How the Rapid Adoption of Cloud Computing in the COVID Era Creates New IT Jobs

With most of our communications, transactions, and entertainment now in the digital realm – cloud computing services have grown into a business (and personal) tech staple of recent years; with nearly half of the nation’s businesses using paid cloud platforms in 2019.

Designed to outsource data storage and management, the technology has proven to bring about greater productivity, flexibility, and financial savings among workplaces. Australia has seen a steady rise in its adoption over the years – though the recent pandemic has caused a staggering spike in demand, with the sector now struggling to keep up.

Below, we discuss the sudden wave of cloud adoption in the COVID era, and what this means for aspiring tech workers entering the job market.

THE CLOUD COMPUTING SURGE AMIDST COVID

As national lockdowns pushed businesses to close their doors, employers needed to find new, online ways of continuing operations. Enter the rise of digital workspaces and working from home – the “new normal” for the post-pandemic modern worker. Though telecommuting had been slowly rising by one percentage point each year, August 2021 saw a sharp leap from 8.4% (of the Australian workforce working from home) to 40.6%.

Since these recent events, remote work has become a standard option among most businesses. To truly thrive in cyberspace, however, many have turned to the tools and services of cloud computing – spurring what’s been labelled a national “cloud rush” as public cloud spending rose by 38% to over $13.8 billion in 2021. The ability to outsource one’s data storage and maintenance, with the perks of scalability, security, and a flexible, pay-as-you-go model, was (and is) an ideal solution for remote business continuity.

Cloud services have also allowed for ease of online collaboration, providing tools (i.e. video conferencing, file-sharing, and project management application) to keep team members connected and accessible during work hours. Employers can also enjoy the cost-effective benefits of relying on a remote data centre, eliminating the need for on-premise hardware and related resources – while still maintaining efficiency.

To no surprise, the technology is here to stay, with cloud spending predicted to reach $14.1 billion USD in 2025. However, this has led to a critical widening of an already growing industry skills gap.

WITH GREATER DEMAND FOR SERVICES, COMES GREATER DEMAND FOR SKILLS

According to findings from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), a prominent barrier to widespread cloud adoption is the “lack of a skilled workforce”. While the technology has potential to revolutionise our current economy, there is still a deep and ever-growing shortage of available talent to manage it.

On the upside, this bodes well for those seeking new opportunities in the tech job market. Research by AlphaBeta shows that we’ll need an additional 6.5 million newly skilled and reskilled digital workers by 2025, a 79% increase from Australia’s current digital workforce. Next to role in cyber security, data science, and machine learning, this also includes various positions in cloud computing. With a high demand for talent and low candidate pool to much, much of these roles are also willing to pay a generous annual salary.

In particular, the sector requires those with the skills and knowledge to administrate cloud services (helping maintain infrastructure and assist businesses with data migration), develop the relevant cloud technologies needed to serve specific company needs, deploy automation features for greater productivity; and ensure the integrity and security of such platforms.

Below, we’ve broken down some of the most in-demand cloud computing roles for 2022.

IN-DEMAND CLOUD COMPUTING JOBS FOR 2022

CLOUD SECURITY SPECIALIST

Cloud security specialists are responsible for maintaining the safety and integrity of systems, data, and operations on the cloud. Their daily activities typically involve the monitoring of a business’ cloud infrastructure, identifying potential threats and managing them as necessary. In the event of a data breach, these professionals may also assist with the company’s incident response and recovery procedures.

Additionally, those in this role may partner with cloud engineers and architects to help build and implement cloud security services.

Cloud security specialists generally require familiarity with common DevOps tools; popular programming languages such as Python; a comprehensive knowledge of cyber security; and experience with penetration testing and vulnerability management. According to current job adverts on Indeed, the average worker in this field can earn upwards of $100,000 AUD per year.

CLOUD ARCHITECT

Also known as “cloud developers” or “cloud systems administrators”, cloud architects are tasked with designing cloud applications, storage systems, and supervising operations on the platform. They help craft effective cloud strategies that align with one’s business needs and may work closely with cloud security specialists to ensure robust privacy.

These professionals may also assist in the migration of applications and files to the cloud, offering guidance in the movement and adaption of business infrastructure.

Working in this role will typically require about 3-5 years of experience in IT cloud solutions, proficiency in common coding languages (i.e. Python, Ruby, and Elixir), and a comprehensive knowledge of one or more cloud environments (i.e. Google Cloud, AWS, Microsoft Azure). According to Glassdoor, the average cloud architect earns about $155,000 AUD per year in Australia.

CLOUD CONSULTANT

Finally, cloud consultants are who businesses rely on to help identify and act on their cloud-related needs. These professionals spend most of their time communicating with clients, referring them to the relevant providers or cloud-based applications as necessary.

Depending on the size of their organisation, they may even collaborate with other cloud specialists to help create and implement these cloud-related programs. Additionally, they may also train clients in the correct use of these new tools and software.

Cloud consultants will not only need thorough understanding of cloud environments and popular platforms – but also experience in IT networking, knowledge of key cyber security principles, and a fundamental understanding of computer programming. According to Glassdoor, the average cloud consultant in Australia earns about $115,000 AUD per year.

ENTER THE GROWING WORLD OF CLOUD COMPUTING TODAY!

Whether it’s to upskill for an increasingly digital future, or to leverage the rising opportunities of cloud computing – online training can help grant you the skills you need.

Lumify Learn currently offers a boot camp “Cloud Computing Certified Professional” course, providing aspiring professionals the fundamental knowledge they need to develop, manage, and configure common cloud solutions.

Comprised of four globally-recognised certifications under CompTIA, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft, and Google, students will explore the essential concepts of cloud computing – as well as basic digital literacy in the industry’s leading platforms: AWS, Microsoft Azure, and Google Cloud. The course also offers additional content in the basics of machine learning and big data, as well as over 45 hours of practical cloud labs to build you the “job-ready” skills required for the tech market.

Best of all, the program is delivered online – helping you train according to your personal study needs and schedule.

Kickstart your journey into cloud computing today, and enquire with us on a course.