News

Regulatory compliance and standard requirements

February 07, 2017 07 Feb'17
US weighs email and cloud privacy law

US privacy advocates and tech firms push for updated email and cloud privacy legislation that has been approved by the House of Representatives, but still requires approval by the US Senate
February 06, 2017 06 Feb'17
Google to appeal against order to hand over foreign emails

UK firms urged to consider the risks of non-UK cloud service providers and to encrypt data in the light of another US warrant to access emails held by a US cloud services firm on non-US servers
February 02, 2017 02 Feb'17
EU’s General Data Protection Regulation unknown to most UK adults

The majority of UK workers are unaware of incoming regulation, leaving employers with work to do on GDPR awareness and coming UK data protection laws in 2017, survey shows
February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17
Security of industrial systems must be a top priority

The idea that hackers could switch off a country’s electricity, water, oil and gas supplies is a nightmare scenario – but it could happen

February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17
UK legislation will mirror EU’s GDPR, says Matt Hancock

The UK plans a full implementation of GDPR and is confident of agreements with the US to ensure uninhibited data exchanges with the EU and US post-Brexit, says digital minister
February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore and British security company sign agreement

Agreement between BAE Systems and CSA aims to develop national cyber security capabilities as part of Singapore’s cyber security strategy
February 01, 2017 01 Feb'17
Manufacturers collaborate to secure process control systems

Nearly 100 companies are working together to develop open standards for process control systems that will bring prices down and improve their resilience to cyber attacks
January 31, 2017 31 Jan'17
Australian organisations forced to take cyber insurance seriously

The take-up of cyber security insurance in Australia remains low, but it could increase if data breach notification regulations come into force
January 30, 2017 30 Jan'17
Privacy Shield threat overshadowed by US immigration row

EU citizens’ rights under the Privacy Shield Act are not directly affected by President Trump's executive order on public safety, according to international law firm Hogan Lovells
January 30, 2017 30 Jan'17
Consumers do not trust companies with personal data, survey shows

UK firms still have much work to do in preparing for GDPR compliance, minimising the risk of identity theft and regaining trust, according to law firm Winckworth Sherwood

January 27, 2017 27 Jan'17
GDPR highlighted on Data Protection Day

Businesses dealing with EU citizens' data urged to ensure they are on track to comply with the GDPR in less than 16 months, as the world marks Data Protection Day 2017
January 26, 2017 26 Jan'17
Microsoft’s cloud privacy battle may go to US Supreme Court

The US Department of Justice is considering going to the Supreme Court after an appeals court refused to revisit its July 2016 landmark ruling blocking government access to Microsoft servers in Ireland
January 20, 2017 20 Jan'17
ICO sets out plans to issue GDPR guidance

Information Commissioner’s Office encourages business to review guidance on the General Data Protection Regulation as it is published to identify what areas need to be addressed in 2017
January 19, 2017 19 Jan'17
National crime survey figures show growing cyber crime

Cyber crime is on the up and is now included in official crime figures
January 19, 2017 19 Jan'17
UK firms struggling to manage cyber threats, survey shows

Businesses want security suppliers to offer more complementary products and collaborate more effectively as they struggle to manage data protection in the light of new laws, a survey shows
January 13, 2017 13 Jan'17
Facebook under fire for WhatsApp security backdoor

A security researcher has discovered a vulnerability in the way WhatsApp implements encryption, raising concerns that it will be exploited by governments to spy on users
January 13, 2017 13 Jan'17
Obama administration relaxes NSA data-sharing rules

Civil liberties organisations express concern at US move to disseminate raw NSA communications surveillance to 16 other government agencies
January 13, 2017 13 Jan'17
Davos: Technology poses new risks to jobs, economies and society

Politicians and business leaders will discuss the risks posed by technology to jobs, political stability and cyber security at the World Economic Forum in Davos
January 11, 2017 11 Jan'17
Firms should take note of EC privacy proposals, warns KPMG

Professional services firm KPMG is urging UK firms to ensure they are prepared for proposed EU privacy rules for electronic communications set to become law by May 2018
January 10, 2017 10 Jan'17
Liberty launches cash appeal to challenge Snoopers’ Charter

