One in seven businesses in Ireland planning cuts to IT teams

Still, 49% of IT decision makers in Ireland reported that their team size grew in the last two years

Trade

Peter Lantry, Equinix

New research from Equinix shows that 15% of businesses in Ireland are planning on making cuts to their IT teams in the next 12 months, while 67% plan to expand theirs.

According to Equinix’s Global Tech Trends Survey 2023, 49% of IT decision makers in Ireland reported that their team size grew in the last two years – versus the global average of 57%.

Meanwhile, 71% cite a shortage of IT talent as a threat to business success. Other threats include a lack of diversity and inclusion in the industry (cited by 55%) and challenges posed by moving to a hybrid workplace (52%).

Equinix also found that 59% of IT leaders in Ireland are uncomfortable with their existing team’s ability to accommodate the growth in use of AI.

The research identified the biggest skills challenge facing the IT teams in Ireland is talent retention (cited by 43% of IT leaders). Wrong skill sets (39%), changing workforce expectations (33%), along with the speed at which the tech industry is transforming and a lack of available talent (both 32%) were also cited.

It also noted that 81% of IT decision-makers see improving cybersecurity as the top priority for their organisation’s technology strategy.

On that front, 34% of IT leaders have, or will, increase headcount in security software developer roles (34%), as well as security analyst (30%) and security architect (26%) positions.

“As businesses plan for the future, they must ensure that their IT departments have the budget and means to expand in line with the overall business’s expansion plans,” said Peter Lantry, managing director for Ireland, Equinix. “To reduce IT teams at a time when technology and data are so central to success is likely to prove short-sighted.

“However, those who are looking to grow their IT teams are also facing challenges as demand continues to outweigh supply. The current pace of change will not wait or be sympathetic to those encountering talent shortages. IT leaders must therefore confront this head-on and ensure that if they cannot find the talent they need, they need to nurture it themselves.”

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On 20 September TechFire in association with Equinix will be asking the burning question ‘What’s getting in the way of your digital expansion plans’? For more information visit TechFire.ie.

Read More: Equinix Recruitment research