Opinion
Opinion
IT careers and IT skills
-
Five key principles for data insight success
Five key principles for using data to grow your organisation Continue Reading
-
Startups: how to navigate at high velocity
When up to 90% of startups fail, tech entrepreneurs must do something different to get a different result and to be part of the 10% Continue Reading
-
Board-level buy-in: preparing cyber defences the right way
The cyber security function isn’t a back office team that is never seen and never heard. To truly protect the company, cyber security touches every corner of the business, and it starts from the top Continue Reading
-
Going up? Senior tech pay trends – and how to influence them
Salaries for CIOs and senior IT professionals have continued to grow despite tough economic conditions. What can you expect in 2024? Continue Reading
-
Tech trends: what will be hot in 2024?
Five major technology trends for 2024 Continue Reading
-
2024: The year Generative AI is let out of its cage
Instead of worrying about AI taking over their jobs perhaps people should wonder if their work will be taken over by a new starter who knows how to use AI. Continue Reading
-
The human toll of ransomware: how IT pros suffer during incidents
Any ransomware attack causes significant challenges for a business or organisation going through such incident. But ransomware attacks also have tremendous impact on the staff – especially IT teams – working on mitigating the attack’s effect Continue Reading
-
Redefining the cyber domain to tackle the challenges of tomorrow
Emerging technologies have brought about a new age of cyber – and we need a 360-degree collaborative approach more than ever to succeed Continue Reading
-
Why transparency and accountability are important in cyber security
If we accept that the humans who build technology and systems are naturally fallible and mistakes inevitable, and then deal with that with good grace, we could do much to improve cyber standards, writes Bugcrowd's Casey Ellis Continue Reading
-
What’s the smart way of moving forward with artificial intelligence?
Don’t try to use AI to solve everything at once – be clear about what specific use cases you want Continue Reading
-
Why digital leaders should build their personal branding
Prioritising the development of personal branding can help your organisation attract talented people Continue Reading
-
As the jobs market evolves, maximise opportunities, mitigate AI risk
Heather Thomson, Director of Skills and Talent at The Data Lab urges society to keep calm and focus on the opportunities afforded by artificial intelligence Continue Reading
-
How to manage the cultural and operational impact of AI
Organisations will need to address workplace fears of potential job losses, manage change and improve their talent mix to drive success in AI adoption Continue Reading
-
How to solve the computer evidence problem
The Law Commission is in disgrace for its historic misrepresentations of IT experts when pushing a change to the law on the use of computer evidence through Parliament. Continue Reading
-
We mustn’t let the return to offices kill the growth of women in tech
How can tech employers continue to attract women to tech jobs as more companies require employees to work from the office? Continue Reading
-
T Levels expand the work-ready tech talent base and now include a specialism in cyber security
T Levels are creating a pathway into the technology sector, from software development to cyber security, for people who feel a more academic route is not for them Continue Reading
-
How to move from tech leader to the boardroom
Five tips to help technology leaders secure a seat on the board Continue Reading
-
How AI-powered software development helps digitisation
AI-powered software development can enable IT leaders to beat the developer shortage and turbocharge innovation Continue Reading
-
Ethical perspectives on ChatGPT
In the final of three essays, Marc Steen uses ChatGPT as a case study for how to use different ethical perspectives, and practical steps people can take to start incorporating ethics into their projects Continue Reading
-
Alternative perspectives: relational and virtue ethics in tech
In the second of three essays, Marc Steen explores the benefits of grounding ethical considerations in an understanding of social and power dynamics, and how relational and virtue ethics can help Continue Reading
-
Why technology jobs are proving resilient
The clamour for technology professionals has become less frenetic in recent months but demand for IT skills remains high Continue Reading
-
Ethics as a process of reflection and deliberation
In the first of three essays, Marc Steen outlines a three-step process for how organisations can practically integrate ethics into their IT projects and how different ethical perspectives can inform tech development Continue Reading
-
Hello ChatGPT, RIP software developer?
