Europe and Middle East information technology (IT)

Read the latest European and Middle East information technology (IT) news and articles covering IT management topics, including information security, data storage, networking, data centre, cloud computing, mobile applications, virtualisation, big data and more.

E-Zine 09 Nov 2023
Heineken lets the data flow

In this month’s CW EMEA ezine, we find out about Heineken’s mission to make the most out of the data it holds through an enterprise-wide data ecosystem. We also look at how the UK has turned its back on the German government-funded Gaia-X data platform, why cyber experts are urging the EU to rethink vulnerability disclosure plans, and how the IT industry is responding to the software developer skills shortfall. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
Feature 31 Oct 2023
The world's most advanced Arabic LLM is now available on open source

On 30 August 2023, Abu Dhabi-based Inception, a subsidiary of G42, announced the release of an Arabic large language model to open source Continue Reading

News 25 Jan 2018

Driverless buses hit the streets of Stockholm

Self-driving buses are being used in real traffic environments as part of a trial in Stockholm Continue Reading
News 24 Jan 2018

Sweden puts government IT outsourcing under increased scrutiny

Government introduces rules to tighten security in IT outsourcing deals following a very public data leak last year Continue Reading
News 23 Jan 2018

New controversies as Trump passes US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act

The amended Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which seeks to legitimise US surveillance on foreigners, has been signed off by president Trump Continue Reading
News 23 Jan 2018

Interview: Kaspar Korjus, Estonian e-Residency lead

As the number of people signing up to become Estonian e-residents exceeds the country’s birth rate, Computer Weekly speaks to the man heading up the programme Continue Reading
News 22 Jan 2018

Norwegian healthcare breach alert failed GDPR requirements

Norwegian healthcare authorities failed General Data Protection Regulation requirements for notifying those affected by a personal data breach by waiting a week before disclosing a breach discovered on 8 January 2018 Continue Reading
News 22 Jan 2018

European Parliament votes to restrict exports of surveillance equipment

European Parliament votes to tighten export controls to restrict supply of surveillance and encryption technology to states with poor human rights records amid fears British companies may not have to comply after Brexit Continue Reading
News 18 Jan 2018

Nordic IT executive interview: Daniel Kjellén, CEO, Tink

Sweden could have a head start in the race to open up banking through the European Union’s PSD2 regulation Continue Reading
News 18 Jan 2018

Demand for cloud services drives increase in IT outsourcing

Cloud services spending in Europe, the Middle East and Africa offset a drop in traditional IT outsourcing in 2017 Continue Reading
News 17 Jan 2018

Davos: Disintegration of the internet could create economic turmoil

Politicians and business leaders will discuss the risks posed by fake news, cyber attacks, and artificial intelligence to jobs, political stability and global security, at the World Economic Forum in Davos Continue Reading
News 16 Jan 2018

Sweden pilots surveillance technology to combat terrorism and crime

The Swedish police and security agencies are trialling surveillance equipment to help them respond to terrorism and crime more quickly Continue Reading
News 16 Jan 2018

Abu Dhabi continues fintech agenda in 2018

Abu Dhabi is open to developing its fintech ecosystem, with the next 12 months expected to see more focus on the sector Continue Reading
News 16 Jan 2018

Skygofree Android spyware active since 2014, say researchers

Powerful, highly advanced spyware has been targeting Android mobiles for the past four years, security researchers have discovered Continue Reading
News 11 Jan 2018

Retail banking regulations hit UK with the potential of a ‘Big Bang’ moment

The UK retail banking sector is at the beginning of a journey towards to a more competitive future as new regulation hits them Continue Reading
E-Zine 11 Jan 2018

CW Middle East: Technology transforms healthcare delivery in Gulf region

The Gulf’s healthcare sector has witnessed exponential growth in the past two decades, driven by a rapidly growing population and a rise in lifestyle-related diseases. Read how technology is helping the region’s healthcare sector cope with demand. Also in this issue, find out how an initiative at Avaya hopes to use blockchain networks to help make the citizens of Dubai happy, and how the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority’s smart transformation is progressing. Continue Reading
News 10 Jan 2018

UAE tech growth prompts firms to review internal IT security

As IT becomes more prominent in the UAE economy, more and more internal connections between people and systems are created, all of which need to be secured Continue Reading
News 10 Jan 2018

Germany’s Lemoncat disrupts business catering through cloud computing

Startup is shaking up Germany’s business catering sector with a platform that harnesses Amazon and Salesforce clouds Continue Reading
News 09 Jan 2018

