86% of German executives indicate at least some degree of gaps in IT skills at their business exists. 69% of German executives believe the cybersecurity threat level is increasing. Find out more on how companies are adopting new technology and how it's impacting their workforce.

1. International Technology Adoption
& Workforce Issues Study
Summary for Germany

2. About this Research
CompTIA’s International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study was conducted to collect and share information on technology adoption and
workforce trends across several countries. The objectives of this research include:
• Explore business and information technology (IT) priorities among organizations
• Examine the usage of key technologies/solutions and IT services such as security and cloud computing
• Identify which IT skills are most important to employers and if there are any skills gap issues or staffing concerns
• Evaluate professional development practices such as training and certification
The data for this study was collected via a quantitative online survey conducted February 22 to March 23, 2013 among 1,256 IT and business executives
directly involved in setting or executing information technology policies and processes within their organizations. The 10 countries covered in this study
include:
Brazil (n=125); Canada (n=125); France (n=125); Germany (n=131); India (n=125); Japan (n=125); Mexico (n=125); Middle East Subset (Oman, Saudi
Arabia, United Arab Emirates) (n=125); Thailand (n=125); United Kingdom (n=125)
Surveys were localized and translated to allow respondents to participate in their native language. Additionally, precautions were taken to minimize
misinterpretations of questions. However, research has shown, cultural differences exist and can affect responses to certain question types, such as 5-
point satisfaction rating questions. Viewers of this report should keep that in mind when comparing results across countries.
The margin of sampling error at 95% confidence for aggregate results is +/- 2.8 percentage points. Sampling error is larger for subgroups of the data,
such as individual countries where it is +/- 8.9 percentage points. As with any survey, sampling error is only one source of possible error. While non-
sampling error cannot be accurately calculated, precautionary steps were taken in all phases of the survey design, collection and processing of the data
to minimize its influence. Note: because data collection occurred via an online survey, in countries where Internet penetration is lower among
businesses, the non-sampling error could be higher.
CompTIA is responsible for all content contained in this series. Any questions regarding the study should be directed to CompTIA Market Research staff
at research@comptia.org.
CompTIA is a member of the Marketing Research Association (MRA) and adheres to the MRA’s Code of Market Research Ethics and Standards.

3. Key IT Priorities for German Businesses:
1. IT security
2. Data storage/back-up
3. Network infrastructure
4. Updating aging computers/software
5. Disaster recovery/business continuity
Key Summary Points: Germany
Key Stats for Germany
$39,100 GDP per capita (PPP) | world rank: 26th
0.61% GDP growth forecast for 2013
40%
% of German executives expecting 2013 business
conditions to be better than 2012
44.01m Total workforce
74% % of workforce employed in the services sector
0.708m Estimate of IT workforce* in core IT occupations
29%
% of German executives expecting to increase IT
staff headcount at their business in 2013
65.125m Internet users | world rank: 5th
108.7m Mobile phone users | world rank: 10th
78%
NET % of German executives indicating IT is
important to the success of their business
4.3% Planned increase in IT spending in 2013 (YOY)
Key Strategic Priorities for German Businesses:
1. Reach new customers
2. Improve staff productivity/capabilities
3. Reduce costs/overhead
Cybersecurity:
69% of German executives believe the cybersecurity threat level is
increasing. Additionally, 47% of German executives believe human
error is a growing factor in security security incidents: Top human error
related factors include:
1. General negligence / carelessness towards security
2. Increased use of social media by staff
IT Skills Gaps:
86% of German executives indicate at least some degree of gaps in IT
skills at their business exists. For 41%, the reported skills gaps are
small, while for 45% the gaps are more extensive. Top negative effects
of IT skills gaps at German businesses:
1. Security / defending against malware, hacking, etc.
2. Poor customer service/engagement
IT Training and Certification:
84% of IT staff at German businesses engaged in some type of IT
training during the past 12 months.
1. 59% of German executives believe IT certifications will increase in
importance over the next two years; 39% believe IT certifications’
importance will remain constant
2. 85% of German executives believe it’s important to test after
training to confirm knowledge gains
Sources used for above stats: CompTIA, IMF, CIA World Factbook, IDC
*See appendix for definition of core IT occupations