How generative AI will change the lives of software developers and the shape of the IT department Continue Reading
-
We have lift off… The opportunities and risks of generative AI
How you can use AI to benefit your business while navigating the risks Continue Reading
-
Five non-traditional talent pools that will help CIOs plug skills gaps
Some alternative ways for CIOs to fill talent gaps when its hard to find people with the right technology skills in the jobs market Continue Reading
-
Discovering the Diversity Process Flow in cyber
The UK Cyber Security Council's Simon Hepburn explains the Council's new Diversity Process Flow framework, and outlines its potential implications for ethnic minorities in the cyber sector Continue Reading
-
Is cyber training all the same old? Shift your perspective and get stuck in
Getting your cyber smarts only from books or presentations just isn’t going to cut it anymore – the only way we can get ahead of the cyber criminals is to get into their heads, and you can only achieve this by doing and changing your way of thinking. Continue Reading
-
Five key steps for digital leaders to influence the board on technology
How can digital leaders influence the board of directors to ensure the right investments are made in technology? Continue Reading
-
From CDO to CTIO – what tech leader job titles really mean, and who calls the shots
In your organisation, do you have a CIO? A CTO? A CTIO? We offer a brief guide to the top roles in IT and the differences between them. Continue Reading
-
The digital education problem at the heart of government transformation
A recent NAO report on digital government highlights some progress and ongoing challenges – but Whitehall needs to tackle a more fundamental flaw if it’s to deliver true digital change Continue Reading
-
Women on Boards: how to get there, how to flourish there
Having a good network, listening to advice, taking on more responsibility coupled with drive and commitment can help women reach a place on the board Continue Reading
-
Security Think Tank: Training can no longer be a compliance exercise
Historically, security training has tended to take a compliance-based focus, a ‘tick-box’ exercise using generic, off-the-shelf courses. This needs to change, says Hayley Watson of Turnkey Consulting. Continue Reading
-
Cyber training in 2023 needs to drive measurable change
2023 will see more focus on security training programmes that not only provide employees with an understanding of the risks they face but more importantly drive measurable behavioural change, says PA Consulting’s Richard Allen Continue Reading
-
Cyber security training: Insights for future professionals
Future cyber security professionals need soft skills as well as technical ones, says security educator Sudeep Subramanian Continue Reading
-
Security Think Tank: New trends and drivers in cyber security training
Self-paced, interactive, bite-sized learning is becoming the optimum path for cyber security training in the workplace, says John Tolbert of KuppingerCole Continue Reading
-
What do the tech sector redundancy rounds mean for international employees working in the UK?
Individuals that have chosen to relocate to the UK to develop their careers sponsored by their employers face not only losing their job but their right to remain in the UK. What are the options? Continue Reading
-
What’s the technology talent and recruitment outlook for 2023?
Despite layoffs from technology companies demand for IT staff in 2023 is expected to be robust, but organisations may turn towards contractors and off-shoring Continue Reading
-
Improve business outcomes by developing employees' skills
Cloud experts, cybersecurity professionals and data scientists are among the most sought after vacancies. Building up skills internally can help Continue Reading
-
Security Think Tank: Poor training is worse than no training at all
Bad security training is a betrayal of users, a security risk, and ultimately a waste of money, but there are some reasons to be optimistic about the future, say Mike Gillespie and Ellie Hurst of Advent IM Continue Reading
-
Security Think Tank: In 2023, we need a new way to cultivate better habits
Regular, small adjustments to behaviour offer a better way to keep employees on track and cultivate a corporate culture of cyber awareness, writes Elastic’s Mandy Andress Continue Reading
-
Security Think Tank: Getting the training and development mix right
Rob Dartnall, CEO at SecAlliance and chair of Crest’s UK Council, describes the need for formal, varied and continuous development in the cyber security sector Continue Reading
-
Tips on improving cyber training for home workers
How better security training can help firms tackle new cyber threats facing remote workers Continue Reading
-
What will be trending in technology in 2023?
This year will be a bit year for IT spending despite the prospects of recession, inflation and rising costs. But companies will focus more on technology that delivers measurable pay-offs Continue Reading
-
Chartered status and aligned standards are crucial for the UK's cyber sector
As the UK moves closer to ushering in the world’s first chartered cyber professionals, the UK Cyber Security Council’s Simon Hepburn outlines the sector’s defining moment Continue Reading
-
Why robots will make work more human
Smart technology should be about making people’s lives easier, freeing them up for judgement-based tasks and giving them the data and information they need for smart decision-making Continue Reading
-
Redundancies – are tech companies getting it right?
With recession now a reality, big tech companies have started slimming down their workforces, but they have legal responsibilities Continue Reading
-
Three million empty seats: What can we do about the cyber skills shortage?
