Opinion

Opinion

IT project management

• IR35 reforms: Tech firms warned off relying on high-risk compliance workarounds

  Several months have passed since the onset of the IR35 reforms in the private sector, but compliance with the rules remains an ongoing process, warns Brookson Legal’s Matt Fryer  Continue Reading

• How the cyber security market is evolving

  The cyber security market has gained even greater importance in the post-Covid era and continues to grow and evolve. But what factors are driving trends in that market and what should your organisation consider when making cyber security investments?  Continue Reading

• Firms struggle to manage their innovation ecosystems

  A lack of governance and performance mechanisms is hindering firms from getting the most out of suppliers in their innovation ecosystems  Continue Reading

• The unintended consequences of digital transformation

  Digital transformation offers organisations a way to change fundamentally the way they operate  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Consider cyber policies and procedures as you welcome employees back

  With Covid-19 restrictions easing, offices are welcoming back remote workers this summer, bringing with them their notebooks and mobiles, and creating an endpoint management headache for CISOs. What do security teams need to account for to protect ...  Continue Reading

• Can a web app ever be truly secure?

  Despite the wealth of vulnerability detection tools and practices, there remains a vast array of web application security breaches  Continue Reading

• Choose the right ITSM tool for digital era success

  IT service management (ITSM) tools are essential for many organisations to help optimise the design, delivery, support, use and governance of IT, but not all ITSM solutions are created equal, therefore selecting the right one is crucial  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Hydration, hiring, hacking – lessons in post-Covid risk

  With Covid-19 restrictions easing, offices are welcoming back remote workers this summer, bringing with them their notebooks and mobiles, and creating an endpoint management headache for CISOs. What do security teams need to account for to protect ...  Continue Reading

• Universal Credit: What went wrong, and what we learned

  The architect of one of the biggest and most controversial government policies – and IT failures – of the past decade gives his inside view of the project, and how Computer Weekly was a thorn in their side  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: To secure printers think process, technology and people

  Though rarely discussed in a cyber context, the prevalence of connected printers and MFPs poses security risks both technological and physical. What does a print security strategy need to take into account?  Continue Reading

• Why agility is the key to secure software

  Continuous delivery of software product releases demands continuous security. Businesses and regulators are right to wonder whether organisations are valuing cyber security by the design of their products  Continue Reading

• NHS Digital’s GP data-scraping plan must be publicised and delayed

  The UK government must launch a national awareness campaign and delay this month’s planned GP data slurp, say privacy consultants Ben Rapp and Sara Newman  Continue Reading

• Policies key to revolutionising Identity Governance and Administration

  The proliferation of digital identities, applications, data, security threats and compliance requirements means that Identity Governance and Administration (IGA) has never been more important, but not all organisations are approaching it in an ...  Continue Reading

• The shape of fraud and cyber crime: 10 things we learned from 2020

  While a pandemic-driven increase in cyber crime and an exacerbation of existing fraud trends were, to a large extent, to be expected, the LexisNexis Risk solutions UK cybercrime report 2020 still contained a few surprises  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Vaccine passports must be secure by design

  What are the security issues and challenges presented by vaccine passports, and how should they be designed and used with ethics and privacy in mind?  Continue Reading

• Moving from VMs to a container-based enterprise architecture

  As organisations move to a cloud-native architecture, they will need to consider what to do with their existing virtual server estate  Continue Reading

• Why the London Data Charter could be a foundation stone in the city’s recovery

  London First’s director of connectivity and competitiveness, David Lutton, explains why data is at the core of the capital’s recovery plan  Continue Reading

• Data-driven innovation needs trustworthy governance

  The pandemic has given us a glimpse of what data-driven technology can do for society – and we cannot go back to the status quo  Continue Reading

• Fixing government digital transformation – lessons from the early days of GDS

  As a new organisation is formed to lead UK digital government, three former government digital leaders share the lessons they learned from the early days of the Government Digital Service  Continue Reading

• The ransomware routine: pages from the Secret IR Insider’s diary

  The Secret Incident Response Insider shares behind-the-scenes stories of what really happens after organisations are hit by cyber attacks – and shows how they could have been avoided  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Plan for hybrid working to become normal