Max Schrems champions NGO to fight for GDPR rights

Privacy activist whose legal challenge of Facebook led to the scrapping of the Safe Harbour Agreement says crowdfunding a new type of non-government organisation is essential to deliver privacy rights Continue Reading
News 09 Jan 2018

Dutch bank tests wearable technology payments

ABN Amro is testing out wearable payment devices with 500 customers as part of a four-month pilot Continue Reading
News 09 Jan 2018

Spanish authorities ready roads for autonomous vehicles

Spain’s Directorate General of Traffic has selected Mobileye technology to develop vision and data analysis for driver assistance and autonomous vehicles Continue Reading
News 09 Jan 2018

Cyber attacks in 2017 drive Nordic security efforts

The volume of cyber attacks last year has increased boardroom focus on security in the Nordic region Continue Reading
News 08 Jan 2018

Sweden steps up cyber defence measures

Sweden is tightening up its cyber security defences as part of a wider national security strategy Continue Reading
News 04 Jan 2018

Nordic banks face digitisation decisions over PSD2

With the latest version of the EU payment services directive coming into force, traditional Nordic banks can’t afford to slow their digital transformations Continue Reading
News 03 Jan 2018

Top IT priorities for Nordic CIOs in 2018

Nordic CIOs tell Computer Weekly about their intentions for the year ahead Continue Reading
News 20 Dec 2017

Sweden’s Stena Line sets sail for digital transformation

Ferry operator’s CTO tells Computer Weekly how the company can differentiate itself by using digital tools to make its processes more efficient Continue Reading
Opinion 20 Dec 2017

How to boost your personal brand as an IT professional

Seven steps to help you build a personal brand in the workplace, articulate the value you provide and build your professional reputation Continue Reading
News 19 Dec 2017

Top 10 enterprise IT in the Nordics stories in 2017

The Nordic region might be best known in IT circles for its startup communities – but it has much more to offer Continue Reading
E-Zine 14 Dec 2017

CW Europe: Eurosport pumps up digital technology for cycling fans

Read how Eurosport is using a novel combination of technology and information to develop immersive viewing experiences for sports fans across a range of platforms. Also find out how Russian state bank Vneshekonombank expects to become a vehicle for a blockchain revolution in the country’s public sector, and what the European Parliament's approval of a new electronic system to store biometric information might mean for UK citizens after Brexit. Continue Reading
News 11 Dec 2017

Bumps in the road ahead for Nordic cashless societies

Sweden and Norway are global leaders when it comes to reducing the use of cash in the economy – but what about the Nordic region as a whole? Continue Reading
News 07 Dec 2017

Tieto wins Stockholm’s multimillion IT outsourcing contract

Swedish capital switches IT services provider after “administrative error” ruled original contractor out of agreement Continue Reading
Opinion 06 Dec 2017

How to attract investors for your enterprise software startup

Are you looking to find an investor for your enterprise software company? This expert advice explains what investors will be looking to find in an innovative software business seeking backing Continue Reading
News 05 Dec 2017

Third of Sweden's IT providers could be gone in two years

The IT services sector in Sweden will be decimated as hundreds of local suppliers disappear Continue Reading
News 04 Dec 2017

Barclays Bank stops offering Kaspersky software to new users

Bank is no longer offering customers Kaspersky anti-virus software after UK security agency issues warning Continue Reading
News 29 Nov 2017

Norway merges payment systems to combat global competition

Norwegian banks are merging three payment and identification systems in the face of increased competition from companies in other countries Continue Reading
News 28 Nov 2017

Dutch digital coin miners offered datacentre space to reduce costs

The Netherlands’ Datacenter Group is providing digital coin miners with space in a professional datacentre Continue Reading
News 28 Nov 2017

Fintech is increasing operational risk to banks

European Banking Association report reveals fear of greater operational risk because of increased take-up of fintech in financial services sector Continue Reading
Video 28 Nov 2017

Lauri Love: how reformed hackers halted the WannaCry virus

Lauri Love presents a compelling story of the WannaCry malware that nearly brought down the NHS, and the behind the scenes work of former hackers, and security researchers that helped to prevent lives being lost. Love is facing extradition to the US after allegedly taking part in a hacking protest over the death of internet pioneer Aaron Swartz, who faced jail for using a hidden computer to downloading academic journals at MIT. Continue Reading
Opinion 27 Nov 2017

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
News 27 Nov 2017

Norway’s print media responds to digital threats

Subscription-based models are among the tactics being deployed by Norway’s print media organisations as they react to the digital threat to their traditional income streams Continue Reading
News 26 Nov 2017

