Getting better, too many "service" providers in IT - Senior IT Security Analyst NiSource Employee Review

Too many "service" providers that are critical for so many areas in IT. Most of the time the expert on a particular issue or area is a contractor, so the necessary urgency is not always handled correctly. IT is directed to run lean lean lean, so the headcount is not there for the scale of services expected or overpromised. Strongly negotiate your starting rate, because "merit increases" are the standard 2.5%, causing you to lose money to inflation every year.