-OT integrationCultural conflict outweighs technical obstacles

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