Companies should look for candidates with the right skills potential, rather than insist they tick a hundred different security skills boxes Continue Reading
-
More women in tech will bridge the skills gap and bolster growth
Large global technology firms will reach nearly 33% overall female representation in their workforces in 2022. Growth is slow, but heading in the right direction Continue Reading
-
Fewer CIOs have a seat on the board but we still need technology leaders
This democratisation of technology still needs a leader, but it’s a healthy sign that discussion of tech has become part of business as usual at board level Continue Reading
-
How to maximise tech recruitment in an uncertain and unpredictable market
Six tips for employers to maximise your chances of securing the IT talent you need Continue Reading
-
Artificial intelligence in the workplace
When AI systems are used, there is an obligation to consider how they might affect fairness, accountability and transparency in the workplace Continue Reading
-
IR35 reforms repeal: How it stands to benefit the tech sector’s SMEs and contractors
Government’s planned repeal of IR35 reforms could help alleviate a lot of the uncertainty and pressure on the tech sector’s SMEs Continue Reading
-
Where are all the technologists? Talent shortages and what to do about them
It’s harder than ever to recruit good IT specialists, but there are some simple strategies for digital leaders to fill gaps in their teams Continue Reading
-
We’re all technologists now – the powerful impact of low-code platforms
Low-code platforms are bringing a shift in how organisations develop and use technology – and it’s the job of the CIO to let it happen in a controlled, secure and connected fashion Continue Reading
-
Governance and progression of AI in the UK
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are essential to growth in the global digital economy, and the UK has ambitions to lead the way Continue Reading
-
Naivety of computer evidence leaves door ajar for more miscarriages of justice
Barrister Paul Marshall explains why the government’s lack of action on reforming the legal rules around computer evidence, which presume it is correct, mean the Post Office Horizon scandal could be the tip of a miscarriages of justice iceberg Continue Reading
-
Succession in the world of ERP
Succession planning is not a simple business, especially in the age of the Great Resignation Continue Reading
-
Digital begins in the boardroom
Successful organisations need a digitally savvy board to shape their business agenda Continue Reading
-
Building distributed systems requires effective developer teams
Technologies edge computing and containerisation call for teams capable of building distributed systems Continue Reading
-
We must target a broad church to fill vacant cyber roles
The security industry focuses a lot on cyber-specific specialisms and technical skills, but it could really benefit from widening its search. Take it from a social anthropologist Continue Reading
-
Why diversity in AI remains a challenge and how to fix it
With artificial intelligence set for a global economic explosion, its development must put diversity at its core to avoid discriminating systems Continue Reading
-
Revised scope of UK security strategy reflects digitised society
The omission of the word ‘security’ from the title of the UK government’s new National Cyber Strategy is a telling one, reflecting our increasingly digitised society, say Maximillian Brook and Arunoshi Singh of the ISF Continue Reading
-
How cyber security teams can conquer the four-day working week
The four-day week may be an idea whose time has come, but for always-on cyber security professionals, the impact of squeezing more work into fewer days is a tricky proposition Continue Reading
-
National Cyber Strategy misses the mark in one important way
The National Cyber Strategy is full of fine words, says Petra Wenham, but as the old expression goes, fine words butter no parsnips, and it misses the mark in one very important way Continue Reading
-
Security Think Tank: Building the cyber workforce we need
The UK’s new National Cyber Strategy is clear in its ambitions, but to fulfil them, we must double down on appropriate skills development, says ISACA director Mike Hughes Continue Reading
-
Why we need to keep up the charge on women in tech
With hybrid working allowing people into technology jobs regardless of their gender, ethnicity or background, we need to support and encourage this more flexible way of working to ensure it continues Continue Reading
-
Why training alone is not enough
Among the difficulties IT leaders face is how best to combat the skills crisis and where and when to train internal teams Continue Reading
-
The UK’s cyber security sector is thriving, but our work has only just begun
The government’s Annual Cyber Sector Report painted a positive picture of the UK security industry. CIISec’s Amanda Finch thinks we can go further in developing cyber talent and opening up the sector Continue Reading
-
Minding the gap between data and understanding
An irony about the expression ‘information technology’ is that in recent years, although we have more data, it can feel like we lack information Continue Reading
-
Gartner: How to overcome a lack of cloud skills in your organisation
IT chiefs are struggling to tackle cloud skills shortages across their organisations. Here are five key steps to overcome this challenge Continue Reading
-
Technology is the key to the door of levelling up the UK
We finally have a better idea of what the government’s ‘levelling-up’ policy means in practice – but national progress on digital adoption will be a key measure of its success Continue Reading
-
Five key tech trends for digital leaders in 2022
The past two years have seen a surge in investment that will bring new challenges to digital leaders over the next year Continue Reading
-
Security Think Tank: How to build a human firewall
In-house or outsourced? What makes a good security training programme, and what questions should buyers ask when procuring training as a service? Continue Reading
