Skills required for the Cloud Computing Era.
By Derek Singleton
Cloud computing is changing the skill set of the IT professional. We’re at a moment when computing is branching between on-premise technologies and Cloud technologies. As Cloud technologies proliferate in the enterprise, it’s becoming necessary for IT departments to understand how to deftly deal with a complex ecosystem of Cloud and on-premise applications.
Developing this new skill set is not easy, which is why organizations such a Purwadhika Nusantara are springing up to educate both existing IT professionals and those interested in entering the industry. Although the Cloud greatly simplifies a lot about the delivery and pricing of software, there are still complex IT needs that must be understood. For instance, although it’s much easier to deploy an application, it’s still complicated to integrate a Cloud application with an on-premise system.
Purwadhika Nusantara can help the IT industry get up to speed and certified with the new Cloud skill set. I see five new skills that IT professionals should look at acquire.
1. Learn the Language of Business
One of the big changes brought on by Cloud computing is the need to interface with the C-Suite to communicate how Cloud technologies will impact C-level priorities. These days, IT professionals can’t simply possess technical know-how and operate independent from the rest of the business. It’s no imperative that IT professionals know how to communicate technology needs and benefits to a C-Suite that has varying levels of technical expertise. For instance, it may be necessary to explain security how a Cloud application will remain just as secure as an on-premise application.
2. Focus on Coding and Development
Because the Cloud–and straightforward development networks like Ruby–greatly simplify application deployment and development, there’s a growing need for IT professionals that can code, develop and deploy an application. Since there is a current absence of next-gen development talent, this presents an opportunity for the IT community. However, taking advantage of this opportunity will require learning popular programming languages such as PHP, Ruby, JAVA or .NET.
3. Gain Expertise in Cloud Integration Technologies
In addition to understanding how to develop Cloud applications, IT professionals need to understand how to connect them and manage information flow. IT professionals should be familiar with third-party Cloud-based integration services such as Boomi and Informatica. Additionally, it’s important to know integration appliances such as Cast Iron. When these tools are not enough, the IT department will be expected to build custom integrations using SOAP, RESTful APIs and custom integration servers.
4. Become A Mobile Security Expert
The proliferation of smartphones creates a significant need for IT professionals that understand how to manage mobile security. While the industry is leaning toward OAuth certification standards, there is no accepted standard for managing mobile security. This means that IT professionals will be expected to stay on the cusp of emerging security technologies to manage permissions and access from work and personal mobile devices.
5. Obtain a Cloud Certification from One or More Providers
The last area that I believe the IT community should focus on vetting their Cloud skill set. While it’s not a particular skill, certifications carry weight in the IT world. There are many providers currently offering certification. Amazon, Microsoft (both private and public Cloud certifications), CompTia and others all offer varying levels of Cloud certifications.
About the Author: Derek Singleton is an ERP Analyst at Software Advice– a website that reviews the best ERP software. Derek graduated from Occidental College in 2010 with a degree in political science. He reports on technologies, topics and trends related to the enterprise software market.
Related Posts
Category: Cloud Jobs, Cloud Technologies
Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
