Softcreate Releases 'Survey on the Current State of Information Systems and IT Utilization 2026'
Amid a continuing shortage of IT personnel, 75% are bogged down in 'defensive' non-core tasks like daily operations, while simultaneously being required to handle 'offensive' roles such as the top priorities of 'security enhancement' and 'AI utilization'.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 8, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 8, 2026 at 11:30
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 20, 2026 at 18:24 (294h 53m after Collected)
Softcreate Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shibuya-ku, Tokyo / President and CEO: Muneharu Hayashi, hereafter Softcreate) conducted the 'Survey on the Current State of Information Systems and IT Utilization 2026' to understand the current situation of information systems departments. This is the 8th iteration of the survey, and the results have been published on the information systems department media 'Jou-sys Rescue Squad'.
The survey revealed that amid a continuing shortage of IT personnel, 75% are bogged down in 'defensive' non-core tasks like daily operational management. At the same time, they are also required to fulfill 'offensive' roles, with 'security enhancement' and 'AI utilization' cited as top priorities.
It also clarifies the 'turning point' for the number of IT staff according to company size, providing data that allows for an objective comparison and review of whether a company's own IT department structure is appropriate.
**◆ Survey Overview**
Survey Period: Monday, December 22, 2025 – Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Survey Method: Online panel survey on our in-house database
Survey Target: Subscribers to the 'Jou-sys Rescue Squad' web media newsletter who are involved in their company's IT system operations
Number of Respondents: 577
Survey Planning/Implementation: Softcreate Co., Ltd.
Survey Results Document: https://www.softcreate.co.jp/rescue/document/detail/rescue/document/it-management-survey-report-2026
**◆ Summary**
[Image Caption: 'Survey on the Current State of Information Systems and IT Utilization 2026' Summary]
**◆ Ever-increasing Operational Load on IT Departments Amid Continuing Personnel Shortages**
74.0% of companies 'feel' a shortage of IT personnel, a figure that remains at a high level. The tasks that IT departments spend the most time on are daily operational management tasks (non-core tasks) such as 'system operation and maintenance' and 'handling inquiries'. In addition, the workload related to 'PC and device operational management' has also increased in recent years, with 74.5% of respondents stating they spend a lot of time on these non-core tasks.
As a result, only 18.2% of IT departments are able to focus on strategic tasks (core tasks) that directly contribute to business value. The situation highlights a worsening structural problem where IT departments are swamped with 'defensive' tasks as their operational scope continues to expand without a reduction in workload.
The survey revealed that amid a continuing shortage of IT personnel, 75% are bogged down in 'defensive' non-core tasks like daily operational management. At the same time, they are also required to fulfill 'offensive' roles, with 'security enhancement' and 'AI utilization' cited as top priorities.
It also clarifies the 'turning point' for the number of IT staff according to company size, providing data that allows for an objective comparison and review of whether a company's own IT department structure is appropriate.
**◆ Survey Overview**
Survey Period: Monday, December 22, 2025 – Tuesday, January 13, 2026
Survey Method: Online panel survey on our in-house database
Survey Target: Subscribers to the 'Jou-sys Rescue Squad' web media newsletter who are involved in their company's IT system operations
Number of Respondents: 577
Survey Planning/Implementation: Softcreate Co., Ltd.
Survey Results Document: https://www.softcreate.co.jp/rescue/document/detail/rescue/document/it-management-survey-report-2026
**◆ Summary**
[Image Caption: 'Survey on the Current State of Information Systems and IT Utilization 2026' Summary]
**◆ Ever-increasing Operational Load on IT Departments Amid Continuing Personnel Shortages**
74.0% of companies 'feel' a shortage of IT personnel, a figure that remains at a high level. The tasks that IT departments spend the most time on are daily operational management tasks (non-core tasks) such as 'system operation and maintenance' and 'handling inquiries'. In addition, the workload related to 'PC and device operational management' has also increased in recent years, with 74.5% of respondents stating they spend a lot of time on these non-core tasks.
As a result, only 18.2% of IT departments are able to focus on strategic tasks (core tasks) that directly contribute to business value. The situation highlights a worsening structural problem where IT departments are swamped with 'defensive' tasks as their operational scope continues to expand without a reduction in workload.