Opinion
Opinion
IT for government and public sector
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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
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Taking back control of government data mustn’t leave the public in the dark
Boris Johnson has quietly transferred control over government data to Number 10, without explaining why. The public deserves more involvement in how their personal data is being used, says Labour Continue Reading
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How Schrems II will impact data sharing between the UK and the US
At the end of this year, the UK will no longer be subject to the EU’s treaties, opening the way for it and the US to finalise a new trade relationship. Could the UK leave EU data protection standards behind? Continue Reading
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Making Tax Digital will boost business resilience in case of future Covid crises
HMRC is expanding the digitisation of income and corporation tax in a move that will benefit businesses, the self-employed and the economy, writes the government's financial secretary to the Treasury Continue Reading
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Building trust in the future of London’s data
Sharing data by default could turbocharge London’s potential for radical improvements across the ecosystem, according to London First’s director of connectivity and competitiveness, David Lutton Continue Reading
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11 obscure questions, Facebook, Max Schrems and the European Court of Justice
Eleven obscure questions will be the first step towards explaining why we in the UK and Europe have experienced 13 years of what has been described as ‘mass and indiscriminate surveillance’ by the US Continue Reading
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The pandemic has made UK government rethink its relationship with data
Data has been essential to fighting the coronavirus outbreak, and the forthcoming National Data Strategy promises to place data at the heart of the UK's economic recovery Continue Reading
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Why a shared channel experience will meet user needs at DWP Digital
The Department for Work and Pensions outlines the approach it is taking to developing user-focused digital services Continue Reading
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Why UK needs independent oversight body for contact-tracing app
The public needs and deserves clarity, and not just assurances, over the UK’s Covid-19 contact-tracing app Continue Reading
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London Data Commission: Sharing data to help support London’s response to Covid-19
London First’s director of connectivity and competitiveness, David Lutton, talks about establishing the London Data Commission, and its contribution to coping with the coronavirus crisis Continue Reading
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Coronavirus: Why the public sector must pursue IT transformation
It is clear that the current coronavirus crisis has had a major impact on digital transformation efforts in the public sector Continue Reading
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Smart thinking for modernised IT in the public sector
Far from lagging behind the private sector, many public sector organisations are embracing modern IT practices such as DevOps and agile methodologies Continue Reading
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IT transformation steps pave the path to new ways to work
The CEO of Difrent discusses how her roles in local and central government have played a role in public sector IT transformation Continue Reading
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Digital skills for the future, today
The education sector’s response to the coronavirus crisis demonstrates how digital systems and skills will be essential to the future of learning Continue Reading
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Why you should think before you Zoom
Feel free to use Zoom during the coronavirus lockdown, but think before you discuss anything confidential Continue Reading
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Technology has brought us together, but can it lead us out of lockdown?
The government needs to tell us more about the NHSX contact tracing app - choices made now around privacy and transparency will affect all our lives as we aim to ease lockdown, says the shadow digital minister Continue Reading
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Connect and protect: How the tech sector is responding to the coronavirus crisis
Tech sector trade body TechUK is coordinating the industry's activity to help the UK government tackle the Covid-19 outbreak Continue Reading
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CCRC findings on subpostmaster prosecutions reveal incompetence of successive governments
Former subpostmaster who took on the Post Office in a multimillion-pound legal battle speaks out. Continue Reading
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Coronavirus and privacy – finding the middle ground
Data collection has a role to play in fighting the deadly Covid-19 coronavirus outbreak, but governments need to be accountable for how it is used Continue Reading
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Gigabit broadband for new homes is essential to UK’s telecoms ambitions
Digital minister outlines plans to develop UK’s telecoms infrastructure to make it fit for the future Continue Reading
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What is the Post Office board doing to right the Horizon wrongs?
Business lawyer Nick Gould compares the treatment of subpostmasters by the Post Office in the Horizon IT scandal with the huge HBOS fraud that saw £1bn stolen from small businesses Continue Reading
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What is ARPA and what should a UK version look like?
The Prime Minister wants the UK to be a hotbed of science and research, and his advisor Dominic Cummings admires the US ARPA organisation – but what would a UK version need to be successful? Continue Reading
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EC publishes approach to human and ethical implications of AI, but what will UK do?
