Help needed: Wannacry helps fuel rise in tech vacancies

IT pros specialising in cybersecurity and digitisation commanding high salaries right now, according to recruitment firm

The fallout from the Wannacry attack, coupled with the digital transformation craze, has helped fuel a hike in advertised IT vacancies in the UK, according to one recruitment firm.

Robert Walters' UK Jobs Index claims that the number of tech jobs available in the second quarter of 2017 rose by four per cent year on year.

Employers may be taking a cautious approach to hiring in general, but demand for tech professionals is rising, Robert Walters claimed, with cybersecurity and development being the most highly sought-after skills.

Wannacry, which hit scores of NHS trusts in May, has heaped pressure on firms to boost manpower around cybersecurity, Ahsan Iqbal, associate director at Robert Walters claimed.

"The recent Wannacry cyberattack has once again highlighted the importance of robust cybersecurity systems, and specialists in this area are highly sought after by employers," he said.

"In addition, ongoing digitalisation projects from employers across a range of industries are driving demand for developers.

"IT professionals specialising in these high-demand areas are in a strong position to command high salaries and generous benefits packages, with many receiving multiple job offers simultaneously. Employers looking to secure top-calibre professionals need to move rapidly when recruiting, in addition to taking a progressive approach to work/life-balance initiatives."