In addition to their technical knowledge, IT workers are increasingly being required to have soft skills such as communication, an expert has stated.

Peter Wood, a member of the conference committee of ISACA, formerly the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, declared firms are no longer happy to have computing capabilities "siloed" and now require social abilities in employees.

He told the Infosecurity Europe event in London: "The skills required from both an IT and an IT security perspective [are] a lot more people skills, sensitivity and sympathy towards what people's working objectives are."

Mr Wood added that firms must adapt to the rising numbers of handheld devices being employed in the workplace and by employing more people-centric individuals to IT jobs in Europe.

He remarked that this approach does not always fit with the recruitment policies of employers.

The expert was speaking during a specialist event for those working in the information security profession or seeking advice and solutions.

Posted by Alex Donnell