4. Detailed Findings: Business
and Technology Issues

5. Strategic Priorities Include Tech Component
Base: 1,244 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
20%
76%
20%
78%
Overall
Germany
Top Strategic Priorities Among
German Businesses for 2013
NET
Unimportant
NET
Important
Neutral
1. Reach new customers
2. Improve staff productivity/capabilities
3. Reduce costs/overhead
4. Innovate more effectively
5. Improve use of data analytics to make
better business decisions
40% of German executives in this CompTIA
survey say business conditions are improving
and expect 2013 to be better than 2012.
75% expect to increase their expenditure on
IT products and services over the next 12
months.
Importance of Technology to German
Business Success Trends Upwards

6. Many Businesses Seek to Improve Their Use of IT
1%
6%
45%
38%
10%
Not at all close
Not that close
Moderately close
Very close
Exactly where
want to be
Degree to Which German
Businesses are “Where They Want
to Be” in Technology Utilization 1. IT security
2. Data storage/back-up
3. Network infrastructure
4. Updating aging computers/software
5. Disaster recovery/Business continuity
6. Mobility related initiatives
7. Automating business processes through
technology
8. Cloud computing
9. Data analytics/Big data/Business
intelligence
10. Web/Online presence/ e-commerce
Top Technology Priorities Over Next 12
Months for German Businesses
Base: 131 German business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

7. Half of German Businesses Have Adopted Cloud
Computing to Some Degree
22% 21%
39%
17%
25% 26%
31%
19%
Overall
Key Hurdles to Cloud Adoption
for German Businesses
Cloud Computing Adoption Stage
Full use
stage
Experi-
mentation
stage
Evalu-
ation
/Investiga
tion stage
Basic
aware-
ness
stage
50% Security or data loss concerns
25% Cloud services still unproven
23% Insufficient/unclear ROI
21% Challenges in developing staff expertise
20% Difficulty in integrating or migrating legacy
applications to the cloud
17% Unclear/costly government regulation/
compliance related to using the cloud
15% Slow/unreliable internet access
7% Lack of local cloud service providers
Base: 1,252 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

8. Cybersecurity Risks a Growing Concern
1%
2%
27%
44%
26%
0%
0%
31%
42%
27%
Decreasing
significantly
Decreasing
moderately
No change
Increasing
moderately
Increasing
significantly
Germany
Overall
Overall, 69% of German Businesses
Believe the Security Threat Level
has Increased during Past Two Years
• Growing criminalization and organization of
hackers motivated by financial gain
• Greater availability of easy-to-use hacking
tools, allowing more individuals to engage in
hacking
• Continued use of legacy operating systems, web
browsers
• Sophistication of security threats exceeding IT
staff's expertise to thwart them
• Rise of social networking
Top Factors Cited by German
Businesses for Increasing Security Risks
Base: 1,256 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
39%

9. Human Error Increasingly a Security Risk Factor
53%
47%
NET increase in human
error as a security risk
factor
NET no change or
decrease in human
error as a security
factor
Top Drivers of Human Error as an
Rising Security Risk Factor
Assessment of Human Error as
a Security Risk Factor
1 General negligence / carelessness towards
security
2 Increased use of social media by staff
3 Failure of end-users to follow security
procedures and policies
4 Lack of security expertise with
networks, servers and other infrastructure
5 Lack of security expertise with websites and
applications
6 Failure of staff to get up to speed with new
threats (e.g. mobility, social media, cloud, etc.)
7 Intentional disabling of security to allow for use
of a non-approved application, to download a
file, access a website, etc.
Base: 131 German business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

10. Detailed Findings: IT Training
and Certification Issues

11. The Majority of German Businesses Intend to Keep the Status
Quo with Regard to Hiring IT Staff in 2013; More than a Third
Expect Challenges in Finding Qualified Staff
5%
56%
39%
4%
67%
29%
Decrease in IT staff No… Increase in IT staff
Overall
Germany
63%
37%
NET concerned*
about IT labor
quantity or quality
NET not that
concerned about
IT labor quantity
or quality
Concern Over Ability to Hire IT Staff2013 Hiring Intent for IT Staff
Base: 1,252 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

12. Many Businesses Seek Improvement
on the IT Skills Front
1%
8%
36%
41%
14%
Not at all close
Not that close
Moderately close
Very close
Exactly where
want to be
Assessment of how Close
German Businesses are to Where
They Want to be with the IT Skills
of Their IT Staff 31% Security / defending against
malware, hacking, etc.
29% Poor customer service/customer
engagement
28% Lower staff productivity
26% Ineffective innovation/new
product development
Top Negative Impacts of IT Skills Gaps
Base: 125 Thai business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

