Opinion

Opinion

Networking and communication

• Is data interoperability the key to unlocking IoT value?

  Much of the hype around the internet of things focuses on smart devices, but the best IoT initiatives will be those led by business need and data  Continue Reading

• Why you should think before you Zoom

  Feel free to use Zoom during the coronavirus lockdown, but think before you discuss anything confidential  Continue Reading

• What if we find we rather like this working from home thing?

  Sometimes it takes a major economic shock to change the accepted wisdom of economics and work – our working life after the coronavirus crisis might be very different  Continue Reading

• Coronavirus: What does the ‘new normal’ mean for how we work?

  Examining the long-term impact of the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic on the world of work, security, privacy and networks  Continue Reading

• Gigabit broadband for new homes is essential to UK’s telecoms ambitions

  Digital minister outlines plans to develop UK’s telecoms infrastructure to make it fit for the future  Continue Reading

• Three technology trends shaping dynamic networks

  The head of networking at Google Cloud looks at how the move to a microservices architecture is leading to a networking technology revolution  Continue Reading

• A five-point plan to get the UK out of the Huawei hole

  It's not too late for the UK to develop an alternative to Huawei, says Labour's shadow digital minister  Continue Reading

• Is the EU better equipped than the US to supervise the use of facial recognition?

  Clearview AI can be an indispensable tool to reinforce national security, but there are many risks associated with the use of facial recognition technology that the EU might be better equipped to deal with than the US  Continue Reading

• Addressing the IoT security challenge

  We consider how best to address some of the critical security challenges around the internet of things  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: How zero trust lets you take back control

  In theory, the elimination of trust on the network simplifies IT security, but zero trust also brings new complications and new challenges. How should CISOs go about moving their organisations from traditional network security to a zero trust ...  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Practical steps to achieve zero trust

  In theory, the elimination of trust on the network simplifies IT security, but zero trust also brings new complications and new challenges. How should CISOs go about moving their organisations from traditional network security to a zero-trust ...  Continue Reading

• Making gigabit broadband a reality for everyone in the UK

  As the new government introduces its first legislation to boost full-fibre broadband, digital minister Matt Warman looks ahead to delivering on the Conservatives’ election promises  Continue Reading

• Quantum sensing: A new frontier for revolutionary technology

  Sensors are increasingly commonplace thanks to the internet of things – but the next generation of sensing technology promises dramatic new capabilities  Continue Reading

• Can Europe legally share data with the US? A court far away is about to decide

  The European Court of Justice will deliver an opinion on whether Europe can legally continue to send private data about European citizens to the US  Continue Reading

• Conservative Party: Fostering an environment for IT and digital to flourish

  Matt Warman, Conservative MP and minister for digital and broadband, outlines the Tory policies for technology and digital ahead of the General Election  Continue Reading

• Australia's broadband network is a cautionary tale for UK broadband policy

  The UK Labour Party has led calls for a nationalised broadband network, but the lessons of Australia's attempts to introduce a similar policy provide cause for caution  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: In-depth protection is a matter of basic hygiene

  The belief that effective perimeter security is the best way to protect data is a fallacy that is being repeatedly exposed. We must recognise the need for a data-centric security model to protect data from both internal and external threats, but ...  Continue Reading

• Looking in little places for the value in the internet of things

  Delivering business value from the promise of highly networked sensor devices is harder than it first appears – and lessons can be learned in unexpected places  Continue Reading

• Is it now normal to use video for business communications – what for, where and why not?

  The use of video communications in business has moved on from the days of costly videoconferencing suites, but best practices are yet to develop fully  Continue Reading

• Is there substance in Boris Johnson’s full-fibre broadband vision?

  The new prime minister made a bold promise to roll out full-fibre broadband across the country by 2025 – but it’s a challenging task that requires serious investment and planning  Continue Reading

• 5G standards show how tech increasingly needs one global market

  The US has a problem: its military owns the spectrum everyone else will be using for 5G. It’s why the US cannot become a global leader in 5G – and why Huawei doesn’t care  Continue Reading

• Storage: How ‘tail latency’ impacts customer-facing applications

  Henry He of Virtual Instruments looks at tail latency, the small percentage of storage I/O that could be causing big and costly problems for business applications  Continue Reading

• UK businesses deserve a 5G networked nation

  The tech sector needs to coalesce around a unified, positive vision of 5G to establish a proper business case for ultrafast, low latency mobile  Continue Reading

• Space – the new frontier in cyber security

  50 years after the Moon landings, our growing reliance on satellite communications presents a new target for malicious cyber attacks  Continue Reading

• Boosting the UK’s digital infrastructure so it is fit for the future

  Extending full-fibre broadband and mobile network coverage are critical issues for a healthy UK economy – and a new prime minister must continue progress  Continue Reading

• Britain’s 5G roll-out – What is plan B?

