From theEditor’s desk
ShapingtheFutureofDigitalTransformation
Aswestepinto2025,thepaceofdigitalevolutionis accelerating.TechnologieslikeAI,5G,edgecomputing, andtheInternetofThings(IoT)areredefiningindustriesat anunprecedentedrate.Theleadersrecognizedinthis editionarenotjustkeepingupwiththesechanges—they areshapingthem.Theirworkislayingthefoundationfor smartercities,moreefficiententerprises,andamore connectedworld.
CIOBusinessWorldishonoredtocelebratethese exceptionalITleaderswhoaremakingalastingimpacton thedigitallandscape.Theirinsights,achievements,and leadershipwillcontinuetoinspireandguideorganizations astheynavigatetheever-changingworldoftechnology.We lookforwardtowitnessinghowtheirinnovationsand strategicvisionwillcontinuetodriveprogressandcreate newopportunitiesintheyearstocome.
CongratulationstoThe10MostImpactfulInformation TechnologyLeadersDrivingDigitalEvolutionin 2025—yourcontributionsareshapingthefuture,andyour leadershipisabeaconofprogressinthedigitalage.
20 Amir Vashkover Navigating the Maze of Data Security with Innovation and Integrity
34 Artificial Intelligence or Human Intelligence?
Taaleem, Director of Education
38
26 Artificial Intelligence Balancing Cybersecurity Risks and Defenses The Evolution And Distinction Of AGV And AMR Concepts In Mobile Robotics
Darron Sun Head of Informa on Technology Public Sector
Beyondtheboardroom,hiscommitment extendsintothecommunity.AsaHong KongPolicePINPOINTAmbassador andScoutleader,hechampions resilienceandsecurity,ensuring technologyprotectsratherthan endangers.Hisacademicpath—earning anMScinInformationSystemsandan MBAfromTheHongKongPolytechnic University,followedbyaDBAfrom InternationalAmerican University—mirrorshisrelentless pursuitofknowledge,alwaysstrivingto domore.
ForDarron,technologyisnotjustatool butaresponsibility.Andnomatterhow muchheaccomplishes,healwayssees anotherstepahead,anotherchallengeto tackle,anotherwaytomakeanimpact.
AVisionaryinTechnology,Education, andEthicalLeadership
Darron’sjourneyintotheITprofession andeducationsectorbeganwithastrong academicfoundationintechnology.He earnedhisBScinComputerScience fromDeakinUniversityinthe1990s,a periodofrapidtechnologicalevolution thatfueledhiscuriosityaboutthe transformativepotentialofIT.Starting hiscareerasaprogrammeratManulife Financial,hequicklyrecognizedthe criticalintersectionoftechnology, businessstrategy,andriskmanagement. Thisrealizationinspiredhimtopursue advanceddegrees,includinganMScin InformationSystemsandanMBAfrom TheHongKongPolytechnicUniversity, equippinghimwiththeexpertiseto blendtechnicalmasterywithleadership andinnovation.
Throughouthiscareer,Darronhas consistentlysoughttopushboundaries, takingonleadershiprolessuchasSenior RegionalAuditDirectorandHeadof InformationTechnology.Hehasled digitaltransformations,cybersecurity
initiatives,andcomplianceframeworks acrossglobalorganizations,tackling complexchallengeslikemodernizing legacysystemsandachievingSOX certification.Hisworkreflectsadeep commitmenttoleveragingtechnologyfor operationalexcellencewhileensuring securityandcomplianceremainatthe forefront.
Darron’sdedicationtoeducationemerged fromhispassionforknowledge-sharing andmentorship.AsaPart-timeLecturerat severalinstitutionssuchasHKUSPACE andTheCityUniversityofHongKong, hebridgesindustryexpertisewith academicrigor,teachingtopicssuchas PropTech,cybersecurity,accounting,and AIethics.Hisleadershipextendsbeyond theclassroom—hehasservedasPresident ofPolyU’sComputingAlumni AssociationandamentorforCPA Australia,fosteringtalentandshapingthe futureoftheindustry.