Civil rights group Liberty is appealing for donations to raise £10,000 by 8 February 2017 to challenge the lawfulness of bulk surveillance powers in the new Investigatory Powers Act
January 10, 2017 10 Jan'17
Cyber security scare stories could sharpen focus at banks

There are continual cyber attacks on banks, and although most are repelled, there is significant room for improvement
January 05, 2017 05 Jan'17
UK youngsters unwittingly exposing private data

The UK children's commissioner has called for better support for child privacy after study shows most are unknowingly agreeing to share private data
January 04, 2017 04 Jan'17
California legislates against ransomware

US state introduces legislation to make it easier to bring ransomware attackers to justice and jail them for up to four years
December 22, 2016 22 Dec'16
Top 10 state surveillance, investigatory powers and activism stories of 2016

This year saw the UK introduce the Snoopers' Charter, legalising some of the most extensive government surveillance powers in the world. Computer Weekly exposed state monitoring of Parliamentary emails, and reported on activist Lauri Love's legal ...
December 19, 2016 19 Dec'16
Review of 2016: Top 10 CW Benelux articles

Here are the 10 most popular Benelux-focused Computer Weekly articles of 2016
December 15, 2016 15 Dec'16
Typo allowed Russian hackers to access US Democratic Party emails

Typographical mistake in an email warning of a phishing attack on the US Democrats led to thousands of private emails being accessed and published by Russian-backed hackers
December 13, 2016 13 Dec'16
Saudi Arabia enterprise IT trends for 2017

Computer Weekly looks at the technologies that will dominate enterprise IT in Saudi Arabia next year
December 05, 2016 05 Dec'16
The ICO drafts in expertise of former diplomat

Former British diplomat Rob Luke takes up the role of the ICO’s second deputy commissioner in January 2017
December 05, 2016 05 Dec'16
Top 10 ANZ enterprise IT stories of 2016

Here is a rundown of Computer Weekly’s most popular ANZ enterprise IT articles for 2016
December 01, 2016 01 Dec'16
US and UK government expand surveillance powers

The US has introduced wide new hacking powers for federal agents a day after the UK's Investigatory Powers Act firmed up bulk surveillance powers for intelligence and polices services
November 30, 2016 30 Nov'16
Thousands of National Lottery accounts hacked

National Lottery operator Camelot says the log-in details of thousands of people who do the lottery online have been stolen
November 28, 2016 28 Nov'16
IBM blamed for Australian census website crash

Computer giant reportedly pays $30m to Australian government as reports are released from two inquiries into DDoS attacks on census website
November 28, 2016 28 Nov'16
Petition to force MPs to consider debate on surveillance bill

Open Rights Group has called on parliament to debate the Investigatory Powers Bill and review it in light of pending court actions, after petition against the bill tops 100,000 signatories
November 24, 2016 24 Nov'16
Customer data integration a market opportunity, says CXP Group consultant

Technology and service providers should focus on customer data integration to help businesses improve customer satisfaction, says CXP Group consultant Nicole Dufft
November 24, 2016 24 Nov'16
Gigya is consumer identify leader, finds KuppingerCole

Gigya, Ping Identity, Salesforce, ForgeRock are the current leaders in the consumer identity and access management market, according to a report by KuppingerCole
November 22, 2016 22 Nov'16
Alleged hacker Lauri Love’s ‘life will be destroyed’ under Trump regime

Supporters fear for activist Lauri Love if his extradition to face hacking charges to the US goes ahead
November 17, 2016 17 Nov'16
Investigatory Powers Bill looks set to become law

Rights groups have vowed to continue to oppose the controversial Investigatory Powers Bill, which is now just two steps away from becoming law
November 15, 2016 15 Nov'16
Online identity needs to be fixed, says Microsoft’s Kim Cameron

Software giant’s identity architect calls on enterprises to professionalise the way they relate to customers to help replace online identity infrastructure that is not fit for purpose
November 15, 2016 15 Nov'16
Amber Rudd orders Lauri Love extradition to US to face hacking charges

Engineering student Lauri Love faces trials in three US states and a possible 99-year jail sentence for allegedly hacking into US government computer systems as part of a political protest, despite concerns over his health
November 10, 2016 10 Nov'16
GDPR will require 75,000 DPOs worldwide, study shows