  The government has ambitious aspirations in respect of Britain’s full-fibre and 5G networks. But among all the Brexit fog, has it managed to shoot itself in the foot with the roll-out of 5G mobile?  Continue Reading

• Does NHS Digital’s Internet First policy mean the end of HSCN?

  Last week, NHS Digital issued new policy guidance on internet usage that, at first glance, appeared to herald the end of HSCN – but is that really the case?  Continue Reading

• 5G’s first five years: A look ahead

  With 5G mobile networks edging closer to reality, GSMA Intelligence’s Matthew Iji looks ahead to consider how the technology will be adopted between now and 2024  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

• Wearable technology in the workplace and data protection law

  Wearable technology is slowly creeping into the workplace to monitor staff performance and health, but do employers understand the legal implications? We assess the data protection implications  Continue Reading

• New audiovisual connections enhance the learning experience

  Being open and inclusive to individual sensory needs as well as diverse technology choices means adopting a flexible approach to AV infrastructure  Continue Reading

• Building Britain’s national digital twin

  The tech sector and wider industry are coming together to create a “digital twin” of Britain to help improve the nation’s physical infrastructure – and you can help  Continue Reading

• Audiovisual systems need more efficient integration and management

  The spread of audiovisual systems for communication and collaboration needs to be supported in a similar manner to corporate IT, not facilities management  Continue Reading

• Visual collaboration needs more than just pixels and pointers

  The merging of audio-visual and information technologies presents new opportunities for collaboration and data sharing  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

• Bright future for OTT video – if the network can support it

  The emergence of over the top video services is having a massive impact on underlying network technology, according to the ITP  Continue Reading

• Everyone, everywhere is responsible for IIoT cyber security

  Cyber security in the industrial internet of things is not limited to a single company, industry or region – it is an international threat to public safety, and can only be addressed through collaboration that extends beyond borders and competitive ...  Continue Reading

• Why the government should rethink the UK’s surveillance laws

  The European Court of Human Rights has made clear that the Snoopers’ Charter is an unlawful violation of people’s rights and freedoms  Continue Reading

• 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

• Software development is not the only place where DevOps-style optimisation might be useful

  Too much of IT focuses on the importance what is measured, rather than measuring what's important  Continue Reading

• Smart cities face challenges and opportunities

  IHS Markit analysts Noman Akhtar and Kevin Hasley assess the way forward for smart city technology projects around the world  Continue Reading

• Beyond GDPR: ePrivacy could have an even greater impact on mobile

  From how we monitor air pollution and manage our public transport systems, to how we enable connected cars and the next generation of 5G mobile services, the forthcoming ePR could have a lasting impact on European society  Continue Reading

• Technology can help solve some of society’s pressing social and environmental problems

  A recent initiative on using technology to tackle the illegal wildlife trade shows how much the tech sector can contribute to solving some of society's biggest challenges  Continue Reading

• Is 5G more than just another generation of mobile?

  Although several mobile network operators have announced launch dates for 5G services, many people remain unsure about the aspirations for 5G, what it means for users, its monetisation and its timescales  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

• If 5G is the answer, what is the question?

  5G mobile networks are not the be-all and end-all when it comes to delivering consistent nationwide connectivity, says network standards expert William Webb  Continue Reading

• Can Huawei untangle the AI mess?

