IT contractors may see a jobs boost as many businesses start to think about outsourcing their IT, according to an IT consultancy firm.

With the impact of the recession easing, many firms are now starting to make more long-term plans, claims Patrick O'Brien, senior analyst at Ovum.

"There's a little bit more confidence and a little bit more visibility with businesses. That enables them to have a bit more confidence in making strategic decisions around outsourcing," Mr O'Brien said.

It is difficult for internal IT departments or individuals in small businesses to stay on top of trends in IT security, according to a report from the Hibernia Evros Technology Group.

Just outsourcing some elements of their IT can help firms free up some time to focus on more strategic elements of the business, the group claims.

Many outsourcers expected companies to outsource their IT at the start of the recession as a way of cutting costs, but that never happened, Mr O'Brien added.

As a result they remain cautious about current growth in the sector, he concluded.