UK only average in terms of digital public services

UK government has the innovation skills to become a digital public services leader, but needs to improve the ID and authentication that sits underneath it to reach this goal Continue Reading
E-Zine 23 Nov 2017

CW Nordics: IT companies focus on job satisfaction

The Nordics IT industry’s increasing focus on job satisfaction is paying off. Computer Weekly’s global salary survey shows Nordic IT professionals are happy with their pay and training opportunities and few are actively seeking a new job. Also in this issue, read how there is still gender inequality in the IT sector despite Nordic countries being hailed as pioneers of digital and equal worker rights. And Anna Eriksson, CIO of the Swedish National Land Survey, talks about the organisation’s approach to digital transformation. Continue Reading
News 21 Nov 2017

Nordic CIO interview: Emil Dahlin, Svevia

Swedish construction company Svevia is transforming digitally, driven by chief information officer Emil Dahlin Continue Reading
News 20 Nov 2017

Dubai Health Authority completes final phase of Salama electronic medical records system roll-out

Dubai Health Authority completes medical records digitisation scheme, 21 months after the project was first unveiled Continue Reading
News 16 Nov 2017

Europe not ready for imminent cyber strikes, say infosec professionals

Information security leaders in Europe believe a major breach of critical infrastructure is coming and that data breaches in their own organisations are imminent – yet most are not ready Continue Reading
News 16 Nov 2017

Private Swiss bank Julius Baer to save $1m a year with cloud HR

Julius Baer banks on higher returns after replacing on-premise systems with cloud HR services Continue Reading
E-Zine 09 Nov 2017

CW Benelux: Young wayward hackers could help fill Dutch IT skills gap

In this issue, read how an initiative in Rotterdam is helping young people get into the IT sector by targeting those overlooked by traditional methods. Also find out how Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is utilising open source software to create and use a multi-cloud platform with an open API, and how the Netherlands’ Rabobank has moved from tape libraries and robotic arms to a platform-based storage and retrieval system. Continue Reading
Opinion 08 Nov 2017

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
News 03 Nov 2017

Go beyond GDPR for a competitive edge

By exceeding the bare minimum requirements set by privacy regulations, businesses can win customers by offering greater assurances, says a business adviser Continue Reading
News 02 Nov 2017

Middle East blockchain forum moves to accelerate adoption of the distributed ledger technology

Blockchain technology is becoming more widely used by financial services companies in the Middle East, and is finding its way into other sectors in the region Continue Reading
News 27 Oct 2017

Nordea lays off 6,000, citing digital transformation as the driver

Nordea is cutting staff as a result of its ongoing digital transformation, which means it needs less people Continue Reading
News 27 Oct 2017

Carglass France feels benefit of employee knowledge sharing

Automobile glass repair company Carglass France is using knowledge-sharing technology to distribute expertise among 3,000 employees Continue Reading
News 27 Oct 2017

Airbus saves millions after building a digital learning library

Airbus has created a digital learning library that is helping more than 100,000 staff in 35 countries keep their skills updated Continue Reading
News 24 Oct 2017

Nordic finance watchdogs losing patience over anti-money laundering systems at banks

The financial services watchdogs have informed banks that they have to do more to improve anti-money laundering systems Continue Reading
News 19 Oct 2017

Norway’s Trondheim embraces the cloud with Google G Suite

Municipality is reaping the benefits of moving productivity software to the cloud Continue Reading
News 17 Oct 2017

RSA’s Middle East cyber security conference gains its own identity

RSA Abu Dhabi conference focuses on region’s cyber security needs as digital technology deployments expand Continue Reading
News 16 Oct 2017

How technology is transforming healthcare delivery in Gulf region

IT will transform the healthcare sector in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries over the coming years Continue Reading
News 16 Oct 2017

ADMCC monitors Abu Dhabi with Cisco technology

Abu Dhabi's surveillance system is using technology from Cisco Continue Reading
E-Zine 12 Oct 2017

CW Middle East: Internet of things can help Gulf countries to diversify

The Middle East’s push towards economic diversification is driving innovation in internet of things (IoT) applications for emerging services sectors, such as transport and logistics, telecommunications, financial services and tourism. Also read how the Dubai Health Authority is rolling out Salama, a unified electronic medical record (EMR) system, and a survey shows organisations in the Middle East are not offering IT staff enough training and don’t employ enough women in IT. Continue Reading
News 11 Oct 2017

Teva Pharmaceuticals turns to cloud HR as it weathers difficult trading conditions

