The interconnected, sensored world of the Internet of Things isn’t science fiction anymore. It’s a very real and viable business opportunity, with an estimated 43 percent of organizations projected to implement IoT products and strategies by the end of 2016. To be a part of this new wave of “smart” technology, however, we need IoT-smart professionals—and they’re going to be in high demand.
It’s important to recognize that the IoT isn’t turnkey. It requires planning, integration, adjustments to IT infrastructures, upgrades to network security and data processing, and the people who know their way around these platforms. A shortage of these professionals is already evident, with 41 percent of businesses citing an IoT skills gap as a barrier to IoT adoption.
In anticipation of the continued growth of the Internet of Things, here are three high-growth categories and skills businesses that will need to meet the challenges of the IoT head on.
Cloud computing and NoSQL experts will be key to herding and organizing IoT data in the cloud.
From smart cars and geo-targeted marketing to medical implants, the IoT is poised to generate a colossal amount of data that needs to be gathered, broadcasted and stored. Cisco estimates that by 2020, the number of internet-connected “things” will soar to 50 billion.
But more information isn’t always better data. Actionable data will be the key to success, but IoT data won’t be actionable right off the bat. In fact, it can be notoriously unruly.
The unstructured nature of IoT data will require the flexibility of NoSQL databases like MongoDB. As the leading NoSQL database, MongoDB adoption is growing parallel to the explosion of new data pouring in from Internet-connected devices. As a result, there has been a 63 percent spike* in demand for MongoDB architects skilled at integrating and migrating these databases into new or existing back-end infrastructures.
Businesses will also need more processing power, utilizing distributed, cloud-based server providers like Hadoop and its processing engine, Apache Spark. Hadoop can be challenging even for seasoned data scientists and architects, so highly skilled professionals who know their way around them will be in demand. There has been a 200+ percent increase* in demand for Spark professionals as well.
Network security experts and IT infrastructure architects will be crucial in identifying IoT-based vulnerabilities and upgrading IoT ecosystems.
In the face of big data, many organizations have already taken steps to upgrade their IT architectures and move operations to the cloud. There has been a 189 percent increase* in demand for big-data pros, and that will only continue to grow as the IoT industry expands.
Imagine a smart car that generates a constant stream of metrics about its performance. That’s a lot of noisy data to send, store and sort. This kind of real-time data puts added pressure and demands on networks, making infrastructure upgrades inevitable. To this end, application programming interfaces (APIs) will facilitate secure communication between devices, and data centers will most likely lean toward a more distributed approach, with tiered mini centers to tackle data processing. IT infrastructures will need to be more elastic and more secure. As a result, skills like back-end programming and processing for big data have seen a 17 percent increase* year over year to meet the demand.
The IoT also opens up new security and privacy concerns. According to a study conducted by Hewlett-Packard (HP), 70 percent of IoT devices are vulnerable to an attack. Any time we’re advancing the way we monitor, detect and track ourselves and the things around us, what we do with the data—and how it’s sent across networks—can get sensitive. The key is to minimize security issues and protect networks and customer data at the same time. Two solutions? Encryption can prevent network-connected devices from making home Wi-Fi networks vulnerable to hackers, and anonymizing customer data keeps personal information safe and confidential.
As hacking becomes increasingly common, businesses will have to implement long-term security plans. There’s a need for secure systems and the people to audit them regularly, driving a demand for security infrastructure professionals (up 194 percent*), security engineering experts (up 124 percent*), and network security experts, who saw a 46 percent* increase in demand for their expertise.
Rapid prototyping of smart devices will call on the skills of 3D designers and electrical engineers.
What makes an IoT object “smart?” Embedded programming and the skilled engineers who build these objects, which are equipped with hardware and software systems, sensors, and network connectivity. IoT devices are becoming smaller, smarter and more affordable to build, thanks to more accessible hardware and the use of more common programming languages that aren’t IoT platform-specific, like Python and C++.
Engineering and prototyping IoT devices like wearables require a unique set of skills. 3D design professionals are in strong demand, up 29 percent as new device requirements constantly evolve. GPS development is also up 65 percent*, a common component in wearables and Bluetooth-enabled IoT devices.
For consumers, the “connected home” is another exciting aspect of the Internet of Things. Futuristic devices, like networked thermostats and digital doorbells, are fueling 41 percent* of the IoT year-over-year growth. The microcontrollers, sensors and circuit boards that make these objects “smart” are driving serious demand for electrical engineers (up 159 percent*) and circuit design professionals (up 230 percent*). Two of the most popular hardware platforms for building these embedded IoT devices are Arduino and Raspberry Pi. Keep an eye on Raspberry Pi—demand for developers who can program this tiny powerhouse has seen an increase of more than 200 percent*.
As the future becomes “now” for the Internet of Things, there will be a ripple effect in terms of infrastructure, data and security that will translate to new roles and skills in the marketplace. Access to a deep talent pool can bridge the gap between this new technology and the dearth of skills needed to fuel the advances we can only start to imagine at this point. The key? To start planning for the tide of IoT advancements and identify those key players you should have on board to ride the wave.
*Data is sourced from the Upwork database and is based on annual job growth, specifically on the number of job posts on Upwork from October 2014 to December 2015.
Ryan Johnson is the categories director at Upwork, a job service firm for freelance technology workers. Johnson leads a team of managers who are responsible for initiatives for a number of work categories, including information technology, sales and marketing, design and creative, and administrative and customer support. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in decision sciences and management information systems from George Mason University.