international technology adoption & workforce issues study - uk summary
DESCRIPTION
85% of UK executives indicate at least some degree of gaps in IT skills at their business exists. 62% of UK executives believe the cybersecurity threat level is increasing. Find out more on how companies are adopting new technology and how it's impacting their workforce.TRANSCRIPT
International Technology Adoption & Workforce Issues Study
Summary for United Kingdom
About this ResearchCompTIA’s International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study was conducted to collect and share information on technology adoption and workforce trends across several countries. The objectives of this research include: • Explore business and information technology (IT) priorities among organizations• Examine the usage of key technologies/solutions and IT services such as security and cloud computing• Identify which IT skills are most important to employers and if there are any skills gap issues or staffing concerns• Evaluate professional development practices such as training and certification The data for this study was collected via a quantitative online survey conducted February 22 to March 23, 2013 among 1,256 IT and business executives directly involved in setting or executing information technology policies and processes within their organizations. The 10 countries covered in this study include: Brazil (n=125); Canada (n=125); France (n=125); Germany (n=131); India (n=125); Japan (n=125); Mexico (n=125); Middle East Subset (Oman, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates) (n=125); Thailand (n=125); United Kingdom (n=125)
Surveys were localized and translated to allow respondents to participate in their native language. Additionally, precautions were taken to minimize misinterpretations of questions. However, research has shown, cultural differences exist and can affect responses to certain question types, such as 5-point satisfaction rating questions. Viewers of this report should keep that in mind when comparing results across countries.
The margin of sampling error at 95% confidence for aggregate results is +/- 2.8 percentage points. Sampling error is larger for subgroups of the data, such as individual countries where it is +/- 8.9 percentage points. As with any survey, sampling error is only one source of possible error. While non-sampling error cannot be accurately calculated, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of the survey design, collection and processing of the data to minimize its influence. Note: because data collection occurred via an online survey, in countries where Internet penetration is lower among businesses, the non-sampling error could be higher. CompTIA is responsible for all content contained in this series. Any questions regarding the study should be directed to CompTIA Market Research staff at [email protected]. CompTIA is a member of the Marketing Research Association (MRA) and adheres to the MRA’s Code of Market Research Ethics and Standards.
Key IT Priorities for UK Businesses:1. IT security2. Data storage/back-up3. Web/online presence/e-commerce4. Network infrastructure5. Mobility-related initiatives
Key Summary Points: UKKey Stats for UK
$36,700 GDP per capita (PPP) | world rank: 36th
0.69% GDP growth forecast for 2013
37% % of UK executives expecting 2013 business conditions to be better than 2012
31.9m Total workforce
78% % of workforce employed in the services sector
0.742m Estimate of IT workforce* in core IT occupations
24% % of UK executives expecting to increase IT staff headcount at their business in 2013
51.4m Internet users | world rank: 7th
81.6m Mobile phone users | world rank: 17th
77% NET % of UK executives indicating IT is important to the success of their business
2.8% Planned increase in IT spending in 2013 (YOY)
Key Strategic Priorities for UK Businesses:1. Reach new customers2. Reduce costs / overhead3. Improve staff productivity/capabilities
Cybersecurity:62% of UK executives believe the cybersecurity threat level is increasing. Additionally, 44% of UK executives believe human error is a growing factor in security security incidents: Top human error related factors include:1. General negligence / carelessness towards security2. Failure of staff to get up to speed with new threats
IT Skills Gaps:85% of UK executives indicate at least some degree of gaps in IT skills at their business exists. For 37%, the reported skills gaps are small, while for 48% the gaps are more extensive. Top negative effects of IT skills gaps at UK businesses: 1. Lower staff productivity2. Less than ideal customer service and Ineffective innovation
IT Training and Certification:86% of IT staff at UK businesses engaged in some type of IT training during the past 12 months.1. 41% of UK executives believe IT certifications will increase in
importance over the next two years; 54% believe IT certifications’ importance will remain constant
2. 73% of UK executives believe it’s important to test after training to confirm knowledge gains
Sources used for above stats: CompTIA, IMF, CIA World Factbook, IDC
*See appendix for definition of core IT occupations
Detailed Findings: Business and Technology Issues
Strategic Priorities Include Tech Component
Base: 1,244 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
20%
76%
21%
77%
OverallUK
Top Strategic Priorities Among UK Businesses for 2013
NET Unimportant
NET Important
Neutral
1. Reach new customers
2. Reduce costs / overhead
3. Improve staff productivity/capabilities
4. Innovate more effectively
5. Further leverage technology to improve
business operations
37% of UK executives in this CompTIA survey say business conditions are improving and expect 2013 to be better than 2012.
62% expect to increase their expenditure on IT products and services over the next 12 months.
