A look at network complexity, needed skillsets,and levels of concern among public sector IT professionals in North America.

1. IT Pros Survey: North America –
Public Sector
A look at network complexity, needed skillsets,
and levels of concern among public sector IT professionals in North America
Conducted by C White Consulting
May/June 2013
1

2. Demographics: breakdown of survey respondents
Company Size
(number of employees)
IT Roles
50-99 FTEs
100-249 FTEs
Practitioner
250-499 FTEs
Manager
500-999 FTEs
Director
1000-1499 FTEs
IT Consultant
1500-4999 FTEs
Other IT-related
5000+ FTEs
111 public sector IT practitioners, managers and directors in the U.S. and Canada (86.5% U.S., 13.5% Canada)
from small, mid-size and enterprise companies participated in a May/June 2013 online survey
2

3. Addressing Gaps in an IT Pro’s
Network Complexity Skillset
3

4. Addressing Gaps: IT Pro’s Network Complexity Skillset
The single most important skillset needed today by IT pros
to combat the challenges of network complexity:
Server management
Other
Cloud or SaaS
Compute virtualization
Project management
Mobile applications and device management
Information security
Understanding the business
Network engineering
0.00%
5.00%
10.00%
15.00%
20.00%
25.00%
30.00%
Over one-fourth of all IT professionals feel that network engineering is the single most important skillset
needed today to combat the challenges of network complexity, followed closely by understanding the business
and information security.
A10: What is the single most important skill/skillset needed TODAY by IT
professionals to combat the challenges of network complexity? (please choose
only one) [provided “other” fill-in-the-blank response as well]
4

5. Addressing Gaps: IT Pro’s Network Complexity Skillset
Resources used for obtaining
any additional skills/certifications needed
Other
Gain an/another university degree (undergrad or …
Turn to online influences/resources
Participate in distance learning
Obtain certification
Participate in vendor learning
Participate in peer-to-peer learning (forums, best…
Increase experience/expertise organically
Obtain training
0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00%
Nearly two-thirds of IT professionals would obtain training in order to gain necessary skills/certifications for
combating network complexity. Over half would increase their experience/expertise organically, and 45% would
participate in peer-to-peer learning such as forums and best practices.
A7: If you did not already possess the single most important skill needed
TODAY to combat the challenges of network complexity, how would you
realistically go about obtaining it? (please choose all that apply) [provided
5
“other” fill-in-the-blank response as well]

6. Addressing Gaps: IT Pro’s Network Complexity Skillset
The Continuing Education Process
6

7. Addressing Gaps: IT Pro’s Network Complexity Skillset
The Continuing Education Process
Addressing Gaps: IT Pro’s Network Complexity
Skillset
7
7

8. Addressing Gaps: IT Pro’s Network Complexity Skillset
The Continuing Education Process
Addressing Gaps: IT Pro’s Network Complexity
Skillset
8
8

9. Addressing Gaps: IT Pro’s Network Complexity Skillset
Today’s Educational Standards and Tomorrow’s IT Professionals
9

10. Addressing Gaps: IT Pro’s Network Complexity Skillset
Today’s Educational Standards and Tomorrow’s IT Professionals
10
10

11. Addressing Gaps: IT Pro’s Network Complexity Skillset
Today’s Educational Standards and Tomorrow’s IT Professionals
11
11