“There is one industry, however, that hasn’t slowed down due to the pandemic. It’s the global IT industry, which has shifted into high gear to accommodate the sudden demand for remote working and collaboration solutions as the majority of businesses have gone digital-only. The change has been so sudden and dramatic that it’s calling into question how (or even if) businesses will ever go back to the way they previously operated.” Andrej Kovačević
As a return to office becomes normal and the end of the pandemic is questionably in sight, things seem to be settling down a bit. With all of the hardships that have come and gone over the last year and a half, it’s hard to imagine a time when things were “normal” or even enjoyable. Yet, there have been moments during this pandemic that should be valued: spending time with loved ones, slowing down and focusing on what truly matters, and the IT industry boom. Today, we’ll be analyzing the ways COVID-19 has impacted the IT industry.
Security
This should not come as a shock, but Security has been a main issue since work from home (WFH) was instituted. When working in an office, many people were used to forms of security being provided for them. Many offices had secure networks, secure file storage options, and better tech in general. However, when workers transitioned to working from home, there was a huge need for secure home networks and equipment.
With the need for security comes the need for updates to keep tech equipment and systems functioning at their best. As most of us were at home, it gave us time to get creative, master talents, and learn new skills. The same goes for cyber criminals – they have had the year (and then some) of COVID to get more sophisticated! Whether remote or in the office, COVID has taught us to keep things updated and safe, and has called for necessary programs to do so – making the IT industry take off.
IT Boom
When was the last time you needed a specific piece of technology or software to do your job? For me, it was about… 12 seconds ago. Things are a bit different for BestMacs because we’ve been working out of the office for over a decade. However, I’m willing to bet that everyone has used a teleconferencing tool (think: Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet, etc.) at least once over the last year.
Since the onset of the pandemic, people have realized the benefit of these teleconferencing tools and how they are able to use them to stay connected with family and friends along with working from home. The increased need for these tools has brought a boom to the IT industry, which will likely stick around for a while. Additionally, the flexibility of working from home or doing hybrid options of work will most likely become standard business practices and present an increased or constant demand for WFH tools. I imagine we will see this trend of teleconferencing software/tech extending far past the pandemic, which will bring in profits and make the economy bloom even further.
Along with the boom of WFH tech, the pandemic has also created a need to expand IT services and has justified the need of this expansion many times over. For example, those in more rural areas also need to get their work done, but may not have access to wifi or a fast internet connection. This became a push towards making 5G more widely available so things can be done more easily from home, especially if people don’t have access to reliable internet to begin with.
As 5G is supposed to be faster and more reliable than current network services, it is a necessary service in order to help people stay connected and working. In the same way, telehealth services have made it possible for people to get the care they need without leaving their homes – a service that is especially important because not everyone has the resources to be able to travel to seek medical care. Both WFH and telehealth are crucial to the health and success of many, but aren’t possible without the availability of some sort of internet connection. This is why the expansion of 5G networks is of peak importance.
None of this is to say that the pandemic should not be regarded as a solemn and challenging time in history, but it is also good to be able to see the positives in negative situations. Without a doubt, the IT industry has seen lots of traffic over the last 17 months as a result of the pandemic. It is our job to see this growth and encourage more growth that will benefit our communities and our world.
If you’d like to catch up on previous installments of this series, check out: Coming Out of the Fog, What to Expect When You’re Expecting (to Return to the Office), and Don’t Lose Hope: Why WFH Isn’t a Bad Thing.