Tag: #IT

Keeping Your Business Running Smoothly: 7 Key Benefits of Outsourcing IT Management

In today’s digital age, technology is the backbone of almost every business. From keeping customer data secure to ensuring smooth network operation, a robust IT infrastructure is crucial for success. However, managing this infrastructure in-house can be a complex and demanding task, especially for small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). This is where outsourcing IT management comes in.

What is IT Management Outsourcing?

IT management outsourcing involves delegating the responsibility of overseeing your company’s IT infrastructure to a qualified external provider. This provider, often referred to as a Managed Service Provider (MSP), becomes your trusted partner, handling everything from network maintenance and security to user support and disaster recovery planning.

Why Outsource IT Management?

There are numerous compelling reasons why businesses of all sizes are increasingly turning to outsourced IT management solutions. Here’s a closer look at the key benefits:

 

  1. Cost Efficiency and Predictable Expenses

 

One of the primary benefits of outsourcing IT management is cost efficiency. Maintaining an in-house IT department can be expensive, involving costs related to salaries, benefits, training, and equipment. By outsourcing, businesses can convert fixed IT costs into variable costs, allowing them to budget more effectively. This model also provides predictable monthly expenses, helping organizations manage their finances better.

Outsourcing eliminates the need for significant capital investments in IT infrastructure. Instead, businesses can leverage the infrastructure and resources of the outsourcing provider. This approach not only reduces costs but also ensures access to the latest technology without the burden of ongoing upgrades and maintenance.

 

  1. Access to Expertise and Advanced Technology

 

Outsourcing IT management provides businesses with access to a pool of experienced professionals with specialized skills. These experts stay up-to-date with the latest technological advancements and industry best practices, ensuring that your IT infrastructure is managed efficiently and effectively. This level of expertise is often difficult and costly to maintain in-house.

Moreover, outsourcing providers invest in state-of-the-art technology and tools to deliver their services. By partnering with a reputable provider, businesses can benefit from advanced technologies without the need for significant upfront investments. This access to cutting-edge solutions enhances operational efficiency and competitiveness.

 

  1. Focus on Core Business Activities

 

Managing IT infrastructure can be time-consuming and distracts from core business activities. By outsourcing IT management, businesses can free up valuable time and resources, allowing them to focus on their primary objectives and strategic initiatives. This shift in focus enables companies to enhance productivity, innovation, and overall performance.

Outsourcing IT management also reduces the burden on internal staff, who may be stretched thin trying to handle IT issues alongside their regular responsibilities. With IT management in the hands of experts, internal teams can concentrate on their core tasks, leading to improved efficiency and job satisfaction.

 

  1. Enhanced Security and Compliance

 

In the digital age, cybersecurity is a top concern for businesses of all sizes. Data breaches and cyberattacks can have devastating consequences, including financial losses and damage to reputation. Outsourcing IT management to a specialized provider ensures that your IT systems are protected by robust security measures and monitored around the clock.

Outsourcing providers implement stringent security protocols, conduct regular security audits, and stay informed about emerging threats. This proactive approach minimizes the risk of cyberattacks and ensures that your data is secure. Additionally, outsourcing providers are well-versed in industry regulations and compliance requirements, helping your business adhere to legal and regulatory standards.

 

  1. Scalability and Flexibility

 

Business needs and technological requirements can change rapidly. Outsourcing IT management offers the flexibility to scale services up or down based on your organization’s needs. Whether you’re expanding your operations, launching new projects, or experiencing seasonal fluctuations, outsourcing providers can adjust their services to meet your demands.

This scalability eliminates the need for businesses to invest in additional resources or infrastructure during peak times. It also ensures that IT support is available when needed, without the delays associated with hiring and training new staff. The ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances gives businesses a competitive edge in today’s dynamic market.

 

  1. Improved Uptime and Reliability

 

Downtime can be costly for businesses, leading to lost revenue, decreased productivity, and frustrated customers. Outsourcing IT management to a reputable provider ensures that your IT systems are monitored and maintained for optimal performance. Providers offer proactive maintenance, regular updates, and prompt troubleshooting to minimize downtime and ensure reliable operations.

Many outsourcing providers offer service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee specific performance metrics, such as uptime and response times. These agreements provide peace of mind, knowing that your IT systems are managed by professionals committed to maintaining high levels of reliability and availability.

