2012 candidates must be cloud-savvy

2012 could prove to be the year in which the cloud firmly establishes itself within business practises, according to a survey of 250 IT decision makers, conducted by Modis International [“Modis”], a global leader in IT recruitment. The trend marks a significant shift in the skill set needed by IT professionals, says Modis.

Over a third (36%) of those polled believe that the role of the IT professional has changed in the last 12 months and will continue to change in the next 12 months. This perception represents a marked change from the sentiment expressed in 2010, when the majority of respondents (56%) felt IT’s function would stay the same. There is a growing sense that IT is evolving as it becomes more closely involved in delivering business strategy. Many IT decision makers are expecting a prolonged period of change as businesses seek to make the most of newly emerging technologies.

While the advance of cloud technology should herald a spate of job creation – not least in Ireland, where there is a recruitment push for 20,000 new jobs – there is, rightly, a degree of caution surrounding its implementation.

There are a number of potential security and hacking issues associated with cloud technology. As a result, hiring managers are ensuring they have staff with the capability to ensure their cloud based structures are secured against external threat. Modis is seeing an increase in demand for certified candidates – from security officers to information assurance consultants and penetration testers – that can equip organisations with the protection required to stop potential threats and maintain a secure network.

Commenting on the research, Jim Albert, Managing Director, Modis International, said:

“Although cloud computing was supposed to flourish in 2011, the process of integrating this technology into business systems has taken longer than expected. As a result, next year’s major IT innovation will come in the form of effective utilisation and implementation of cloud technology.”

“IT professionals are amongst the first to feel technological changes in the workplace, but are also amongst some of the best placed to meet any challenges head on. As cloud computing continues to develop, those with relevant skills will find themselves in high demand across the recruitment spectrum.”

The findings are from the State of the IT Market Report 2011, a survey of 250 senior IT decision makers (predominantly Directors and Heads of IT) from UK businesses of varying sizes and from a range of sectors. Respondents were asked a series of questions to gauge their view of the changing role of IT within organisations.