The Rise of Cloud Technologies and Its Impact on IT Hiring

In just over a decade, cloud computing has transformed from a promising innovation to a central pillar of modern business infrastructure. As organisations continue to embrace digital transformation, the demand for cloud expertise is skyrocketing-reshaping the IT job market in real time.

At Michael Bailey Associates, we’ve witnessed this evolution firsthand. From startups to global enterprises, the shift to cloud-native operations has not only changed how businesses operate but also who they need to hire.

Here’s a closer look at the rise of cloud technologies and what it means for employers and IT professionals in today’s rapidly evolving tech landscape.

Why Cloud? Why Now?

The pandemic accelerated a shift that was already well underway. Businesses seeking agility, scalability, and cost-efficiency turned to cloud solutions en masse. Remote work, digital collaboration, and real-time data access became essential, not optional.

From AWS and Microsoft Azure to Google Cloud Platform and multi-cloud architectures, organisations are now building entire ecosystems in the cloud—covering everything from infrastructure to machine learning.

How Cloud Is Reshaping IT Hiring

1. Demand for Cloud Specialists Is Outpacing Supply

Roles such as Cloud Architects, DevOps Engineers, Site Reliability Engineers (SREs), and Cloud Security Analysts are now among the most sought-after in the IT sector. Certifications in AWS, Azure, or GCP are no longer “nice to have”—they’re prerequisites.

What we’re seeing:

- Salary inflation for cloud-native roles due to talent scarcity

- Employers fast-tracking candidates with strong cloud credentials

- Greater reliance on contractors and interim specialists to meet project demands

2. The Rise of Platform-Agnostic Skillsets

As more businesses adopt multi-cloud or hybrid cloud strategies, IT professionals with broad platform experience are in high demand. Employers increasingly value adaptable engineers who can navigate diverse environments, integrate legacy systems, and optimise across platforms.

Top skills on our radar include:

- Kubernetes & containerisation

- Infrastructure as Code (Terraform, Ansible)

- Cloud security frameworks and compliance

- CI/CD pipeline development and automation

3. Security and Governance Are Now Critical Hiring Priorities

As businesses move more workloads to the cloud, concerns around data protection, governance, and regulatory compliance have intensified. This has led to a sharp increase in demand for professionals with experience in:

- Cloud risk management

- Identity and Access Management (IAM)

- GDPR and regional data sovereignty compliance

Global Talent Pools, Global Opportunities

Cloud has removed many of the geographical boundaries around IT hiring. With infrastructure hosted globally and collaboration tools enabling remote work, companies are now tapping into international talent markets.

At Michael Bailey Associates, our clients are increasingly:

- Offering remote-first or hybrid cloud engineering roles

- Seeking candidates across borders for specialist skillsets

- Building international cloud teams to support follow-the-sun operations

What This Means for Employers

If you’re hiring for cloud-related roles in 2025, you’re competing in one of the most competitive talent markets in the world. To succeed, we recommend:

- Reviewing your employer value proposition (EVP): Flexible working, meaningful projects, and career progression matter just as much as compensation.

- Speeding up the hiring process: Top candidates often receive multiple offers within days.

- Partnering with a recruitment agency that understands the cloud landscape—and has access to pre-vetted, skilled professionals both locally and globally.

What This Means for Candidates

For IT professionals, now is the time to upskill and specialise. Earning platform certifications, gaining hands-on project experience, and showcasing your cloud migration or automation work will put you in a strong position for high-value roles.

Not sure where to start? Our team at Michael Bailey Associates can help guide your next career move—whether you’re aiming for a contract role, a permanent position, or your first step into a cloud-focused role.

Cloud is no longer the future-it’s the now.

Let’s ensure your hiring strategy is built for it. Get in touch with Michael Bailey Associates to discuss how we can support your IT hiring needs.