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MENLO PARK, Calif., Dec. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Sixteen percent of U.S. chief information officers (CIOs) recently surveyed plan to expand their technology teams in the first half of 2017, according to the Robert Half Technology IT Hiring Forecast and Local Trends Report. Additionally, keeping IT systems and company information secure topped the list of tech leaders' most pressing concerns for the coming year.
Executives were asked, "In addition to recruitment, which of the following do you anticipate will be top of mind for you in the next six months?" Their responses:
- Maintaining the security of IT systems and safeguarding company information (30 percent)
- Upgrading existing systems for business efficiency (22 percent)
- Helping grow the business (17 percent)
- Innovation and investing in new technologies (16 percent)
- Retaining staff (15 percent)
Executives were also asked, "What is your company's plan for hiring full-time IT employees in the next six months?" Their responses:*
- Adding more staff to IT departments (16 percent)
- Hiring only for open IT roles (69 percent)
- Putting IT hiring plans on hold (12 percent)
- Reducing IT staff (2 percent)
*Responses do not total 100 percent due to rounding.
View an infographic and video of the research highlights, or the previous IT Hiring Forecast and Trend Reports.
"For technology executives, the start of a new year often prompts the reassessment of teams, technologies and potential vulnerabilities," said John Reed, senior executive director of Robert Half Technology. "IT leaders are bringing on full-time staff strategically and focusing on key business priorities, such as enhancing enterprise tools and strengthening IT security."
The report is based on telephone interviews with more than 2,500 CIOs from 25 major U.S. markets who were asked to provide a six-month hiring outlook.
Recruiting Challenges & Skills in Demand
Recruiting remains a challenge: 61 percent of CIOs said it's somewhat or very challenging to find skilled IT professionals today. They also cited the following skills as being in greatest demand within their organizations:
- Database management (44 percent)
- Desktop support (42 percent)
- Network administration (42 percent)
- Cybersecurity (41 percent)
"Business demands for IT teams continue to grow," Reed added. "Companies are relying not just on full-time hires but also project professionals with specialized skills to meet ongoing business needs and help reach organizational goals."
Survey Methodology
The survey was developed by Robert Half Technology and conducted by an independent research firm. To ensure that companies from all segments were represented in the study, the sample was stratified by number of employees. The results were weighted to reflect the appropriate employee population in the United States. The margin of error is +/-1.2 percent at the 90 percent confidence level. Robert Half Technology has been tracking IT hiring activity in the United States since 1995.
About Robert Half Technology
Robert Half Technology is a leading provider of technology professionals, specializing in a full spectrum of technology services – from project, contract-to-hire and full-time IT staffing services to managed services and solution consulting. With more than 100 locations in North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, the company provides highly skilled talent for IT initiatives ranging from web development and multiplatform systems integration to network security and technical support. For more information about Robert Half Technology, please visit roberthalf.com/technology. For career and management advice, read our award-winning blog at roberthalf.com/technology/blog.
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SOURCE Robert Half Technology