Tariff Changes & Talent Trends on Information Technology Sector in Southeast Asia (H2 2025)

Cloud | Cybersecurity | Data & AI | Enterprise Apps | IT Services

Prepared by Vectra Search

Executive Summary

This report provides an analysis of the impact of new tariffs and talent trends on the IT sector in Southeast Asia (SEA) for the second half of 2025. The focus is on the key changes, their implications, and strategic recommendations for stakeholders.

Introduction

The IT sector in SEA has been experiencing rapid growth, driven by increasing digitalization and technological advancements. However, the introduction of new tariffs poses significant challenges and opportunities for businesses operating in this region.

Key Changes in Tariffs

• Tariff Increase on Hardware Imports: The new tariffs have increased the cost of importing hardware components by 15%.

• Software and Services: There is a 10% tariff on imported software and IT services.

• Local Manufacturing Incentives: Incentives for local manufacturing have been introduced to mitigate the impact of tariffs.

Implications for the IT Sector

• Cost Increase: The increased tariffs will lead to higher costs for hardware and software, affecting the overall pricing strategy.

• Supply Chain Disruptions: Companies may face disruptions in their supply chains due to the increased cost of imported components.

• Shift to Local Manufacturing: The incentives for local manufacturing may encourage companies to shift their production to SEA, potentially boosting the local economy.

Sectoral Trends

The Information Technology sector in Southeast Asia continues to expand despite global uncertainties, fueled by demand for digital transformation, cybersecurity resilience, and AI adoption. Cloud, Cybersecurity, Data & AI, Enterprise Applications, and IT Services are the subsectors driving growth.

Singapore remains the regional hub for leadership, strategy, and high-value technical roles, while Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and the Philippines are seeing rising demand for delivery, managed services, and implementation talent.

Cloud migration and enterprise app modernization remain high priorities, with companies seeking solution architects, project managers, and client engagement leaders. Cybersecurity is particularly strong in financial services and government-linked entities, creating demand for consultants, compliance specialists, and security engineers.

Data & AI adoption is accelerating, fueling roles in data science, machine learning engineering, and analytics leadership.

Cloud

Migrations, hybrid architectures, platform ops, and FinOps are top priorities.

Hot roles: Cloud architects (AWS/Azure/GCP), SRE/DevOps, Platform engineers

(Kubernetes), FinOps analysts, Presales solution consultants

Cybersecurity

Audit pressure + distributed teams → demand for GRC, SecOps, and AppSec.

Hot roles: SOC L2/L3, Incident Response, Cloud Security, IAM/PAM, Security

Architecture, PCI/ISO 27001 consultants, vCISO

Data & AI

Real use cases in risk, CX, and supply chain; MLOps and data governance surge.

Hot roles: Data engineers, Analytics engineers, ML engineers, MLOps, Data product

managers, BI/Visualization, Governance (DQ/MDM)

Enterprise Applications

S/4HANA, Oracle Cloud, CRM/CPQ, and commerce—integration talent is scarce.

Hot roles: SAP (FI/CO/MM/SD/EWM), Oracle Fusion, Salesforce, Integration

(iPaaS/API), Solution architects, Delivery leads/PMO

IT Services

Managed services rebound: ERP/CRM AMS, cloud managed services, 24/7 SecOps,

and app modernization.

Hot roles: Service Delivery Managers, Engagement Managers,

Transition/Transformation leads, Modernization engineers (.NET/Java), QA automation

Country Highlights

Singapore

Regional HQ/presales/PMO; cloud platform ops and cyber GRC for regulated clients.

Indonesia

Hyperscaler growth (Jakarta), fintech security, e‑commerce scale, public‑sector

digitization.

Thailand

Manufacturing/retail digital programs; hybrid cloud and S/4HANA; growing analytics

demand.

Philippines

IT services & BPO hubs scaling cloud managed services and 24/7 SecOps; strong

CRM/ERP AMS growth.

Vietnam

Product engineering centers, app modernization, mobile, AI/ML; growing enterprise

apps delivery.

Short-Term Hiring View

Functions in demand:

• Cloud architects/SRE/DevOps, Security architecture & SecOps, Data engineers/ML engineers/MLOps

• Enterprise apps consultants (SAP/Oracle/SFDC), Integration engineers (API/iPaaS), Solution architects/Delivery PMO

Recommendation for Employer:

• Build hub‑and‑spoke delivery: SG (leadership) + PH/VN (managed services & engineering) + ID/TH (onsite delivery).

• Win talent with learning ladders: certification budgets, rotations, architecture career paths, and cross‑border assignments.

• Codify pricing & value: invest in FinOps, security posture reporting, and outcomes‑based SLAs.

Recommendation for Job‑seeker:

• Lead with impact: migrations delivered, uptime improved, security uplift, ML model ROI, S/4 go‑lives.

• Stack certifications: AWS/Azure/GCP architect, CISSP/CCSP, ISO/PCI lead auditor, Databricks/Snowflake, SAP/Oracle/SFDC.

• Signal mobility: multi‑country delivery, partner ecosystem work, and client‑facing presales/delivery experience.

Closing Takeaway

For employers, success depends on securing specialized technical expertise and leadership talent capable of driving transformation and regional delivery. For professionals, career opportunities are strongest in cybersecurity, cloud, data & AI, and enterprise applications—with cross-border exposure and certifications enhancing career prospects.

Selected References

• ASEAN digitalization and IT investment updates (2025).

• National AI/data policy briefs across SG/MY/ID/TH/PH/VN.

• Vendor & hyperscaler announcements on regional cloud, security, and services build‑out