 

  1. Access to a Broader Range of Services

 

Outsourcing IT management provides businesses with access to a comprehensive range of services that may be difficult to achieve in-house. These services can include network management, cloud computing, data backup and recovery, cybersecurity, helpdesk support, and more. Having a single provider manage multiple aspects of your IT infrastructure simplifies operations and ensures seamless integration of services.

Additionally, outsourcing providers often have partnerships with leading technology vendors, allowing them to offer exclusive solutions and services that might not be available to individual businesses. This access to a broader range of services enhances your organization’s technological capabilities and supports its growth and innovation.

Conclusion

Outsourcing IT management offers numerous benefits, from cost efficiency and access to expertise to enhanced security and scalability. By partnering with a reputable outsourcing provider, businesses can focus on their core activities, improve operational efficiency, and ensure that their IT infrastructure is managed effectively. In an increasingly complex and competitive business environment, outsourcing IT management is a strategic move that can drive growth, innovation, and long-term success.

What is Mobile IP Address and how does it work

Mobile IP keeps us connected when we change off Wi-Fi or cellular networks. This ensures that we remain in touch, send messages, and use the internet uninterruptedly, even when we are traveling. Thus, it is an important part of effective communication and connectivity. Here, we will discuss mobile IP, its components, and working in detail. Let’s have a look!

Mobile IP and its Components

Mobile IP enables communication between all devices without interrupting communication or changing the original IP address. If you are curious about how it works, you can easily look it up online for more details. The following are the important components of Mobile IP: 

Mobile node (MN)

A Mobile Node is any device that can travel across network data structures without altering its IP address. This might include cell phones, computers, and tablets.

Home Agent (HA)

The Home Agent is a router that belongs to the Mobile Node’s home network. It serves as a relay point for the Mobile Node and assists in routing packets to the Mobile Node’s current location.

Foreign Agent (FA)

The Foreign Agent is a router that is resident in the foreign network where the Mobile Nodes is temporarily attached. This helps the Mobile Node forwarding of packets when it goes away from its home network.

Correspondent Node (CN)

The Correspondent Node is any device that the Mobile Node wants to communicate with. It could be a server, another mobile phone, or any other node on the Internet.

Care-of Address (CoA)

The Care-of Address is the IP address of the Mobile Node’s current position in a different network. It transmits the packets that are intended for the Mobile Node in the domain of the Foreign Agent.

How does Mobile IP Work?

Here is how a mobile IP works: 

  • Registration: When the device moves, it tells its home network where it is now.
  • Tunneling: The home network wraps up data for the device and sends it to the new network.
  • Forwarding: The new network gets the data and gives it to the device.
  • Communication: The device sends back messages, and they go through the new network to the home network and then to the right person.

This keeps the device connected with the same address, so chats, calls, and other data don’t get cut off when you switch networks.

Leading supplier of IT solutions for public transport INIT to expand in Maynooth

INIT, worldwide leading supplier of integrated planning, dispatching, telematics and ticketing systems for buses and trains, have announced that they will increase their capacity in Maynooth, Co. Kildare.

Highly skilled software developers create applications for public transport projects around the world, including for ticketing and real-time passenger information systems for transport operators and authorities in cities including Honolulu, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, Nottingham, Dublin, Hamburg, and New Zealand. INIT opened its first Irish office in 2018, their first software development centre outside Germany and employ 25 people. From today, the office capacity has increased with space to accommodate up to 60 employees and INIT is on the lookout for further talented Java and .Net cloud software engineers to continue their rapid growth. INIT is supported by the Irish Government through IDA Ireland.

Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke TD said: “I very much welcome INIT’s announcement that they will increase the number of employees to 60 as part of an expansion at their Maynooth facility. Since their establishment in Ireland in 2018, INIT have been providing vital IT solutions for public transport, and it is great to see them continue to thrive and grow in Kildare. The expansion will provide fantastic employment opportunities in the IT sector. Great news for INIT, Kildare and the wider region, I wish them all the best with this new expansion.”

Matthias Kühn, INIT COO, underlines the importance of INIT’s Ireland branch: “In just over five years, our subsidiary in Ireland has exceeded expectations. We see this as confirmation that Maynooth is the right place to develop our innovative solutions for public transport. Doubling the staff and more than doubling their office capacity in Ireland will help INIT pave the way for continued success in the future. We are looking forward to receiving applications from qualified specialists for our development centre.”

