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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.

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

Organizational silos, not technology gaps, kill IT-OT convergence

Welch argues that IT-OT convergence fails not because of technical incompatibility, but because cultural and political obstacles—organizational silos, conflicting operational philosophies, and leadership misalignment—prevent teams from collaborating effectively. He contends that trust-based leadership is the prerequisite for breaking down these silos and enabling the operational technology and information technology teams to work as a unified force.

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parallel universes: OT and IT operating separately with opposing 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)

Structural barriers blocking IT-OT convergence success

Conflicting operational lifespans (OT: prolonged, IT: frequent updates)9
Organizational silos and departmental isolation10
Cultural and political team obstacles8
Lack of trust-based leadership alignment9

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25%Conflicting operational
Conflicting operational lifespans (OT: prolonged, IT: frequent updates)
Organizational silos and departmental isolation
Cultural and political team obstacles
Lack of trust-based leadership alignment

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domains historically operate in separate organizational silos, creating security vulnerabilities

Effective IT leadership requires building trust and empowering teams to overcome institutional resistance.

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

The walls between OT and IT must come down for organizations to survive digitally.

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

Technology convergence fails when leadership fails to unite fractured organizational cultures.

Themes:Cultural obstacles, not technical ones, determine IT-OT convergence successOrganizational silos function as critical security vulnerabilities in convergent environmentsTrust-based leadership is prerequisite infrastructure for cross-functional technology team alignment

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