The European Commission has published a guide to the EU’s approach to the human and ethical effects that artificial intelligence might bring Continue Reading
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A five-point plan to get the UK out of the Huawei hole
It's not too late for the UK to develop an alternative to Huawei, says Labour's shadow digital minister Continue Reading
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A new decade, a new government and a new horizon for UK tech
Brexit is being done, so it’s time for the government to look to the future and place technology at the heart of the economy Continue Reading
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Making gigabit broadband a reality for everyone in the UK
As the new government introduces its first legislation to boost full-fibre broadband, digital minister Matt Warman looks ahead to delivering on the Conservatives’ election promises Continue Reading
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Real digital modernisation – a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the new UK government
A new UK government with a decisive majority offers a unique opportunity to finally introduce public services for the digital age – if the Conservatives are willing to take it Continue Reading
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The UK civil service is broken and needs reform to deliver true digital government
Boris Johnson’s special adviser, Dominic Cummings, has attracted criticism for his plans to overhaul Whitehall culture, but one former government digital chief argues that he is absolutely right Continue Reading
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Implementing a 21st century approach to digital identity
The government’s attempts at digital identity have failed – it is time for a new, modern approach Continue Reading
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The Post Office computer problem that destroyed the lives of pillars of the community
The Post Office’s refusal to believe subpostmasters were suffering losses due to computer system errors was incompetent and cruel Continue Reading
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Can Europe legally share data with the US? A court far away is about to decide
The European Court of Justice will deliver an opinion on whether Europe can legally continue to send private data about European citizens to the US Continue Reading
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We can’t allow fake news and disinformation to upend our democracy
Fake news, misinformation and cyber attacks are part of our political process – now is the time to act Continue Reading
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The art of surveillance: the Stasi archives and the Investigatory Powers Act
A photographic exhibition captures the chilling impact of surveillance in the UK and the former German Democratic Republic Continue Reading
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Conservative Party: Fostering an environment for IT and digital to flourish
Matt Warman, Conservative MP and minister for digital and broadband, outlines the Tory policies for technology and digital ahead of the General Election Continue Reading
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Liberal Democrats: We want to lead the world in ethical, inclusive technology
Layla Moran, Liberal Democrat MP and party spokesperson for digital, culture, media and sport, writes about the party's technology policies ahead of the upcoming General Election Continue Reading
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The super-resilient IT function
IT functions don’t have to continue taking the blame for organisational failures, they can take the lead in transforming the business Continue Reading
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General Election 2019: Digital must be at the core of the next government’s strategy
TechUK lays out the technology priorities it wants to see from the next UK government to boost the digital economy Continue Reading
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Innovative supplier selection is the key to government procurement success
The government has improved its procurement processes for SMEs and acknowledges the importance of small suppliers, but there are important steps that still need to be taken Continue Reading
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The UK’s digital identity policy conundrum
The UK government’s recent consultation on digital identity suggests that past mistakes and assumptions have yet to be resolved – a different, more user-centric vision is required Continue Reading
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The five software testing techniques every software developer should know about
Five simple testing techniques that will help developers test their software systematically, thoroughly and quickly Continue Reading
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The right way to get on with building UK tech success is to get a Brexit deal now
The UK technology sector does not want a no-deal Brexit, and recognises the damage it would cause. If we're leaving the EU, the Prime Minister needs to get a deal Continue Reading
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Is there substance in Boris Johnson’s full-fibre broadband vision?
The new prime minister made a bold promise to roll out full-fibre broadband across the country by 2025 – but it’s a challenging task that requires serious investment and planning Continue Reading
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Businesses need to keep investing in tech and hope to avoid a no-deal Brexit
A no-deal Brexit could have serious consequences for the UK tech sector and skills base, making it more difficult to recruit technology specialists and hire freelancers Continue Reading
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Gartner: Eight ways blockchain can support governments
Distributed ledgers are not just limited to finance and smart contracts. Gartner explores how blockchain can tackle government inefficiencies Continue Reading
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UK businesses deserve a 5G networked nation
The tech sector needs to coalesce around a unified, positive vision of 5G to establish a proper business case for ultrafast, low latency mobile Continue Reading
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Boosting the UK’s digital infrastructure so it is fit for the future
Extending full-fibre broadband and mobile network coverage are critical issues for a healthy UK economy – and a new prime minister must continue progress Continue Reading
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Why the rise of IT managed by the business is driving creative thinking
Organisations that encourage business units to implement and run their own IT systems have an edge over competitors that rely entirely on the IT department, research from Harvey Nash and KPMG reveals Continue Reading
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The UK must play a leading role in global collaboration on digital policy and ethics
All countries must work together to ensure digital technologies such as AI are ethical and trustworthy – and the UK has an opportunity to be a global leader Continue Reading
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Collaboration between local public services and industry is key to innovation
The launch of the new London Office for Technology and Innovation is an opportunity to examine how industry and government can work together better to improve local innovation Continue Reading
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Does NHS Digital’s Internet First policy mean the end of HSCN?
