Opinion
Opinion
IT for government and public sector
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Security Think Tank: Basic steps to secure your supply chain
When it comes to supply chain security, there are some core things you should be doing – but remember, the devil is in the detail Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Don’t trust the weakest link? Don’t trust any link
Your security model shouldn’t fall apart just because a part of your business, or a partner, has weak security. This is why information-centric security is a must Continue Reading
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Government wrong to pass the buck on computer evidence reform
IT expert James Christie tells Computer Weekly why he is disappointed that the government has no plans to change the rules on the use of computer evidence in court Continue Reading
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Move with the times – in defence of WhatsApp in government
Former minister and current member of the House of Lords argues that the UK government needs to move with the times and embrace new communications tools such as WhatsApp Continue Reading
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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
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How cryptocurrency is bringing humanitarian value to Ukraine
Web3 technology has great significance as a form of charitable giving, and in providing permanent records for the government Continue Reading
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Strong internal foundations are key to withstanding external threats
The modern-day abundance of platforms, apps and IT tools presents malicious actors with a web of interconnection that is easily exploited to move rapidly through the network to compromise critical assets. Security teams need to understand these ... Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: To follow a path, you need a good map
The modern-day abundance of platforms, apps and IT tools presents malicious actors with a web of interconnection that is easily exploited to move rapidly through the network to compromise critical assets. Security teams need to understand these ... Continue Reading
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Totting up a decade of ones and zeros at the ODI
As the Open Data Institute turns 10, managing director Louise Burke reflects on its first decade and what comes next Continue Reading
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Online Safety Bill: Collaborating to make the internet safer for all
The UK government's plan to regulate the internet and social media includes some positive and progressive measures – but by working with industry, a lot more could be achieved Continue Reading
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How data sharing and collaboration can solve great challenges
Daniel Hirst and Arjan Dhaliwal from Ordnance Survey argue for the value of data sharing, collaboration and data skills enhancement to address social, ecological economic problems Continue Reading
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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
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Spring Statement lays the foundation for a make-or-break Budget for business in the autumn
The tech sector has welcomed much of the chancellor’s latest financial plans, but says there is more to do if technology is to achieve its full potential for driving economic growth Continue Reading
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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
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UK Cyber Strategy a welcome injection of progress
The National Cyber Strategy should be seen as a welcome injection of both focus and investment in bettering cyber defence for everyone, says Turnkey Consulting senior consultant Louise Barber Continue Reading
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National Cyber Strategy will enhance UK’s cyber power status
The UK punches above its weight when it comes to wielding cyber power around the world, but challenges to this status are clear. The National Cyber Strategy has a clear role to play in maintaining and enhancing this status, writes Paddy Francis of ... Continue Reading
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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
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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
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Subpostmasters won their David and Goliath battle, but initial goal still not reached
Despite exposing the Post Office Horizon scandal, Alan Bates, the former subpostmaster who drove the campaign for the truth, says the goal of repaying people what they lost has not yet been achieved Continue Reading
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Assessing the aims of the Government Cyber Security Strategy
The clear aims of the Government Cyber Security Strategy are welcome, but are they realistic or achievable? Continue Reading
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Universities need better protection from email-based cyber attacks
The need to educate university staff and students on avoiding email-based cyber attacks is more acute than ever, says Proofpoint’s Adenike Cosgrove Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Good training is all about context
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
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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
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Phishing tests are a useful exercise, but don’t overdo it
The vast majority of cyber attacks start with a phish, so it’s not surprising that phishing tests form part of cyber training plans. But sometimes these tests go too far. Cyberis’ Gemma Moore looks at how to avoid the pitfalls Continue Reading
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The UK-Australia FTA shows the UK means business on digital trade policy
The new free-trade agreement with Australia could be setting the precedents for what a modern digital trade policy will look like for the UK Continue Reading
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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
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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
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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
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Security Think Tank: Focus on ‘nudging’ to build effective cyber training
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
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A trial relying on computer evidence should start with a trial of the computer evidence
Learning from the Post Office Horizon scandal - the most widespread miscarriage of justice in recent British legal history Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Reframing CISO-boardroom relations
Security learning is a career-long process, so as 2021 draws to a close, participants in the Computer Weekly Security Think Tank sum up the most important cyber lessons they’ve taken away from the past 12 months Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Attackers leveraging the supply chain
Security learning is a career-long process, so as 2021 draws to a close, participants in the Computer Weekly Security Think Tank sum up the most important cyber lessons they have taken away from the past 12 months Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Think people, processes and systems
Security learning is a career-long process, so as 2021 draws to a close, participants in the Computer Weekly Security Think Tank sum up the most important cyber lessons they’ve taken away from the past 12 months Continue Reading
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A ‘whole of society’ approach to cyber may be on the horizon
Nominet Cyber managing director David Carroll reflects on the NCSC’s latest annual review amid 2021’s fast-evolving threat landscape Continue Reading
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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
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Back to the past with government identity
The UK government plans to spend up to £400m developing yet another digital identity system – why is taxpayer money going into a time warp when there is surely a better and cheaper way? Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: SASE – marketing buzz or the future of security?