  Huawei is building a digital platform with “device-cloud synergy” to support artificial intelligence applications, but enterprises should be wary of being locked into a single AI stack  Continue Reading

• IoT security cannot be an afterthought: it must be the foundation of design

  As technologies for the internet of things mature, developers need to make security by design a fundamental part of their products  Continue Reading

• Why police forces need to be honest about mass mobile phone surveillance

  Police forces across the UK are covering up their use of sophisticated mass surveillance devices, known as IMSI-catchers - the Bristol Cable and Liberty are campaigning for proper transparency  Continue Reading

• Europe’s shameful role in spy-tech exports that led to torture and jail

  Governments in Europe actively assisted in government oppression in Iran, Bahrain and Russia by providing states with sophisticated surveillance equipment. The European Parliament is pressing for changes in the law to restrict exports of ...  Continue Reading

• Blockchain’s promise goes beyond fintech

  By reducing the cost of peer-to-peer data and resource transfer, blockchain can remove the need for third parties and middlemen across industries  Continue Reading

• Building on the UK tech sector’s momentum in 2018

  The UK’s digital and tech industry made great progress in 2017, and the government aims to further its support in 2018, says digital minister  Continue Reading

• Security Think Tank: Encourage employees to use an approved messaging app

  What criteria should organisations use to assess the security of smartphone messaging apps and how can they ensure only approved apps are used by employees?  Continue Reading

• My brother Lauri Love should have the right to a trial in the UK

  Lauri Love should face trial over hacking allegations in a British Court, rather than be extradited to the US, where his extraordinary skills will be lost to society, says his younger sister  Continue Reading

• How artificial intelligence and digitisation is transforming Australia

  Australia is being transformed by artificial intelligence and digitisation, particularly in areas such as education and public safety  Continue Reading

• A guide for businesses to China’s first cyber security law

  Companies that break China’s new cyber security law may be fined or even have their licence to trade in the country removed  Continue Reading

• How augmented reality can boost worker effectiveness

  More than just offering rich media experiences, augmented reality has the potential to lower cost and improve productivity across industries  Continue Reading

• How will the UK supercharge its digital economy?

  The country needs to focus on the key issues it faces to make the most of the opportunities presented by the digital revolution  Continue Reading

• Max Schrems’s mass surveillance complaint knocked back another year or two by Irish judge

  Irish data protection commissioner Helen Dixon has neatly avoided having to deal with the US surveillance of Facebook users in Europe by referring a complaint by Austrian lawyer Max Schrems to the European Court of Justice  Continue Reading

• Is the tide going out for transatlantic data flows?

  Businesses face new uncertainty over their ability to share data with the US, as Europe’s highest court reassesses the legality of the EU’s model data-sharing contracts  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 children of the digital revolution

  Digital professionals are emerging as the source of expertise within the agile enterprise. They understand how to use digital technologies, starting small then building big  Continue Reading

• IoT is good news for hackers

  Technology companies, governments and the insurance industry need to band together to counter the mounting cyber threats from the internet of things  Continue Reading

• Industry standards: Paving the way for autonomous vehicles

  The car industry needs to agree open standards to allow connected cars and autonomous vehicles to communicate. The bIoTope project is one initiative that could lead the way to agreement  Continue Reading

• Roam like at Home will prompt European telco consolidation

  Mobile users are understandably looking forward to an era of low phone costs now they can roam freely around the European Union, but it is very possible that they will be disappointed  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

• Investing in networks for the future – regulatory developments

  Regulators are increasingly focused on the policy objective of facilitating investment in new network technologies and high-quality broadband services. Angus Finnegan and Saher Ahmed outline some recent developments in this area in the UK and EU  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

• Storm clouds gather for US-EU Privacy Shield data deal

  The European Parliament justice committee launches unprecedented criticism of Privacy Shield, while the Irish Court mulls future of binding corporate contracts  Continue Reading

• 5G mobile must be transformative, not mission impossible

  The opportunities from 5G are considerable, but the preparations are complex – we need greater collaboration up front  Continue Reading

• £200 million fund can speed up demand for speedy FTTP broadband

  The value of the government’s £200m broadband fund should not be measured in monetary terms, but in terms of demand generation, says Lyndsey Burton, founder of comparison site Choose.co.uk  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

• Four reforms to deliver competitive broadband

  The UK will never benefit from ‘gold standard full fibre’ broadband without major reforms to the fabric of government, writes Ed Straw  Continue Reading

• The internet of things: an overview

  Despite security and other concerns, there are many benefits associated with embracing the internet of things  Continue Reading

• The politics of things: Policymakers must help shape the IoT

  Saverio Romeo, principal analyst at Beecham Research, explores the role of policymakers in the rapidly expanding internet of things  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