Hiscontributionstoboththeprofessional andcommunitysphereshaveearnedhim globalrecognition,includingtheWorld CIO200AwardandCIO100ASEAN Honoree.AsaHongKongPolice PINPOINTAmbassadorandVice PresidentoftheHongKongScout Association,hechampionsinitiativesthat enhancecybersecurityawarenessand communityresilience.Hisphilosophyis anchoredinlifelonglearning,ethical leadership,purposefulinnovation, collaboration,andadaptability,principles thatdefinehisITleadership,educational contributions,andcommunityservice.
ACareerDefinedbyInnovation
DarronSun’sentryintotheITindustry wasdrivenbyadeepintellectual curiosity,thetransformativepowerof technology,andadesiretosolverealworldchallenges.Hisjourneybeganin the1990s,atimewhenITwasrapidly reshapingindustriesworldwide.
APassionforTechnology
Fromanearlystage,Darronrecognizedthepotentialof technologytorevolutionizebusinessandsociety.He pursuedaBScinComputerScienceatDeakinUniversity, gainingastrongfoundationincomputingduringaperiod whenenterprisesystems,theinternet,anddigitalinnovation werebeginningtoreshapeglobalindustries.
The1990ssawasurgeinITadoptionacrossfinanceand insurancesectors,andDarronalignedhiscareerwiththis transformation.HisfirstroleasaProgrammeratan insurancecompanyinvolveddevelopingandenhancing pensionsystems,acriticalarearequiringbothtechnical expertiseandanunderstandingofcompliancerequirements. Hisearlyexperienceswithlegacysystems,regulatory frameworks(e.g.,Sarbanes-Oxley),andIT-business alignmentrefinedhisabilitytobridgetechnologyand strategy
FromTechniciantoStrategicLeader
Darron’scareerevolvedrapidlyasherecognizedtheneed toblendtechnicalmasterywithleadership.Hepursuedan MScinInformationSystemsandanMBAfromTheHong KongPolytechnicUniversity,followedbyaDBAfrom InternationalAmericanUniversity,equippinghimselfwith astrongfoundationininnovation,governance,andbusiness transformation.
ALegacyofInnovation,Leadership,andImpact
DarronSun’scareerisdistinguishedbyaseriesof transformativeachievementsthatreflecthistechnical expertise,strategicleadership,andcommitmenttosocietal progress.Hisproudestmilestonesspanglobalrecognition, complianceleadership,cybersecurityadvancements, communityimpact,andacademicexcellence—each reinforcinghisbeliefthattechnologyshouldempower peopleanddrivepositivechange.
HiscontributionstoITleadershipandinnovationhave earnedhimprestigiousaccolades,includingtheWorld CIO200GlobalChampionAward(2024),whichrecognized himamongtheworld’stopCIOsfordrivingimpactful technologicaladvancements.Hewasalsohonoredwiththe CIO100ASEANAward(2024)forhisoutstanding contributionstoITleadershipinSoutheastAsiaandthe DaLaAwardsBestDataLiterateCXO(2024)forhisefforts inadvancingdataliteracyandgovernance.AsaForbes
TechnologyCouncilMember(2020–2023),hehasshared thoughtleadershiponemergingtechnologytrends, influencingtheindustryatagloballevel.
Beyondaccolades,DarronhasbeenapioneerinIT governanceandcybersecurity,ensuringthatorganizations remainresilientagainstevolvingthreats.Hisleadershipwas instrumentalinManulife’sfirstSOXcertification,settinga newstandardforcomplianceintheorganization.Athis currentcompany,hehasimplementedmulti-layered cybersecurityframeworks,mitigatingriskswhileensuring regulatoryadherence.Hisabilitytobalancesecuritywith innovationhasreinforcedhisreputationasaleaderwho prioritizesethicalandresponsibletechnology
Inadditiontohiscorporateachievements,Darronisa respectedthoughtleaderandeducator.Hisextensive professionalcredentials—includingcertificationssuchas CISSP,CRMA,CRISC,CISA,CPA,CGMA,CMA,and CEP—demonstratehismasteryacrossITgovernance,risk management,finance,andESG.Asasought-afterspeaker, hehasaddressedglobalforums,includingthePMI CongressandCIMASeminars,wherehehasshared insightsonAIethics,PropTech,anddigitaltransformation, shapingthediscourseonthefutureoftechnology.
