Cloud Computing, Cybersecurity Skills In Demand

Organizations’ priorities are cloud computing, cybersecurity and virtualization, Global Knowledge found, but IT decision-makers are challenged to find qualified professionals in those areas. The growing demand for such professionals can mean higher salaries. Individuals working in cybersecurity report the highest, with an average annual global salary of $87,580. Those working in cloud computing round out the top five, with an average salary of $75,365.

Meanwhile, Dolan said certification providers are focusing more on architect-driven solutions as the cloud makes it easier for businesses to manage multivendor environments.

"It's getting more complicated as people move into DevOps environment and the cloud," Dolan said. "Whether [businesses are] hosting it with a Microsoft or an Amazon or a Google, they’ve got multiple [application development] environments and then wrapping that with the proper security its just getting more and more complex.

"So, the need to have more architecture skill sets versus individual product skill sets … is something that’s really jumping out and it's becoming apparent," Dolan said.