By Jimmie Flores
Adjunct Professor of Information Technology Management, American Military University
To succeed in today’s dynamic workplace one must have a strong background in information technology and be proactive. The management functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling require the integration of technology to make them effective. Successful organizations employ leaders who understand how to properly leverage technology to gain a competitive advantage in today’s global marketplace.
In-Demand Tech Jobs
Technology skills alone are insufficient. There is a strong demand for individuals who can strategically maximize the use of technology. Leading tech disciplines include:
- Software engineering
- Database administration
- Network engineering
- Game design
- System administration
- Network management
IT management goes beyond merely executing technical work. Skilled IT managers have a clear understanding of how to meet business goals and objectives and how to integrate them with the right mix of technological resources.
Security management is one area of IT that’s gaining significant interest. Organizational leaders are concerned with internal and external threats that can strike without warning, ranging from access control to terrorism. Popular security positions include computer crime investigator, forensic analyst, intrusion analyst, exploit developer, and disaster recovery manager.
Next Step: Education and Specialized Certificates
In order to work in IT management, professionals are often required to have a solid education in IT management along with proven work experience and professional certifications. Some universities provide specialized degrees in IT, which focus on the important terminology, concepts and methodologies. Employers hiring for an IT position often make an advanced degree in technology a condition for employment before selecting a candidate.
It’s customary for many IT professionals to obtain new certifications. It demonstrates to potential hiring managers that the IT professional is staying current in the rapidly changing and competitive IT field. For example, the Certified Information System Security Professional (CISSP) is a leading credential offered by the International Information Systems Security Certification Consortium (ISC)2. For those individuals with entry-level knowledge in security, the CompTIA Security+ certification is an excellent start.
As an IT manager gains experience, he or she must also possess and enhance their macro perspective of the organization’s overall strategy. One of the most widely accepted approaches to IT Service Management is known as the Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL).
The ITIL Foundations v.3 certification is obtained by passing an examination covering the following five volumes:
- Service Strategy
- Service Design
- Service Transition
- Service Operation
- Continual Service Improvement
ITIL has gained traction in the United States because it incorporates other proven frameworks, such as COBIT, Six Sigma and Project Management. ITIL practitioners are committed to aligning IT with business. In others, the IT department will ensure that they understand the core competencies of the organization, and will commit the necessary knowledge and resources to meet the objectives.
As technology becomes more complex, and as threats increase, an IT manager’s role becomes even more vital. Now is not the time to be complacent and wait for events to happen. Instead, organizational leaders are looking for IT leaders to be proactive and engage threats before they occur, while simultaneously providing the technological backbone to exploit opportunities and resources when they arise.
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