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland said: ‘’INIT’s plans to grow to up to 60 employees in their Maynooth office is great news for the region and indeed Ireland’s technology sector. IDA is very proud of Ireland’s reputation as a hub for technology. This expansion is a testament to the talent and skills that companies can find in Ireland and in Maynooth. ‘’

Even before establishing its subsidiary, INIT had strong ties with Ireland, including Dublin Bus (Bus Átha Cliath). In 2010, INIT implemented the first fleet management and real-time passenger information platform for the Greater Dublin Area.

62% of IT leaders say AI will make their company’s services redundant within five years

A new survey from Irish IT services provider Auxilion, and supported by Hewlett Packard Enterprise, reveals that 62% of IT leaders in Ireland believe Artificial Intelligence (AI) will make their company’s services redundant in three to five years.

The research – carried out by Censuswide and involving more than 100 IT leaders and decision-makers in large enterprises across Ireland – also found that nearly two in five (38%) would leave their job if their organisation did not invest emerging technologies like AI.

Some three quarters (75%) of IT leaders are using AI to do their jobs and overall, a similar proportion of organisations (78%) are currently deploying same. Despite this uptake, nearly a quarter of IT leaders (24%) do not feel adequately trained to make the most of emerging technologies like AI.

That may explain why more than a third (36%) identified AI and machine learning as a key area of focus for the next 12 months. In terms of the IT areas that are being prioritised this year, IT service desk (49%) was most cited, followed by cybersecurity solutions (45%) and cloud infrastructure (42%).

Cloud remains key

In fact, the survey found that 85% of enterprises surveyed are now using the cloud – an increase of 8% compared to similar research conducted last year. On average, companies who have adopted cloud are using it to host nearly half (47%) of their workloads, applications, and processes.

Of the companies who have already made the move to cloud, 84% say their strategy is meeting their expectations – a marked improvement of 12% on the previous year. However, almost two thirds (65%) think their current cloud strategy is limiting business goals and 61% believe it is limiting staff.

As for the technology itself, 71% say cloud is a more cost-effective approach for their business and of those who have adopted cloud, 83% feel it is more secure for their business. Even still, over two thirds (67%) are worried about cloud security threats over the next 12 months, with 80% providing regular cloud security training to staff.

As well as concerns over security threats, three-quarters (75%) of respondents who have adopted cloud admitted that a cloud outage would be catastrophic for their business and have a serious impact on service delivery.

Commenting on the results, Donal Sullivan, Chief Technology Officer, Auxilion, said: “There’s no doubt about it, AI is here to stay. What remains to be seen is if, and how, Irish businesses leverage it. Our research suggests that those who don’t will lose out in terms of both talent and customers.

“Meanwhile, those that do will get ahead of the curve by using AI to enhance their offering and drive growth. In other words, their services won’t become redundant, but be elevated and in demand.

“Similarly, companies who lack a solid IT foundation or fail to adapt their cloud strategy are throwing away the advantage that technology offers. It’s a differentiator and innovator for businesses, but only for those who act, and react, fast enough.”

Navigating the World of IT Recruitment: Taking on an IT job

The task of filling a vacancy in IT is a journey that intertwines the precision of technology with the unpredictability of human aspiration. In today’s rapidly evolving digital world, IT recruitment is not just about matching skills with requirements, it’s about understanding the synergy between technology and people. This intricate process demands a nuanced approach, recognizing that each vacancy and candidate is unique.

IT Recruitment Landscape

Acknowledging the rapid technological advancements and the ever-changing skill sets required in the industry. The role of an IT recruiter is akin to that of a navigator, guiding both companies and candidates through a sea of opportunities and challenges.

Key Trends Shaping IT Recruitment

Several trends are currently shaping the IT recruitment landscape:

 

  • Emerging Technologies: Keeping pace with advancements in areas like artificial intelligence, blockchain, and cybersecurity.
  • Remote Work: The rise of remote and hybrid work environments, altering the traditional workplace dynamic.
  • Diversity and Inclusion: A growing focus on creating diverse and inclusive workplaces.

 

Understanding these trends is essential for successfully navigating the IT recruitment process, ensuring that each vacancy is approached with a contemporary and informed perspective.

The Process of Filling an IT Vacancy

Filling a vacancy in the IT sector is a multifaceted process, demanding a balance between technical acumen and human understanding.

Identifying the Right Candidate

The first step is understanding the specific needs of the vacancy. This goes beyond technical skills and includes factors like company culture fit, career aspirations, and potential for growth. An effective recruitment strategy involves:

 

  • Analyzing the Role: Determining the exact skills and experience required.
  • Candidate Sourcing: Identifying potential candidates through various channels, including networking events, social media, and specialized job platforms.
  • Screening and Evaluation: Assessing candidates through interviews, technical tests, and reference checks.

