IT careers and IT skills
IT professionals increasingly need to take responsibility for ensuring that their IT skills are kept up-to-date, and for pursuing opportunities that will develop their IT careers. We examine the issues around career development at all stages of an IT professional's working life, from education through to training and recruitment.
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Opinion
19 May 2025
Jump in cyber attacks should put businesses on high alert
Three principles to help businesses get on top of cyber security Continue Reading
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News
16 May 2025
Mid-career professionals must learn to understand and use AI as GenAI tips balance
Whether in the finance, IT or legal sectors, artificial intelligence will change the way businesses operate and how their people work Continue Reading
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Tip
28 Sep 2023
How to build an effective upskilling program for employees
Learn how upskilling can benefit an organization by helping to fill open positions and the steps needed to create a program that involves management and employee feedback. Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2023
US lawmakers write to AI firms about ‘gruelling’ work conditions
Lawmakers have written to nine tech companies – including Amazon, Google and Microsoft – about the working conditions of those they employ to train and maintain their artificial intelligence systems, giving them until 11 October 2023 to respond Continue Reading
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News
27 Sep 2023
City of Las Vegas masters cyber incident response with Darktrace
The high-rolling city of Las Vegas experiences unique cyber security challenges rarely seen elsewhere. CIO Mike Sherwood reveals how he turned to Darktrace to help address incidents quicker and with confidence Continue Reading
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News
26 Sep 2023
UK government quietly disbands data ethics advisory board
The government has disbanded its Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation’s advisory board in favour of pulling the relevant artificial intelligence (AI) and data knowledge from a pool of external experts Continue Reading
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News
25 Sep 2023
Care responsibilities excluding women from tech, says TTC
A lack of flexibility at work is causing many women to leave their jobs, or leave the sector entirely, according to research by Tech Talent Charter Continue Reading
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News
25 Sep 2023
Visa to fund AI scholarships for underrepresented students in government scheme
Payments giant supports UK scheme to increase diversity in the data and artificial intelligence sector through funding Continue Reading
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News
22 Sep 2023
Annual Security Serious Awards nominations announced
Annual Security Serious Awards will recognise the professionals and organisations doing the most to safeguard and advance cyber security, as well as those committed to diversity and mental health in the industry Continue Reading
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Tip
19 Sep 2023
What are the advantages and disadvantages of MOOCs?
The need to continuously retrain employees has contributed to the growing popularity of massive open online courses. Explore the pros and cons of this learning approach. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
19 Sep 2023
Securing Eurovision’s online voting system against cyber attacks
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we discover how Once.net and Cloudfare defended the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest against cyber attacks. Our buyer’s guide continues to look at integrating software-as-a-service applications, with the governance of SaaS connectivity to the fore. Also, HCLTech’s Ashish Gupta relates how the company has embraced a new, pandemic-influenced, remote working model. And we find out how retail tech leaders influence their boards on transformation projects. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
15 Sep 2023
UK space sector needs more people with AI skills, according to survey
Space sector survey shows machine learning and artificial intelligence skills are highly sought after, as the industry struggles to recruit and retain people with the necessary talent Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2023
More than 60% of firms have lost diverse tech talent
Focusing on recruiting diverse tech talent can be hard, but firms are finding that keeping the talent they already have can be an even harder task Continue Reading
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News
14 Sep 2023
Government appoints Dave Smith as UK national tech adviser
The former Rolls-Royce technology director will take over the role of UK national technology adviser, following government recruitment campaign for the role in the wake of former tech adviser Patrick Vallance’s departure Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Sep 2023
CIO interview: Petra Tesch, Vizrt
Straight-talking when it comes to getting her messages across to the wider company, Vizrt CIO Petra Tesch revels in transformation and communication Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
Ancient MoD IT systems could cause supply issues for frontline troops
Deliveries of inventory to the front line are being put at risk due to legacy IT systems and poor data, according to the National Audit Office Continue Reading
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News
12 Sep 2023
Whitehall only capable of ‘piecemeal’ digital transformation, says PAC
The Public Accounts Committee is unconvinced government will achieve its digital transformation ambitions as progress is thwarted by staff shortages and a lack of senior leadership engagement Continue Reading
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News
11 Sep 2023
UK boardrooms and CISOs increasingly aligned on cyber risks
Board members and CISOs in UK organisations seem to be working together much better, but while this is an encouraging sign, there remain some areas of concern over how the two relate to each other Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Sep 2023
Women in tech – is retention currently more important than hiring?
