There’s a technology talent gap, and IT teams are feeling the strain. And for top technology solutions like F5 with already small talent pools available, bridging that cap is next to impossible. This F5 talent gap leaves companies without the necessary expertise to run their crucial cybersecurity solutions.
F5 solutions are extremely robust, but that means the talent needed to effectively run and manage them also needs to be specially trained. As the technology talent has moved from niche specializations to more generalization, access to technology-specific talent is limited. For organizations unable to find that specialized talent, their F5 solutions are often insufficiently managed.
In fact, according to Gartner, 42% of CIOs report that a lack of necessary skills is one of the top three challenges their teams face.
Talent might be hard to find, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, or that organizations should turn to other, less capable solutions.
Option One: Educate Your Current Team to Close the Talent Gap Internally
Companies lacking the F5 expertise needed to keep F5 solutions running effectively should look into training a current team member. The benefits of this are obvious—you get the expertise you need from someone already on your team, and you already know he or she is a good fit for the company as well as his or her strengths and weaknesses.
However, training can be expensive, especially when you’re looking for extensive expertise as an F5 Certified Technology Specialist (F5 CTS). Beyond the training and exam investment, companies are also looking at a significant time investment for already lean IT teams.
While having this internal knowledge is certainly worth the cost of the education, your organization won’t be the only one thrilled to see a new addition to the F5 knowledge pool. With your employee suddenly in very high demand, companies not remaining competitive enough run the risk of losing their newly trained experts to another competitor or organization, leaving them in the same dilemma as before their investment.
Option Two: Turn to a Staffing Agency to Find the F5 Talent You Need
Companies can’t close the F5 talent gap on their own. Between managing the team and working towards strategic goals, IT Managers often don’t have the time to sift through resumes to find suitable candidates. A recruiting partner with a strong understanding of the technology industry and vast network of technology expertise can help you find the talent you need.
Additionally, IT staffing agencies should be well-versed in different niche specializations and certifications—which means that even if an F5 CTS isn’t available where and when you need one, an experienced IT recruiter should identify candidates with relevant and similarly stringent certifications and expertise that can be applied in your F5 infrastructure.
Having an internal F5 resource means you have immediate F5 expertise when and where you need it.
Option Three: Use F5 Managed Services
Finding specialized talent is difficult—and that’s before you get into culture fit, contract negotiation, and other obstacles in obtaining top talent. But, while an attractive solution, having an internal resource isn’t your only option.
With more companies turning to managed services to meet their strategic goals, it only makes sense to use F5 Managed Services to solve the problems created by the F5 talent gap. This helps organizations maximize their technology investment as well as reduce risk and free up your IT team’s time to focus on other core tasks.
With F5 Managed Services, organizations gain access to a dedicated F5 CTS backed up by a team of F5 experts. This gives you access to 24 x 7 x 365 F5 support—something that simply isn’t possible with a single F5 resource. Finding and cultivating internal talent, while rewarding, is usually time-consuming and expensive, especially with the technology industry trend where individuals wear multiple hats. With a good F5 partner, you can revitalize your F5 technology and reclaim efficiency and security.
Finding the Right Partner to Eliminate the F5 Talent Gap
Whether you’re looking for an internal F5 resource or searching for the right F5 Managed Services provider, it’s important to make sure you’re working with the best. Finding the expertise needed to manage F5 systems is no easy task for most organizations.
As the only F5 Guardian partner in the southeast, Adapture is uniquely positioned to help you find the right solution for your organization. With the Adapture Talent network of experienced engineers and dedicated recruiting team, we help you find the internal resources you need. And, should you decide that F5 Managed Services better suits your needs, our team of F5 CTS experts has decades of industry experience to help you manage your network.
Connect with us today to get started bridging the F5 talent gap on your team.
