As we begin a new year, I think it’s safe to say that many of us are ready to leave 2020 in the rearview mirror. All of us experienced loss of some sort when life as we knew it changed drastically as a result of the pandemic, and those of you who lost a friend or family member have my very deepest sympathies.
I don’t want to minimize the sadness of the past year. But as we mourn losses, we should also take a moment to celebrate some bright spots—moments and achievements that were made possible because of the powerful combination of technology and the innovative human spirit.
ISACA’s purpose is to help individuals and enterprises realize the positive potential of technology. The extent of that potential was made very clear in 2020.
Thanks to technology, many companies continued to operate in new ways. Families gathered on Zoom. Children (and their parents) learned virtually. Restaurants pivoted to online ordering and delivery. Music concerts and religious services started streaming. Museums and travel destinations offered virtual tours. And conferences and events were borderless and continued, even if we missed out on the in-person connections.
I hope you had the opportunity to attend one of ISACA’s virtual conferences. If so, you saw the events had exhibit floors and networking lounges and nearly all the things you can expect at an in-person event, except we were able to connect safely. Technology helped us learn, and it enabled us to engage.
The pandemic also accelerated the speed of innovation. ISACA had been talking about the possibility of remote proctoring for our certification exams for a couple of years. But in the span of weeks, we had it up and running so our exam candidates could continue to pursue credentials to help them advance their careers. Additionally, we quickly increased the number of virtual trainings we offered to meet a growing demand.
We also held our annual ISACA CommunITy Day—a day on which ISACA members in 55 countries volunteered for more than 7,000 hours in many different ways—virtually in 2020—and had a significant impact. Plus, we gathered more than 500 chapter leaders from more than 85 countries to talk about, and get input on, ISACA’s future.
There are 100 little innovations that have helped ISACA be better, and it’s because we were forced to think differently. I’m sure you have seen innovation all around you as well.
When I think of 2020, I think of three words: flexibility, resilience and innovation.
Human beings have an incredible capacity to adapt in positive ways. We find the path that works, and we solve the problem. We find new ways to, not only navigate a pandemic, but also make us better for years to come. It reminds us that we can do great things in hard times.
ISACA professionals are living examples of these three words. You are the unsung heroes of technology—the experts behind the scenes who make that technology secure and trusted so the world can keep running smoothly, even in a pandemic. This is your moment, and your importance has never been more clear. For that, the world is grateful. And it makes me want to do better to support your work.
As we look ahead to this new year, there is much to be excited about. ISACA is taking great strides to help young people build exciting new careers in technology. And we’re creating more content and learning opportunities about new technologies and challenges. We are inspired about the important impact we have in these times.
I have been reflecting on a few important lessons from this year: the importance of friends and family, how ISACA professionals are more important than ever, and how grateful I am for the global ISACA community.
So I want to end by saying, “Thank you.” And here’s to a happy and healthy 2021!