The General Data Protection Regulation is likely to help boost the data protection profession, with 75,000 data protection officers needed worldwide for organisations to comply with new EU rules
November 10, 2016 10 Nov'16
Government must tread carefully on AI ethics

Science advisor Mark Walport voices concerns around transparency, accountability and personal security with regard to the use of artificial intelligence by the government
November 10, 2016 10 Nov'16
US information security lobby group hopeful of reform under Trump

The Internet Security Alliance is hopeful that the Trump administration will take decisive action on shoring up US cyber security policy
November 09, 2016 09 Nov'16
Financial Conduct Authority concerned about cyber security of banks

The FCA expresses concern about the cyber security of banks after 9,000 Tesco Bank customers lost £2.5m in fraudulent transactions
November 01, 2016 01 Nov'16
Philip Hammond goes on the attack to target cyber threat to UK economy

Speaking at the Microsoft Future Decoded event in London, the Chancellor revealed how Britain would take an offensive stance to protect infrastructure
October 26, 2016 26 Oct'16
SAP steps up data privacy in Europe

SAP guarantees technicians outside of Europe will not be able to access companies’ sensitive personnel and other records
October 25, 2016 25 Oct'16
Malaysian insurer partners IT supplier to tailor cyber security policies

Partnership is in response to requests from AIG customers for a more comprehensive risk management approach to cyber insurance
October 24, 2016 24 Oct'16
In the digital era, customer identity is key

Identity is vital for presenting a consistent customer relationship across digital channels, but not everyone in all organisations understands this shift, according to identity veteran Ian Glazer
October 24, 2016 24 Oct'16
More than 100 MPs ask Obama to halt extradition bid against Lauri Love

UK MPs across all parties call for US president to save activist from extradition to the US on hacking charges on humanitarian grounds
October 21, 2016 21 Oct'16
UK first to bring surveillance under rule of law, says former GCHQ director

Former GCHQ head David Omand says the UK will be the first country in Europe to legislate to regulate digital intelligence and put it under judicial supervision with judicial review
October 19, 2016 19 Oct'16
Asean countries deepen joint efforts against global cyber threats

Asean Cyber Capacity Programme (ACCP) launched in Singapore to fund cyber security efforts across the region.
October 19, 2016 19 Oct'16
Snowden: the IT analyst turned whistleblower who exposed mass surveillance

Oliver Stone's biopic on Edward Snowden reaches the heart of the ethical crisis posed by mass surveillance for the state and ordinary citizens
October 18, 2016 18 Oct'16
Saving Lauri Love: activists plan their next move

An eclectic bunch of activists, charity workers and reformed hackers spent a rainy Sunday afternoon plotting their next move in a campaign to save Lauri Love from extradition to the US on hacking charges
October 18, 2016 18 Oct'16
Businesses underprepared for GDPR, study shows

Lack of consumer and regulatory understanding, combined with low technical and cultural preparedness, represents a major threat to revenue and brand value, according to a Symantec state of privacy report
October 17, 2016 17 Oct'16
Business and GDPR to drive consumer identity projects

Business demand for consumer identity management capability is growing to enable new business models, improve customer engagement and ensure General Data Protection Regulation compliance, says KuppingerCole
October 17, 2016 17 Oct'16
UK firms could face £122bn in data breach fines in 2018

The PCI Security Standards Council is urging firms to act now to avoid exponentially increased penalties under new EU data protection regulations
October 12, 2016 12 Oct'16
Thousands of significant cyber incidents hit Australian organisations

Australian Cyber Security Centre report reveals growing threat, with energy, banking and finance, and communications sectors targeted most often
October 12, 2016 12 Oct'16
Government to name and shame departments failing to secure email

The NCSC is piloting various cyber security intiatives with government departments such as Dmarc and other email security measures, and plans to name and shame those which fail to comply
October 12, 2016 12 Oct'16
MPs campaign for Lauri Love to be tried in UK

Backbench MPs are campaigning against Lauri Love’s extradition to the US so he can face trial in the UK
October 12, 2016 12 Oct'16
G7 sets financial sector cyber defence guidelines as attacks grow

G7 countries have agreed cyber security guidelines in response to concerns about the safety of interconnected global financial systems that are increasingly coming under attack, according to Symantec
October 10, 2016 10 Oct'16
Smartwatches banned from UK Cabinet as EC plans IoT security standards