However, you can automate the whole process by not wasting your time on endless data collection for potential candidates with the help of recruiting agencies. One of the most important factors is implementing a hiring management system for recruitment firms, thus facilitating the whole workflow and streamlining the recruitment process.  Since such software enables recruiting agencies to access big talent pools, you can easily customize your search according to your potential employee’s work experience, certification, or other features. This will give you a clearer perspective of your main goals for the role and the features you look for in potential hires.

Successfully navigating these steps ensures a comprehensive approach to recruitment, maximizing the likelihood of finding a candidate who not only fits the technical requirements but also aligns well with the company’s ethos and future direction.

Building a Connection

The human aspect of recruitment is about building connections. It’s about understanding the candidate’s career goals, personal values, and what they seek in a role. This understanding helps in presenting opportunities that align with their aspirations, leading to more fulfilling and lasting employment relationships.

The Future of IT Recruitment

Looking ahead, the field of IT recruitment is set to continue evolving. Technological advancements will bring new challenges and opportunities, but IT recruiting agencies, like a Huntly, adapt and innovate constantly to successfully face future challenges. The future will likely see a greater emphasis on:

 

  • Data-Driven Recruitment: Leveraging data analytics to refine recruitment strategies and decision-making.
  • Personalization: Tailoring the recruitment process to meet the specific needs and preferences of candidates and companies.
  • Continuous Learning: Keeping abreast of new technologies and industry developments to remain relevant and effective.

 

Embracing these future trends will be key for IT recruiters in navigating the complexities of the tech world, ensuring they can connect the most suitable candidates with the right opportunities in an ever-changing landscape.

The Science of Recruiting for IT

In conclusion, the task of filling a vacancy in IT is a complex blend of understanding technology, industry trends, and human dynamics. It’s about connecting the right people with the right opportunities, creating relationships that foster growth and innovation. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, so too will the art of IT recruitment, remaining an essential component of the technology sector’s success.

 

Three quarters of organisations are planning to increase their Generative AI IT spend

Generative AI (GenAI) is the accelerator of the decade, representing a significant and immediate opportunity for organisations. A Dell Technologies GenAI Survey of 500 IT decision makers (ITDMs) with GenAI implementation responsibilities across the US and Europe reveals a growing appetite for GenAI, with the majority of respondents surveyed (78%) saying they are excited about the potential GenAI can have on their organisation. Moreover, three quarters (76%) expect to devote increased IT spend in the next year to pursue AI projects.

With a global economic impact predicted to be between $2.6 trillion and $4.4 trillion annually, results suggest organisations are solidifying their GenAI approaches. Of those who have moved beyond a pilot stage, 87% say they believe GenAI is on track to deliver meaningful results, and 80% report they have implemented centralised decision-making and/or centres of excellence. In terms of how they deploy solutions, 82% of ITDMs prefer to build an on-premises or hybrid approach to GenAI, with security, cost and control as leading factors to this approach (37%).

“No other technology has achieved what Generative AI has done in less than a year. It has sparked the imagination of millions and has the potential to be a powerful enabler for companies,” says Adrian McDonald, President, Dell Technologies in EMEA. “With the right strategies, GenAI will be key to innovation, growth and competitive advantage for organisations.”

Organisations seem poised to capitalise on the opportunity – 44% of respondents say their organisations are at the early to mid-stage in their GenAI journey and nearly half (49%) expect to see meaningful results within six months to a year.

The findings reveal more than three quarters (76%) believe its impact will be significant or transformative (significant: 54%, transformative: 22%). Top impact areas include productivity gains, streamlined processes and cost savings.

While investment in GenAI is well underway, 37% of respondents said their organisations are somewhat or very hesitant to adopt GenAI. The UK shows the most concern, with almost half (49%) of respondents reporting hesitancy, more than double that of France (22%). The key barriers driving organisational hesitancy are security, technical complexity, and data governance.

Of those who use GenAI professionally, respondents in U.K. (46%) and U.S. (45%) report using it at least once a day. Respondents from all locations also report higher personal GenAI use, suggesting that ITDMs with GenAI responsibilities are upskilling in their personal time. The UK is at the forefront of personal usage with 64% using GenAI once or more a day, followed by Germany (59%), France (58%), and the US (54%).

Visit https://www.dell.com/en-us/perspectives/new-research-the-dell-genai-pulse-survey/ for more information and to read the full report.

