Opinion

Opinion

IT for financial services

• Why Jack Ma might be too good a tech entrepreneur for China's leaders

  Tech pioneer Jack Ma is facing new regulatory pressure from the Chinese authorities – is this some ideological spat, or simply that he's too good at what he does compared to the state-owned financial system?  Continue Reading

• The tech sector cannot build back better from the kitchen table

  While technology has supported the lockdown economy by allowing millions to work from home, the in-person collaboration and shared experience on which the tech sector thrives will need to return soon  Continue Reading

• How 5G is going to transform digital banking in 2021

  Covid-19 has accelerated digital banking this year and 5G promises to have an even bigger impact next year  Continue Reading

• From compliance to open banking to embedded finance – all thanks to APIs

  The road to embedded finance, banking and insurance with APIs is full of promise – and banks should take it for a journey to a better world of finance  Continue Reading

• How AXA Investment Managers supports user experience through the ‘confinement’

  The head of AXA IM’s proximity services discusses the importance of creating a digital experience during the lockdown in France  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• Learning from the Travelex cyber attack: Failing to prepare is preparing to fail

  The key lesson to take from the Travelex breach is that an effective response to a breach is a critical business function and no longer the sole province of the IT department  Continue Reading

• Why the banking industry needs an IT makeover

  UK banks face huge challenges keeping their service availability levels at 99.99%  Continue Reading

• 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

• Life under the loan charge: An IT contractor’s story

  Thousands of IT contractors are being pursued by HMRC for “life-changing” tax bills for work they did up to 20 years ago, as part of a disguised remuneration clampdown known as the loan charge policy. One of those affected anonymously shares his ...  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• Security Think Tank: Risk mitigation is key to blockchain becoming mainstream

  What are the best and most effective ways information security professionals can use blockchain technology?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Blockchain – balance risk and opportunity for smart security

  What are the best and most effective ways information security professionals can use blockchain technology?  Continue Reading

• Why Facebook’s Libra digital currency could run rings round the regulators

  Facebook’s cryptocurrency isn’t really a cryptocurrency, nor is it really a money transfer network, but it’s been formulated in such a way that regulators might not be able to do anything to stop it  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• Security Think Tank: Seven steps to manage risk of catastrophic cyber attack

  How should businesses plan to survive a potential cyber attack extinction event?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: How to reduce the impact of a potential cyber extinction event

  How should businesses plan to survive a potential cyber attack extinction event?  Continue Reading

• Goliath vs Goliath and the complexities of 5G intellectual property

  Is Apple the good guy or the bad guy? It has violated patents and had its wrist slapped by the courts (bad), yet its products are still available for adoring fans to buy (good)  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• Security Think Tank: Cloud tech helps to protect advanced networks

  How can organisations combine software-defined networking, containerisation and encryption to prevent rogue code from running freely across a corporate network?  Continue Reading

• 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

• Security Think Tank: Strategies for blocking malware comms

  As attackers begin to use multiple command and control systems to communicate with backdoors and other malware, how can organisations ensure that they detect such methods and that all C&C systems are removed, including “sleepers” designed to be ...  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Security Think Tank: Focus on security before app deployment

  What should organisations be doing to address application layer attacks and reduce the likelihood of a breach through this type of attack?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Supplement security with an MSSP to raise the bar

  What is the most practical and cost-effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities?  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• After the TSB debacle, is it time for IT people to run retail banking?

  Given that high-street banks are effectively little more than a computer system processing algorithms, would they be better off run by tech experts than bankers?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Use good practice to address cryptojacking risk

  How can organisations best defend against cryptojacking?  Continue Reading

• Blockchain: Paving the way for broad adoption

  The foundations have been laid for organisations to begin standardising on the technology, talent and platforms that will drive future blockchain initiatives  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• 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

• Security Think Tank: Deal with cryptojacking to avoid security vulnerability

  How can organisations best defend against cryptojacking?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: User vigilance key to cryptojacking defence

  How can organisations best defend against cryptojacking?  Continue Reading

• 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

• Security Think Tank: Take care of security basics before automating

  How can organisations evolve their security operations teams to do more automation of basic tasks and cope with dynamic IT environments?  Continue Reading

