News

IT for government and public sector

September 06, 2017 06 Sep'17
Leaked Brexit document shows plans for digital immigration status checker portal

Government is set to create a joined-up digital portal to check immigration status of EU citizens post-Brexit, according to leaked Home Office document
September 06, 2017 06 Sep'17
Huddle claims new ownership means "business as usual" for public sector customers

UK cloud collaboration firm Huddle confirms Turn/River as new majority shareholder, and claims the tie-up will help accelerate its growth into new markets. But what of its existing customers?
September 05, 2017 05 Sep'17
Accenture to deliver video-enabled justice to Sussex Police

Sussex Police aim to save time and increase flexibility by providing video live links for witnesses to give evidence in court
September 05, 2017 05 Sep'17
UK universities increasingly targeted by cyber criminals

Cyber attacks are turning their attention to UK universities, with research being the main prize

September 05, 2017 05 Sep'17
People with non-IT backgrounds could help fill cyber security skills gap

Organisations should look to fill cyber security roles with people who are curious and have work experience rather than focusing solely on graduates
September 05, 2017 05 Sep'17
Met Police IT strategy: CCTV footage shared through Box

The Met Police digital policing strategy is taking shape under CIO Angus McCallum, and will use Box for sharing documents and CCTV footage
September 04, 2017 04 Sep'17
HMRC denies IR35 reforms to blame for public sector IT project delays and cancellations

New research from ContractorCalculator suggests contractors have left the public sector in droves since the IR35 reforms came into force, but HMRC has a different take on the situation
September 04, 2017 04 Sep'17
Technology is needed to boost UK productivity, but not at the cost of employees

The Trade Union Congress calls for a debate about the future of employment as more roles become automated or replaced by artificial intelligence
September 04, 2017 04 Sep'17
Women still under-represented in Nordic IT despite region’s efforts

Although countries in the Nordic region are often hailed as pioneers of digital and equal worker rights, there is still gender inequality in the IT sector.
September 04, 2017 04 Sep'17
Government launches FTTP pilot for businesses, schools and hospitals

The government has released £10m to six FTTP trial projects around the UK, testing ultrafast broadband technology in businesses, schools and hospitals

September 04, 2017 04 Sep'17
AWS eyes Australian government growth

Amazon Web Services is eyeing the Australian public sector for growth, with increased budgets and IT disasters in the past pushing government organisations towards the public cloud
August 31, 2017 31 Aug'17
ICO fines council £70,000 for exposing personal data online

The ICO has issued a monetary penalty to Nottinghamshire County Council for leaving personal information exposed online for five years
August 30, 2017 30 Aug'17
UK libraries could get national online platform

The British Library has launched an 18-month project to investigate possibility of “single digital presence” through an online platform for all UK libraries
August 29, 2017 29 Aug'17
Satellite broadband beams solar eclipse footage to millions

ViaSat network supports Nasa’s solar eclipse live broadcast, streaming high-resolution images and footage around the world
August 29, 2017 29 Aug'17
Saudi Telecom Company creates cloud computing giant

The IT joint venture in Saudi Arabia will drive the digitisation of government services
August 29, 2017 29 Aug'17
UK critical infrastructure skipping security checks

Almost two-fifths of the UK’s national infrastructure providers have not completed basic cyber security steps recommended by the UK government, an FOI response shows
August 25, 2017 25 Aug'17
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan appoints first chief digital officer

Camden Council’s Theo Blackwell will lead the digital transformation of the capital city
August 25, 2017 25 Aug'17
US arrests Chinese national for using malware linked to OPM hack

US authorities have arrested a Chinese national for allegedly using malware linked to a breach of millions of records at the US federal personnel agency
August 24, 2017 24 Aug'17
Future of dark web markets not yet in question, says analyst

AlphaBay and Hansa shutdowns are unlikely to jeopardise the future of dark web markets, according to a security analyst
August 24, 2017 24 Aug'17
Government Digital Marketplace spend with SMEs exceeds £1bn but declines in 2017

