Hey there, CFOs! 💼

This week, we’re tackling three game-changing shifts that every CFO needs to have on their radar:

• 🔒 Hackers are after your data — Financial leaders are now prime targets. Are you doing enough to protect your company?

• ☁️ Cloud costs are creeping up — CFOs who master hybrid cloud can turn IT spending into a strategic advantage.

• 👏 Succession planning can make or break your legacy — See how one CFO ensured a smooth handoff without disrupting business.

Ignore these trends, and you risk falling behind. Let’s get into it.

📰 Upcoming in this issue

• CFOs Under Attack: Why Hackers Want Your Data 🔒💰

• Why Hybrid Cloud Matters for CFOs in 2025 ☁️💡

• How This CFO Nailed Succession Planning for a Smooth Transition 👏💼

📈 Trending news

• Tech Giants Merge: What It Means for CFOs

• AI, Agility & Ambition: How This CFO Built a Data Powerhouse

• CFOs Are Doubling Down on Tech Spending in 2025

CFOs Under Attack: Why Hackers Want Your Data 🔒💰read the full 1,500-word article here

Article published: February 25, 2025

Cybercriminals aren’t just after IT systems—they’re targeting financial data, trade secrets, and intellectual property. That’s why CFOs must play a critical role in cybersecurity strategy.

In How CFOs Can Protect Data from Cybersecurity Attacks, CFO outlines key strategies finance leaders can implement to safeguard their organizations from data breaches and ransomware threats.

From conducting data audits to working closely with CISOs and legal teams, CFOs must take a proactive, hands-on approach to protecting their company’s most valuable information.

Key Takeaways:

• 🛡️ Not all data is created equal: CFOs should work with cybersecurity teams to classify and prioritize sensitive data.

• 📊 Regular audits are critical: Conducting data risk assessments helps identify vulnerabilities before hackers do.

• 👥 Employee training is key: Cybercriminals exploit human error, so phishing simulations and security drills should be routine.

• 🔐 Invest in security tech: Multi-factor authentication, encryption, and external cybersecurity consultants can fortify defenses.

Why Hybrid Cloud Matters for CFOs in 2025 ☁️💡 read the full 1,500-word article here

Article published: February 26, 2025

Cloud computing is no longer just an IT conversation—CFOs now play a critical role in shaping cloud strategy for cost control, AI optimization, and regulatory compliance.

In From Cost Control to AI Optimization: Why Hybrid Cloud Matters, The CFO highlights insights from Finovate Europe 2025, where experts revealed why hybrid cloud is the future of enterprise computing.

With only 16% of companies fully integrating cloud into their business strategies, organizations are turning to hybrid and multicloud models for financial predictability, AI scalability, and compliance with data regulations.

Key Takeaways:

• 💰 CFOs demand cost control: Hybrid cloud provides financial predictability by avoiding unpredictable egress and consumption-based charges.

• ☁️ AI needs cloud flexibility: 84% of organizations now embed AI into their business models, requiring optimized cloud infrastructure for efficiency.

• 📊 Compliance drives cloud decisions: Stricter data residency laws are pushing finance leaders to hybrid cloud for security and control.

• 🚀 The future is hybrid: Hybrid and multicloud adoption is expected to grow to nearly 25% of the market within the next 18–24 months.

How This CFO Nailed Succession Planning for a Smooth Transition 👏💼 read the full 1,200-word article here

Article published: February 25, 2025

A CFO transition can make or break a company’s financial stability—but Risk and Insurance Management Society (RIMS) CFO Kathy Gledhill ensured hers was seamless.

In Steering a CFO Succession Plan to a Soft Landing, CFO Brew details how Gledhill identified, mentored, and prepared her successor, controller Bereket Haile, well before her retirement.

By gradually increasing Haile’s responsibilities—from financial reporting to budgeting—RIMS ensured continuity, avoiding disruption during a critical period of digital transformation and revenue diversification.

For CFOs planning their own exits, this is a masterclass in succession strategy.

Key Takeaways:

• 🎯 Spot talent early: Gledhill quickly recognized Haile’s leadership potential and groomed him for CFO duties.

• 📊 Hands-on transition period: Haile gradually took over key responsibilities, including treasury reports and full budget presentations.

• 💡 Strategic shifts ahead: As CFO, Haile aims to diversify revenue streams, reducing reliance on event-driven income.

• 🤝 Mentorship matters: Gledhill believes in developing the next generation of finance leaders, calling it an "obligation."

Why It Matters

The CFO role isn’t just about finance anymore—it’s about security, strategy, and survival.

Cybercriminals are getting smarter, and they know that CFOs hold the keys to the kingdom. AI and hybrid cloud are rewriting the rules of financial operations, and those who don’t adapt will pay the price. And when it’s time to pass the torch, a weak transition could put years of progress at risk.

Staying ahead means being proactive. The best CFOs don’t just react to change—they anticipate it. Let’s make sure you’re one of them.

Vanessa Carter
Editor-in-Chief
CFO Executive Insights