The Ministry of Digital Development estimates that in 2025 there will be a shortage of IT specialists in Russia of more than 500,000 people, which will put pressure on the digital economy. In the context of global changes, companies are facing new challenges. The business is adapting — technologically and in terms of human resources.
Structural shift: how the departure of Western vendors has changed the Russian IT market
The withdrawal of international technology giants from the Russian market has changed the IT sector in our country. The process began immediately after the sanctions were imposed, when Western vendors stopped supplying software, cloud services and equipment to Russia. As a result, companies had to look for alternative solutions.
Loss of critical infrastructures: databases, clouds, security
With the departure of Western cloud providers — Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud — Russian companies faced a serious problem. The basic elements of the IT infrastructure – cloud services and data storage systems — suddenly became unavailable.
Public agencies began to switch to Russian software and replace foreign solutions, such as Oracle with Postgres Pro. By 2024, the process was almost completed, and the share of domestic cloud services increased. However, there were difficulties with compatibility with obsolete systems, that required their refinement.
Limited access to technology standards and support
The lack of Western technology supplies and limited access to international standards have forced Russian companies to look for alternative solutions. This was especially true for services and updates from vendors such as Oracle, Microsoft, etc.
Russian companies are facing problems with updates and cross-compatibility. For example, the lack of official support for popular global databases has led to increased interest in domestic alternatives. Limited access to international standards has also forced Russian companies to increase costs in order to create their own solutions.
Domino effect: from migration to open source to rewriting business logic
The departure of Western companies accelerated the transition to open source solutions due to problems with access to commercial products. This affected server software, databases, and business process automation systems.
Russian companies have been rewriting their business logic to integrate new open source solutions. The process turned out to be expensive — it required infrastructure adaptation and code reworking.
Import substitution 2.0: the transition from copying to adaptation
The situation with import substitution in the Russian IT sector has changed. Previously, companies just replaced Western products with Russian ones, but now the process has become more complex.
Localization versus innovation: where is the fine line?
Localization of technologies includes the translation of interfaces and documentation and the adaptation of internal processes, considering the specifics of Russian legislation, economic conditions and the market. This process is a growth factor: it helps to take into account national peculiarities, makes products more accessible to local users and reduces dependence on foreign vendors.
But excessive localization reduces innovation. If a company focuses on local solutions only, it risks missing out on global trends such as integration with international services or the introduction of advanced IT architectures.
How new ecosystems are formed and why integration with Russian services is needed
In the context of import substitution, a new approach is developing — the creation of ecosystems that include domestic solutions and integration with other Russian services. The emergence of software and hardware platforms opens up opportunities for the formation of products independent of foreign technologies.
For example, Rostelecom is actively developing a platform for the public and corporate sectors. The company integrates its cloud solutions and security system with Russian developments in the field of the IoT and AI. This helps to create structures that do not depend on foreign technologies.
A new window of opportunity: the growth of Russian IT startups
After global changes and internal transformation of the market, Russian IT startups were able to occupy vacant niches and significantly strengthen their positions.
Withdrawal of competitors and liberation of markets
The growth factor of IT startups is the liberation of the market from foreign competitors. Thanks to sanctions, the closure of representative offices of international companies and the departure of global vendors, Russian enterprises faced a shortage of technology, which created a market gap.
For example, after the departure of foreign cloud providers, Russian companies are developing their own cloud services — DataPro and Selectel. The solutions fully meet the needs of small and large businesses for secure and localized services.
Access to government programs and subsidies
According to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, more than 300 billion rubles have been invested in the development of Russian IT technologies in 2023 alone. Government support has become an important tool for Russian startups. With its help, companies develop and implement new solutions faster.
Programs focused on supporting IT initiatives offer subsidies for technology development, preferential loans, and tax breaks for young companies.
Changing customer expectations and building trust in the local production
Another factor in the growth of IT startups is the new consumer perception. The departure of foreign vendors has forced Russian customers to reconsider their approach to choosing technologies and services. As a result, startups benefit from localization of products and services. They also build trust through more transparent and accessible terms of service.
Users appreciate Russian solutions for their ability to take into account the specifics of legislation, security and the market. A striking example is the Mediastaff startup. The company has developed a data management product that meets the requirements for personal information protection and the specifics of the Russian market.
Personnel deficit: a systemic threat or a minor problem?
The main problem in the Russian labor market is the shortage of developers. The demand for skilled workers significantly exceeds the supply due to the growth of the IT sector, import substitution and the transition to local solutions.
Why does it take months to hire key specialists?
The process of hiring IT specialists turns out to be longer than we would like. And there are reasons for this.
First, high-quality personnel are worth their weight in gold. Every technology company is looking for such specialists, which makes them extremely in demand. Employers face a shortage of staff, which forces them to delay the recruitment process.
Secondly, there is high competition. Despite the growing job market, it is still difficult to find a suitable candidate. In order not to lose a good specialist, companies are forced to spend more time negotiating and discussing terms.
Rapidly changing technologies create additional difficulties. When switching to local solutions or working with Russian software, the requirements for candidates become more specific. It is important that the specialist is able to adapt to the tasks of a particular company. HR managers now have to spend more time checking their qualifications and willingness to work with new technologies.
Overheated salaries and competition for experienced employees
Staffing shortages have led to overheated salaries, creating problems for both employers and employees. Competition for developers is growing, and the payout system is overloaded, that weakens the financial stability of companies.
According to data for 2024, the median salary in the Russian IT sector exceeds 180 thousand rubles, twice the average for the economy. However, high salaries don’t always solve the problem. With staff shortages, companies are forced to offer bonuses, options, and additional social packages just to retain employees.
This is especially noticeable in the IT security developer market. Due to the growing demand, such specialists are becoming ones of the highest paid.
Gaps in education: from general theory to applied practice
The education system in Russia lags behind the needs of the IT sector. Despite the modernization of universities and the introduction of new programs, educational institutions mainly focus on theoretical knowledge that does not meet the requirements of the market.
Companies have to retrain from scratch
In conditions of personnel shortage, companies are forced to train employees from scratch in order to adapt them to real work. Large IT companies recognize that regular retraining of employees is already a common practice.
Retraining is especially important when switching to domestic solutions: the introduction of Russian cloud services and databases requires training developers on the specifics of working with these technologies.
Learning as an investment: risks and returns
Staff training and development is a strategic investment that comes with risks and opportunities. Professional retraining programs require financial resources and time: employees need to master new technologies and practical skills.
But such efforts are justified — companies get developers who can work with Russian products and take into account the specifics of the local market.
The future of the industry: growth scenarios and risk areas
The future of the IT market in the country is at the crossroads of opportunities and risks. The departure of Western vendors and the growth of Russian technologies pave the way for development. Companies get a chance to occupy vacant niches, create new products and form their own ecosystems.
But the challenges remain. Limited access to foreign technologies slows down development. To avoid falling behind, we need to create competitive solutions within the country and seek partnerships with global players.
IT sovereignty is an important goal. But complete isolation from global developments will hurt: the pace of innovation and opportunities for growth will decrease. The alternative is a hybrid approach: use global technologies, adapt them to Russian realities, and maintain ties with the international community. This way will help to maintain competitiveness in the global economy.
By Ruslan Gatiyatov, founder of the Glabix platform, an expert in IT team management