Information technology executives are predicting a challenging hiring environment this year, according to a new CompTIA report. Core IT jobs rose 2.4% last year, and unemployment is below the national average. Meanwhile, businesses are consuming more technology, and demand for IT workers is on the rise. Forty-three percent of the 650 IT executives surveyed reported that they are understaffed; about two-thirds expect a challenging hiring environment in 2015, although this likely will vary by city and region.