Importance of Technology to UK Business Success Trends Upwards
Many Businesses Seek to Improve Their Use of IT
Not at all close
Not that close
Moderately close
Very close
Exactly where_x000d_ want to be
0%
6%
38%
45%
10%
Degree to Which UK Businesses are “Where They Want to Be” in
Technology Utilization• Security/Cybersecurity
• Data storage/back-up
• Web/online presence/e-commerce
• Network infrastructure
• Mobility-related initiatives
• Collaboration
• Cloud computing
• Data analytics/Big data/Business intelligence
Top Technology Priorities Over Next 12 Months for UK Businesses
Base: 125 UK business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
More than Half of UK Businesses have Adopted Cloud Computing to Some Degree
22% 21%
39%
17%20%
24%
42%
14%
OverallUK
Key Hurdles to Cloud Adoption for UK Businesses
Cloud Computing Adoption Stage
Full use stage
Experi-mentation
stage
Evalu- ation or Investi-gation stage
Basic aware-
ness stage
47% Security or data loss concerns
30% Insufficient or unclear ROI
27% Slow/unreliable internet access
25% Difficulty in integrating or migrating legacy applications to the cloud
24% Cloud services still unproven
24% Challenges in developing staff expertise/ experience with cloud applications/solutions
22% Unclear/costly government regulation or compliance related to using the cloud
Base: 1,252 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
Cybersecurity Risks a Growing Concern
Decreasing significantly
Decreasing moderately
No change
Increasing moderately
Increasing significantly
1%
2%
27%
44%
26%
0%
1%
38%
53%53%
UKOverall
Overall, 62% of UK Businesses Believe the Security Threat Level
has Increased during Past Two Years• Rise of social networking
• Greater interconnectivity of devices, systems, users
• Greater availability of easy-to-use hacking tools, allowing more individuals to engage in criminal cyber activity
• Growing criminalization and organization of hackers motivated by financial gain
Top Factors Cited by UK Businesses for Increasing Security Risks
Base: 1,256 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
9%
Human Error Is Still a Security Risk Factor
56%
44%
NET increase in human error as a security risk factor
NET no change or decrease in human error as a security factor
Top Drivers of Human Error as an Rising Security Risk Factor
Assessment of Human Error as a Security Risk Factor
• General negligence / carelessness towards security
• Failure of staff to get up to speed with new threats (e.g. mobility, social media, cloud, etc.)
• Lack of security expertise with websites and applications
• Increased use of social media by staff
• Failure of IT staff to follow security procedures and policies
• Lack of security expertise with networks, servers and other infrastructure
Base: 125 UK business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
Detailed Findings: IT Training and Certification Issues
1 in 4 UK Businesses Plan to Hire IT Staff in 2013; Some Expect Challenges in Finding Workers
Decrease in IT staff
No_x000d_ change
Increase in IT staff
5%
56%
39%
7%
70%
24%
OverallUK
52%
48%
NET concerned about IT labor quantity or quality
NET not that concerned about IT labor quantity or quality
Concern Over Ability to Hire IT Staff2013 Hiring Intent for IT Staff
Base: 1,252 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
Many Businesses Seek Improvement on the IT Skills Front
Not at all close
Not that close
Moderately close
Very close
Exactly where_x000d_ want to be
0%
4%
44%
37%
15%
Assessment of how Close UK Businesses are to Where They Want to be with the IT Skills of
Their IT Staff 30% Lower staff productivity
26% Poor customer service / customer engagement
26% Ineffective innovation / new product development
22% Security / defending against malware, hacking, etc.
17% Speed to market with new products or services
Top Negative Impacts of IT Skills Gaps
Base: 124 UK business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
IT Skills Rating Among UK Businesses
1. Teamwork
2. Customer service
3. Project management
4. Motivation and initiative
5. Strong work ethic
6. Flexibility and adaptability
7. Verbal and written communication skills
8. Analytical skills
9. Innovation / Creative problem solving
Top Rated “Soft” IT Skills1. Help Desk / IT support
2. Networks / Infrastructure
3. Storage / data back-up
4. Server / data center management
5. Data analytics / Business intelligence
6. Database / Information management
7. Customer relationship management (CRM)
8. Mobile phones / smartphones
9. Printers, copiers, multifunction devices
10. Enterprise resource planning (ERP)
Top Rated IT Skills in Terms of the Importance of Maintaining a High Skill Level Among IT staff
Keep in mind, many emerging technologies, such as cloud or mobility, are important to businesses, but it may not yet be the highest priority to ensure a high level of IT staff expertise. As businesses move along the adoption curve and engage in more advanced uses of cloud and mobility, staff expertise in those areas increases. Additionally, in some areas such as security, businesses may rely on outside experts for guidance, so building internal skills could be a lower priority.
