Data Modernization Strategy: Fueling AI & Faster Decisions

Modernizing data systems has become a business imperative as organizations face mounting pressure to operate with greater agility, precision, and resilience. For chief information officers (CIOs) at midsize enterprises, the ability to make timely, informed decisions depends on the quality, accessibility, and governance of enterprise data.

Recent insights from MIT’s Technology Review reinforce this shift. While artificial intelligence (AI) remains a compelling use case, nearly half of senior data and technology executives surveyed cited “better decisions” as a primary driver for data modernization.¹ This signals a broader recognition: data is more than a technical resource; it’s a strategic asset that can fuel enterprise performance.

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Strategic Focus on Modernizing Data Environments

Legacy systems and fragmented data architectures often limit visibility, slow down operations, and introduce risk. When data is siloed or inconsistent, it can be a barrier to growth rather than a source of insight. Modernizing data environments—through cloud-native platforms, real-time streaming, and strengthened governance—can help organizations respond more effectively to market shifts and operational demands.

Data modernization isn’t about chasing trends; it’s about enabling informed decisions, faster.

Aligning Data Strategy With Enterprise Goals

Drawing from the experience and leadership of Managed Services at Forvis Mazars and fortified by MIT’s research, a critical disconnect can be spotlighted: while many organizations have a data strategy, a large portion (61%) are not fully aligned with their overall business objectives.² While technology adoption plays a critical role in modernization, data initiatives lacking alignment with business priorities may fall short of their full potential.

For CIOs, the opportunity lies in reframing data modernization as a business initiative. Whether supporting finance teams with accurate forecasting or enabling marketing with relevant insights, data strategies should be designed in alignment with key business metrics.

Key Benefits of Data Modernization

Modernizing data systems can deliver measurable advantages across the organization. These benefits extend beyond IT, supporting informed decisions, robust security, and operational agility. Key benefits include:

Improved Data Quality & Accessibility

Reduced Silos: Unified data environments help reduce fragmentation and improve access across departments.
Consistent & Accurate Data: Integrated cleansing and validation processes support reliable analytics and reporting.
Secure Remote Access: Cloud-based platforms allow distributed teams to access data securely, supporting collaboration across locations and departments.

Operational Efficiency & Scalability

Process Automation: Routine tasks such as data transport and reporting can be automated to help reduce manual effort and improve speed.
Scalable Infrastructure: Cloud environments adjust to changing data volumes and business needs with reduced disruption.

Security & Regulatory Readiness

Embedded Protections: Encryption, access controls, and data masking help safeguard sensitive information across systems.
Governance & Compliance Alignment: Modern platforms can support governance frameworks that reflect evolving data privacy regulations.

Timely Insights & Innovation Enablement

Real-Time Analytics: Access to timely data and insights can help leaders respond quickly to changing business conditions.
Advanced Capabilities: AI and machine learning tools can help uncover patterns, forecast outcomes, and inform strategic planning.
Business Agility: Flexible data architectures can support rapid integration of new sources and encourage innovation across functions.

Improving Data Quality & Governance

Advanced analytics and AI initiatives depend on reliable, well-governed data. Yet inconsistent data quality and slow delivery challenge many organizations. In response to these challenges, leading organizations are prioritizing governance by implementing master data management, cleansing protocols, and standardized processes to help improve trust and usability.

The efforts noted above reflect a broader cultural shift toward shared data ownership across departments. Establishing governance boards and cross-functional teams can help reinforce that data is a strategic resource, not just a siloed IT concern.

Trustworthy data should underpin strategic decisions and enterprise AI initiatives.

Adopting Agile, Cross-Functional Data Practices

Modernization is not a one-time upgrade; it requires continual discipline. According to recent research, approximately half of organizations are now adopting DataOps methodologies, which bring together IT, analysts, and business users to iteratively refine data pipelines and outputs.³

For CIOs, this means investing in technology platforms and consulting services that support agile collaboration. Managed services providers with experience in cloud data architecture and proactive monitoring can help support progress while aligning with compliance and security requirements.

Embedding Security & Compliance From the Start

Security and regulatory compliance remain top concerns for CIOs. As noted in a recent global study, 41% of technology leaders say cybersecurity is their primary concern, even as they expand cloud infrastructure and accelerate AI adoption.⁴ This underscores the importance of selecting solutions that embed security and compliance controls from the outset—rather than treating them as add-ons.

Managed services providers with deep experience in cybersecurity and regulatory frameworks can support modernization efforts while helping organizations manage risk and maintain operational integrity.

Security and compliance aren’t barriers to modernization. They are essential pillars of a sustainable strategy.

From Data Liabilities to Strategic Advantage

The path from fragmented, unreliable data to enterprise-wide intelligence is not just a technical transformation; it’s a strategic one. CIOs can unlock the value of their data assets by aligning data strategy with business goals, improving governance, and adopting agile practices.

Modern platforms and experienced managed services providers can help support this transformation. With skilled guidance, organizations can shift from reactive data management to proactive, insight-driven operations.

How Forvis Mazars Can Help

The Managed Services team at Forvis Mazars understands the complex challenges CIOs face in modernizing IT and data environments. Our managed services are designed to support secure, scalable modernization, helping organizations strengthen decision making, improve resilience, and stay ahead of change.

Explore how we can help support your data strategy and IT modernization goals by reaching out to a professional at Forvis Mazars.