  After a year of unprecedented disruption thanks to Covid-19, it looks like remote working is set to remain with us for now, which means security strategies will change in 2021. What will this change look like, and what tools and services will be ...  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Time for security teams to learn from Covid

  After a year of unprecedented disruption thanks to Covid-19, it looks like remote working is set to remain with us for now, which means security strategies will change in 2021. What will this change look like, and what tools and services will be ...  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: The year of the work-from-home hangover

  After a year of unprecedented disruption thanks to Covid-19, it looks like remote working is set to remain with us for now, which means security strategies will change in 2021. What will this change look like, and what tools and services will be ...  Continue Reading

• How to manage non-human identities

  Identity management has traditionally focused on human identities, but non-human identities are proliferating and must not be overlooked. Businesses can reduce risk by managing both types of identity in the same way using a services-based approach  Continue Reading

• HANA or ‘na’?

  With alternatives abundant, many organisations are holding off on enterprise software upgrades  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: SOAR to the next level with automation

  SIEM and SOAR have much in common, but there are key differences between the two that may influence the best fit for your organisation. What should security pros consider when making a choice?  Continue Reading

• SIEM or SOAR or both? Consider your business complexity first

  SIEM and SOAR have much in common, but there are key differences between the two that may influence the best fit for your organisation. What should security pros consider when making a choice?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: SIEM and SOAR are far from mutually exclusive

  SIEM and SOAR have much in common, but there are key differences between the two that may influence the best fit for your organisation. What should security pros consider when making a choice?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Alerts are great, it’s what you do with them that counts

  SIEM and SOAR have much in common, but there are key differences between the two that may influence the best fit for your organisation. What should security pros consider when making a choice?  Continue Reading

• How to modernise identity governance and administration

  Modernising identity governance and administration (IGA) capabilities is essential for organisations to manage identities effectively to ensure they remain competitive, compliant and secure  Continue Reading

• Why automation isn’t always an improvement

  Automation can help organisations run more efficiently, but only if the most inefficient steps in a business process are fixed first  Continue Reading

• From front line to back office – how supporting the cyber community keeps the NHS safe

  NHS Digital’s chief information security officer describes how the Cyber Associates Network benefits security experts in health and care  Continue Reading

• Brexit and risks to data privacy and governance

  EY privacy specialists assess the risks to data privacy, protection and governance on the table for businesses, with less than two months until Brexit  Continue Reading

• Five steps to build an artificial intelligence strategy

  Artificial intelligence is the next frontier for IT in businesses, helping to increase competitive advantage. A truly successful AI strategy needs careful planning  Continue Reading

• How to write an executive CV for IT leadership jobs

  Knowing how to write an IT executive CV requires a deep knowledge and skillset that not everyone has. Find out how to set yourself apart from the competition  Continue Reading

• Risk and reward: How to succeed in digital transformation

  Most organisations are seeking to step up their digital transformation efforts, but history has shown that such efforts can be doomed to failure if they take the wrong approach  Continue Reading

• Lapsing ISO certifications: Myth versus risk

  Allowing ISO certifications to lapse presents businesses with serious risks when workarounds are possible  Continue Reading

• Tech executives need new skills to lead in a remote world

  After helping organisations adapt to new ways of working during the Covid-19 pandemic, IT leaders worldwide are now enjoying greater influence, according to this year’s Harvey Nash/KPMG CIO Survey  Continue Reading

• Digital leaders and the widening divide

  This year’s Harvey Nash/KPMG CIO Survey shows a widening of the digital business divide, with companies that have already adopted digital technologies more likely to accelerate those investments than those still in the planning stage  Continue Reading

• Why business resilience management should be high on the agenda

  Business resilience management is key to business survival in the face of rapidly changing IT, cyber threat and regulatory environments  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Edge datacentre security depends on specific needs

  That datacentre security is a complex subject is not in doubt and, given the trend to move beyond centralised datacentres to distributed environments, this is not going to change. How can security professionals ensure such setups are just as secure ...  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Beware security blind spots at the edge

  That datacentre security is a complex subject is not in doubt and, given the trend to move beyond centralised datacentres to distributed environments, this is not going to change. How can security professionals ensure such setups are just as secure ...  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Datacentre security is a business imperative