Base: 125 UK business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
Types of Training/Education Utilized by IT Staff in Past 12 Months
No training or education
Some other type of training
Webinars / Online presentation_x000d_ from an instructor or expert
Reading industry news, technical journals, etc.
E-learning / Online self-directed training
Additional college coursework
Attending industry conferences, workshops, etc.
Training course with an instructor /_x000d_ Classroom instruction
11%
8%
30%
24%
40%
23%
38%
45%
14%
6%
30%
25%
42%
14%
28%
35%
UKOverall
Base: 1,256 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
Policy Towards the Use of IT Certifications
No formal or informal position_x000d_ towards the use of IT certifications
Informal – not required,_x000d_ but valued and encouraged
Formal – IT certifications_x000d_ required for certain IT staff
21%
37%
34%
24%
44%
31%
UKOverall
Base: 1,241 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
4 in 10 UK Businesses Expect IT Certifications to Increase in Importance Over Next Two Years
54%
30%
0.11 Significant Increase in Importance
Increase in Importance
NET Decrease
NET Increase in Importance
No Change
73% “It’s important to test after training to confirm knowledge gains”
59% “Teams of staff with IT certifications benefit from having a common foundation of knowledge”
58% “Staff with IT certifications have proven expertise”
NET Agreement (agree + strongly agree) to Statements
Expectations for Change in Importance of IT Certifications
Over Next Two Years
Base: 125 UK business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
UK Businesses Much More Likely to Agree to Statements About IT Certifications Than Disagree
Staff holding IT certifications are_x000d_ more valuable to the organization
Retention is higher among staff with IT certifications than non-certified staff
The organization is more secure from malware and hackers due to staff with IT certifications
Staff with IT certifications perform at a_x000d_ higher level than non-certified staff
Staff with IT certifications have proven expertise
Teams of staff with IT certifications benefit from having a common foundation of knowledge
It’s important to test after training_x000d_ to confirm knowledge gains
15%
27%
21%
20%
13%
6%
5%
41%
27%
32%
33%
28%
32%
21%
42%
43%
45%
46%
58%
59%
73%
NET Disagree Neutral NET Agree
Note: Excludes Don’t Know responses
Base: 125 UK business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
Appendix
19
U.S. Member ProfileRespondent Profile
18% Information Technology (IT) (e.g. hardware, software, IT services, consulting, reseller, telecom, distributor)
12% Manufacturing (other than IT related)
11% Professional services (other than IT related)
10% Retail/Wholesale (other than IT related)
6% Healthcare/Medical
6% Financial/Banking/Insurance
2% Media/Publishing/Entertainment
7% Government (federal, state, local)
5% AMTUC (Agriculture, Mining, Transportation, Utilities, Construction)
8% Education
3% Hospitality
13% Other industry
Primary Industry
6% 1 – 4 employees
5% 5 – 9
11% 10 – 49
17% 50 – 99
31% 100 – 499
14% 500 – 999
16% 1,000 or more employees
Staff Size
Base: 1,256 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
14% Executive Management (CEO, President, Managing Director, Owner, etc.)
16% Senior Management – IT function (CIO, CSO, VP of IT-related function, etc.)
20% Middle Management – IT function (Director, Manager, Team Leader etc.)
12% Staff level – IT function
7% Senior Management – business function (CFO, VP, GM of business function)
18% Middle Management – business function (Director, Manager, Team Leader etc.)
8% Staff level – business function
2% Business Consultant
3% IT Consultant
Job Role
95% Setting or influencing technology-related strategies*
94% Installing or managing hardware, software, communications and other technology*
94% Purchasing or working with vendors, providers or consultants of technology products and services*
82% Hiring or managing IT staff
Involvement in Tech (NET very + somewhat involved)
*To qualify for the survey, respondents had to be very involved or somewhat involved in at least two of these areas, with the majority of respondents being very involved.
Note: A mix of industries, company sizes, and job roles were targeted for this study.
Defining Core IT Occupations
• Computer Support Specialists• Software Developers, Applications• Computer Systems Analysts• Software Developers, Systems Software• Network and Computer Systems Administrators• Computer Programmers• Computer and Information Systems Managers• Information Security Analysts, Web Dev., and Computer Network Architects• Computer Occupations, All Other• Database Administrators• Computer Hardware Engineers• Computer and Information Research Scientists• Computer Support Specialists
For the purposes of this study, core IT occupations include positions related to the list below. In this study, certain telecommunications occupations were excluded, such as positions responsible for installing or maintaining cellular towers. Additionally, this study excludes ‘knowledge worker’ type positions, such as technical writer, graphic designer or business analyst.
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