5 Most In-Demand IT Roles to Improve Your Business Operations

IT roles are critical to the success of businesses worldwide. Organisations are continually seeking skilled professionals to meet the growing demands of an increasingly digital environment. As technology advances, the need for adaptable IT expertise continues to expand, driving innovation and supporting business growth.

With this in mind, our guide looks at the five most in-demand IT roles that will improve your business operations. 

1. Cloud Architects 

Cloud computing is increasingly integral to IT business operations as it gives shared access to configurable computing resources, including servers, storage, databases, networking, and software. Because it is more flexible than traditional IT methods, there’s a high demand for cloud architects in the digital market. Furthermore, cloud architects ensure that cloud environments align with a business’s objectives. These could consist of performance, security, and cost efficiency. However, other key responsibilities are: 

Design and Implementation

The cloud architect is responsible for the overall structure of cloud solutions. To this end, they develop cloud adoption plans and assist with migrating existing systems to the cloud. All of this must be done without hindering a business’s operations. The cloud environment must then be monitored to ensure performance optimisation and compliance with industry standards. Beyond this, cloud architects must stay abreast of the latest technologies and trends within cloud computing. 

Throughout this process, cloud architects must be adept with the following tools and technologies: 

• Cloud Platforms: Cloud architects must proficiently use Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud Platform (GCP). Each platform has unique capabilities, and knowledge of multiple platforms is essential. 
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): Terraform and Ansible are tools for automating the management of cloud resources and keeping processes refined and consistent. 
• Containerisation and Orchestration: Docker is an open-source platform that allows cloud developers to automate the deployment of applications in portable containers. Kubernetes, or K8s, is an open-source container orchestration system that automates the deployment and management of containerised applications. Cloud architects routinely use these tools together as they each have strengths that complement one another when scaling applications across cloud environments. 
• Monitoring and Management: Tracking the efficacy of cloud operations will be important to a business. Cloud engineers can utilise tools such as Data Dog and New Relic to do so. 

Cloud Strategy Development 

This responsibility entails an initial assessment of a business’s needs, including its needs and objectives. The existing infrastructure will then be studied, and the applications that can be migrated to the cloud system will be decided. Then, one of the cloud deployment models will be selected:

• Public cloud
• Private cloud
• Hybrid cloud
• Multi-cloud 

A cloud architecture that outlines key elements must be designed. This will encompass cloud services and components, integration of existing systems, security and networking infrastructure, and data management. It’s key to create a detailed roadmap that covers: 

• Applications that need prioritising.
• Mitigation approach - gradual or lift-and-shift. 
• Establish a timeline with targets. 
• Identify any possible risks with contingency plans to counteract them. 

Monitoring and Management 

Following development and testing, the cloud solution is deployed and is ready for use. Consistent monitoring is necessary to track performance and ensure that a business’s needs are being met. There are several ways a cloud architect can successfully monitor a cloud solution:

• Use specific metrics to evaluate workloads. This means that cloud-hosted applications perform within the specified Service-Level Agreements (SLAs). 
• Any monitoring strategy deployed must consider monitoring application health, measuring end-user experience, and meeting security compliance. 
• A continuous monitoring strategy is made possible with tools like Nagios or Prometheus that offer real-time insights and alerts. 

2. Cybersecurity Specialists 

Ensuring the safety of an organisation’s IT infrastructure from cyber threats is vital. Over 2,200 attacks are reported daily, which equates to one cyber attack nearly every 39 seconds, and a company is victim to a ransomware attack every 14 seconds. Therefore, cybersecurity specialists are particularly important in today’s climate. Aside from detecting and preventing attacks, cybersecurity specialists have the following responsibilities: 

• Vulnerability Assessments: Undertaking routine security audits to detect and remedy possible security flaws. 
• Incident Response: Should security measures be breached, cybersecurity specialists will deploy countermeasures to mitigate damage. 
• Developing Security Policies: Liaise with the organisation to create security policies and procedures that benefit the company’s IT operations. 
• Access Management: Implementing measures so only authorised personnel can access certain information. 
• Security Training: Provide staff with courses that teach about cybersecurity risks. For example, ‘Cybersecurity for Businesses - The Fundamental Edition’ offered by the EC-Council is an excellent, free resource. 
• System Updates and Patches: Systems and software must be galvanised with the latest security patches. 

Consumers are becoming more concerned with how their data is protected. It’s reported that 63% of internet users question whether companies are transparent about how their data is used, and 81% of users argue that the risks of companies collecting data outweigh the benefits. Organisations would benefit from recruiting cybersecurity specialists as they specialise in data protection, which could increase customer trust and brand loyalty. Other advantages of employing a cybersecurity specialist are: 

• Uninterrupted Business Operations: Preventing cyber-attacks means an organisation can operate smoothly.  
• Cost Savings: Implementing stringent security measures can save a company costs incurred from data breaches and systems being impeded. 
• Trust: As discussed, trust is a key aspect for consumers. If an organisation can protect data, repeat custom is more likely. 
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure that the business satisfies industry-specific standards and regulations. 