Winners of the 2023 Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefónica Tech announced

The winners of this year’s Belfast Telegraph IT Awards in partnership with Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland, which took place on Friday night at the MAC Belfast, have been announced.

Terry Moore, CEO and founder of Outsource Group, took home the award for Outstanding Contribution to the IT Sector. The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs won IT Project of the Year for its Soil Nutrient Health Scheme. And Expleo, which scooped two other awards on the night, won Overall IT Team of Company of the Year.

ASOS, which opened up a Belfast hub last year, creating over 180 jobs, also took home two awards for IT Professional of the Year and Young IT Professional of the Year.

The ceremony was hosted by Neil Delamere and took place on Friday 10 November to celebrate the cream of the IT industry in Northern Ireland and winners were named across 19 categories. The awards, which received a record number of entries, were whittled down by a panel of nine judges, led by chairman Noel Brady, managing director of Consult NB1 Ltd and joint chair of the ICT Innovation Forum.  

The awards title sponsor Telefónica Tech UK&I, Chief Executive Mark Gorton, said: “A massive congratulations to all the winners in this year’s Belfast Telegraph IT Awards. The atmosphere in the room on the night was electric and it was an honour to join together with others in our ever-growing IT Industry here in Northern Ireland and celebrate those in the sector.

As technology continues to evolve, so does the extraordinary talent and dedication of our IT community. These awards are a brilliant reflection of the hard work, dedication and talent of so many across the IT sector. Telefónica Tech UK & Ireland was very proud to sponsor this year’s awards.”

Other winning businesses on the night included Business Services Organisation, Randox, Salt Communications, Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, CinemaClub, Covernet, Liopa, Codec, Locate a Locum, Liberty IT and Options Technology.

Terry Moore founded his own IT Managed Service business Outsource Group almost 25 years ago and since then it has gone from strength to strength. Outsource Group, headquartered in Antrim, was founded in 2000 and offers a broad range of technology support and services to customers in the UK and Ireland, with an increasing focus in recent years on embedding IT security in everything it does. Last year Terry made a significant acquisition in the fast-growing cybersecurity space to enhance his company’s expertise in this important area, and he continues to recruit to grow his team.

Expleo, the global engineering, technology and consulting service provider which has a base in Belfast took home the award for overall IT company of the year. It was a triple award win for Expleo on the night as they also scooped the prize for Best Place to Work and Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Champion which went to Expleo employee, Hannah McAteer.

Vyta helps Servecentric save 13 tonnes of CO2e through IT refurbishment

Vyta Group, Ireland’s leading secure IT recycling company, today announces that it has enabled Servecentric, a Dublin-based cloud, data centre and connectivity services provider, to save 13 tonnes (13,000kg) of CO2e (carbon dioxide equivalent) with its secure IT recycling and refurbishment services. The partnership enabled Vyta to return €77,000 in revenues to Servecentric.

Vyta collects, refurbishes, recycles, and resells retired IT equipment while ensuring that any data contained is destroyed in a compliant and sustainable manner. This approach safeguards businesses from data breaches while also supporting the circular economy. As businesses aim to achieve rigorous sustainability goals, there has been a marked rise in the demand for Vyta’s services.

The deal with Servecentric, a secure and resilient colocation and IT services provider for businesses in the US, UK, India and Ireland, represents a growing focus on sustainability from the data centre industry. Many of Servecentric’s clients have undertaken significant hardware refresh projects to improve efficiency. This, along with some cloud migration projects, has created the need for secure disposal of outdated hardware and sensitive hard disks. Servecentric also sought secure data destruction for its own IT equipment, a need magnified by the escalating frequency of cyberattacks worldwide.

In the last year, Vyta collected, processed and reused or recycled 2,222 devices for Servecentric as a part of its IT retirement service. Devices that Vyta processed included servers, network units, and mixed WEEE (Waste electric and electronic equipment). Vyta refurbished a total of 205 items for Servecentric and resold them through Vyta’s extensive network of sales channels, therefore enabling Vyta to return revenues to Servecentric. The CO2e savings enabled through the refurbishment of Servecentric’s retired IT equipment represent the annual carbon dioxide absorption equivalent of 619 mature trees.

By recycling the remainder of the equipment, Vyta has helped Servecentric to keep all of these items out of landfill. Vyta has a zero-landfill policy and ensures that 100% of disposals are handled in an environmentally responsible way. Meanwhile, Vyta’s industry-leading stringent data wiping procedures ensure that Servecentric is compliant with all the latest data regulations, including GDPR.