Darron’scontributionsextendfarbeyondtheboardroom. Heisdeeplycommittedtocommunityservice,servingasa HongKongPoliceProjectPINPOINTAmbassador,where hehelpsPolicepromotetheuseofpositioningdevicesfor locatingmissingpersonsswiftlyandaccuratelythrougha multi-agencyapproachtodovetailwithdigitalpolicing. HisleadershipwithintheScoutAssociationofHongKong asVicePresident,DirectorofLionsClubofHongKong IFCCharitableFoundation, andDeputyChiefSupervisor reflectshisdedicationtoyouthdevelopmentand communityresilience.AsanESGadvocate,hechairs committeessuchasCMAAustralia’sCybersecurityand DigitalTransformationCommitteesandisacolumnistof severalmediacolumnspromotingsustainableandethical technologypracticesthatbenefitsocietyasawhole.
Hisbeliefinlifelonglearningisevidentinbothhis professionalandacademicpursuits.Despiteholding executiveleadershiproles,hehasearnedaDBA,MBA,and MSc,atestamenttohisrelentlesspursuitofknowledge.His contributionstoacademiawererecognizedwiththePolyU FacultyofEngineeringOutstandingAlumniAward(2022), honoringhisexcellenceintheITindustry.
Throughouthiscareer,Darronhasexperienceddefining
momentswherehisworkcreatedtangible,lastingimpact. Oneofthemostpivotalwasleadingacloud-baseddigital transformationathiscurrentorganization,aprojectthat enabledremoteworkandoperationalresilienceduringthe COVID-19pandemic.Thismodernizationeffort significantlyenhancedstaffproductivity,servicequality, andcostefficiency,transformingtheorganizationintoa digitallyagileenterprise.Heconsidersthisachievementa milestonethatunderscorestechnology’sabilitytosafeguard andempowercommunities.Anotherdefiningmomentwas receivingtheWorldCIO200GlobalChampionAward, whichvalidatedhisdecades-longcommitmenttobridging technologywithethicsandinspiredhimtofurtheradvocate forresponsibleandinclusiveinnovation.
Darron’scareerphilosophyisdeeplyrootedintheideathat trueimpactliesinempoweringpeopleandsystemstothrive sustainably.Whethermodernizinginfrastructure,mentoring students,orsafeguardingcommunities,hebelievesthatthe truevalueoftechnologyisnotinitscomplexitybutinits abilitytoimprovelives.Hisunwaveringcommitmentto innovation,education,andethicalleadershipcontinuesto drivehismissionofusingtechnologyforpositivechange, leavingalastinglegacyintheITindustryandbeyond.
RedefiningSuccessThroughInnovation,Leadership, andImpact
ForDarronSun,successisnotdefinedsolelybyindividual accoladesorprofessionalmilestonesbutbythelasting impacthecreatesforpeople,organizations,andsociety.His approachblendstangibleachievementswithintangible values,reflectingaphilosophyrootedingrowth, empowerment,andethicalstewardship.
Inhisprofessionaljourney,successisevidentinthe transformativedigitalinitiativeshehasled,suchas modernizinghiscurrentorganization’sITinfrastructureand implementingcloud-basedsystemsthathavesignificantly improvedoperationalefficiencyandremotework capabilities.Themeasurableoutcomes—costsavings, enhancedsystemperformance,andindustry awards—underscoretheeffectivenessofhisefforts.His leadershipincomplianceandcybersecurityisanother testamenttohissuccess,havingpioneeredManulife’sfirst SOXcertificationandestablishedmulti-layered cybersecurityframeworksthatsafeguardorganizations againstevolvingthreats.
Yet,forDarron,leadershipsuccessextendsbeyond technologicaladvancements.Hebelievesthattrueimpactis
reflectedinteamdevelopmentandthoughtleadership.The mentorshipprogramshehasfostered,thelowerstaff turnoverratesunderhisleadership,andhisabilitytobuilda customer-centricITcultureexemplifyhisbeliefthat “successmultiplieswhenteamsthrive.”Histhought leadership,demonstratedbyhisrecognitionasaForbes TechnologyCouncilmemberandinvitationstospeakat globalforumsonAIethicsandPropTech,furtherhighlights hisinfluenceinshapingindustrystandards.Success,tohim, isalsoaboutstrategicvision—hisabilitytoestablishIT roadmapsanddigitalizationstrategiesensuresthat technologyremainsalignedwithlong-termorganizational goals.