• How to futureproof your career as a CIO

  Many CIOs have yet to earn the right to be on the board. How can IT leaders upgrade their business acumen, to benefit their own careers and the health of their employer?  Continue Reading

• Why Europe’s GDPR privacy regulation is good for business

  Organisations will need to become more sensitive about the way they handle personal information, but the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) also makes good business sense  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Web security guidelines from FS-ISAC

  What are the main web security challenges for organisations and how are they best addressed?  Continue Reading

• Embrace the new normal – re-platform your cloud services

  Huge improvements in cloud technology are opening up markets and solutions that previously didn’t exist. But complacent suppliers often don’t offer these innovations to long-established customers  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Security analytics needs serious resources

  What are the main challenges that security analytics can be used to address?  Continue Reading

• How creative and innovative can technology made in China be?

  China's IT industry is becoming more Silicon Valley-like and, as a result, more attractive to the CIOs of western enterprises  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Use the work environment to educate on cyber security

  What are the best security controls to ensure a safe working environment where employees do not have the unfair pressure of being the first line of cyber defence?  Continue Reading

• The challenge of our era - digital transformation at Allianz

  The insurance firm wants to become "digital by default" and its CIO explains the vital role DevOps and cloud play in its change programme  Continue Reading

• Energy and healthcare primed for blockchain disruption

  Blockchain applications are upending traditional industries, with startup activity expected to ramp up in years to come  Continue Reading

• Managed crowdsourcing model: Another ‘made in China’ idea

  Chinese suppliers are using managed crowdsourcing to help them provide high-volume services to their customers  Continue Reading

• In an age of uncertainty, now is the time to rethink your outsourcing strategy

  Brexit and Trump are not only creating challenges but also opportunities in the outsourcing sector, and outsourcing deals will need to be flexible to exploit them  Continue Reading

• South Koreans and Australians keen to bid farewell to paper money

  The two countries are expected to lead the Asia-Pacific region in mobile payments by 2030  Continue Reading

• Taking stock of Asia’s mobile payments industry

  China is leading the region in mobile payments, with developed markets such as Japan and South Korea not too far behind  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: How one organisation’s incident can become everyone’s defence

  How can organisations use red teaming to identify security gaps?  Continue Reading

• Is regtech the new fintech?

  Machine learning, big data and cloud computing are helping governments and financial institutions transform regulatory practices  Continue Reading

• PSD2 – time to open and secure APIs and rethink business models

  With the EU’s Payment Service Directive (PSD2) going into effect in January 2018, banks have no time to waste in preparing for the changes it will bring  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Practical steps to increasing security without reducing usability

  How can organisations maintain usability and keep support costs low without compromising on security?  Continue Reading

• Finance firms are vulnerable to cyber attacks, so why do customers think they are secure?

  The public are overly confident in the ability of banks and financial institutions to protect their data, but that will change when mandatory reporting comes in next year under the General Data Protection Regulation  Continue Reading

• Why Azure developers need security skills

  The unprecedented adoption of Microsoft Azure is a huge opportunity for developers, but they must keep their security skills updated  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Integrity of business data key to cyber defence

  What types of organisation are likely to be targeted by data integrity breaches and how best can they detect and mitigate against such attacks?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Three strategies against data integrity attacks

  What type of organisations are likely to be targeted by data integrity breaches, and how best can they detect and mitigate against such attacks?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Data integrity attack could happen to any company

  What type of organisations are likely to be targeted by data integrity breaches and how best can they detect and mitigate against such attacks?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Data custodians likely to be top targets of integrity attacks

  What types of organisation are likely to be targeted by data integrity breaches and how best can they detect and mitigate against such attacks?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Build in controls to protect against data integrity attacks

  What type of organisations is likely to be targeted by data integrity breaches and how best can they detect and mitigate against such attacks?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Data integrity breaches – the challenge facing banks

  What type of organisation is likely to be targeted by data integrity breaches and how best can they detect and mitigate such attacks?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Integrity attacks tough, but not impossible to spot

  What type of organisations is likely to be targeted by data integrity breaches and how best can they detect and mitigate against such attacks?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Under-the-radar data integrity attacks expected to rise

  What type of organisations are likely to be targeted by data integrity breaches, and how can they best detect and mitigate against such attacks?  Continue Reading