Spending with SMEs through Cabinet Office Digital Marketplace framework goes over £1bn, but figures suggest SMEs getting smaller proportion of sales
August 24, 2017 24 Aug'17
Policing revamp needed to tackle rise of digital crime, says Reform report

Think tank calls for £450m increase in police digital budget and giving bosses the ability to fire officers without digital skills
August 24, 2017 24 Aug'17
UK business welcomes government post-Brexit data sharing plan

Business has welcomed government proposals for data protection to enable unhindered data sharing with the EU after Brexit
August 23, 2017 23 Aug'17
HMRC admits 2,600 parents affected by childcare website problems

Technical issues while applying for new childcare benefits caused problems for some parents – but HMRC says only 1% were affected
August 23, 2017 23 Aug'17
Dutch e-voting is waiting for an opportunity

Despite years of opposition and distrust in voting machines, a small Dutch initiative is aiming for a new form of e-voting
August 23, 2017 23 Aug'17
Russian hackers expose allegedly doping footballers

Russian hacking group Fancy Bear has exposed 150 footballers worldwide for allegedly taking banned substances, underlining the importance of protecting personal data
August 23, 2017 23 Aug'17
UAE telco Du pushes SaaS adoption in Middle East

The Middle East looks set to see strong growth in software as a service and IT departments need to take a different approach
August 22, 2017 22 Aug'17
Cambridgeshire firefighters get rugged tablets for frontline work

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue is deploying ruggedised Panasonic tablets across its service to help personnel access vital information in an emergency
August 22, 2017 22 Aug'17
First set of Capgemini degree apprentices graduate

The first graduates of Capgemini's degree apprentice programme tell Computer Weekly about their experiences
August 22, 2017 22 Aug'17
How AT&T embraced the telecoms technology transition

AT&T’s CIO of network and shared services, Sorabh Saxena, discusses how to reskill telecoms engineers and exploit open standards as the operator embraces the future of networking services provision
August 22, 2017 22 Aug'17
Blockchain skills in high demand and jobs being swept up quickly

Job vacancies for people with blockchain skills are being filled in just seven days, on average, once they are advertised online
August 21, 2017 21 Aug'17
GCHQ knew WannaCry hero risked arrests by travelling to the US

UK intelligence officials were reportedly aware that security researcher Marcus Hutchins risked arrest by travelling to the US to attend a series of cyber security conferences
August 19, 2017 19 Aug'17
Top UK directors lack training to deal with cyber attacks

The UK’s top firms and charities urgently need to do more to protect themselves from online threats, according to a government-backed audit
August 17, 2017 17 Aug'17
School leavers urged to look at cyber security apprenticeships

Cyber security apprenticeships are a good alternative to ‘clearing’ and debts, according to security certification body, Crest
August 17, 2017 17 Aug'17
World's largest’ data center planned in Norway

Norway will soon have the biggest datacenter in the world which will harness the countries rich natural resources
August 16, 2017 16 Aug'17
Huddle in trouble: Did the journey from startup to scaleup cause the UK cloud firm to lose its way?

What does the future hold for cloud collaboration firm Huddle, once a darling of the UK tech startup scene but now seemingly in need of a financial bailout?
August 16, 2017 16 Aug'17
Hackers hit Holyrood with Westminster-style brute-force attack

The Scottish parliament has been hit by a cyber attack similar to the one that struck Westminster in June
August 15, 2017 15 Aug'17
Middle East salary survey reveals major challenges to close IT skills gap

Organisations in the Middle East are not offering IT staff enough training and don’t employ enough women in IT
August 11, 2017 11 Aug'17
Russian cyber espionage group targeting hotel Wi-Fi

A Russian cyber espionage group is targeting hotel Wi-Fi networks to carry out malware infections and potentially steal credentials, researchers warn
August 10, 2017 10 Aug'17
China tests hack-proof quantum satellite communications

China has tested a prototype communication system that uses the principles of quantum mechanics to make it impossible for hackers to access
August 10, 2017 10 Aug'17
Sadiq Khan’s Not-Spot Team to tackle digital connectivity in London