Onapersonallevel,Darrondefinessuccessasacontinuous journeyoflearning,mentorship,andgivingbacktosociety. Hisunwaveringcommitmenttolifelonglearningis reflectedinhispursuitofadvanceddegrees(DBA,MBA, MSc)andmultipleprofessionalcertifications(CISSP, CRISC,CPA,CMA,etc.)whilebalancingexecutive leadershiproles.Hemeasuressuccessnotjustbyhisown growthbutbytheachievementsofthosehementors, whetherthroughhisteachingrolesatuniversitiesorhis mentorshipprograms.Hiscontributionstothecommunity, includingservingasaHongKongPoliceProject PINPOINTAmbassadorandVicePresidentoftheScout Association,reflecthisdedicationtofosteringsocietal resilienceandsafety.Hisworkinyouthdevelopmentand digitalliteracyinitiativesensuresthatthenextgenerationis equippedforthefuture.
Darronalsovalueswork-lifeharmony,recognizingthattrue successinvolvesbalancingprofessionalambitionswith family,communityservice,andpersonalwell-being.His abilitytointegratealltheseaspectsintohislife demonstratesaholisticviewofsuccess—onethatisnotjust aboutachievingprofessionalgreatnessbutaboutlivingwith purposeandintegrity
Atthecoreofhisphilosophyisthebeliefin "EmpowermentThroughExcellence."Hecontinuouslyasks himself:“Didmyworkelevateorganizationalcapabilities, inspireteams,oradvanceethicalinnovation?DidI contributetosomeone’sgrowth,protectcommunitywellbeing,orupholdintegrityinallIdo?”Thesequestions guidehiseverydecision,reinforcingthattruesuccessis sustainable,shared,andsociallyconscious—alegacybuilt notontitles,butontransformingchallengesinto opportunitiesforcollectiveprogress.
AGuideforAspiringProfessionals
Darron’sjourneyoffersvaluableinsightsforprofessionals strivingtobuildimpactfulcareers:
Successbeginswithlifelonglearning—hebelievesin stayingaheadoftechnologicalshiftsbycontinuously upskillingthroughdegrees,certifications,andindustry research.HeemphasizesthatinIT,adaptabilityisa superpower,andstayingrelevantmeansmastering emergingtrendssuchasAI,PropTech,andcybersecurity Healsohighlightstheimportanceofbridgingtechnical skillswithbusinessacumen,ashisDBA,MBA,and leadershiprolesillustratethepowerofcombining technologicalexpertisewithstrategicthinking.
Beyondknowledge,Darronchampionsleadingwith integrityandethics.Hisworkincybersecurity,compliance, andAIgovernancereinforceshisphilosophythat “technologymustservehumanity,notexploitit.”Building trustthroughtransparentgovernanceandresponsible innovationisacornerstoneofhisleadershipapproach.
Healsoemphasizestheneedtocultivateresilienceand agility—hissuccessindigitaltransformationprojectsstems fromviewingchallengesasopportunitiesratherthan obstacles.Hismantra,“Changeisinevitable;adaptabilityis asuperpower,”remindsprofessionalsthatsetbacksarenot failuresbutlessonsiniterativeimprovement.
Justashehasbenefitedfromguidancethroughouthis career,Darronbelievesinmentoringandbeingmentored. Hehasbuiltmentorshipprograms,taughtatuniversities, andinvestedinknowledge-sharinginitiativesbecause,for him,“successmultiplieswhenyouempowerothers.”He encouragesprofessionalstoseekmentorshipfromindustry peersandactivelyengageinprofessionalnetworkslike ISACA,CMAAustralia,andCIMA.
Hisphilosophyalsostressestheimportanceofbalancing ambitionwithpurpose.Whilecareergrowthisessential,he believestruefulfillmentcomesfromaligningworkwith values.HiscommunityrolesinorganizationsliketheLions Club,HongKongPolicePINPOINT,Scouts,GirlGuides, andRoadSafetyPatrolhighlighthiscommitmenttousing technologytoupliftlives.Healsounderscoresthevalueof work-lifeharmony,managingprofessionaldemandswhile ensuringtimeforfamilyandpersonalgrowth.