• Telcos need real-time analytics strategies to capitalise on big data

  In order to capitalise on the value from big data and operate as intelligent businesses, telcos must develop real-time analytics strategies, advises Accenture  Continue Reading

• The future of diversification in the mobile sector

  Diversification will take a vital role in the mobile market in 2017, with the realisation that mobile operators can no longer be a ‘dumb pipe’  Continue Reading

• Telecoms: Opportunities and challenges in 2017

  The telecoms sector is undergoing profound change, particularly in terms of consumer demand and technology, says Angus Finnegan of law firm Taylor Wessing  Continue Reading

• Fight against Investigatory Powers Bill may not be over

  Labour's shadow home secretary Diane Abbott says that wider society must now debate the controversial Investigatory Powers Bill, despite Parliamentary approval  Continue Reading

• Scotland, the perfect home for digital nomads?

  Scotland needs public and private sector support for entrepreneurs, and ubiquitous superfast broadband if its digital economy is to thrive, says MSP Jamie Greene  Continue Reading

• Obituary: Jonathan Green-Armytage, former Computer Weekly journalist

  Computer Weekly marks the passing of one of the great tech reporters from the 1980s and 1990s  Continue Reading

• Gary McKinnon: Why Lauri Love should be spared the nightmare of extradition

  Computer activist Lauri Love should be spared a life sentence in a US jail, says former hacker Gary McKinnon  Continue Reading

• The benefits of digital business process management with blockchain technology

  Distributed and decentralised ledger technologies, smart contracts and the internet of things have the potential to disrupt and revolutionise business process management and optimisation  Continue Reading

• ESN: a long-term evolution or a game-changing revolution?

  There is little doubt that the Home Office’s plan to update the Emergency Services Network is transformational, but how does it compare internationally?  Continue Reading

• Investigatory Powers Bill – the case for mass surveillance

  As the Investigatory Powers Bill goes through its final stages in Parliament, a former GCHQ intelligence officer puts the case for the bulk surveillance powers contained in the legislation  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

• IoT and healthcare at home – why are councils in the slow lane?

  Local authorities are missing out on potential savings and operational improvements from using internet of things technologies to help social care  Continue Reading

• Prism and the law: The state of play in August 2016

  Computer Weekly assesses the history, legal aspects and latest developments in the story of the mass surveillance programme launched by the US National Security Agency  Continue Reading

• Data breaches: Different regions, very different impacts

  The cost, scrutiny and pressure of dealing with a data breach will become more apparent in the near future as European legislation takes effect  Continue Reading

• Ofcom seems to have forgotten its remit, and actually that’s no surprise

  Ofcom made the wrong choice by putting economists in charge, and is in danger of forgetting its remit, says Simon Rockman  Continue Reading

• It’s not too late to turn the tide on Investigatory Powers Bill

  The government has set David Anderson QC an almost impossible task in his review of the sweeping bulk powers proposed in the Investigatory Powers Bill – but it is not too late to make a difference  Continue Reading

• How can telcos respond to the strategic questions they face?

  Traditional telcos are under tremendous pressure to reinvent themselves to remain competitive and relevant. BDO’s Christian Goetz looks at the options  Continue Reading

• New Zealand reaps fibre benefits as copper-choked UK risks digital exclusion

  Telecoms and technology consultant, futurist and ex-BT CTO Peter Cochrane highlights the urgency for the UK to consider FTTP if it wants to maintain its place in the world economy  Continue Reading

• Fear, uncertainty and data doubt hold back public Wi-Fi

  Venue owners’ uncertainty and befuddlement over what they can actually do with their Wi-Fi infrastructure and the data carried over it is hindering their ability to realise the full potential of public Wi-Fi  Continue Reading

• A legal perspective on Ofcom’s BT Openreach review

  Frances Murphy, partner, and Joanna Christoforou, of counsel, from the London office of global law firm Morgan Lewis examine Ofcom’s review of BT’s Openreach  Continue Reading

• New 5G spectrum rules urgently needed for European innovators

  Europe risks falling behind if it does not move to establish 5G spectrum standards soon  Continue Reading

• Wearable technology creates opportunities for retailers

  Wearable technology allows taxis to offer commuters a ride when it is raining, and restaurants' to tailor their dishes to customers' weight-loss plans.  Continue Reading