13. IT Skills Rating Among German Businesses
1. Teamwork
2. Motivation and initiative
3. Project management
4. Strong work ethic
5. Analytical skills
6. Flexibility and adaptability
7. Customer service
8. Flexibility and adaptability
9. Innovation / Creative problem solving
10. Verbal and written communication skills
Top Rated “Soft” IT Skills
1. Storage / data back-up
2. Networks / Infrastructure
3. Server / data center management
4. Database / Information management
5. Security / Cybersecurity
6. Printers, copiers, multifunction devices
7. Customer relationship management
8. Data analytics / Business intelligence
9. Help Desk / IT support
10. Telecommunications
Top Rated IT Skills in Terms of
the Importance of Maintaining a
High Skill Level Among IT staff
Keep in mind, many emerging technologies, such as cloud or mobility, are important to businesses, but it may not yet be the highest
priority to ensure a high level of IT staff expertise. As businesses move along the adoption curve and engage in more advanced uses of
cloud and mobility, staff expertise in those areas increases. Additionally, in some areas such as security, businesses may rely on outside
experts for guidance, so building internal skills could be a lower priority.
Base: 131 German business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

14. Types of Training/Education Utilized
by IT Staff in Past 12 Months
11%
8%
30%
24%
40%
23%
38%
45%
16%
3%
29%
27%
34%
27%
35%
40%
No training or education
Some other type of training
Webinars / Online presentation
from an instructor or expert
Reading industry news, technical journals, etc.
E-learning / Online self-directed training
Additional college coursework
Attending industry conferences, workshops, etc.
Training course with an instructor /
Classroom instruction
Germany
Overall
Base: 1,256 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

15. Policy Towards the Use of IT Certifications
21%
37%
34%
20%
29%
36%
No formal or informal position
towards the use of IT certifications
Informal – not required,
but valued and encouraged
Formal – IT certifications
required for certain IT staff
Germany
Overall
Base: 1,241 business and IT executives from Brazil, Canada, France,
Germany, India, Japan, Mexico, Middle East, Thailand and the UK
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

16. Majority of German Businesses Expect IT
Certifications to Increase in Importance
Significant
Increase in
Importance
Increase in
Importance
NET
Decrease
NET
Increase in
Importance
No
Change
85% “It’s important to test after training to
confirm knowledge gains”
73% “Staff with IT certifications have proven
expertise”
68% “Teams of staff with IT certifications
benefit from having a common
foundation of knowledge”
59% “Staff holding IT certifications are
more valuable to the organization”
47% “The organization is more secure from
malware/hackers due to staff with IT
certifications”
NET Agreement (agree +
strongly agree) to Statements
Expectations for Change in
Importance of IT Certifications
Over Next Two Years
Base: 131 German business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study
39% 41%
18%

17. German Businesses are More Likely to Agree to
Statements About IT Certifications Than Disagree
21%
13%
10%
6%
4%
5%
2%
33%
41%
41%
31%
23%
21%
12%
41%
44%
47%
59%
68%
73%
85%
Retention is higher among staff with IT
certifications than non-certified staff
Staff with IT certifications perform at a
higher level than non-certified staff
The organization is more secure from malware
and hackers due to staff with IT certifications
Staff holding IT certifications are
more valuable to the organization
Teams of staff with IT certifications benefit from
having a common foundation of knowledge
Staff with IT certifications have proven expertise
It’s important to test after training
to confirm knowledge gains
NET Disagree Neutral NET Agree
Base: 131 German business and IT executives
Source: CompTIA International Technology Adoption and Workforce Issues study

18. Appendix

19. Defining Core IT Occupations
• Computer Support Specialists
• Software Developers, Applications
• Computer Systems Analysts
• Software Developers, Systems Software
• Network and Computer Systems Administrators
• Computer Programmers
• Computer and Information Systems Managers
• Information Security Analysts, Web Dev., and Computer Network Architects
• Computer Occupations, All Other
• Database Administrators
• Computer Hardware Engineers
• Computer and Information Research Scientists
• Computer Support Specialists
For the purposes of this study, core IT occupations include positions related to the list below. In this study, certain
telecommunications occupations were excluded, such as positions responsible for installing or maintaining cellular
towers. Additionally, this study excludes ‘knowledge worker’ type positions, such as technical writer, graphic
designer or business analyst.

20. comptia.org
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