Its formation has been met with a touch of religious zeal with more than 40 of Australia's top CIOs already members, but this figure will top the 100 mark in a very short time, according to the council's executive director Con Colovos, who said interest is currently skyrocketing.

It is for this reason the council has had to appoint additional full-time staff, looking to its own community to facilitate the expansion.

Roscarel says CIOs are the only ones that can set a CIO agenda, which often differs with the views expressed by vendors and the media. And what does he think is the toughest challenge facing CIOs?

"We serve many masters and there is no safe compromise; we support so many different lines of business from finance to sales that it can be tough trying to juggle them all and not step on too many toes," Roscarel said.

"Although we may have the same goals, IT may not get to own the project but it's important to make sure IT gets the right kudos.