-
How apprenticeships are helping bridge the digital skills gap
Apprenticeships are not only for young people – they can help make IT departments more diverse and inclusive, as well as plugging skills gaps, as DWP Digital has proved Continue Reading
-
Understand your cyber training ‘need’ before committing to a programme
In-house or outsourced? What makes a good security training programme, and what questions should buyers ask when procuring training-as-a-service? Continue Reading
-
Gartner: Four ways women can drive a more inclusive workplace
Tips to help women committed to developing their own IT careers, as well as pathways for anyone in a segment that is under-represented in IT Continue Reading
-
The way we talk and think about tech is crucial to helping solve the skills shortage crisis
Companies are looking to short-term fixes to find IT specialists, but there is still a need for long-term solutions Continue Reading
-
The value of open source in Europe
Open source offers immense benefits across the private and public sector and enables organisations to tap into world-class expertise Continue Reading
-
Lessons from Lisbon: Reflections on a week at Web Summit
Russ Shaw, founder and CEO of Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates, assesses the key takeaways of Web Summit 2021 Continue Reading
-
How software development will change in 2022
Businesses need a pipeline of software-enabled functionality that has to be delivered quickly and reliably without overworking software teams Continue Reading
-
Building bridges to better diversity
Tibco CIO Rani Johnson describes how the C-suite need to make themselves uncomfortable if they are to increase diversity in their organisations Continue Reading
-
Watching me, watching you – challenging the rise of digital surveillance at work
Unprecedented levels of digital monitoring at work is embedding a culture of surveillance, despite workers’ opposition to the practices, says Prospect Union Continue Reading
-
Reaching the data gold standard: dream or reality?
The pandemic has forced businesses to adopt digital technology at a record pace but most organisations find themselves at the beginning of a long journey towards making the most of their data Continue Reading
-
How to prevent developer burnout
The pandemic has led to more pressure on software developers, many of whom have reported increased levels of stress and anxiety Continue Reading
-
New strategies needed to close the cyber security skills gap
Teaching cyber security in schools is a long-term solution to a present-day problem Continue Reading
-
Britain needs its amazing migrants
Fintech entrepreneur Michael Kent explains why Britain needs migrants and why government policy and media horror stories will damage the UK’s economy and reputation Continue Reading
-
Local Digital Capital Index: A framework for levelling up
How can the tech sector ensure digital equality across the UK in support of the government's levelling-up agenda? TechUK is trying to set the benchmarks Continue Reading
-
Will the end of furlough help fill tech vacancies?
The closure of the government’s furlough scheme may not help the tech sector fill the most technical vacancies, but it could bolster available talent for the longer term Continue Reading
-
Is tech team remuneration opening up a new form of cyber risk?
Failing to reward cyber security staff in line with increases for other members of the tech team could open up new risks to organisations Continue Reading
-
The secret to building a future-proof cyber security team
In a post-pandemic digital world, where cyber criminals see a feast of opportunities, what are the secrets to building a world-class cyber security function? Continue Reading
-
Ethical hacking: What, why, and overcoming concerns
We find out why and how hitting your own business with a cyber attack can help improve security Continue Reading
-
How CIOs can help their organisations accelerate digital transformation
Companies need to win the trust of their customers to gather the data they need to transform their businesses Continue Reading
-
It’s time to hit fast forward for digital jobs
With huge numbers of people left unemployed by the pandemic, and continuing skills gaps in technology, now is the time to start joining dots and helping more people into long-term tech careers Continue Reading
-
Shaping a Digital Strategy to support UK productivity and jobs
With an all-party parliamentary group calling for evidence on digital skills, there are three key areas that policymakers should address Continue Reading
-
Digital bootcamp initiative could kickstart new thinking about technology skills
The government’s digital bootcamps initiative could help begin to shift the way we think about the roles of technology professionals Continue Reading
-
Python @ 30: Praising the versatility of Python
Python recently celebrated its 30th birthday, and pioneers of the language have been reflecting on its significance as an open source project Continue Reading
-
London needs a mayor of growth
Here East’s CEO Gavin Poole on why the next mayor must ensure London remains the tech capital of Europe, and the importance of learning from the past Continue Reading
-
Tech firms need to keep focusing on mental wellbeing and support
Mental wellbeing is a critical issue for the tech sector as the pandemic has taken its toll, and employers are realising the importance of providing support to their staff Continue Reading
-
Employees must be given the right to disconnect
As enterprises increasingly turn to workplace monitoring technologies and more of the workforce moves to remote or hybrid working, unions are campaigning for workers’ ‘right to disconnect’ and not engage in digitally enabled work after hours Continue Reading
-
Reimagining outsourcing after Covid-19
Covid-19 has changed how businesses interact with their suppliers. Here are five steps companies can take to manage their outsourcing ecosystem in the post-pandemic world Continue Reading