international technology adoption & workforce issues study - german summary
DESCRIPTION
86% of German executives indicate at least some degree of gaps in IT skills at their business exists. 69% of German 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 Germany
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 German Businesses:1. IT security2. Data storage/back-up3. Network infrastructure4. Updating aging computers/software 5. Disaster recovery/business continuity
Key Summary Points: GermanyKey Stats for Germany
$39,100 GDP per capita (PPP) | world rank: 26th
0.61% GDP growth forecast for 2013
40% % of German executives expecting 2013 business conditions to be better than 2012
44.01m Total workforce
74% % of workforce employed in the services sector
0.708m Estimate of IT workforce* in core IT occupations
29% % of German executives expecting to increase IT staff headcount at their business in 2013
65.125m Internet users | world rank: 5th
108.7m Mobile phone users | world rank: 10th
78% NET % of German executives indicating IT is important to the success of their business
4.3% Planned increase in IT spending in 2013 (YOY)
Key Strategic Priorities for German Businesses:1. Reach new customers 2. Improve staff productivity/capabilities3. Reduce costs/overhead
Cybersecurity:69% of German executives believe the cybersecurity threat level is increasing. Additionally, 47% of German executives believe human error is a growing factor in security security incidents: Top human error related factors include:1. General negligence / carelessness towards security2. Increased use of social media by staff IT Skills Gaps:86% of German executives indicate at least some degree of gaps in IT skills at their business exists. For 41%, the reported skills gaps are small, while for 45% the gaps are more extensive. Top negative effects of IT skills gaps at German businesses: 1. Security / defending against malware, hacking, etc.2. Poor customer service/engagement
IT Training and Certification:84% of IT staff at German businesses engaged in some type of IT training during the past 12 months.1. 59% of German executives believe IT certifications will increase in
importance over the next two years; 39% believe IT certifications’ importance will remain constant
2. 85% of German 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%
20%
78%
OverallGermany
Top Strategic Priorities Among German Businesses for 2013
NET Unimportant
NET Important
Neutral
1. Reach new customers
2. Improve staff productivity/capabilities
3. Reduce costs/overhead
4. Innovate more effectively
5. Improve use of data analytics to make
better business decisions
40% of German executives in this CompTIA survey say business conditions are improving and expect 2013 to be better than 2012.
75% expect to increase their expenditure on IT products and services over the next 12 months.
Importance of Technology to German 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
1%
6%
45%
38%
10%
Degree to Which German Businesses are “Where They Want
to Be” in Technology Utilization 1. IT security
2. Data storage/back-up
3. Network infrastructure
4. Updating aging computers/software
5. Disaster recovery/Business continuity
6. Mobility related initiatives
7. Automating business processes through technology
8. Cloud computing
9. Data analytics/Big data/Business intelligence
10. Web/Online presence/ e-commerce
Top Technology Priorities Over Next 12 Months for German Businesses
Base: 131 German business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
Half of German Businesses Have Adopted Cloud Computing to Some Degree
22% 21%
39%
17%
25% 26%
31%
19%
OverallGermany
Key Hurdles to Cloud Adoption for German Businesses
Cloud Computing Adoption Stage
Full use stage
Experi-mentation
stage
Evalu- ation
/Investigation stage
Basic aware-
ness stage
50% Security or data loss concerns
25% Cloud services still unproven
23% Insufficient/unclear ROI
21% Challenges in developing staff expertise 20% Difficulty in integrating or migrating legacy applications to the cloud
17% Unclear/costly government regulation/ compliance related to using the cloud
15% Slow/unreliable internet access
7% Lack of local cloud service providers
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%
0%
31%
42%
27%
GermanyOverall
Overall, 69% of German Businesses Believe the Security Threat Level
has Increased during Past Two Years• Growing criminalization and organization of hackers motivated by financial gain
• Greater availability of easy-to-use hacking tools, allowing more individuals to engage in hacking
• Continued use of legacy operating systems, web browsers
• Sophistication of security threats exceeding IT staff's expertise to thwart them
• Rise of social networking
Top Factors Cited by German 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
39%
Human Error Increasingly a Security Risk Factor
53%
47%
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
1 General negligence / carelessness towards security
2 Increased use of social media by staff
3 Failure of end-users to follow security procedures and policies
4 Lack of security expertise with networks, servers and other infrastructure
5 Lack of security expertise with websites and applications
6 Failure of staff to get up to speed with new threats (e.g. mobility, social media, cloud, etc.)
7 Intentional disabling of security to allow for use of a non-approved application, to download a file, access a website, etc.
Base: 131 German business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
Detailed Findings: IT Training and Certification Issues
The Majority of German Businesses Intend to Keep the Status Quo with Regard to Hiring IT Staff in 2013; More than a Third
Expect Challenges in Finding Qualified Staff
Decrease in IT staff
No_x000d_ change
Increase in IT staff
5%
56%
39%
4%
67%
29%
Overall
Germany
63%
37%
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
1%
8%
36%
41%
14%
Assessment of how Close German Businesses are to Where They Want to be with the IT Skills
of Their IT Staff 31% Security / defending against malware, hacking, etc.
29% Poor customer service/customer engagement
28% Lower staff productivity
26% Ineffective innovation/new product development
Top Negative Impacts of IT Skills Gaps
Base: 125 Thai business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
IT Skills Rating Among German Businesses
1. Teamwork
2. Motivation and initiative
3. Project management
4. Strong work ethic
5. Analytical skills
6. Flexibility and adaptability
7. Customer service
8. Flexibility and adaptability
9. Innovation / Creative problem solving
10. Verbal and written communication skills
Top Rated “Soft” IT Skills1. Storage / data back-up
2. Networks / Infrastructure
3. Server / data center management
4. Database / Information management
5. Security / Cybersecurity
6. Printers, copiers, multifunction devices
7. Customer relationship management
8. Data analytics / Business intelligence
9. Help Desk / IT support
10. Telecommunications
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: 131 German 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%
16%
3%
29%
27%
34%
27%
35%
40%
GermanyOverall
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%
20%
29%
36%
GermanyOverall
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
Majority of German Businesses Expect IT Certifications to Increase in Importance
Significant Increase in Importance
Increase in Importance
NET Decrease
NET Increase in Importance
No Change
85% “It’s important to test after training to confirm knowledge gains”
73% “Staff with IT certifications have proven expertise”
68% “Teams of staff with IT certifications benefit from having a common foundation of knowledge”
59% “Staff holding IT certifications are more valuable to the organization”
47% “The organization is more secure from malware/hackers due to staff with IT certifications”
NET Agreement (agree + strongly agree) to Statements
Expectations for Change in Importance of IT Certifications
Over Next Two Years
Base: 131 German business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
39% 41%
0.18
German Businesses are More Likely to Agree to Statements About IT Certifications Than Disagree
Retention is higher among staff with IT certifications than non-certified staff
Staff with IT certifications perform at a_x000d_ higher level than non-certified staff
The organization is more secure from malware and hackers due to staff with IT certifications
Staff holding IT certifications are_x000d_ more valuable to the organization
Teams of staff with IT certifications benefit from having a common foundation of knowledge
Staff with IT certifications have proven expertise
It’s important to test after training_x000d_ to confirm knowledge gains
21%
13%
10%
6%
4%
5%
2%
33%
41%
41%
31%
23%
21%
12%
41%
44%
47%
59%
68%
73%
85%
NET Disagree Neutral NET Agree
Base: 131 German business and IT executivesSource: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
Appendix
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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