  That datacentre security is a complex subject is not in doubt and, given the trend to move beyond centralised datacentres to distributed environments, this is not going to change. How can security professionals ensure such setups are just as secure ...  Continue Reading

• 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

• How to tackle the IAM challenges of multinational companies

  The rapidly changing business, regulatory and IT environment makes identity and access management a tough nut to crack for large multinationals  Continue Reading

• The countdown is on for TikTok after Schrems II

  Given the US’ threatened actions against TikTok and the outcome of Schrems II, it is clear that the spotlight is now firmly on international data transfers  Continue Reading

• How the chancellor’s Plan for Jobs could benefit the UK tech sector

  Technology has a strong role to play in the UK’s recovery, with Rishi Sunak’s Plan for Jobs offering opportunities for the sector  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: AI in cyber needs complex cost/benefit analysis

  AI and machine learning techniques are said to hold great promise in security, enabling organisations to operate a IT predictive security stance and automate reactive measures when needed. Is this perception accurate, or is the importance of ...  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Ignore AI overheads at your peril

  Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are said to hold great promise in security, enabling organisations to operate an IT predictive security stance and automate reactive measures when needed. Is this perception accurate, or is the...  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: SIEM and AI – a match made in heaven?

  Artificial intelligence and machine learning techniques are said to hold great promise in security, enabling organisations to operate an IT predictive security stance and automate reactive measures when needed. Is this perception accurate, or is the...  Continue Reading

• Time to rethink business continuity and cyber security

  Business continuity and cyber security remain largely in separate silos, but changes in the IT and cyber threat landscapes mean there is an urgent need for organisations to alter their approach  Continue Reading

• Gartner: Build a plan to bring remote workers back to the office

  Gartner senior research directors Kevin Ji and John McArthur look at how enterprises can plan and strategise for the reopening of workplaces  Continue Reading

• The Covid-19 crisis: Reinventing digital transformation

  Digital transformation projects are returning as organisations realise that improvements in productivity and customer engagement are now even more important – providing that the work can be done remotely and there’s still cash to pay for it  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Container security starts with good DevOps practice

  Adopting containers promises great organisational efficiency advantages, but the fast-evolving technology can be problematic for security teams. What do CISOs need to know to safeguard containers?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Container security is evolving, so must CISOs

  Adopting containers promises great organisational efficiency advantages, but the fast-evolving technology can be problematic for security teams. What do CISOs need to know to safeguard containers?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Four steps to container security best practice

  Adopting containers promises great organisational efficiency advantages, but the fast-evolving technology can be problematic for security teams. What do CISOs need to know to safeguard containers?  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: CISO stress – moving from recognition to action

  Cyber criminals are enjoying a boom during the Covid-19 pandemic, and security teams are working overtime as a result. How can security professionals manage their increased workload, safeguard their mental well-being and avoid burnout?  Continue Reading

• Coronavirus: Five-step action plan to keep SAP ticking

  All businesses have been impacted by the coronavirus lockdown. As the economy starts moving again, how should SAP projects proceed?  Continue Reading

• 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

• 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

• How to modernise IT systems while ensuring they remain stable

  Organisations need to be both agile and maintain control and stability of their IT. How can they achieve both outcomes?  Continue Reading

• Why zero trust may not be all it’s cracked up to be

  While they are discussed ad nauseam in the security industry, zero-trust architectures may not be all they’re cracked up to be, according to analyst Sam Bocetta  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: ID-driven security helps safeguard the workforce

  In our globalised world, high-profile events such as Covid-19 have huge business impacts and some of these impacts may be felt by CISOs. What responsibilities do security pros have in such circumstances, and what steps can they take to shore up ...  Continue Reading

• 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

• Why the banking industry needs an IT makeover

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

• How CI/CD helps digital organisations

  Developments in technology have transformed IT management practices. We discuss the management implications of using CI/CD to drive digitisation initiatives  Continue Reading

• 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

• Security Think Tank: Base cloud security posture on your data footprint

  Misconfigured cloud environments are increasingly identified as the source of damaging data breaches and leaks, raising serious questions for enterprises. Where does responsibility for data security in the cloud lie, and how can security ...  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Secure the cloud when negotiating contracts