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan has announced a package of measures designed to boost digital connectivity around London
August 10, 2017 10 Aug'17
IT pros urged to support ‘WannaCry hero’ Marcus Hutchins

Computer experts fear chilling effect on security research over US arrest of Marcus Hutchins who halted the spread of the WannaCry ransomware
August 10, 2017 10 Aug'17
Gov.uk Verify fails to meet key business case targets

Government’s controversial online identity system has missed important milestones that formed the basis of its original 2015 business case
August 09, 2017 09 Aug'17
Over 40% of IT professionals want another general election this year

A large proportion of IT workers in the UK want another general election this year in the hope it will stave off a hard brexit
August 09, 2017 09 Aug'17
Huddle pulls news of private equity deal as shareholders rage over payout size

Huddle is thought to be revising its private equity payouts to shareholders, after past and present employees describe current offer as a ‘slap in the face’
August 09, 2017 09 Aug'17
Dubai Health Authority rolls out second smart pharmacy

Robot will dispense medicine to patients as part of Dubai healthcare IT initiative
August 09, 2017 09 Aug'17
Nordic countries top digital nations ranking, but risk stalling

Nordic countries are leaders when it comes to digitisation – but they must continue to innovate to retain their position
August 08, 2017 08 Aug'17
NIS Directive plans show UK is serious about tackling cyber threats

UK government plans to implement the EU’s Network and Information Systems (NIS) Directive have been welcomed for assuring its commitment to cyber defence post-Brexit
August 08, 2017 08 Aug'17
KCOM fined over emergency call service failure

Telco KCOM fined after 999 calls made by Hull residents went unanswered due to flooding at a BT exchange miles away
August 08, 2017 08 Aug'17
Child cyber exploration good for the UK, says ex-GCHQ head

Children should be encouraged to spend more time online learning cyber skills to inspire future generations of computer scientists, cyber defenders and engineers, says former GCHQ head
August 07, 2017 07 Aug'17
UK mulls hefty fines for CNI providers with poor cyber security

The UK is considering the same hefty fines for critical national infrastructure (CNI) providers with poor cyber security as those failing to protect the personal data of UK citizens
August 07, 2017 07 Aug'17
UK government starts recruiting digital experts for Brexit

Department for International Trade advertises job for digital designer to support future trade arrangements
August 06, 2017 06 Aug'17
Government to strengthen UK data protection law

New legislation will require social media platforms to delete information about children and adults when asked
August 04, 2017 04 Aug'17
ICO highlights challenge Slack-like tools pose to public sector FOI request compliance

The Information Commissioner’s Office outlines how the growing use of cloud-based communication channels could complicate how public sector organisations respond to Freedom of Information requests
August 04, 2017 04 Aug'17
Manchester to host international freedom of information event

Manchester is to host an international conference exploring the future of transparency and access to information in the UK and worldwide
August 04, 2017 04 Aug'17
Nearly 7,000 civil service jobs at risk in government-as-a-platform strategy

Business case for Government Digital Service’s GaaP programme has predicted thousands of Whitehall job losses from new digital tools
August 04, 2017 04 Aug'17
MPs demand answers from HMRC over Childcare Service website problems

Treasury committee chair Nicky Morgan writes to HM Revenue & Customs CEO after users reported difficulties using the new digital service
August 03, 2017 03 Aug'17
Cyber criminals make it difficult to follow the money

Following the money is a classic technique used by law enforcement to link criminals to crimes by tracing associated financial exchanges, but that may not be easy in the case of the WannaCry attacks
August 03, 2017 03 Aug'17
Sub-postmasters allege 'bullying and intimidation' by Post Office over Horizon IT system

Campaigners have submitted initial evidence in group litigation against Post Office over controversial Horizon IT system
August 02, 2017 02 Aug'17
US plans IoT security legislation, but UK unlikely to follow

US Republican and Democrat senators have proposed legislation seeking to address security vulnerabilities in IoT devices
August 01, 2017 01 Aug'17
UK to call on US tech giants to step up fight against extremism

