In the beginning, businesses equipped with those room-sized computers needed dozens of technicians to keep the machines happily humming. As computers shrank, the need to hire extensive IT staffs also diminished — until now. Though devices are smaller and more portable than ever, organizations once again require the assistance of several specialized professionals to do business safely and efficiently. However, not just any professional with some tech savvy will do; here is a comprehensive list of IT specialists and what they add to your business.

1. Cloud Computing

More than 85 percent of enterprises utilize multiple clouds to store data, run applications, and more. Even if you only rely on a single cloud, you need a specialist to help you keep your cloud up and running smoothly.Typically, cloud computing professionals help organizations manage Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Platforms-as-a-Service, or Software-as-a-Service — all of which require specific code writing and monitoring skills. Your cloud is less likely to fail, and your workforce is less likely to endure expensive downtime, when you have a cloud computing specialist on your IT team.

2. Mobile Computing

It’s hard to find a business that doesn’t contain a rainforest of mobile devices: smartphones, tablet computers, netbooks, and laptops. Mobile tech is advantageous for most businesses because it reduces the costs of acquiring devices and it encourages the workforce to accomplish work-related tasks even while away from the office.

However, such extensive variation in devices and software can become disorganized, slowing and endangering your network. You need a mobile computing specialist to track device and application lifecycles, monitor the network, and manage endpoint software on your diverse mobile environment.

3. Virtualization

To be successful in cloud and mobile computing, you must also be successful in virtualization. Virtual servers, networks, desktops, and applications allow businesses to make the most of their physical resources; instead of investing in multiple servers, network channels, and more, you can virtually split your existing hardware and software to create options for different purposes.

As you might imagine, virtualization is complex. Virtualization specialists can guide your enterprise toward appropriate virtual solutions and manage them for effective use.

4. Security

In truth, while the rest of technology has diversified, cybersecurity has intensified. As more criminals move to the web, businesses are more often becoming targets of extensive and hard-hitting cyberattacks. Thus, just one security specialist on your IT team won’t do; you need all the following cybersecurity experts:

• Security administrator: manages security solutions, performs basic network and device updates
• Security analyst: uses high-level monitoring and analytics tools to better understand extant threats and develop response systems to keep a business safe
• Cybersecurity architect: develops largescale strategy for organizing servers, networks, and databases for maximum security

5. Networking

No computer functions effectively as an island. Especially in a business environment, computers should be able to access the cloud, mobile devices, virtual tools, and more. Yet, they can only do so if the business network is strong and stable.

Networking engineers build office networks from the ground up, facilitating the sharing of data and applications while keeping sensitive information secure. Depending on your organization’s complexity, you might require more than one network engineer to manage your network.

6. Business Intelligence

The Big Data revolution did not occur without dedicated specialists arising to address business needs. Business intelligence — which is often abbreviated to BI — is the use of technology for collecting, analyzing, and reporting data.

Today, there are all sorts of BI software solutions to assist in Big Data activities. Still, BI is the second most popular IT investment amongst mid-sized businesses, proving that most business leaders recognize the importance of hiring professionals experienced with data.

7. Application

If it has not already occurred, your business will eventually demand unique back-end software to help workers accomplish tasks as well as customer-facing applications that engage and convert consumers. For this, you will need application developers.

Recently, because interest in application development is so high, the web has been flooded with amateur and mediocre developers looking to capitalize on business leaders’ unfamiliarity with IT. You should be willing to spend top-dollar to attract developers with proven experience, so your software and apps will be effective.

8. Support

It’s unlikely that IT support will ever stop being a necessity. Even as the population becomes more familiar with tech, your average worker will never be able to troubleshoot as quickly or certainly as experienced tech support staff. If you hire third-parties and consultants for the rest of these mandatory IT specialist positions, you should always have IT support ready and able to lend your workforce a hand.