The Future of IT: It's Social, It's Mobile, and It's in the Cloud

2012 has arrived, bringing with it the continued evolution of the IT industry. Leaps in technology, incredible mobile devices, and a widespread embrace of social media are changing the focus of IT departments. From virtualization and cloud computing to mobile access, new security challenges, and social media, today's IT department bears little resemblance to those in the early 2000s.

Virtualization, cloud computing, and hybrid systems that blend legacy resources with virtual or cloud systems are changing the way IT personnel think about infrastructure. While some organizations may fully embrace the cloud, others are taking a hybrid approach which requires a versatile IT department equipped with a variety of IT skills.

Smart phones and tablets such as Apple's iPad have changed consumer and professional behavior. Today's business users expect anytime, anywhere access to data. While a mobile workforce has its appeal, it also brings its challenges. Competing devices and mobile operating systems require specialized programming and compatibility concerns. A pressing concern involves security. As data moves beyond the corporate firewall, it becomes more difficult to secure, control, and monitor. Today's IT departments must balance the legitimate need for remote access with data security.

Social media has emerged as much more than a marketing tool; it is now being adopted as legitimate communication and collaboration tool by organizations of all sizes. Both public and private social networking sites allow businesses to network, communicate, and collaborate like never before. However, social media challenges abound both from a management and IT perspective.

These IT trends require a broad skill set and continuous learning. Smaller IT departments may need to supplement with managed service providers, contract workers, or the occasional outsourced project.

About CBT Planet:

CBT Planet offers comprehensive IT training covering everything from entry level computer and networking skills to emerging technologies including virtualization, cloud computing, and mobile security. These network deployable, instructor-led computer training courses allow IT personnel to learn at their own pace and at their convenience. Online IT training videos are also available.