Throughouthiscareer,guardingethicsrelentlesslyhasbeen adefiningprinciple.Hisachievementsincybersecurityand SOXcompliancereinforcetheimportanceofethical foresight—notjustaskinghowtobuildsystems,but questioningwhy.Hehasalsorecognizedthatnurturing well-beingholisticallyisessentialforsustainablesuccess. Theabilitytojuggleexecutiveleadership,academia,and communityservicehastaughthimthatmentalandphysical healthisjustascriticalasprofessionalgrowth—alesson reflectedinhiscounselingqualificationandmentorship work.
Inessence,Darron’sadvicetohisyoungerselfmirrorsthe wisdomhehasgained:trusttheprocess,leadwithheart, andnavigateuncertaintywithgraceandgrit.Hisvisionis toleavealegacythatbridgesinnovationwithhumanity, ensuringthattechnologyservesagreaterpurposebeyond efficiencyandprofit.
ProgressThroughTechnology,Education,andEthics
Darronenvisionsafuturewhereresponsibleinnovation, ethicalgovernance,education,andsocialequitydefinehis impact.Hisaspirationsreflectalifelongcommitmentto ensuringtechnologyservespeopleresponsibly,ratherthan merelyadvancingforitsownsake.
APioneerofResponsibleInnovation
Darronaimstoberememberedasaleaderwhotransformed organizationsthroughethicaldigitalization.From modernizingITinfrastructuretoestablishingcybersecurity frameworks,hisworksetsabenchmarkforhowtechnology candriveefficiencywhilesafeguardingpublictrust.He believesthattrueinnovationisn’tjustaboutadoptingthe latesttools—it’saboutensuringtheyservepeople responsibly
AChampionofEthicalGovernance
Throughhisworkincomplianceandcybersecurity,Darron seekstoinspireaculturewhereintegritytakesprecedence overprofit.Hisframeworksforrisk-awareinnovationare designedtobalanceagilitywithaccountability,ensuring organizationsembracechangewithoutcompromising ethicalstandards.
AMentorandEducator
Darron’spassionformentorshipandeducationiscentralto hisvision.Throughprogramshehasestablished,hehopes
tocultivategenerationsofprofessionalswhoprioritize curiosity,ethics,andcollaboration.Hisdreamistoseehis menteespioneersolutionsforglobalchallenges,from climatetechnologytoequitableAI.Tohim,educationis notjustabouttransferringknowledge—it’saboutigniting thecouragetoquestionandcreate.
AnAdvocateforSocialEquity
Beyondthecorporateworld,Darron’scontributionsto communityimpactandESGleadershipareacorepartof hislegacy AsaHongKongPolicePINPOINT AmbassadorandScoutleader,hestrivestobuildsafer, moreresilientcommunities.Hiseffortsindigitalliteracy andyouthdevelopmentaimtodemocratizeaccessto technology,ensuringthatthebenefitsofinnovationare shared,notsiloed.
HisleadershipinCMAAustralia’sCybersecurityand DigitalTransformationcommitteesreflectshis commitmenttosustainablepractices,ensuringthat technologicalprogressalignswithplanetaryandsocietal well-being.
ABridgeBetweenTechnologyandHumanity
AttheheartofDarron’slegacyisabeliefthattechnology andcompassionarenotmutuallyexclusive.Whether enablingremoteworkduringcrises,advocatingforAI ethics,orstrengtheningcybersecurityframeworks,hehas spenthiscareerprovingthatprogressmustbemeasured notinlinesofcodeorcloudadoption,butinthedignity andopportunitiesitcreates.
Asheoftenreflects,“Themeasureofprogressisn’tincode orclouds—it’sinthelivesweuplift.”
BuildingaLastingImpact
DarronSun’slegacyisnotdefinedbytitlesoraccolades, butbythesystemshemodernizes,thestudentshementors, andtheethicalfoundationshebuilds.Hisvisionforthe futureisonewheretechnologyempowers,ethicsguides, andnooneisleftbehind.
“Thefuturebelongstothosewhobuildnotjustfortoday, butforgenerationsunseen.”
Thisbeliefisthecornerstoneofhismission—alegacyof sustainableprogress,inclusivegrowth,andunwavering integrity
A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way.