3. Data Analysts 

Next our list of in-demand IT roles are data analysts. Data analysts are crucial to a business’s operations because they transform data into beneficial, actionable insights. They have a range of responsibilities, some of which include: 

Data Collection and Cleaning 

Gathering information from several sources to supplement an organisation’s decision-making is an important responsibility for a data analyst. This process involves the following: 

• Planning and Design: Defining the goals of a business, identifying appropriate data sources, and developing data collection methods such as surveys and experiments. 
• Implementation: Using data validation methods to limit errors and using suitable data entry methods. 
• Storage and Management: Data is to be organised into spreadsheets and data security measures are applied.

Data cleaning, also called cleansing or scrubbing, is the process of remedying anomalies in datasets. This stage is made up of: 

• Inspection and Profiling: Checking the dataset for quality and identifying patterns.
• Rectifying Issues: Correcting incorrect data. 
• Consistency Checks: Data must be consistent throughout all records. 
• Documentation: There must be an audit trail of cleaning procedures. 

Data Visualisation 

Stakeholders may struggle to interpret large datasets. It’s up to data analysts to present complex data in a digestible way. Data visualisation comes with a range of benefits:

• Communicating Insights: As mentioned, analysts can utilise data visualisation to present data in a more engaging and aesthetic way. 
• Spotting Patterns: Data visualisations can show data from a different perspective and uncover trends that might have previously been unnoticed. 
• Encourage Decision-Making: With data being represented in a more accessible way, stakeholders will be likelier to make data-driven decisions. 

Data analysts can access tools like Tableau, Google Charts, and Grafana. These tools allow data to be presented in the form of charts and graphs, maps, infographics, and dashboards. Data analysts must use various techniques to showcase the data best. For example, they must understand the audience and use appropriate visualisations accordingly, maintain clarity and provide context where relevant. 

Analysing data effectively allows informed decisions to be made to improve the efficiency of a business's operations. Areas that will be improved are application performance, resource allocation, and IT service delivery. 

4. DevOps Engineers 

DevOps engineers act as a link between software development and IT business operations. Ultimately, this role focuses on improving the quality of software development. A DevOps engineer's responsibilities may depend on the needs of an organisation. However, here are some core examples:

• Application Development Management: A DevOps engineer must oversee the development lifecycle. They are responsible for building software within a set timeframe, testing it, deploying it, and maintaining it to ensure it is fault-free. 
• Continuous Integration (CI): Code changes are to be frequently merged into a shared repository to fix any issues that arise in the development process. 
• Continuous Delivery (CD): Automating software deployment to production environments. This enables regular and reliable releases. 
• Infrastructure as Code (IaC): The management of servers, networks, and storage using code, which enables consistent deployments. 
• Performance Monitoring and Logging: Systems must consistently be monitored for performance issues, and feedback must be provided to the relevant teams. 
• DevSecOps: DevOps engineers can integrate security measures to ensure an application’s security at the start of processes. 

A business’s operations can benefit from having the skills and knowledge DevOps engineers possess for several reasons: 

• Faster Time to Market: By optimising the software development process and implementing automation, organisations can get their product to the market more quickly. 
• Enhanced Quality: Diligent testing results in higher-quality software that has fewer glitches. This leads to increased customer satisfaction and brand loyalty. 
• Financial Advantages: The introduction of automation reduces operational costs as there’s less need for manual work - this also decreases the chance of human error. 
• Adaptability: DevOps engineers place organisations in a position to change with market shifts. This means that they remain competitive.  

5. IT Managers 

Last but certainly not least on our list of IT roles are the very important IT managers. They are at the forefront of a business’s IT department operational efficiency. IT manager jobs will entail ensuring systems run smoothly, integrating the latest technology solutions, and being certain that IT strategies and an organisation’s aims are aligned. Other responsibilities that an IT manager will have are outlined below:

• Implementing Strategies: IT managers will collaborate with senior management to develop detailed IT strategies that can help bring an organisation’s targets to fruition. 
• Team Leadership: They will hire and train IT staff and equip them with the necessary skills to succeed. This could include creating a tailored Individual Training Plan. 
• Vendor Management: They will negotiate and manage relationships with IT vendors, ensuring services are delivered to the terms of the contract. 
• Budget Management: IT managers are in control of the IT budget. They will undertake cost-benefit analyses of new technologies. 
• Compliance: Ensure all IT operations comply with relevant industry standards such as GDPR or HIPAA. 

An organisation’s operations can be rewarded by employing a competent IT manager for several reasons. Firstly, an IT manager’s expertise can be the catalyst for growth. This is because IT infrastructure and services lay the foundations needed for optimised productivity. IT managers can also be a driving force for innovation. Their knowledge allows them to identify flaws and capitalise on possible opportunities. 

Furthermore, with data being relied upon to make decisions, these changes will likely improve customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction is at the core of a successful business, highlighting the need for an IT manager to implement the relevant and latest technological changes. Relating to data, IT managers must collaborate with the relevant teams to ensure that it is sufficiently protected. 

Final Say: 5 Most In-Demand IT Roles to Improve Your Operations 

Each role discussed in this guide illustrates how important they are to elevating a business’s operations. Cloud architects design scalable and flexible infrastructures; cybersecurity experts safeguard against malicious attacks. Data analysts ensure data is leveraged correctly, DevOps engineers speed up the software development process, and IT managers oversee large projects. 

By investing in these IT roles, organisations can benefit in several ways. Their business becomes efficient and secure and has the pillars for sustainable growth and long-term success. 

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