IT security, app development and data analytics set to dominate job market in 2017

IT security, app
development and data analytics set to dominate job market in 2017

·         56% of Singaporean
CIOs believe IT and data security roles will dominate IT job growth over the
next five years, followed by applications development (46%) and software
development (39%).

·         47% say software
development is the most challenging area to source skilled IT professionals,
followed by IT security (46%) and application development (42%).

Singapore, 24 January 2017 – Independent research commissioned
by specialised recruitment company Robert Half reveals
the technology job market will be dominated by demand for professionals
specialised in data security, applications and software development and data
management. Yet according to Singaporean IT leaders, these high-in-demand IT
roles are also some of the most difficult to recruit for, pointing to a
supply/demand imbalance of skilled technology professionals.

Organisations in Singapore are
especially challenged by this imbalance as the IT landscape in Singapore
becomes more innovative, customer-centric, and concern increases amid
persistent cyber-security threats.

1.      IT and data
security

More than half (56%) of Singaporean
Chief Information Officers (CIOs) say IT and data security is the key
functional area within IT and technology which will create the most jobs over
the next five years. Specific roles that are in high demand within the security
space are Cyber-Security Consultants, IT Risk Managers and IT Risk and
Compliance Managers. 

The demand for IT security
specialists is supplemented by a recent PwC study[1] revealed that
Singaporean executives are observing an increase in security incidents, with
almost one in four (22%) reporting at least three incidents in the past year.
Robert Half research confirms data abuse and data integrity is the number one business
challenge cited by almost two in three (59%) Singaporean CIOs.

Matthieu Imbert-Bouchard, Managing Director at Robert
Half Singapore said: “Cyber-attacks have the potential to cause
significant financial, operational and reputational damage, and faced with
rising IT security threats, no business operating in Singapore can afford to
relax their guard. It is encouraging to see CIOs anticipating job growth in the
cyber-security field as this indicates business leaders are, quite rightly,
taking IT security very seriously.”

“To counter and respond effectively to potential cyber-attacks,
companies are not only increasingly investing in technology, they are also
bringing on board IT risk and security professionals. However, companies need
to recognise they are competing for a limited pool of IT professionals with the
appropriate specialist skills in IT and data security making the skills
shortage within IT even more apparent.”

“Companies who rather opt for a more flexible staffing solution are
relying on temporary IT security experts and consultancy agencies to manage
cyber-risks and oversee the installation of IT defence systems and processes.”

2.      Applications and
software development

Other areas that are predicted to
create significant IT jobs growth over the next five years is applications
development (cited by 46% of CIOs) and software development (cited by 42% of
CIOs). As companies become more innovative and consumer-focused with the
development of their own apps, there will be particular demand for Head of
Applications, Software Engineers and Software Developers. These professionals
need to be proficient in iOS, Android, Javascript, HTML5, PHP or Java
technologies.

“Software and application developers will be in hot demand as many
companies move to a web-based platform in Singapore. The development and
enhancement of company software will only continue to drive demand for
adequately qualified and experienced software development professionals,” added Matthieu
Imbert-Bouchard.

“Developing innovative and market-leading apps is a highly specialised
area, one that calls for IT professionals with a unique blend of specialist
technical skills, creative thinking and business acumen. As apps increasingly
become a means for businesses to differentiate themselves in a competitive
market, demand for IT professionals with experience in applications development
is set to soar.”

3.      Data Analytics

The next area predicted for strong
jobs creation is data/database management and data analytics (cited by 37% of
CIOs). The demand for IT professionals within these functional area can be
attributed to the rise of companies increasing their advanced methodologies and
adoption of Big Data practices. There will be particular demand for Database
Administrators, Business Intelligence Developers and Data Analysts, all of whom
will need to be skilled in SSIS, SSRS and SSAS systems.

“Data-driven markets are influencing the way companies plan their
business strategies, and the use of Big Data is enabling businesses to make
more informed decisions. When the right IT professionals are managing the Big
Data analytics of a company, the business is then free to focus more on their
customer’s needs, identify new trends and unlock new business opportunities.
Because of this, IT professionals who specialise in Big Data will find
themselves in increasing demand over the next few years,” added Matthieu
Imbert-Bouchard.

Singaporean CIOs were asked:

Source: Independent survey commissioned by Robert Half among 100 CIOs in
Singapore – multiple answers allowed.

The IT roles most likely to
experience strong demand in 2017 are also some of the most difficult to recruit
for, pointing to a supply/demand imbalance of skilled technology professionals.
Almost half (47%) of CIOs surveyed say software development is the hardest area
to recruit for, followed by IT and data security (46%), applications
development (42%) and data analytics (38%). 

“Demand for qualified IT professionals in Singapore is outstripping
supply, and companies need to take a proactive approach to offset the potential
impact of a talent shortage on their business. Upskilling existing IT staff can
have the added benefit of improved retention rates, though employing contract
IT professionals or external consultants are both cost-effective interim
measures. The key is to have a recruitment plan in place from an early stage so
that the integrity of IT systems is protected, and the business is able to
leverage the full potential of new technologies,” concluded Matthieu
Imbert-Bouchard.

[1] http://www.pwc.com/sg/en/risk-assurance/assets/gsiss/global-state-of-information-security-survey-2017-sg.pdf