The UK is to call on US tech giants to take more decisive action against extremist groups that use their online platforms
August 01, 2017 01 Aug'17
Why Facebook’s AI termination raises safety concerns

Revelations that researchers at Facebook had to switch off two bots that went rogue have raised questions about the safety of artificial intelligence
July 31, 2017 31 Jul'17
Parliament’s digital chief quits to become Arup CIO

Rob Greig is leaving in September for a new role in the private sector
July 28, 2017 28 Jul'17
DVLA trials Amazon’s Alexa for MOT and vehicle tax updates

Intelligent voice service will enable motorists to check whether their vehicle tax and MOT are up to date
July 26, 2017 26 Jul'17
Nordic digitisation brings unwanted consequence of heightened cyber security risks

The Nordic region is becoming highly connected – which has not gone unnoticed by cyber criminals
July 26, 2017 26 Jul'17
GDS wants IT suppliers to use its GaaP products – but won’t offer service guarantees

The Government Digital Service encourages tech firms to adopt the platform services it has developed – but can’t offer any service or support guarantees
July 26, 2017 26 Jul'17
UK police forces taking action to quash data misuse

With nearly 800 reported incidents of potential data misuse by police in less than 16 months, at least 34 police forces are taking steps to improve monitoring systems to address this problem
July 25, 2017 25 Jul'17
Ransomware threat escalating, warns Europol

Europol warns that the threat of ransomware continues to escalate as it marks the anniversary of a cross-industry anti-ransomware initiative
July 25, 2017 25 Jul'17
Big data means big risk, Swedish Transport Agency leak shows

The Swedish Transport Agency exposed sensitive information by transferring its databases to a third party cloud provider without following data protection procedures
July 25, 2017 25 Jul'17
CIF gears up to target public sector cloud

Cloud Industry Forum wants to help the UK government achieve its digital strategy, but working with government is still a big challenge for many providers
July 25, 2017 25 Jul'17
London security centre handed £14.5m to get off the ground

The government is to fund a new cyber security innovation centre in the capital and has launched a competition to develop and design it
July 24, 2017 24 Jul'17
IR35 reforms: IT contractor fleshes out details of potential HMRC legal challenge

Following the early-stage success of efforts to crowd-fund a legal challenge against the IR35 reforms, one of the IT contractors behind the campaign outlines details of what could happen next
July 24, 2017 24 Jul'17
European Commission calls for free flow of data after Brexit

EC digital leader says EU must avoid “data nationalisation” after the UK leaves – but also warns EU states
July 24, 2017 24 Jul'17
UK government wants to give 6,000 teenagers cyber security training

Government launches £20m Cyber Schools Programme aimed at students aged between 14 and 18
July 21, 2017 21 Jul'17
Destruction of service attacks an existential threat to business, says Cisco

Security threats and attacks against the network are set to become far more destructive, according to Cisco’s mid-year security report
July 20, 2017 20 Jul'17
Government confirms tech experts advising on digital economy

Experts from across UK technology sector will help government implement digital economy policies
July 19, 2017 19 Jul'17
Newcastle council data leak shows need for security automation

Leak of child adoption information by Newcastle City Council resulted from accidental email attachment by employee
July 19, 2017 19 Jul'17
Government IT projects improving - but several still in doubt

Watchdog says no Whitehall IT programmes received its highest 'red' rating this year - but others still need attention
July 19, 2017 19 Jul'17
Bristol Council opens its fibre network to commercial operators

Small business owners in Bristol will now be able to take advantage of ultrafast broadband connectivity using the local council’s fibre backhaul network
July 19, 2017 19 Jul'17
US bipartisan alliance to defend elections from cyber attack

Former Democrat and Republican campaign managers are joining forces with security experts to defend US elections from cyber attack
July 18, 2017 18 Jul'17
TfL starts ESN pilot build on the London Underground

At a GLA Oversight Committee hearing, TfL’s CTO revealed the organisation is building a pilot version of the Emergency Services Network on the London Underground
July 18, 2017 18 Jul'17
UK industrial control systems targeted, warns leaked NCSC document

