CompTia identifies high demand for developers and cybersecurity professionals
- Date: 18 October, 2021
New figures from CompTia confirm significant growth in IT recruitment across Europe, with a key requirement emerging for all IT professionals to possess baseline cybersecurity expertise.
The report, European Tech Hiring Trends, is based on employer job posting data during the first quarter of 2021, covering 10 European markets. In total, employers posted nearly 900,000 job advertisements during the period, looking for a range of technology professions. Key categories sought were:
- Software developers
- Systems analysts
- Cybersecurity professionals
Digging below these general roles, however, a number of interesting facts emerge. For example, summary analysis across all job postings suggests employers are increasingly looking for well-rounded candidates. The drive towards digital transformation requires the use of new platforms, new coding languages, new hardware and devices and new data streams by the majority of technology professionals. This in turn means a mix of technical skills including software, infrastructure, data and business applications.
It’s also interesting to note that demand for cybersecurity skills is growing significantly at two levels - it is becoming increasingly common for employers to expect baseline cybersecurity expertise for all IT professionals, as well as seeking cybersecurity experts with suitable qualifications and expertise to play a critical role in day-to-day security operations.
In addition, the report confirms that technologists are now expected to possess a solid foundation of soft skills, with teamwork, problem solving, creative thinking, adaptability, project management and customer service among the requirements frequently cited in job postings for technology positions.
In total, job advertisements for technology positions represented approximately 13% of total hiring advertisements during the quarter, up from 11% during the corresponding period in 2020. This stems from the ongoing move towards digital transformation and the growing presence of technology across industry sectors and businesses of all sizes.
Top hiring industry sectors for technology professionals during the quarter were:
- Information and Communication
- Manufacturing
- Administrative and Support Services
- Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
- Financial and Insurance
As businesses emerge from the pandemic, it’s clear that they are looking to bolster their IT workforces. However, as Graham Hunter, CompTIA’s vice president for business development pointed out, “the figures reinforce what we have known for some time – that there is a wide chasm between the job opportunities available in the technology field and the number of individuals with the right skills to fill them”.
Are you thinking about a career in cybersecurity or looking to enhance your skillset in order to take advantages of the many opportunities in this exciting field? Our cybersecurity roadmap can help you map your journey.