Last week, NHS Digital issued new policy guidance on internet usage that, at first glance, appeared to herald the end of HSCN – but is that really the case? Continue Reading
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What the UK can learn from the Nordics when it comes to digital ID
The UK and other countries can learn from the Nordic region when it comes to digital identity Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Challenges of segregation
What are the security benefits and challenges of segregating IT environments, and how best are these challenges overcome? Continue Reading
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Does the UK government want to support tech SMEs in 'Global Britain' or not?
The reluctance of the government to commit to continued support for UK tech SMEs overseas is baffling Continue Reading
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Security Think Tank: Surviving the existential cyber punch
How should businesses plan to survive a potential cyber attack extinction event? Continue Reading
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Getting it right this time: Why the strategy is not about delivery for NHSX
Government needs to move on from the mantras and beliefs that exist around digital and technology – the new NHSX organisation could set an example by transforming healthcare Continue Reading
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Improving public/private collaboration to boost digital government
TechUK and the civil service are working together on a programme to develop digital skills in Whitehall and a better understanding of government needs in the tech industry Continue Reading
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Making the move to cloud work for you
Getting the best out of a move to the cloud means getting the size right, turning off what you don’t need, smart purchasing and continuously decluttering your new environment Continue Reading
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New audiovisual connections enhance the learning experience
Being open and inclusive to individual sensory needs as well as diverse technology choices means adopting a flexible approach to AV infrastructure Continue Reading
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How to accelerate digital identity in the UK
Trusted online relationships are essential to the digital economy, but the UK is lagging behind. What needs to be done? Continue Reading
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Leading IT: Lessons from the front line
As a CIO, whatever challenges you face in terms of budget, mandates or timetable, you may already have the right people to carry out incredible IT feats. Here are four ways to lead your organisation to unprecedented success Continue Reading
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Facebook’s high-stakes privacy gamble goes to Dublin court
A high-wire gamble with billions in compensation at stake for European internet users – part of a complex case between Facebook and the Irish information commissioner – hides challenge to the unlawfulness of US state internet surveillance Continue Reading
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Can we live without passwords?
Can you imagine a future in which we can be secure online without having to remember an unwieldly list of passwords? Solutions are emerging that could make passwords redundant, but there will be other security problems to resolve Continue Reading
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Douglas Engelbart, the forgotten hero of modern computing
Half a century ago, Douglas Engelbart demonstrated an experimental computer that laid the foundations for modern computing. His vision to use computing power to solve complex problems in all areas of human activity has become reality, but not in the... Continue Reading
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Drawing the line for cyber warfare
With alleged Russian meddling in elections and the state-backed attack on Iran’s nuclear programme, it is becoming difficult to define the boundaries of cyber warfare Continue Reading
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Brexit and digital identity – avoiding future restrictions on digital trade
The UK has been a major contributor to European efforts to establish cross-border digital identities. Governments need to ensure that Brexit does not introduce unwanted restrictions that harm digital trade Continue Reading
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Agile becomes mainstream
There are clear parallels between the conditions that led the IT industry to adopt agile approaches and the challenges facing business today Continue Reading
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More effective digital transformation through the power of your own people
The old model of escalating decisions up and down the management chain does not work any more. Business leaders need to delegate responsibility for projects to business and technology specialists and eliminate the fear of failure Continue Reading
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Tips for minimising the impact of the Microsoft Office price rise
Microsoft has “adjusted” prices with Office 2019, making it more expensive to buy on-premise versions of its products Continue Reading
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Putting the UK at the forefront of ethics and innovation in AI and data
The announcement of high-profile members of the UK's Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation is another step for the government's commitment to be a global leader in AI, says secretary of state Continue Reading
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GCHQ offers help to embryonic Irish cyber security organisation
Ciaran Martin head of the UK's National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ, builds bridges with the Republic of Ireland's intelligence community during an official visit to Dublin Continue Reading
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Emerging govtech – a new opportunity for innovation in public service delivery?