One of Israel’s largest manufacturing companies has invested more than $10m in cloud HR. The technology is helping Teva Pharmaceuticals turn its fortunes around. Continue Reading
News 11 Oct 2017

Dutch government agreement increasingly focuses on IT security

The coalition government in the Netherlands has agreed its plan for the next four years, with IT security prominent Continue Reading
News 10 Oct 2017

Abu Dhabi transport department uses drones to improve traffic flows

Data collected by live video stream from drones is analysed at control centre to help alleviate traffic jams and other issues Continue Reading
News 10 Oct 2017

Belgian telco Proximus picks Cloudify to support NFV roll-out

Belgium’s largest telecoms operator Proximus will deploy a cloud-native orchestration platform to support its adoption of NFV services in the business Continue Reading
News 06 Oct 2017

All EU countries sign up to implement digital-by-default services

Declaration reaffirms commitment to bring public sector services into the digital age and improve citizens’ interaction with government Continue Reading
News 03 Oct 2017

Dubai Land Department launches interactive app

Mashrooi app will track real estate project progress and allow users to compare construction against developers’ plans Continue Reading
News 02 Oct 2017

Hard Brexit would see UK tech exports fall by £1.7bn

UK manufacturers including those in the technology sector will lose billions of pounds of export revenue if the government completes a hard Brexit Continue Reading
News 27 Sep 2017

UK-EU talks have failed to raise confidence of IT leaders

IT decision-makers are no more confident about how Brexit will affect them despite this year’s general election and talks between the EU and the UK Continue Reading
News 25 Sep 2017

Cage director found guilty of terrorism offence after refusing to disclose passwords

Muhammad Rabbani, international director of Cage, is convicted of an offence under the terrorism act after refusing to disclose his mobile phone PIN and laptop password under Terrorism Act Continue Reading
News 25 Sep 2017

Amazon launches Middle East region

Amazon opens its latest delivery hub in Bahrain to serve customers in the Middle East Continue Reading
News 15 Sep 2017

Banks across Europe cut thousands of staff and branches as IT replaces them

Banks across Europe cut jobs and close thousands of branches as IT shakes the industry Continue Reading
E-Zine 14 Sep 2017

CW Europe: The Macedonian surveillance scandal that brought down a government

In this issue, we look at evidence that Macedonia may have been running covert internet surveillance using sophisticated software supplied by a western technology company. We also look at how politics is changing IT buying habits in France, with French CIOs looking at alternatives to storing data with US-based suppliers as a result of one of President Trump’s executive orders. Download the issue now. Continue Reading
News 06 Sep 2017

European Union states question copyright law proposal

European states are questioning legality of a new copyright law proposed by the EU Continue Reading
News 04 Sep 2017

Women still under-represented in Nordic IT despite region’s efforts

Although countries in the Nordic region are often hailed as pioneers of digital and equal worker rights, there is still gender inequality in the IT sector. Continue Reading
News 31 Aug 2017

Open source helps Schiphol fly to multi-clouds

Amsterdam airport Schiphol is utilising open source software to create and use a multi-cloud platform with an open API Continue Reading
News 30 Aug 2017

HCL expands global network with Swedish delivery centre

HCL has opened another delivery centre in the Nordic region, this time in Gothenburg, Sweden Continue Reading
News 29 Aug 2017

Saudi Telecom Company creates cloud computing giant

The IT joint venture in Saudi Arabia will drive the digitisation of government services Continue Reading
News 29 Aug 2017

Danske Bank taps into the cognitive capabilities of IBM Watson

Danish bank is using IBM Watson as part of a major IT outsourcing deal Continue Reading
E-Zine 24 Aug 2017

CW Nordics: Banks and startups increase collaboration

First they were deemed a threat, now they are potential partners. According to a new report by Nordic accelerator Fintech Mundi, banks are increasingly turning to financial technology (fintech) startups in their hunt for new ideas and market opportunities. Also in this issue, read now Baker Brun, a bakery company in Norway, is modernising its business processes through the latest technologies, and hear how Stockholm’s CIO is relishing the challenge of trying to make the Swedish capital the smartest city in the world. Continue Reading
News 23 Aug 2017

Dutch e-voting is waiting for an opportunity

Despite years of opposition and distrust in voting machines, a small Dutch initiative is aiming for a new form of e-voting Continue Reading
News 23 Aug 2017

UAE telco Du pushes SaaS adoption in Middle East

The Middle East looks set to see strong growth in software as a service and IT departments need to take a different approach Continue Reading
News 22 Aug 2017