The EC is planning a security certification scheme for internet of things devices as the UK Cabinet bans smartwatches amid heightened fears of cyber espionage
October 05, 2016 05 Oct'16
TalkTalk hit by record £400,000 fine over data breach

The Information Commissioner’s Office issues its largest ever data protection fine after more than 150,000 customers had their data exposed by TalkTalk breach
October 05, 2016 05 Oct'16
SMEs are the Achilles heel for Asean security

Small to medium-sized enterprises in the Asean region will be gateways to large enterprises for cyber criminals unless they improve their security
October 04, 2016 04 Oct'16
Bulk surveillance review is ‘fiction’, claims former NSA technical director

Former NSA technical director Bill Binney talks about the Investigatory Powers Bill and the UK government's independent review of bulk surveillance powers
September 30, 2016 30 Sep'16
Brexit has thrown ICO plans into flux, admits information commissioner

The ICO is working to ensure that the UK's post-Brexit data protection law is progressive, stands up to scrutiny and provides stability, says information commissioner Elizabeth Denham
September 28, 2016 28 Sep'16
NHS Digital aims to put healthcare on firm cyber security footing

NHS Digital set to work closely with National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) to boost healthcare sector cyber security capabilities
September 28, 2016 28 Sep'16
UK National Cyber Security Centre set to launch

NCSC is due to launch officially on 1 October 2016 and will help the healthcare sector deliver consistent quality of data security
September 26, 2016 26 Sep'16
Yahoo sued over data breach

Yahoo is facing a class action lawsuit that alleges that the internet firm showed a reckless disregard for the security of its users that resulted in a breach affecting half a billion accounts
September 21, 2016 21 Sep'16
Many don’t test disaster recovery plans properly, survey finds

Nearly 40% of UK organisations do not test disaster recovery plans properly, mainly because of concerns about disruption to production operations
September 20, 2016 20 Sep'16
Business warned not to be complacent about cyber security

Lloyds of London survey reveals just how badly some European firms are failing in terms of cyber security and low levels of awareness about the role of cyber insurance
September 15, 2016 15 Sep'16
Cyber security awareness growing within business sector, research shows

While awareness of cyber security risks is improving, fewer firms know how much an attack is likely to cost them
September 15, 2016 15 Sep'16
Cabinet Office role in information security in government not clear

The UK government has work to do to reduce complexity of security policies, according to the NAO
September 14, 2016 14 Sep'16
Crest takes over NSA Cira accreditation

Crest hopes to grow the accreditation programme into a global initiative to certify cyber response capabilities
September 14, 2016 14 Sep'16
NHS trusts and suppliers not ready for end of N3 network

Network integrator Updata has warned that NHS organisations and network suppliers must mobilise now to get ready for the transition to the Health and Social Care Network next year
September 13, 2016 13 Sep'16
UK SMEs have false sense of cyber security

Many small businesses have the mistaken impression that they are safe from cyber attacks and the huge damage they can cause
September 13, 2016 13 Sep'16
Insurance brokers fear regulatory action over SSP Worldwide cloud outage

Insurance brokers hit out at disaster recovery arrangements, fearing two-week outage could put them at risk of action by Financial Conduct Authority
September 07, 2016 07 Sep'16
NSA used Iraq war to develop surveillance capability, documents show

As the controversial Investigatory Powers Bill inches closer to becoming law, NSA documents reveal that the agency used the Iraq war to develop and expand its surveillance infrastructure
September 06, 2016 06 Sep'16
Identity prominent in Australian security debate

Identity is at the forefront of the cyber security debate in Australia
September 05, 2016 05 Sep'16
Microsoft gets wide support in fight against US gagging orders

Microsoft wins support from a wide range of US organisations in its push back against the secrecy of US government data access requests
August 30, 2016 30 Aug'16
Asean ministers discuss Europol equivalent in Singapore

Governments in Southeast Asia are considering setting up a regional equivalent of Europol to help fight cyber crime
August 26, 2016 26 Aug'16
Law firms planning litigation market for GDPR

Businesses should be preparing for the storm of litigation that is likely to be unleashed when the GDPR goes into force, warns Stewart Room of PwC Legal
August 22, 2016 22 Aug'16
Mixed reaction to Anderson review of bulk surveillance powers