The Bright Future of IT Leadership: Pioneering a Digital Renaissance
Theworldstandsattheedgeofan
incredibledigitaltransformation,driven bythevisionanddeterminationof informationtechnology(IT)leaders.These individualsarenotjustproblem-solversorsystem managers;theyarearchitectsofprogress,shaping afuturewheretechnologyempowersbusinesses, communities,andindividuals.Throughinnovation, security,andethicalleadership,theyarebuildinga digitalworldthatissmarter,moreinclusive,and filledwithendlesspossibilities.
1.LeadingtheChargeTowardaSmarter Future
ITleaderstodayarenotjustmanaging technology—theyarecreatingafuturewhere technologymakeslifebetterforeveryone. Businessesaremovingbeyondoutdatedsystems, embracingcloudcomputing,artificialintelligence (AI),andautomationtocreateseamless,intuitive experiences.Withtherightleadership,technology isbecomingmoreaccessible,enablingbusinesses ofallsizestoinnovateandthrive.
Thepushtowarddigitaltransformationisno longerjustaboutefficiency;it’saboutunlocking humanpotential.ITleaderschampiontoolsthat automatetedioustasks,allowingemployeesto focusoncreativity,problem-solving,and meaningfulwork.Throughstrategicleadership, organizationsareevolvingintosmarter,more connectedentitiesthatputpeoplefirst.
2.InnovationThatTransformsLives
Thefutureisbrightwithinnovation,andITleadersareat theforefrontofthisrevolution.Artificialintelligenceisno longerafuturisticdreambutapracticaltoolthatenhances decision-making,personalizesexperiences,andsolves complexproblems.AI-driveninsightsarehelping businessespredictcustomerneeds,optimizeoperations,and discovernewopportunitiesforgrowth.
Meanwhile,cloudtechnologyisopeningdoorstonewways ofworking.Remotecollaborationhasbecomeseamless, enablingglobalteamstoworktogetherasiftheywerein thesameroom.Smallbusinessesnowhaveaccesstothe samepowerfultoolsasindustrygiants,levelingtheplaying fieldandfosteringanewwaveofentrepreneurship.IT leadersareensuringthatdigitalinnovationisnotjustforthe fewbutforeveryone.
3.ASaferandMoreEthicalDigitalWorld
Astechnologyadvances,sodoestheneedforresponsible leadership.ITleadersarenotonlyprotectingorganizations fromcyberthreatsbutalsochampioningethicaltechnology use.CybersecurityisbeingstrengthenedwithAI-driven threatdetection,makingdigitalspacessaferforbusinesses andindividualsalike.
Beyondsecurity,ITleadersareshapingafuturewhere technologyisusedethicallyandresponsibly Theyare workingtoensurethatAIdecision-makingisfair,data privacyisrespected,anddigitaltoolsaredesignedwith inclusivityinmind.Byprioritizingethics,transparency,and accountability,theyarebuildingadigitallandscapewhere trustandinnovationgohandinhand.
4.ADigitalFutureWhereEveryoneThrives
ThefutureofITleadershipisnotjustabout technology—it’saboutpeople.ITleadersareinvestingin education,upskillingemployees,andnurturingthenext generationofdigitalinnovators.Astechnologyevolves,so doestheworkforce,andleadersareensuringthatnooneis leftbehindinthedigitalrevolution.
Throughmentorship,training,andacommitmentto continuouslearning,ITleadersareempoweringindividuals toembracetechnologywithconfidence.Digitalliteracyis becomingafundamentalskill,andbusinessesarecreating environmentswhereemployeesfeelsupportedinadapting tonewtoolsandsystems.Theresultisaworldwhere
technologyworksforeveryone,openingdoorstonew opportunitiesandbrighterfutures.
EmbracingaFutureofEndlessPossibilities
Thedigitalageisnotsomethingtofear—itissomethingto embracewithhopeandexcitement.ITleadersareguiding ustowardaworldwheretechnologyenhanceslives,fuels creativity,andsolvesthechallengesoftomorrow.By fosteringinnovation,prioritizingethics,andempowering people,theyarenotjustshapingthefutureof business—theyareshapingthefutureofhumanity
Withtherightleadership,technologywillcontinuetobea forceforgood,makingtheworldmoreconnected, intelligent,andfullofpotential.Thedigitalrevolutionisnot justaboutmachinesandalgorithms;itisaboutthehuman spirit,thedesiretoimprove,andthelimitlesspossibilities thatawaitusall.Thefutureisbright,andITleadersare lightingthewayforward.