Industrial control systems across several UK sectors have been targeted in recent activity by known state-sponsored attackers, according to a leaked report by the UK National Cyber Security Authority
July 18, 2017 18 Jul'17
Traditional outsourcing boosts overall spending in first half of 2017

Spending on traditional IT services contracts by Emea organisations increases in the first six months of 2017
July 17, 2017 17 Jul'17
Lords’ inquiry finds data flows key to post-Brexit trade and security

The free flow of data after Brexit is essential for UK trade and security, a Lords’ inquiry has found, urging the government to ensure transitional measures are in place
July 17, 2017 17 Jul'17
Post Office defence in computer system legal case due this week

The Post Office will this week present its defence against allegations brought by subpostmasters in a group legal action
July 17, 2017 17 Jul'17
Global cyber attack could cost up to $120bn, warns Lloyd’s

A global cyber attack could have a similar economic impact as a natural disaster such as Hurricane Katrina, according to the world’s oldest insurance market
July 17, 2017 17 Jul'17
Norway’s Railway Directorate moves fully to the cloud

Norway’s railway regulator is following the government’s advice and moving IT into the cloud
July 14, 2017 14 Jul'17
Defence minister opens £3m cyber security centre in Gloucester

UK minister for defence procurement has opened Lockheed Martin’s job-creating cyber security centre aimed at boosting UK cyber defence capability and skills
July 13, 2017 13 Jul'17
HMRC delays digital tax for businesses until 'at least' 2020

HMRC has pushed back the go-live date of its Making Tax Digital project following concerns the timetable was too risky
July 13, 2017 13 Jul'17
Encryption keys too predictable, warn security researchers

Encryption keys are not as random as most people think, which means encrypting data is often not as secure as it could be, according to security researchers
July 13, 2017 13 Jul'17
HMRC’s customs IT system may not be ready before Brexit

National Audit Office is concerned that customs declaration service will not be ready in time for the UK’s departure from the EU because significant challenges remain
July 12, 2017 12 Jul'17
MoJ electronic monitoring programme fails to achieve value for money, says NAO

National Audit Office slams severely delayed MoJ electronic tag project for series of failures, including being too ambitious, not delivering benefits and procurement shambles
July 12, 2017 12 Jul'17
UK ranked as top 10 digital economy

The UK has been ranked among the top 10 nations in terms of digital capabilities
July 12, 2017 12 Jul'17
Home Office confirmed as early adopter of Oracle’s UK cloud region

The Home Office is to be one of the first public sector organisations to access cloud services from Oracle’s UK cloud region
July 11, 2017 11 Jul'17
Airbus helps drive critical infrastructure cyber security

Airbus is helping to drive the cyber security market for industrial control systems used throughout industry, including many providers of critical national infrastructure
July 11, 2017 11 Jul'17
Government should invest in tech to support ‘gig economy’ workers, says Taylor review

Matthew Taylor’s review on the ‘gig economy’ calls on government to invest in digital technology to support self-employed people
July 11, 2017 11 Jul'17
Met Police signs £8m digital forensics deal

MASS wins seven-year contract to supply a digital forensics managed service to London’s Metropolitan Police Service
July 11, 2017 11 Jul'17
Political uncertainty is holding back digital transformation plans, say CIOs

UK businesses are investing in IT to help them deal with changes that could be around the corner amid geo-political uncertainty
July 10, 2017 10 Jul'17
Vodafone Qatar pushes IoT adoption in Middle East

Vodafone Qatar is harnessing a network of partners to support organisations in the Middle East with their internet of things strategies
July 07, 2017 07 Jul'17
Second phase of Dubai Health Authority’s electronic records implementation to start in August 2017

Unified electronic medical record (EMR) system to be rolled to more medical facilities across Dubai
July 07, 2017 07 Jul'17
Citizens Advice calls for roll-out of Universal Credit to be paused

A report by the advisory charity highlights issued around making and managing claims online, lack of digital skills and problems with identity verification through Gov.uk Verify