SASE architectures promise to prevent multiple types of cyber attacks, but deciding whether SASE is right for your organisation will require understanding whether SASE is a fit for your use cases in IT Continue Reading
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Building better data foundations to make the most of AI
The UK government's national artificial intelligence strategy relies on businesses putting in place the foundations for better use of data – EY research highlights the challenges ahead Continue Reading
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The future is digital, so why is Britain’s national strategy waterfall?
UK government policy is dominated by old, traditional attitudes – rather like the waterfall approach to IT projects. Unless policymaking adopts digital-style approaches, the UK is doomed to long-term decline Continue Reading
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Six strategic plays for UK government IT initiatives and their implications for policy
The UK government needs to decide what being digital means – and there are a number of options to consider. Policymakers have to choose, if the benefits of transformation are to be achieved Continue Reading
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Keeping the UK in the global race to adopt digital identity
The UK government’s proposed digital ID trust framework is a step in the right direction, but more is needed to ensure the successful adoption of digital identity across the economy Continue Reading
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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
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UK AI strategy focused on economic growth, resilience and ethics
Chris Eastham of law firm Fieldfisher looks at the government’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, and the merits of the 10-year plan and its approach Continue Reading
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UK data plans aim to boost growth but will they isolate the UK from its international friends?
The UK government has made strong statements about the nation’s post-Brexit data strategy but must be careful not to undermine its global credibility Continue Reading
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Dear Chancellor: Unlocking private sector collaboration is the key to tech growth
Chancellor Rishi Sunak asked the tech sector for ideas to promote growth – startup hub Plexal makes its case in response Continue Reading
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Putting data at the heart of policymaking will accelerate London’s recovery
A new initiative to encourage better data sharing between London’s private and public sectors can play an important role in recovering from the pandemic Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Data privacy and ethics in a post-Covid world
The radical change caused by the pandemic requires new approaches to data privacy practice, says PA Consulting’s Daniel Gordon Continue Reading
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Why the government’s Innovation Strategy must not become a missed opportunity
The UK has a problem with R&D spending, but the new government plan to address this leaves too many important decisions unresolved Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Consider cyber policies and procedures as you welcome employees back
With Covid-19 restrictions easing, offices are welcoming back remote workers this summer, bringing with them their notebooks and mobiles, and creating an endpoint management headache for CISOs. What do security teams need to account for to protect ... Continue Reading
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Government-led innovation can help cyber startups find a market
There are many reasons why early-stage cyber startups often struggle to get off the ground, but government-backed programmes can help them find a path Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Reopening is an opportunity to reassess wider security posture
With Covid-19 restrictions easing, offices are welcoming back remote workers this summer, bringing with them their notebooks and mobiles, and creating an endpoint management headache for CISOs. What do security teams need to account for to protect ... Continue Reading
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Universal Credit: What went wrong, and what we learned
The architect of one of the biggest and most controversial government policies – and IT failures – of the past decade gives his inside view of the project, and how Computer Weekly was a thorn in their side Continue Reading
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Long-term thinking is vital to secure UK’s critical infrastructure
To face down the threat of cyber warfare against UK CNI, the government needs long-term thinking that looks beyond the next general election cycle, says Advent-IM’s Mike Gillespie Continue Reading
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Online Safety Bill: an opportunity for tech to get it right
Long-awaited proposals for regulating internet companies still leave much to be defined – and the tech sector must take the lead in finalising a plan that works for society and government Continue Reading
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Post Office scandal: The rise of computers and the decline of English justice
The Post Office prosecuted its subpostmasters up and down the country with a zeal that would not have embarrassed the Inquisition Continue Reading
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Why new EU rules around artificial intelligence are vital to the development of the sector
Shawn Tan, CEO of global AI ecosystem builder Skymind, explains why the European Union’s new rules on artificial intelligence are a good thing Continue Reading
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Transparency is essential as we enter the era of ‘government by algorithm’
The public sector is increasingly allowing algorithms to make vital decisions that affect people’s lives – but how do we know those algorithms work or what they do? Continue Reading
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Why the Post Office Horizon scandal kept me awake at night
Reverend Richard Coles tells Computer Weekly why there needs to be a statutory public inquiry into the Post Office Horizon scandal Continue Reading
