noun

CIO

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CIO (noun) means the senior executive responsible for an organisation's information technology, systems and data strategy. Example: “The CIO presented a three-year plan to move the bank's systems to the cloud.”

noun

business The senior executive responsible for an organisation's information technology, systems and data strategy.

"The CIO presented a three-year plan to move the bank's systems to the cloud."

"She was promoted from head of infrastructure to CIO last spring."

finance The senior executive responsible for how an organisation invests its money, especially at a fund, insurer or endowment. In full, chief investment officer.

"The pension fund's CIO cut its exposure to commercial property."

"As CIO she oversees a portfolio of nine billion pounds."

How to Use CIO

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe boss in charge of a company's technology, or in finance, of its investments.

When to use it

Always capitalised; spell out the full title on first mention when the context could mean either information or investment.

Memory tip

Because CIO has two common expansions, readers rely on context; write chief investment officer in full in a finance story.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

CTO → CEO → CISO CFO

Common pairings

the CIO of CIO role incoming CIO report to the CIO CIO and CTO

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

The _____ presented a three-year plan to move the bank's systems to the cloud.

Etymology

An initialism of chief information officer.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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chief information officer IT director head of technology

Related Words

CTO

Rhymes for CIO

io bio tio rio Mio Pio Gio trio Clio Akio radio ratio

See all rhymes for CIO →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a CIO and a CTO?

A CIO usually runs the technology the business itself depends on, such as internal systems, networks and data. A CTO usually owns the technology in the product that customers buy. In smaller companies one person often does both.

Does CIO mean chief information officer or chief investment officer?

Both, and the context decides. In a technology, retail or public-sector story it means chief information officer; at an asset manager, insurer or pension fund it usually means chief investment officer.

How is a CIO different from a CISO?

A CISO is the chief information security officer, focused specifically on protecting systems and data from attack. The CISO often reports to the CIO, whose remit is much broader.

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