Cloud Computing: According to a study by the Synergy Research Group, $74 billion was spent on cloud infrastructure in the last quarter of 2023. This represents a 20% increase compared to the last quarter of 2022, which is indeed the largest increase in spending on cloud technologies to date! This is just one of the statistics showing the growing importance of Cloud Computing for a modern organization.
The need for skilled professionals in cloud computing has never been greater. Currently, 90% of companies have transitioned to the cloud, with many others in the midst of migrating. While half of these transitions are prompted by security considerations, factors such as ease of use, accessibility, and cost also play a significant role.
Given the soaring demand, industry leaders like Amazon Web Services (AWS) are actively seeking to create career pathways for women in the field of IT.
Defining Cloud Computing
Cloud Computing is a technology that allows individuals and organizations to access and utilize computing resources (such as servers, storage space, databases, networking, software, Analytics, and Business Intelligence) over the Internet, which is often referred to as the ‘Cloud.’ It provides a flexible, scalable, and efficient way of managing and processing data, eliminating the need for on-premises infrastructure.
Cloud Computing is becoming increasingly important in today’s digital age thanks to its ability to offer cost savings and drive innovation in the corporate world. The shift towards a Cloud-based business model is crucial for digital transformation, providing benefits such as faster time to market, simplified innovation, scalability, and enhanced security.
Cloud enables businesses to swiftly deliver new digital experiences and analyses, which were impossible with older platforms. The potential for cloud computing to create value is immense, with Fortune 500 companies potentially able to generate over 1 trillion dollars in value by 2030. (Ref) Examples of successful applications hosted in the cloud include Dropbox, Google Docs, Microsoft Office 365, and Salesforce.
According to Statista, 42.5% of companies in EU countries utilized Cloud services in 2023, serving a wide range of purposes that meet a company’s ICT needs, such as file storage (68% of companies) and Office software (66.3% of companies).
Empowering women in tech
Despite the field’s rapid growth, women’s representation remains at very low levels. It’s worth noting that in 2023, only 22% of the IT sector workforce will be women (McKinsey). In Cloud Computing specifically, only 14% of the workforce comprises women.
The need for greater inclusion of women in the broader field of technology, as well as in Cloud Computing specifically, is crucial for several reasons:
Diversity: Different groups bring various perspectives that can lead to more innovative solutions and better decision-making. A Boston Consulting Group (BCG) study found that companies with above-average diversity in their leadership teams reported innovation-related revenues 19% higher than those with below-average diversity in their leadership teams.
Addressing Skills Gaps: The technology sector faces significant skills shortages in many areas, including cloud computing. Encouraging more women to enter the field can help address these gaps.
Social Equality: Ensuring equal opportunities for women in high-growth technology fields, such as cloud computing, is essential for social equality and justice.
Economic Empowerment: Careers in cloud computing and technology are often well-paid, offering women economic empowerment and professional advancement opportunities.
Top 100 Women in Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is increasingly prevalent in today’s business landscape, serving as a cornerstone for data storage and management across companies of all sizes. As the adoption of cloud computing solutions continues to rise, so does the demand for skilled professionals in this field. Projections indicate that by 2025, Poland alone may require up to 200,000 IT workers, including those specialized in cloud computing.
Fostering diversity within the workforce is crucial to addressing this growing demand and ensuring the widespread accessibility and utility of cloud technology. This entails recruiting individuals from diverse backgrounds and cultures and promoting gender equality in the industry. Unfortunately, like many tech industry sectors, cloud computing is currently dominated by men, highlighting the urgent need for change to foster a more inclusive and equitable environment.
Recognizing this challenge, the Perspektywy Education Foundation has launched the TOP Women in Cloud Computing initiative. This initiative aims to honour and celebrate women making significant contributions to the cloud computing field and inspire the next generation of female professionals in the industry. The program will culminate in the Excellence in Cloud Computing Awards, presented to Poland’s ten most influential female cloud experts during the Perspektywy Women in Tech Summit 2023.
By highlighting and championing the achievements of women in cloud, we can work towards creating a more diverse and inclusive industry, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to leverage the transformative power of cloud technology.
You can learn more about this project here.
Women in Cloud
Women In Cloud is a global network comprising 100,000 Women Tech Founders, Executives, Tech Professionals, and Allies spanning 67 countries. Their mission is to inspire inclusivity within the tech ecosystem and drive collective action towards positive change. Women In Cloud aims to unlock $1 billion in new net economic access by 2030 by offering a robust platform for collaboration, community building, and advocacy.
Women In Cloud fosters discussions on key focus areas through various events and initiatives, including Cloud Workforce Development, Civic Engagement through Policy Advocacy, Entrepreneurship, and Cloud/AI Innovation. Additionally, they cultivate global partnerships with corporations, community leaders, and policymakers. These efforts align with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles and the UN’s sustainable development goals, emphasizing job creation, diversity and inclusion, technology innovation, and sustainability. Women In Cloud provides women a powerful platform to ascend as industry leaders.
You can learn more about this project here.
