The tech world never sleeps and, apparently, CIOs don't get much rest either. According toThe CIO Insomnia Project, a recently released research initiative from Robert Half Technology, nearly one-quarter (24 percent) of CIOs cited data security as the primary worry keeping them up at night, followed by hardware and/or operating systems upgrades, with13 percentof the response.

The research project examines the most pressing technology concerns and is based on telephone interviews with more than 1,400 U.S. CIOs.The CIO Insomnia Projectalso features expert advice and video interviews with IT leaders from around the country.

Other findings include:

• 65 percentof CIOs estimate the average company experiences three or more IT security breaches per year.
• As the economy improves,37 percentof CIOs plan to implement hardware or software upgrades.
• 63 percentof CIOs said understaffing at least somewhat affects their companies' ability to implement innovative technologies.
• 34 percentof CIOs are at least somewhat concerned about losing top IT performers to other job opportunities in the next year.
• One in 10CIOs said managing heavy workloads is the top concern keeping them up at night.

"CIOs are under escalating pressure to innovate while at the same time protecting their companies against rising security threats and managing an increasing amount of information," saidJohn Reed, executive director of Robert Half Technology. "These challenges make it especially important for technology executives to stay connected with their peers and share best practices."