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Securing the UK's emerging smart cities
UK councils have a huge opportunity to improve services through the use of smart city technologies - but they must avoid the cyber security risks, says the government's digital minister Continue Reading
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The practical steps needed to accelerate a UK digital identity ecosystem
The draft digital identity framework published by the UK government highlights the importance of learning from the private sector and existing standards to accelerate deployment and citizen adoption Continue Reading
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IR35 private sector reforms: What firms need to do now the start date has passed
While the start date for the onset of the IR35 private sector reforms may have passed, firms in-scope of the revamped tax avoidance legislation may find themselves still with plenty of compliance work still to do Continue Reading
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Why we need to reset the debate on end-to-end encryption to protect children
Private messaging is the front line of abuse, yet E2EE in its current form risks engineering away the ability of firms to detect and disrupt it where it is most prevalent Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Security culture must underpin vaccine passports
What are the security challenges presented by vaccine passports, and how should they be designed and used with ethics and privacy in mind? Continue Reading
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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
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Security Think Tank: Vaccine passports must be secure by design
What are the security issues and challenges presented by vaccine passports, and how should they be designed and used with ethics and privacy in mind? Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Evolving threats, tech, leaves CNI exposed
In light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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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
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Security Think Tank: Attacks on CNI – an evolving frontier in warfare
In the light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Back to square one – ground-up CNI protection
In the light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Properly protecting CNI demands specificity
In the light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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Tech sector is key to the success of Global Britain
The maturity of its technology sector puts the UK in a good position to reimagine its role on the international stage post-Covid Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Take a realistic perspective on CNI cyber attacks
In light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: CNI operators must focus on core issues
In the light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: CNI operators are in an unenviable position
In the light of increasing cyber attacks on critical national infrastructure, what are the immediate risks to industrial control systems and other operational technology, and what steps can be taken to address them? Continue Reading
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Why the London Data Charter could be a foundation stone in the city’s recovery
London First’s director of connectivity and competitiveness, David Lutton, explains why data is at the core of the capital’s recovery plan Continue Reading
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Data-driven innovation needs trustworthy governance
The pandemic has given us a glimpse of what data-driven technology can do for society – and we cannot go back to the status quo Continue Reading
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Budget 2021: Putting tech at the core of the plan for growth
This week’s UK government Budget represents a great opportunity to place tech and digital as the cornerstone of UK economic growth after Brexit Continue Reading
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On digital identity, the government gets it wrong again
The latest government proposals to regulate the digital identity sector continue to misunderstand how such a market works – a more API-based approach is needed to deliver the clear benefits of online ID Continue Reading
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Rogue drones beware: We’re here to ground you
Eugene Kaspersky exclusively lifts the lid on a mysterious, shiny device that’s been sitting in his office Continue Reading
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Fixing government digital transformation – lessons from the early days of GDS
As a new organisation is formed to lead UK digital government, three former government digital leaders share the lessons they learned from the early days of the Government Digital Service Continue Reading
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Vaccine passports highlight social impact of systems design
Vaccine or immunity passports are an opportunity to advance the design of trustworthy digital systems, but much more work still needs to be done Continue Reading
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Let’s build on the innovation shown by UK tech during pandemic
The UK’s technology sector has innovated and shown leadership through the Covid-19 crisis, particularly with developments in AI. It is now time to maintain and build on that progress, so the UK remains a global force in tech innovation Continue Reading
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NHS Digital completes NHSmail migration to the cloud
NHS Digital’s Chris Parsons shares how the organisation managed to migrate more than 2.1 million NHSmail accounts to the cloud during a global pandemic Continue Reading
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Government Gateway at 20 – looking back at the UK’s most successful digital identity system
Not all legacy IT systems in government cause problems – one has been at the heart of many of the most important online public services for 20 years Continue Reading
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Where is the UK’s digital strategy?