The government has started to engage with the IT sector over how best to introduce emerging technologies in public service delivery – an initiative that, if successful, should be welcomed Continue Reading
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Digital services tax weakens the case for tech startups to choose the UK
The UK government’s plan for a tax specifically targeting big digital firms risks undermining international efforts to reform corporate taxation for the digital age Continue Reading
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While Brexit rages on, the UK needs to be looking at the global picture
Talks at the World Trade Organisation in October will shape the future of digital trade, and it is crucial the voice of UK tech is heard Continue Reading
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Smart places can supercharge the digital economy
The UK needs to enhance its digital capability, and there are huge opportunities for different regions to secure a niche within our growing digital economy Continue Reading
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Why the government should rethink the UK’s surveillance laws
The European Court of Human Rights has made clear that the Snoopers’ Charter is an unlawful violation of people’s rights and freedoms Continue Reading
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From Aberdeen to Brighton: Investing in the UK’s digital future
More investment in the UK’s broadband infrastructure is critical to ensure the UK’s future success in technology in a post-Brexit world Continue Reading
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Smart cities face challenges and opportunities
IHS Markit analysts Noman Akhtar and Kevin Hasley assess the way forward for smart city technology projects around the world Continue Reading
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Beyond GDPR: ePrivacy could have an even greater impact on mobile
From how we monitor air pollution and manage our public transport systems, to how we enable connected cars and the next generation of 5G mobile services, the forthcoming ePR could have a lasting impact on European society Continue Reading
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Mind your drone business
Amazon is just the tip of the iceberg – companies are pouring hundreds of millions into the development of commercial drones Continue Reading
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Technology can help solve some of society’s pressing social and environmental problems
A recent initiative on using technology to tackle the illegal wildlife trade shows how much the tech sector can contribute to solving some of society's biggest challenges Continue Reading
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Big data skills shortages – and how to work around them
Businesses are finding it hard to recruit enough people with big data and analytics skills, but for CIOs there are alternative strategies to consider Continue Reading
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Tier 2 visas – a challenge for the tech sector
With staff shortages already being reported in the technology sector and Brexit potentially adding to the problem, tech departments need to get their Tier 2 visa applications right Continue Reading
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Taking the quantum leap: What is quantum technology for business?
Quantum computers are many years away, but the first applications of quantum technology will arrive in only one or two years – so businesses need to be ready Continue Reading
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A strong UK-India bond on tech can benefit us all
The UK tech sector can benefit from the government’s work to forge closer ties with India’s burgeoning digital economy Continue Reading
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Building a tech future between the UK and India
A new tech partnership between the UK and India will benefit the digital economy in both countries, says secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport Matt Hancock Continue Reading
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Hacking the internet of things just got easier – it’s time to look at your security
Are you taking security for internet-connected devices seriously enough? Continue Reading
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Outsourcing is not dead or dying – it just needs to be done properly
The collapse of Carillion and the profit warning at Capita have created a false sense of fear about the stability of the outsourcing sector Continue Reading
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Protecting your intellectual property in a digital world
Your business is creating innovative computer code, slick user interfaces, and is using digital technology to solve new problems. How do you protect your investment? Continue Reading
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Moving away from analogue health in a digital world
Healthcare records still rely on faxes, email, mail and paper, but the innovative use of technology will lead to major improvements in medical care Continue Reading
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Lauri Love escaped extradition to the US - what does that mean for future cases?
The US lost its attempt to extradite Lauri Love to face hacking charges in a landmark case. What will it mean for other UK citizens facing extradition? Continue Reading
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The seven levers of digital transformation
Organisations that embark on digital transformation projects often run into difficulties. Following the seven principles of digital transformation will help them reap the benefits of digital technology Continue Reading
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Why businesses must think like criminals to protect their data
Cyber criminals use three main methods of operation to steal commercial data. Understanding their mindset can help organisations put the right defences in place Continue Reading
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Better public services – a Beveridge for the 21st century
A new 'manifesto' from digital government experts lays out a path to delivering the internet-enabled state that's been promised for years but is yet to become a reality Continue Reading
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Apprenticeship reforms are driving tech sector skills success
Apprenticeships and skills minister Anne Milton says apprenticeships are a great way to make sure the tech industry has the skills it needs Continue Reading
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A smarter state can only be built on smarter procurement
Digital government has improved, but progress needs to be made when it comes to public sector procurement Continue Reading
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Hawaii missile alert: Why the wrong guy was fired
In January 2018, an employee at Hawaii’s emergency management agency sent out a false alarm of an imminent missile attack, and was subsequently fired – but perhaps poor system design is really to blame Continue Reading
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Why police forces need to be honest about mass mobile phone surveillance
Police forces across the UK are covering up their use of sophisticated mass surveillance devices, known as IMSI-catchers - the Bristol Cable and Liberty are campaigning for proper transparency Continue Reading
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Mobile biometrics set to be game-changer in APAC
Telcos, financial institutions and other industry players risk losing market share if they do not keep up with the demand for security, convenience and mobility Continue Reading
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Europe’s shameful role in spy-tech exports that led to torture and jail
Governments in Europe actively assisted in government oppression in Iran, Bahrain and Russia by providing states with sophisticated surveillance equipment. The European Parliament is pressing for changes in the law to restrict exports of ... Continue Reading