While the Anderson review’s recommendation of a technical advisory panel has been welcomed, human rights groups say the opportunity to move to more targeted surveillance has been missed
August 19, 2016 19 Aug'16
No alternative to bulk surveillance powers, says Anderson report

The government welcomes a review of the controversial Investigatory Powers Bill that found there is no viable alternative to the bulk data collection powers proposed by the bill
August 15, 2016 15 Aug'16
Slow response to Privacy Shield EU-US data transfer programme

Only 40 US firms has been certified under the Privacy Shield transatlantic data transfer programme, but this is expected to gain momentum
August 10, 2016 10 Aug'16
UK well equipped to protect data after Brexit, says new ICO head

The public sector, industry, civil society and the public at large all have a role to play in effective data protection regulation, says new UK information commissioner Elizabeth Denham
August 10, 2016 10 Aug'16
IPT fines Police Scotland for communications breach of privacy

The case comes as the UK government prepares to introduce the Investigatory Powers Bill, which will give sweeping powers for suspicion-less surveillance of telephone, web and email communications
August 10, 2016 10 Aug'16
MI5 staff repeatedly overrode data surveillance rules

Security service MI5 is responsible for 210 “clear contraventions” over five years for the way it accessed private internet and telephone data
August 08, 2016 08 Aug'16
Australians vent census privacy concerns

The Australian census has triggered a privacy debate after it emerged that the citizen data it collects will be held for years
August 04, 2016 04 Aug'16
Context warns of VoIP wars at Black Hat USA

A lack of understanding of modern VoIP and unified communications security opens many service providers and businesses to cyber attack, a Context IS researcher warns at Black Hat USA
July 29, 2016 29 Jul'16
Researcher uncovers UK government threat to privacy

Despite concerns about the draft Investigatory Powers Bill, a legal researcher has highlighted that existing legislation is a much bigger threat to privacy than most UK citizens realise
July 28, 2016 28 Jul'16
MI5 accused of compromising security court

Judges at the UK's most secret court were persuaded not to disclose the existence of secret intrusive data on the population after briefings and lunch with MI5's deputy director general
July 28, 2016 28 Jul'16
Most cloud applications not GDPR-ready, report reveals

Just 2% of more than 15,000 enterprise cloud application analysed are GDPR-ready, according to a cloud risk report
July 28, 2016 28 Jul'16
UK’s top security judges struggle to assess privacy threats

Technological advancements make it difficult for the Investigatory Powers Tribunal to assess privacy threats, say the tribunal’s own judges
July 27, 2016 27 Jul'16
Privacy Shield good to go for at least a year, say EU regulators

Transatlantic data transfer framework approved, but will need more fine-tuning in the first joint review in a year’s time
July 26, 2016 26 Jul'16
Date set for landmark hearing into EU-US data transfers

Irish court hearing triggered by Austrian law student Max Schrems could have huge implications for EU-US trade and the data privacy rights of millions of EU citizens
July 25, 2016 25 Jul'16
Australia’s security software spending sees growth spurt

Australian enterprises are increasingly investing in security software as the threats to data continue to multiply
July 22, 2016 22 Jul'16
Jihadists’ digital tools revealed

A report by dark web intelligence firm Flashpoint reveals how jihadist groups use common security and other tools to hide their digital communications from national security forces
July 19, 2016 19 Jul'16
US government joins legal challenge of EU-US data transfers

Helen Dixon, Ireland’s data protection commissioner, is asking the European Court of Justice to rule on the legality of EU-US data transfers, post-Safe Harbour, in a landmark legal challenge
July 19, 2016 19 Jul'16
Private data should only be kept for ‘serious crime’, says European Court

European Court of Justice lays down the limits of data retention following legal challenge by two UK MPs, and David Davis withdraws his name from legal action after assuming a post in Theresa May’s cabinet
July 15, 2016 15 Jul'16
Elizabeth Denham to start as UK information commissioner on 18 July 2016

Canadian Elizabeth Denham is to begin work as the UK’s information commissioner after a three-week delay
July 15, 2016 15 Jul'16
Tech industry welcomes Microsoft victory in data access case

Tech firms, civil liberties groups and trade bodies welcome what could be a landmark ruling by a US court in protecting the privacy of cloud services