Introduction

Among the many qualities that define an IT leader today are technical expertise, quick strategic thinking and a thirst for exploration. Someone with this kind of character leads by skill, by example, by vision and by being all-informed. Most of all, the fast pace of changing technologies and information quickly becoming outdated will keep you on your toes.

There’s a wealth of tech blogs, including general and niche publications, blogs for CTO/CIOs, personal blogs, communities, etc. So we’ve decided to select a lucky number of 13 of them that we deem useful for any IT head. If you want to avoid clickbait articles, and get real updates, insights and current IT trends, here are some of the top tech blogs.

Mainstream/News tech blogs

#1 ITworld

For straight up news from the tech world about companies’ updates, acquisitions, enterprise announcements, etc., ITworld is a clear winner. It provides relevant information for IT heads and decision-makers to be able to act confidently.

They cover operating systems, software development, big data, cloud computing, online security, mobile, virtualization, storage, as well as emerging tech and tools. You may find answers to solve a problem, advice or tips from trusted experts in a variety of areas from above. You can also watch and listen to guest IT leaders on current issues in the video section.

Three great posts from ITworld:

• 7 hot cybersecurity trends (and 4 going cold)
• Essential things to know about container networking
• De Beers and other jewelry giants create blockchains to verify gems

#2 Mashable

As for the communicative and social side of IT leaders, the ever-entertaining Mashable constantly and fiercely highlights everything tech-related from social media, news, TV and culture. It proves that business and technology are “mashable” with social networking and fun human nature pieces.

What you can take from this “voice of digital culture” is people’s view on how technology is influencing our lives, and thus a better understanding of user needs and user adoption of certain products. Mashable is also a source of humor, memes and relevant tech jokes, as well as cultural trends, non-profit activities, climate science, and much more.

Three great posts from Mashable:

• AI platform taking over the business world
• Essential skills to launch a startup
• Uber co-founder is creating a new cryptocurrency. Why?

#3 ComputerWeekly

One of the UK’s most popular IT online magazines, ComputerWeekly, offers news and analysis on key topics for tech professionals. Started back in 1996, today it is a publication with millions of readers visiting to get the latest tech trends, opinions of market leaders, or in-depth analysis and reviews on digital transformation, regulations like the upcoming GDPR, etc.

Their contributors cover for industries such as healthcare, business services, finances, public sector, manufacturing, retail, media, telecom, transportation. Topics range from data centers, enterprise software, IT management to automation, blockchain, mobile services, business intelligence software, etc. There’s also an editor’s blog.

Three informative posts from ComputerWeekly:

• GDPR: An overview of the latest data protection legislation
• Is cyber security becoming a cost of doing business?
• Making virtual desktops and applications work in the enterprise

#4 InfoWorld

InfoWorld, a part of the extensive IDG network, is there to bring “technology insight for the enterprise” on a daily basis. Everything across business technology, software, tech news, analytics tools, product reviews and white papers. Overall, it is a fine resource for IT heads to keep up-to-date with business operations and strategies.

And actually any kind of It expert, from a developer to a CTO, may find something useful for themselves. All the news is also categorized, so it’s possible to follow specific topics only, so as not to get too distracted. Besides tech news categories, there’s a blog section, insider articles (by actual CIOs, CSOs, CTOs), video reviews, etc.

Some of the handy materials on InfoWorld:

• Review: Amazon SageMaker scales deep learning
• AI: Are we there yet?
• What’s new in Google’s Android Studio

#5 ZDNet

Founded in 1991, and now a part of CNET, this one has been a number one go-to tech site for a generation of IT professionals. It reports primarily on “big guns” like Microsoft, Google, and Apple, but also offers tons of product reviews, news and analysis on all kinds of tech issues.

For IT decision makers, ZDNet is one of the mainstream tech blogs to follow, with daily coverage of trends, technologies, and relevant tips. As of lately, their stuff has started writing on innovative things like smart cities, Internet-of-Things (IoT), online security practices, blockchain, etc.

Interesting posts by ZDNet:

• The ethics lessons of building AI
• Google I/O 2018 key takeaways
• Digital transformation: A guide for CXOs

Additional resources: GigaOM, CNET, The Verge, Tech News World, SC Magazine, IT Toolbox, Recode, InformationWeek, ComputerWorld, Forbes.

Blogs for CTOs & CIOs

#6 TechCrunch

No less than Mashable and no younger than ZDNet, TechCrunch stays at the top of tech media with its large team and partner sites. First, it has all the tech gossip, news, trends and reviews any IT professional needs. Secondly, it provides a variety of materials, analysis and event summaries for IT leadership.

There’s a section devoted to startups with funding and acquisition reports, government regulations, etc. TechCrunch also hosts regular events around the world that you can follow, or watch video reports from those events with worthy insights.

Also, the TC Enterprise is a popular source for tech leaders, covering strategic things like cloud computing, big data, AI and investments. To all that add CrunchBase, a vast database of startups, companies and investors, run by TechCrunch.

