Ah, yes, the Oscars. The drama, the exhilaration, the disappointment, the fashion statements! All of it wrapped up in a single adrenaline-filled evening. But what if the IT industry gave out Academy Awards? What would the categories be? Add some spice to your day by considering whom you would nominate for each of the following Oscars (we’ve included some “spoof” categories, as well) … and which awards you might be nominated for! Roll out the red carpet and let the excitement begin!
Best CIO
He or she is a tech savant and a leader extraordinaire. Forget “keeping the lights on” – the Best CIO pioneers new ways to make the business successful, keeping in touch with every department and every executive.
Best CISO
Nothing – not the
Best Hack
Okay, let’s get equal time here. Hackers are, regrettably, an unavoidable part of the IT industry these days. Which was the best (or should we say “worst”?) hack in your book … the most creative, enterprising, surprising, and lucrative?
Best Cloud Implementation
When it comes to the cloud, these nominees have purpose, strategy, and execution all wrapped up in a single package with a bow on top. Now, they (and their customers) enjoy high availability and superior service every day … truly, the sky is the limit for these effective clouds.
Best Use of the Internet
There are people who really know how to harness the power of the Internet to change the world. Take the Reading Rainbow Kickstarter campaign as one example. LeVar Burton wanted to raise $1M to combat functional illiteracy. He raised over $5.4M! Who else would you nominate as heroes of Internet use?
Worst Use of the Internet
And then there are the people who really should be forbidden any and all access to the Internet. Need I say “Kim Kardashian?”
Best New IT Product
Anyone can come up with another way to slice bread. Truly new products, on the other hand, are innovative and revolutionary. IT products in particular have the capacity to change the way we think, behave, and interact (can you imagine a world without cellphones?). What new product rocked your world in 2014?
Worst New IT Product
Then again, there are the “innovative” and “revolutionary” IT product flops! Which products do you feel were overmarketed and overhyped, only to prove themselves a sad disappointment when finally released?
Best Use of Data
Big data is getting bigger all the time. Personally, my favorite use of big data is getting
Best Reason to Self-Censor Your Email
You would think that business people – you know, “professionals” – would have the good sense to think before hitting “Send.” After all, any email at any time might get leaked. What you think is your business. But once you put it into print, it just might become everybody’s business.
Best Use of Backup and Restore Technology
You’ll have to think hard to come up with nominees for this category. Why? Because companies who use backup and restore technology wisely never make the news. They keep their businesses running despite outages, disasters, and zombie invasions. Let’s break their anonymity and tell the world who does this well.
Best Hybrid IT Environment
These nominees truly know how to make the best of all possible worlds: past, present, and future. Their hybrid IT environments are effective, efficient, productive, and seamless.
Best Supporting IT Vendor
IT vendors provide key products and services that keep business running smoothly. The Best Supporting IT Vendor is one who embodies partnership and collaboration – the one you know is “on your team” all the way!
Best Use of the Internet of Things
The Internet of Things is huge – and astonishing in its ramifications. What aspect of the Internet of Things gave you a “Wow!” moment this year?
Best Phone App
My personal nominee for Best Phone App is bSafe for travelers – it’s especially great for people traveling alone. Which app would you nominate – and why?
Worst Phone App
Of course, there are phone apps out there where you just ask “Why??” Such as the app that makes flatulence sound effects, the app to practice French kissing, and the app to make your boss think you’re working when you’re actually snoozing. Name your nominee and we’ll all get a good eye roll out of it!
Best Response to a Data Breach
Hacks happen. But whereas some companies hide their hacks and just make the problem bigger, nominees for this category show us what it means to take responsibility, protect their clients’ data, and ensure that a similar breach never happens again.
Best Discovery of Emails in Response to a Subpoena
Oops! There’s only one potential nominee in this category!
We’re looking for nominees for the IT Oscars, my friends! Comment below to share your favorite nominees and place your vote. Think of yourself as finally becoming a member of the Academy - you never know who might thank you in their acceptance speech.
Additional Reading:
1. Why There Are More Than 50 Shades Of Grey In Cloud Computing Services
2. Why Information Technology (IT) Professionals Have Been Thinking About Their Jobs The Wrong Way
3. 9 Cyber Security Buzzwords And Jargon Definitions We Can All Understand