Vyta’s industry reputation for secure data destruction and compliance played a significant role in Servecentric’s decision to choose the company as its IT asset disposal (ITAD) partner. This was bolstered by Vyta’s significant presence across Ireland, Northern Ireland and Great Britain, along with its experience in serving US-headquartered enterprises.

Faye Thomas, CCO, Vyta, said: “Amidst mounting concerns over climate change and ever-increasing focus on sustainability , we are all actively exploring avenues to reduce our carbon footprints. At Vyta, our focus resides in helping companies meet their carbon reduction targets through the responsible and secure disposal of IT equipment.

 “Servecentric is a trailblazer in the data centre industry and is committed to supporting the circular economy, all while ensuring adherence to the highest standards of data security. Through this partnership, Servecentric has helped to reduce the CO2 emissions involved in the destruction of old IT equipment and the manufacturing of new replacements, while also yielding substantial financial returns through the resale of the refurbished equipment. We are delighted to collaborate with such a forward-thinking business and look forward to our continued partnership in supporting the circular economy.”

Brian Roe, CEO, Servecentric, said: “Data centres are on a path to become more sustainable, and one of the avenues we are pursuing is the recycling and refurbishment of outdated IT equipment, a task led by companies like Vyta. Through Vyta’s efforts, not only are carbon emissions saved via device refurbishment, but also the assurance of data security shields us from the threats of cyber-attacks.

“The frequency of cyberattacks has now reached unprecedented levels, underscoring the importance of robust data protection and cybersecurity for any organisation. This extends to ensuring the safe and secure destruction of IT equipment. At Servecentric, we are driven by a passion for excellence and a deep-rooted commitment to cybersecurity and data protection. By joining forces with Vyta, we have strengthened our commitment to data security and compliance, providing peace of mind for both our clients and us as a business.

“We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Vyta. The team always responds promptly and efficiently to address any of our concerns or needs, going above and beyond to provide exceptional service.”

Access from the dark web is a cloud concern for almost a third of IT leaders in Ireland

Auxilion today announces the findings of its new cloud study – carried out by Censuswide and involving more than 200 IT decision makers in large enterprises across Ireland – which found that access from the dark web is a concern for almost a third (32%) of IT leaders in enterprises across Ireland.

The research revealed what IT leaders view as the security risks associated with cloud computing, with the top five being ransomware/malware (33%), data loss/theft (33%), access from the dark web (32%), account hijacking (31%), and phishing/social engineering attacks (29%).

Over a quarter (27%) see lack of staff awareness as a cybersecurity risk associated with cloud computing and a similar proportion (26%) cited human error. Some 23% also said malicious insiders.

The study revealed that configuring cloud properly and securely is proving to be a challenge for 40% of enterprises, with almost half (47%) of respondents admitting that IT security risks are a main concern around cloud adoption and management. Furthermore, some 29% said they have limited or no visibility of their workloads in the cloud.

On the other hand, more than a quarter (27%) of IT leaders say they are using cloud computing to enhance their organisation’s security standing. Moreover, some 24% have documented workflows so cloud security incidents are responded to consistently and a similar proportion (22%) have a standardised and automated incident response strategy in place for same.

However, in-house skills do appear to be a weak spot with less than a fifth (18%) of enterprises having experienced individuals in their team who know what to do in terms of cloud security incidents and one in ten (11%) outsourcing this part of their IT as they lack the in-house skills.

In keeping with this, the study found that 31% of IT leaders are concerned about the lack of in-house skills when it comes to the adoption and management of cloud computing, with almost half identifying cloud and cybersecurity as the two areas where in-house staff most need to be upskilled (48% respectively).

Donal Sullivan, Chief Technology Officer, Auxilion, said: “Cloud has the potential to transform how a business operates, while also benefiting productivity, security and growth. However, the IT foundations and skills need to be in place for organisations to realise and capitalise on the potential of cloud. If they are not, businesses will lose out on the value of cloud and also leave themselves open to risk.

“The threat landscape is more sophisticated and relentless than ever, with attacks coming from various directions and through different channels. Combined with a hybrid workforce, companies need to ensure their IT infrastructure and strategy is resilient.

“For some, that means establishing a more coherent cloud security incident response strategy. For others, it means outsourcing to an expert partner. Companies must therefore identify not only the cloud infrastructure and approach that works for them but also any skills gaps or additional solutions they need. In turn, they can make a success of – and drive success with – cloud.”