Are IT Concerns Impacting Your Workplace?
A recent survey indicates that business executives are concerned about IT challenges and the availability of IT talent.
According to 76% of IT business executives surveyed from around the globe technology is a growing keystone to business success. Comptia surveyed 1, 256 business executives directly involved in IT planning and decision making and compiled an interesting report called the ‘Information Technology Adoption and Work Force Issues Report’. In the survey, over half of all businesses reported being concerned about the quantity and quality of IT talent available to hire.
The Status of IT in Canada
Canadian executives shared similar concerns to their colleagues from around the globe. When asked about their assessment of technology utilization within their organizations Canadian executives indicted that their organizations were performing adequately; moderately close or close to maximizing their technology utilization.
Top IT Priorities In Canada
When specifically asked about their top priorities for technology over the next 12 months Canadian executives indicated IT security, online presence/E-commerce and their aging computer infrastructure.
Top IT Concerns in Canada
59% of Canadian executives indicated that cyber security was their top IT concern, 50% reported the increase in interconnectivity of devices and 48% cited rise of social networking as their other primary concerns.
It Staffing Issues
For 2013 35% of Canadian executives indicated they were seeking to increase IT staff within their organizations. Additionally 43% reported that the speed of change in technology was making it difficult for IT workers to stay current in their skills and knowledge base and 39% reported that the lack of resources available contributed to the challenge of ensuring IT staff remained up-to-date.
From around the globe the majority of those surveyed indicated that there will be an increase in the number of IT related certificate needed as it will be important to continually train, then test and confirm the knowledge of IT workers.
More Employees Will Be Tapping Into The IT Department for Help
The need for more staff to backup data, use video conferencing, add and retrieve data securely from clouds, collaborate on virtual projects and ensure security will impact staff in many departments from office administration, customer services, marketing, sales and those on the production and retail floors. More of these employees will rely on the IT department to ensure their technology works smoothly.
As IT needs become a growing factor in business, employers need to ensure more of their staff have an understanding and gain training in how to use the technology that the IT department is putting into place.
Sources
International Technology Adoption and Work Force Issues
Comptia (The IT Industry Association)