  Misconfigured cloud environments are increasingly identified as the source of damaging data breaches and leaks, raising serious questions for enterprises. Where does responsibility for data security in the cloud lie, and how can security ...  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

• 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

• 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

• The lesson of TSB – testing, 1, 2, 3

  An organisation’s IT system might look good on the surface, but you can’t fix a problem if you don’t know it’s there  Continue Reading

• Why your marketing team needs help from IT more than ever

  Some IT and marketing departments have a troubled history of working together, but better collaboration is essential to make a success of digital transformation  Continue Reading

• Beware of the digital bandwagon

  The rush to become ‘digital by default’ could drive costs up and have a damaging effect on understanding customer demand, writes John Seddon  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

• Passive optical LAN: When network speed, bandwidth and security matter

  Copper-based local area networks are increasingly unfit for purpose in a digital enterprise, but passive optical LANs may be a solution. Tech evangelist Paul Ryan, European chair of the Association of Passive Optical LAN, explains why  Continue Reading

• How to make the right technology choice

  Organisations need digital technology, but how do you decide which is the best technology for you? The answer is not to make one big decision, but many small ones. Thinking about technology, behaviour and data will help you find the right answers  Continue Reading

• The high price of not understanding how automation works with existing software licences

  Businesses must check their software licences before they introduce robotic process automation or they risk breaking the rules  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

• Architecting the digital enterprise

  A survey of almost 4,500 IT leaders in 90 countries shows that the fastest-growing area of demand in IT this year is for enterprise architects. It is not a skills shortage, but an adoption lag  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

• How can CIOs drive innovation?

  Three steps CIOs can take to help them take the lead in driving innovation in their organisations.  Continue Reading

• Gov.uk Verify and identity assurance - it's time for a rethink

  The government's Verify identity platform is not meeting user needs - it's time to step back and review how best to make online identity for public services work  Continue Reading

• Escaping waterfall government and the myth of 'digital transformation'

  An agile approach to digital programmes will not transform Whitehall unless the waterfall approach to policy and decision-making is overhauled too  Continue Reading

• Is ‘OK’ OK? Delivering the next government network platform

  As GDS signals its intent to move away from the Public Services Network, the industry and public sector must work together to create a new internet-based network platform for government  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

• A Good American: a personal take on mass surveillance

  Director Friedrich Moser draws some conclusions on mass surveillance from his groundbreaking documentary on the work of NSA whistleblower, Bill Binney  Continue Reading

• Fighting the ‘fortress mentality’ at DWP – my search for the truth about Universal Credit

  IT programme manager and freedom-of-information campaigner John Slater reflects on his four-year battle to force the Department for Work and Pensions to release key documents  Continue Reading

• People, not processes – a personal lament

  Professionals should never forget the art of networking and relationship-building as their career progresses  Continue Reading

• Saving Bletchley Park: The women of Station X

  Sue Black recalls her first experience of Bletchley Park and the women who worked there, inspiring a campaign to save the home of the WW2 codebreakers  Continue Reading

• What CIOs need to know to ensure their PMOs deliver

  The most effective project management organisations spend most of their time and resources on relationships and minimal time on tasks  Continue Reading

• The missing ingredient for effective problem management

  Problem management implementations often fail or have limited success because they lack managers who are trained to lead problem investigations using structured methods  Continue Reading

• Reinventing outsourcing through agile principles

  Organisations are starting to use agile principles to reinvent the outsourcing selection process, with some excellent results  Continue Reading

• Driving digital productivity in the UK

  There is a need for British businesses to improve their adoption of digital technologies  Continue Reading

• What corporate IT can learn from startups

  Former Hailo and Betfair CTO Rorie Devine shares his experience of working with startups and what IT leaders can learn from them  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Security is always a functional requirement of change

  How can development, operations and security teams collaborate around change to ensure security is maintained and even improved?  Continue Reading

• The top 10 myths about agile development

  Examining some of the most common misconceptions in the growing field of agile software development  Continue Reading

• Forrester: Manage business technology outcomes, not IT assets

  Why CIOs need to adopt a business technology agenda if they want to survive in the age of the customer  Continue Reading