The IT industry is still booming, but nowadays it requires more than pure IT knowledge to score points in the IT environment. Companies that want to keep up with rapid technological change are feeling the impact of the increased lack of skilled workers.
IT ensures partnership and exchange between the classical realms of computer and network usage and the actual core business. It translates between the two sides and technologically maps the corporate goals. In an age of customer orientation, this primarily means that it is necessary to deal more intensively with data concerning consumers and customers.
Necessary IT skills for digitization
The increasing focus on the end user and technological changes mean that the requirements being placed on qualified applicants for IT positions have significantly increased. IT needs to be able to see through the lens of the end consumer or business customer. This requires close cooperation with the colleagues who are in direct contact with customers in order to understand their points of view and their needs.
The IT employee also likes to take on the role of an architect. He or she develops standards and norms for data, applications, and mobile devices. This also includes, among other things, the observation of competitors and the identification of new customer groups.
Many companies have followed the boom of cloud computing and virtualization over the last year so as not to lose touch. The safe use and the greatest possible practical experience with these currently popular programs and approaches is a must nowadays.
IT staff are slipping into new roles that they need to be able to master
Another big issue in terms of IT skills does not necessarily have anything to do with technology. On the contrary, it is important that IT employees build up a wide range of knowledge and acquire a degree of business intelligence. For companies, it is ever more important that IT managers invest their energy into identifying cost savings and investing in the right technologies. A switch to server virtualization is a fitting example.
A perennial favourite in terms of IT skills is the issue of security. New technologies always mean a challenge and a change in standard methods to ensure security. Here, too, it is important that IT specialists educate themselves accordingly, to make sure they always stay up to date.
The soft skills are also essential
Security is not only a matter of rules and monitoring, but also soft skills. Security experts make it clear to the staff why they may not bypass IT.
Today’s IT staff need in-depth technical and process knowledge in addition to the classic IT know-how. They have to understand what the business needs, as well as show a still greater willingness to independently take part in ongoing training in the technologies. In addition, a good understanding of all security-relevant questions relating to IT technology and legal security will be a basic requirement.