Wearables on the rise in the Middle East

The take up of wearables in the Middle East is growing mainly as a result of consumer demand for smartwatches Continue Reading
News 17 Aug 2017

World's largest’ data center planned in Norway

Norway will soon have the biggest datacenter in the world which will harness the countries rich natural resources Continue Reading
News 16 Aug 2017

NotPetya attack cost up to $300m, says Maersk

Danish shipping line Maersk estimates that the NotPetya cyber attack in June cost the company up to $300m Continue Reading
News 10 Aug 2017

CIO interview: Daniel Gebler, chief technology officer, Picnic

The Netherlands has the highest supermarket density in the world, yet a technology company has been able to gain market share from the established order Continue Reading
E-Zine 10 Aug 2017

CW Benelux: IoT Tech Day showcases innovation

Read about this year’s IoT Tech Day in Utrecht, Netherlands, which featured hobby projects such as light-sensing curtains that automatically open and close, but also showed that the IoT is growing up to encompass more serious applications. Also read about the lessons to be learned from the ‘Petya’ ransomware attack that has hit 60 countries, and find out how Dutch railway stations are monitoring the movement of travellers to reduce people jams. Continue Reading
News 09 Aug 2017

Nordic countries top digital nations ranking, but risk stalling

Nordic countries are leaders when it comes to digitisation – but they must continue to innovate to retain their position Continue Reading
News 25 Jul 2017

Big data means big risk, Swedish Transport Agency leak shows

The Swedish Transport Agency exposed sensitive information by transferring its databases to a third party cloud provider without following data protection procedures Continue Reading
News 25 Jul 2017

Nordea deploys AI to speed up customer service

Nordea is reaping the rewards of its fintech investments through its latest project to use artificial intelligence to support customers Continue Reading
News 24 Jul 2017

UAE hotel upgrades wireless network and internet connectivity

Beach resort completes major project to revamp its wireless infrastructure with TP-Link technologies Continue Reading
News 24 Jul 2017

What are Amazon Web Services’ Nordic plans?

Amazon Web Services' head in the Nordic tells Computer Weekly about the region's increasing demand and use of the cloud Continue Reading
E-Zine 13 Jul 2017

CW Middle East: How women can fill the tech skills gap

The growth of the IT sector continues to drive both innovation and employment in the Gulf, but women – as with all industries in the region – are under-represented in technology by significant margins, and could help to fill the tech skills gap. Also in this issue, read about growing threats in Saudi Arabia’s cyber sector, and how Dubai is becoming a world leader in smart city developments. Continue Reading
News 12 Jul 2017

UK ranked as top 10 digital economy

The UK has been ranked among the top 10 nations in terms of digital capabilities Continue Reading
News 10 Jul 2017

Nordic CIO interview: Ann Hellenius, City of Stockholm

Stockholm’s CIO is relishing the challenge of trying to make the Swedish capital the smartest city in the world Continue Reading
News 07 Jul 2017

Second phase of Dubai Health Authority’s electronic records implementation to start in August 2017

Unified electronic medical record (EMR) system to be rolled to more medical facilities across Dubai Continue Reading
News 07 Jul 2017

Europe takes measured approach to 5G, driven by ROI concerns

European operators may be more concerned with getting the maximum value for money from their 3G and 4G networks than rushing to roll out 5G Continue Reading
News 05 Jul 2017

Sweden trials blockchain for land registry management

Swedish land registry is trying out blockchain as a means of proving ownership Continue Reading
News 03 Jul 2017

Dubai Police to enhance smart services with robot police

The streets of Dubai will soon see Robocops to help fight crime and help people out Continue Reading
News 30 Jun 2017

Danish shipping giant Maersk recovering from major Petya cyber attack

Company confirms attack took down its IT system across multiple sites and business units, but has now been contained Continue Reading
News 28 Jun 2017

Finnish government scraps paper and digitises archives

The government in Finland is digitising 94 shelf kilometres of documents to save millions of euros and make the information easier to access Continue Reading
News 23 Jun 2017

Swedish fintech Klarna gains full banking licence

Swedish online payments provider Klarna becomes one of “the largest banks in Europe” after being granted an EU-wide banking licence by the Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority Continue Reading
News 19 Jun 2017

Abu Dhabi uses surveillance tech to protect Grand Prix

Police use surveillance technology and monitoring software to ensure public safety when Formula One visits the UAE each year Continue Reading
News 15 Jun 2017

Finnish mobile operators opt-out from free EU roaming

Finnish mobile operators have been exempted from new European Union data roaming rules for now Continue Reading