Female IT chiefs are responsible for smaller budgets than their male counterparts, but are more confident in their IT infrastructure, according to a new survey from IT services and support company Connect.

The study found that just over half of female respondents had annual hardware and software budgets of less than £25,000, compared to just over a quarter of men. The average budget awarded to male IT directors was £67,000, compared to £43,000 for women.

Despite their smaller budgets, 89 percent of women rated their IT systems as good or very good, compared to 79 percent of men.

The study, which surveyed 151 IT directors, also revealed differences in priorities between the sexes.

The main concern for female respondents was email and internet downtime – a third rated this as their chief worry, compared to only nine percent of men. For male respondents, the biggest burden was daily IT hassles, rated by 37 percent.

Mark MacGregor, chief executive of Connect, said, “There are still many people who believe that women and technology simply don’t mix. These findings show that women who have managed to succeed in IT are more confident in their systems despite having less to spend.”