• Building business value with IT4IT

  To reinvent IT, CIOs must go beyond current process-based approaches and equip their teams with the right information and tools, completely automate end-to-end workflows, and provide the business with the controls to govern IT  Continue Reading

• How AI is disrupting the role of call centres and call centre staff

  Artificial intelligence could eliminate many white-collar jobs in coming decades. Its effects are already being felt in the call centre industry, but there is still no substitute for the human touch  Continue Reading

• The digital opportunity for CIOs

  CIOs have a unique opportunity to lead the digital strategy in their organisations, but they have to move quickly to make sure they have the right skills and infrastructure in place  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Cyber insurance – factor in all costs and obligations

  What should organisations consider if they are to prepare for cyber insurance?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Phishing awareness a key element of a security positive culture

  What are the most effective types of security controls and user training approaches for dealing with phishing?  Continue Reading

• A new nearshoring game is emerging

  Countries selling themselves as nearshore business services locations need to change their sales pitches to avoid becoming like all the other countries doing the same  Continue Reading

• KYC: a financial services business enabler

  In the financial services arena, know your customer (KYC) is set to emerge as a key strategic element of organisations’ business models  Continue Reading

• UK tech firms spend less, deliver more on training

  Survey shows technology firms spend 46% of the national average on learning and development per employee, but deliver an above-average number of hours’ training  Continue Reading

• Was that it? Business as usual for fintechs after Brexit vote

  Following the Brexit vote, Fintech Times editor Bird Lovegod describes how financial services IT startups are getting on with business as usual  Continue Reading

• A one-size-fits-all blockchain just won’t do

  With manifold use cases and specific requirements for blockchains, businesses will have to choose the right variety rather than deploy a single ‘interoperable’ blockchain  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: A starter guide for biometrics in security

  How can organisations move to biometric authentication of users without running the risk of exposing sensitive biometric information?  Continue Reading

• Brexit and technology: How network effects will damage UK IT industry

  Although largely ignored in the Brexit debate, network effects will damage the UK's high-tech industry if Britain leaves Europe  Continue Reading

• Blockchain and the CIO: a new model for IT

  The most important emerging technology for the enterprise – and therefore the CIO – is not big data, the social web, artificial intelligence, robotics or the cloud – it’s blockchain  Continue Reading

• Life on the edge: The benefits of using micro datacentres

  Enterprises are demanding faster access to applications and ever more processing power. Could edge datacentres fill the gap?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Three-pronged approach to defend against ransomware

  Ransomware is becoming increasingly prevalent in the world of cyber crime. What is the best strategy for businesses to protect against it?  Continue Reading

• Creating a CIO legacy beyond the systems

  So much of what a business does today needs to be technology-driven that CIOs have a choice between leading and lagging behind  Continue Reading

• The pace of digital disruption varies widely by industry

  Digital disruption is inevitable - but different forces in different industries mean the pace of change varies by sector  Continue Reading

• European regulation shakes up online payments security

  Payment service providers and merchants should lose no time in assessing the affect of proposed European security regulations  Continue Reading

• Recruiting for cyber security: What businesses need to know

  When it comes to cyber security, figuring out what you need is the easy part. Figuring out who you need, can be tricky  Continue Reading

• Investment banks recruit for rise of big data analytics

  Investment banks have been slower to embrace big data analytics than many consumer retailers, technology businesses, even retail banking  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Cyber security needs to start with the simple things

  Does the theft of $1bn from global financial firms by the Carbanak gang show it is time to seek new technologies or improve business processes?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Education, process and technology key to security challenge

  Does the theft of $1bn from global financial firms by the Carbanak gang show it is time to seek new technologies or improve business processes?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Enhanced cyber security requires change in attitude

  Does the theft of $1bn from global financial firms by the Carbanak gang show it is time to seek new technologies or improve business processes?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Carbanak requires people, process and tech, but mostly people

  Does the theft of $1bn from global financial firms by the Carbanak gang show it is time to seek new technologies or improve business processes?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Carbanak attacks highlight need for tech and process review  

  Does the theft of $1bn from global financial firms by the Carbanak gang show it is time to seek new technologies or improve business processes?  Continue Reading

• Germany and the UK - Europe’s technology pioneers

  Stephen Georgiadis, managing director at investment bank Altium, explores the thriving technology sectors in the UK and Germany  Continue Reading