It’d be impossible to try to fathom all the ways the world changed over the course of 2020. From the start of a new decade to the COVID-19 pandemic to the presidential election, 2020 felt less like a new year and more like a new way of living entirely. One of the most obvious ways things changed last year is, of course, within the tech industry.

While we were all keeping safe and staying at home, technology was all many of us had to rely on for even the most basic human needs like food and communication. When we were able to go back out again and began our transition to the new normal, technology was once again the thing we had to rely on for curbside pickup, contactless payment, and even our work and school.

Going forward into 2021, it seems pretty clear that these changes to the landscape of the tech industry are here to stay (for the foreseeable future, at least). In truth, these changes provide a whole slew of challenges and opportunities for both modern companies and professionals. Let’s take a deeper look at what they are and what they mean for the tech industry landscape.

Advances in Cybersecurity

With everyone spending more time on personal computers, phones, and tablets, cyber-criminals decided to take advantage of people’s COVID worries by unleashing a whole trove of opportunistic scams and phishing attempts. As soon as this started happening, the cybersecurity industry leapt into action. Advances in online security, anti-phishing measures, and scam prevention protocols went into place on websites and devices all over. And with school and work staying online in many parts of the country, cybersecurity will only continue to grow more advanced as 2021 goes on.

This sudden influx of cybersecurity needs makes for a great opportunity for people to get started in IT by enrolling in an online IT school that focuses on real-world, and hands-on skills training and gets you in the field quicker than a four year college would.

Transitioning to the Cloud

One of the biggest takeaways from 2020 was the usefulness of cloud storage. While many people and many businesses relied on cloud storage for a decent percentage of their data before the coronavirus pandemic, the rapid transition from in-person to remote school and work showed just how essential it was for people to have a way to immediately access their data in case they’re unable to access those physical drives in the classroom or in the office.

As we make our way through 2021 and beyond, we can expect to see more and more businesses and individuals make the transition to the cloud simply because they know better now. We can’t exactly rely on the conveniences of the past, because we now know that, at any moment, something could happen that requires us to be at home and away from the office or the classroom for an extended period of time. More than this, many have found that the convenience of cloud storage is just too great to transition away from once they get back into their office or classroom.

If this field interests you, the best place to start is to build foundational skills around IT and then specialize in a Cloud solution like Microsoft Azure, Amazon AWS, or Google Cloud Platform. 

Shifting to Digital Communication

Because many were unable to physically meet with their friends and family in person for the bulk of last year and even into this current year, digital communication was one of the hottest commodities in the tech industry. From Zoom to FaceTime to Netflix watch parties and all sorts of other digital communication tools, the landscape of the tech industry seems to have pivoted toward new technology that helps us to virtually communicate with ease.

Digital communication tools have been utilized for a lot more than just hanging out, too. Schools and workplaces have had to rely on Zoom and group video conferencing tools to get through their day-to-day responsibilities. Even major in person conferences and summits have moved to digital as new virtual event platform companies have popped up all over. In many cases, it seems like this new method won’t be going anywhere anytime soon as it has proved to be a more affordable and more inclusive solution for all. And the more virtual companies that pop up, the higher demand we will see for IT specialists. In January of 2021 we’ve already seen reported spikes in open opportunities in IT. 

Evolution of the Workplace

Working from home always seemed like a dream before 2020. If you or someone you knew was able to work from home, you can bet that the colleagues stuck back in the office felt extremely jealous. Now, in the wake of the coronavirus, almost everyone has had a chance to see for themselves what working from home is really like. To keep everyone safe, the workplace has had to evolve. Thanks to the tech industry and the speed at which they worked, this evolution went pretty smoothly.

Now, many workplaces have seen the benefits of allowing the workforce to stay home and work instead of having everyone in the office from 9 to 5. Not only are employees able to clock in earlier or work later than they would’ve normally, but productivity has actually gone up. 

Increase in Educational Technology

With all these technological advances and changes that took place in 2020, there’s a much bigger need for IT — especially in cybersecurity where all those advances are being made. Remote connectivity requires a lot of work and effort to be effective, and countless businesses and individuals alike are looking for people to help them do exactly that. Thankfully, you don’t need a four-year degree to do this. You just need the skills to fill the positions that desperately need to be filled.

Not to mention, with college relying on virtual classrooms and online training for the past year, why not transition to an online program that specializes in IT and gets the job done quicker?

Of course, if this interests you, this means that you need to find the right IT education for you. One that works with your schedule, financial needs, and your short timeline to get you in the field quickly and readily. NexGenT is an online option that prides themselves on taking people from “zero to engineer” with the ZTE program.

What this means for you and an IT career

With the Cloud being used more than ever, cyber attacks being on the rise, and companies needing secure networks with remote employees, it all goes to show that IT is indeed a secure and essential field to be in! 

At the end of the day, more remote opportunities means more options for you to break into IT. . Not only does this apply to the workplace and available positions, but it’s also relevant to the world of education. Countless schools have gone online. That means in-person classes are no longer a requirement for you to hone your skills and earn your degree. Things aren’t like they used to be when it comes to online learning being considered “less than” in-person schooling. An online degree or an online skills course is treated with much more validity than before the pandemic.

New to the field and wondering how to break in? All of IT begins with a strong understanding of the full stack of networking. Once you’ve built your foundational learning then you can break into specializations.When it comes to online training, NexGenT is a game changer in this sphere. We provide IT and cybersecurity training completely online, focusing on project-based and real-world skills to help prepare you for the real world. Additionally, NexGenT provides career coaching to help assist you with the job seeking and promotion seeking process. You can even put off paying for your schooling until you’ve landed a job that meets the minimum salary requirement. All in all, the mission at NexGenT is to change lives by making training more effective, more accessible, and more affordable. Visit our website to learn more.