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Dubai, UAE – Businesses in Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates identify innovation as a top priority and are intrigued by the potential of emerging technologies, according to a new report from CompTIA, the leading trade association for the global information technology (IT) industry.

At the same time, concerns about cybersecurity readiness and the struggle to find enough workers with the right skills to meet their workforce needs add a measure of caution to their expectations and plans for 2020, CompTIA’s “International Trends in Technology and Workforce” finds.

The survey of business and technology professionals in 14 countries identified business priorities for 2020, as well as perceptions of emerging technologies, cybersecurity, workforce skills, professional development strategies, and the future of work.

“The ingredients for innovation have never been more accessible, and tech hubs can now be found in nearly every corner of the globe,” said Tim Herbert, executive vice president for research and market intelligence at CompTIA. “While the research points to momentum on many fronts, there remains much work to be done in helping businesses and workers navigate the path ahead.”

The Business of Technology

With global spending on hardware, software, services and telecom projected to reach nearly $5.2 trillion this year - $57.7 billion total in the three Middle East countries – it’s evident that technology has a growing and integral role in business operations.[1] A full 97% of executives in the region rate technology as a primary or secondary factor in reaching their business objectives.

The large majority of companies (93%) turn to outside providers to assist with their technology requirements. Web design and e-commerce, repair and maintenance, cybersecurity and deployment and integration are among the most common outsourced services. A majority of executives (69%) said that they receive excellent or good return on investment (ROI) from their technology spending.

Emerging Tech Momentum Builds

More than six in 10 (61%) of executives have a positive view of emerging technology, above the global figure of 54%. Another 16% of Middle East respondents take a middle-ground position, expressing equal parts excitement and trepidation.

At the other end of the spectrum 23% of executives report mostly feelings of trepidation about emerging tech. Risk aversion, budget constraints, confusion over options and a lack of a clear business case are among the primary factors that are causing some organizations to take a go-slow approach.

Although still far from mainstream adoption, the emerging technologies with the highest rates of implementation globally are the internet of things and big data.

         Cybersecurity Disconnects

Two-thirds of executives describe their organization’s cybersecurity as completely or mostly satisfactory. This suggests there is still room for improvement. Low understanding of new threats and trends, other technology priorities and a lack of metrics to demonstrate effectiveness are among the challenges that keep firms from devoting more attention and resources to the cybersecurity issue.

Given the projected high growth rates for emerging technologies expected over the next several years, the need for businesses to re-evaluate their approaches to cybersecurity is even more apparent.

Workforce Challenges

Skills gaps remain an ongoing challenge for many organizations, with 42% of regional respondents reporting that situation has grown more challenging over the past two years. That’s slightly below the global response of 46%.

The research confirms the distinction between the generic use of the phrase “skills gap” and the more nuanced discussion of “workforce gaps” that encompass location, pay, soft skills, perceptions, innovation and more.

Interestingly, 34% of Middle East executives acknowledge that unrealistic expectations with skills and experience contribute to exaggerated perceptions of the skills gap. Another 59% said it is somewhat of a factor.

CompTIA’s “International Trends in Technology and Workforce” report is the result of an online survey of 1,554 business and technology professionals in Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Ireland, Japan, the Middle East (Oman, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates), the Netherlands, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The complete report, including country specific data, is available at https://www.comptia.org/content/research/international-trends-workforce-cybersecurity-emerging-tech.

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About CompTIA
The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) is a leading voice and advocate for the $5.2 trillion global information technology ecosystem; and the estimated 75 million industry and tech professionals who design, implement, manage, and safeguard the technology that powers the world’s economy. Through education, training, certifications, advocacy, philanthropy, and market research, CompTIA is the hub for advancing the tech industry and its workforce. Visit www.comptia.org to learn more.

Contact:
Steven Ostrowski
Director, Corporate Communications
CompTIA
630-678-8468
sostrowski@comptia.org
www.comptia.org