While the devolved nations press on with their digital plans, the UK government has delayed its digital strategy – yet this is too important for the economy to be put off any further Continue Reading
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Fixing the cracks in public sector digital infrastructure
The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the flaws in the UK's digital government set-up. The appointment of new IT leadership presents an ideal opportunity for the government to fix them Continue Reading
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The UK tech sector has been a force for good during the Covid-19 pandemic
The UK's digital minister hails the tech companies that have helped people cope with many of the challenges of living through lockdown and the coronavirus pandemic Continue Reading
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UK government needs a digital reboot
The appointment of new digital leadership is a welcome start to what – if the UK is to thrive in a post-Covid, post-Brexit world – must become a wholesale reboot of digital government Continue Reading
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What does Brexit mean for the future of UK digital policy? A view from Europe
Any decisions by the UK government to diverge from EU policies and values over digital policy and regulation could cause real economic problems for UK businesses Continue Reading
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Data has never been more important for London
As London looks to 2021 and a hoped-for recovery after Covid-19, responsible data sharing and data-driven decision-making become ever more important to the future for all the capital’s businesses Continue Reading
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Why our online harms laws will be good for tech
The UK's minister for digital infrastructure explains the government's thinking behind its proposals to regulate internet companies such as Facebook, Google and others Continue Reading
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Driving innovation in government
An insider's perspective on the organisation, culture and methods used to drive innovation in the Department for Work and Pensions Continue Reading
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Negotiating the complexities of international transfers of personal data
How to navigate international data transfers, standard contractual clauses and the impact of Brexit on data protection Continue Reading
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Overhaul business support with a focus on tech to help SMEs weather the Covid crisis
The more digitally capable businesses have come through the pandemic in better shape - government needs to ensure that UK SMEs have the support in place to use tech to survive Covid-19 Continue Reading
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Top 10 skills to include in your IT CV
Find out what skills and keywords you should include on your CV to stand out as an IT professional in a competitive market Continue Reading
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Data institutions play critical role in solving global social problems
Nigel Shadbolt, co-founder of the Open Data Institute, argues that a new breed of data institutions have a key role to play in unlocking the social and economic value of data Continue Reading
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How to build a smart city from the ruins of Covid-19
The London Data Commission is working to open up data about the capital to help regeneration and growth post-pandemic Continue Reading
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UK government plan for digital identity lacks substance and strategy
The tech sector has waited over a year for the government to respond to its consultation on digital identity, and when it came, the plan could hardly be more disappointing Continue Reading
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Sharing responsibility: Why we need to work together to keep the cloud secure
The education sector has been fundamentally altered by months of lockdown, with cloud services topping must-have lists for academic staff, but now it’s time to consider security Continue Reading
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Digital identity must not remain the missing link in the UK’s digital strategy
The UK's digital economy is desperately in need of a viable digital identity strategy - to recover from the pandemic, the government cannot wait any longer to resolve this much-delayed issue Continue Reading