The hottest IT jobs in Hong Kong

The IT industry is a vibrant and active market, with strong hiring activity within both financial services and commerce. We have also seen an increase in the number of temporary and contract roles on offer, particularly within financial services.

If you are looking for a new challenge or change in direction, here are some of the hottest IT skills employers are searching for in Hong Kong.

IT Security Managers: With the increased gathering of data and consumer information, guaranteeing the safety of such confidential data is a challenge for companies. As such, IT security managers who are able to ensure the security of the system and flow of information within an organisation are highly sought-after.

In particular, areas such as access management, data leakage, and penetration testing are some of the potential issues that may lead to a breach in security, and which IT security managers are able to help companies overcome.

IT Risk Managers: IT risk managers are also in hot pursuit by employers for their ability to advise the business on the first line of defence, preventing and mitigating any potential IT challenges when companies look to bring on new technology.

These professionals act as the bridge between technical and commercial priorities, ensuring IT strategies are aligned to business objectives and compliant with government regulations and reporting standards, thereby reducing potential liabilities companies may bear.

Developers/Programmers: As the government places emphasis on start-ups and small internet businesses, skilled developers and programmers who are experienced in applications building will also see a surge in demand for their skills.

Applications are often a preferred starting point for entrepreneurs venturing into the IT industry due to relatively lower cost and risk, and the government’s increasing support is reflected in the increasing number of start-ups. This has in turn led to higher demand for skilled IT developers and programmers to realise these ambitions.

Moving into these roles may not be as straightforward, however. Competition for junior IT security talent with the necessary skills and experience, for example, is expected to be intense as demand rapidly outweighs supply.

Job seekers often lack the technical skills required to progress in IT security. To get a foot in the door, IT professionals are encouraged to build on their technical foundation, with certifications such as CISA or CISSP being key in any aspiring IT security professional’s ammunition.

Overall, hiring activity for IT professionals is expected to continue steadily this quarter, according to the Hays Quarterly Report.