TC offers compelling content, for example:

• Brexit data transfer gaps a risk of UK startups
• Bot-to-bot communication for blockchain
• HubSpot adds customer service tools to its platform

#7 CIO

Apart from the latest tech news, research, staffing, infrastructure, etc., CIO publishes lots of materials on business strategy, management, and all “big picture” things.

In the special “IT Leadership” section, their team covers topics like how business leaders may understand IT, effective digital transformation, recruitment advice, outsourcing trends, and also post video conversations with successful top managers.

Also, great attention is paid to legal issues for the IT world, compliances, regulations and how to deal with it. The menu on the top left will help navigate you through all content for developers, marketers, technical officers and CEOs.

Here are some of the latest informative posts:

• 9 forces shaping the future of IT
• Misconceptions CIOs still have about Agile
• The 14 soft skills every IT pro needs

#8 Forrester

A research and analyst company Forrester works closely with technology leaders (IBM, Oracle, SAP, Google, Amazon, Tibco, HP, Sony) to deliver business strategies for top technical managers.

Besides public research materials, events, webinars and podcasts, their vast pool of contributors from all across the globe provide regular subject-matter analysis of multiple topics from a standpoint of IT leaders. These posts are aimed at assisting in building strategies, justifying risks and decisions, and improving business operations.

In fact, topics include areas like customer experience management, marketing/digital marketing, enterprise content management, mobile app development, etc. In addition, there’s a section for CIOs, with insights on this specific position, which could also be fit for VPs, CTOs and other IT leaders.

Three great posts from Forrester members:

• Social media Q1 2018 roundup for marketers
• Loyalty in retail: From transactional to emotional (podcast)
• New EU cyber regulation review

#9 Gartner Technology Blogs

The leading business research company – Gartner – for IT, HR, finance, marketing, sales and services, and top strategists is a site many experts consider the #1 place for wise decision making. Every CEO/CTO/CIO/CMO and IT professional will find useful and rich info here from literally thousands of analysts (1,900 and counting).

Gartner, actually, has its own research organization working on agendas set annually and individually, focusing on exact client requests and applying proprietary methodologies like Knowledge Map (KMap, an IT taxonomy), Magic Qadrant, Vendor rating, etc.

Examples of research by Gartner:

• Top 10 strategic technology trends for 2018
• 6 steps to sustain a culture of quality
• How to improve internal audit reports

Additional resources: CIO Journal (WSJ), CIO Today, CIOInsight, IT Professional, Searchmetrics, OnStartups, CrunchBase.

Personal, corporate blogs and communities

#10 David Strom’s Web Informant

David Strom is an acknowledged IT contributor for TechTarget, Network World, Security Intelligence, PC World, InfoWorld, with 25 years of experience in IT sphere. He is also a renowned columnist on topics of e-commerce, product marketing, web usability, enterprise computing, etc.

He’s kind of a cult figure among its followers who tend to call him Strominator, and on Web Informant he publishes his personal work. His opinions on current issues, e.g. personal data risks or FIDO, often become a basis for discussion among tech people.

Few of the thought-provoking posts on Strom’s blog:

• Is privacy finally a thing for B2B marketers? (podcast)
• A new way to speed up your Internet connection
• Keeping your home safe from the Internet of Bad Things

#11 Krebs on Security

A blog by Brian Krebs, an investigative reporter for The Washington Post for 2 decades, is highly regarded and followed by many experts and readers. As the title suggests, his posts concern the issue of information security, which is especially critical in our day and age.

Brian’s initial drive for such matters came after he was hacked in 2001, and so he decided to investigate as much as possible about Internet security and share it with others. He also wrote a whole book (“Spam Nation: The inside story of organized cybercrime”) warning and educating on personal finance fraud schemes. Along with regular posts on the latest software updates and security threats, the author offers white papers and cheat sheets to use.

A few popular posts on Krebs On Security:

• When your employees post passwords online
• Security trade-offs in the new EU privacy law
• A look at fake online reviews

#12 Cisco Blogs

Following IT organizations and corporate blogs might be useful as well, in terms of innovation, new products and/or technologies, and issues they face.

Take Cisco for example – a global leader in networking and connectivity, offering insights on solutions for financial services, retail, manufacturing, energy sector, government, etc. They keep their focus on issues of automation, cloud computing, security and small business services.

Cisco offers information any IT head should be aware of, for example:

• Cybersecurity report: How to stay ahead of the latest threats
• Impact of 5G on industries
• IT decision making made easy: Cisco SMB product selector

#13 Reddit (subreddits)

Although not so welcoming in terms of usability, Reddit has become one of the most popular comment boards for millions of people and the same goes for IT. There are several subreddits you can follow to read sincere, uncensored opinions and concerns of developers, job seekers and moderators.

Often people seek advice on technologies or business decisions, and get advice from top IT professionals. Subreddits like Information Technology, Networking, Sysadmin could be particularly useful.

Some of the popular threads on Reddit:

• What IT job will be in highest demand in next 5 years?
• Why has power over Ethernet never become a standard?
• City-wide WiFi project

Additional resources: Hackernoon, Stephenson Strategies (IoT), TechBunny, Troy Hunt, HMG Strategy, TIBCO, Perficient, Feedspot, TheTelecomBlog.