Women make up a small proportion of the tech sector despite accounting for almost half of the UK workforce – but are efforts to attract more women into the sector a distraction from trying to keep the women the sector already has? Continue Reading
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E-Zine
07 Sep 2023
CW EMEA: The value of valuing people
In this month’s CW EMEA ezine, we look at HR software and strategies that can help combat staff attrition, find out how Finland’s and Sweden’s plans to join NATO have initiated activity in the Nordic cyber security sector already, consider the data privacy challenges associated with generative AI, and find out why it is important for companies to implement new cryptography standards now in preparation for quantum-safe communication. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
07 Sep 2023
Government AI taskforce appoints new advisory board members
An initial progress report published by the Taskforce provides detail on new appointments to its external advisory board as well as rebrand to focus on “frontier” artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Sep 2023
The search for sustainable UK tech talent
The UK has plans to become a tech superpower by the end of the decade, but the region still has problems with attracting and retaining talent – so how are these issues being addressed? Continue Reading
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News
07 Sep 2023
More than two million now work in UK tech, says CompTIA
Millions now work in tech in the UK, but there are still widespread skills gaps. How do salaries and diversity play into increasing the talent pool? Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2023
Employees missing out on AI training and development
While businesses and employees see the benefit of artificial intelligence in the workplace, people are not being given the training they need Continue Reading
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News
05 Sep 2023
NCSC names ex-NCC man as new CTO
New NCSC CTO Ollie Whitehouse joins from NCC Group, having also worked at BlackBerry and Symantec Continue Reading
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Opinion
04 Sep 2023
Ethical perspectives on ChatGPT
In the final of three essays, Marc Steen uses ChatGPT as a case study for how to use different ethical perspectives, and practical steps people can take to start incorporating ethics into their projects Continue Reading
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Definition
31 Aug 2023
authentic leadership
Authentic leadership is a type of management style in which people act in a real, genuine and sincere way that is true to who they are as individuals. Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2023
Met police data platform deployed with data protection issues
Met Police deploys integrated record management system despite data protection ‘compliance issues' that would inhibit its ability to retrieve data, meet its statutory logging requirements, and respond to subject access requests Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Aug 2023
The future of storage administration: 4 key questions answered
What are the best moves a storage professional can make? Learn about the skills, technologies and strategies to focus on now for the most payback in the future. Continue Reading
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Definition
24 Aug 2023
cohort learning
Cohort learning is a learning strategy prioritizing coursework or lessons that groups of students complete together in an interactive fashion. Continue Reading
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News
24 Aug 2023
Girls taking GCSE computing rises for second year in a row
The number of girls taking GCSE computing has risen for the second year this year after a few consecutive years of declining numbers Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2023
Met Police data platform £64m over budget
A freedom of information request has revealed that the Met’s Connect integrated record management system is running tens of millions over budget, and has already generated more than 25,000 support requests so far Continue Reading
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News
22 Aug 2023
Singapore to bolster OT security capabilities
Cyber Security Agency of Singapore teams up with Dragos and the US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to bolster the country’s OT security capabilities Continue Reading
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Opinion
22 Aug 2023
Alternative perspectives: relational and virtue ethics in tech
In the second of three essays, Marc Steen explores the benefits of grounding ethical considerations in an understanding of social and power dynamics, and how relational and virtue ethics can help Continue Reading
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E-Zine
22 Aug 2023
Can low code/no code ease developer skills shortages?
In this week’s Computer Weekly, organisations are increasingly turning to low-code/no-code tools to enable “citizen developers” among staff – can this help to ease software developer skills shortages? SAP says it will restrict availability of its advanced AI capabilities – we examine the implications. And we go behind the scenes of the University of East Anglia’s digital transformation plans. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
21 Aug 2023
Cyber Explorers programme reaches 50,000 11-14 year olds in 18 months
The government-backed Cyber Explorers programme has reached 50,000 students in its first 18 months, and more schools are being invited to sign up for the Autumn Term Continue Reading
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News
17 Aug 2023
Number of girls taking A-level computing still fewer than 3,000
Gender split in A-level computing has been on the rise, but the growth in girls taking the subject is moving at a snail’s pace Continue Reading
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News
17 Aug 2023
Top marks for graduates of CIISec vocational cyber course
132 young people who sat the UK’s first Extended Project Qualification in Cyber Security have received their results today Continue Reading
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News
16 Aug 2023
Number of women in tech dipped last quarter, ONS data shows
Figures from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show fluctuations in both the number of women in tech and the number of people working in tech over the past 12 months Continue Reading
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News
15 Aug 2023
Online safety message failing to get through to women
The security community could be doing a lot more to make its advice and guidance more accessible to women, according to a study Continue Reading
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15 Aug 2023
Almost 60% of people seeking a new role are doing so for cash
There are many reasons someone may choose to seek a job at another company, but this year’s Computer Weekly IT salary survey found that a majority do so for a higher salary. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
15 Aug 2023
How does your salary stack up?
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we reveal our annual salary survey, comparing IT professionals’ pay and attitudes to their job – how does yours stack up? The new digital chief at the Department for Work and Pensions discusses AI, data modernisation and shaking up the tech behind the benefits system. And we examine the likelihood of further consolidation in the UK datacentre sector. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Podcast
15 Aug 2023
Unconventional career: A Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast
Cyber security expert Junade Ali, talks about his non-academic route to a PhD. He was recently elected as a fellow of the IET Continue Reading
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News
14 Aug 2023
Managers need to assess jobs as AI evolves in workplace
Advances in AI will mean business leaders need to rethink how they organise and motivate their employees Continue Reading
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Blog Post
12 Aug 2023
Whose needs are UK Cyber Skills policies intended to meet?
Among those businesses that do not outsource incident management, 4 in 10 (41%) are not very or not at all confidence that they would be able to deal with a cyber security breach or attack compared ... Continue Reading
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Opinion
11 Aug 2023
Why technology jobs are proving resilient
The clamour for technology professionals has become less frenetic in recent months but demand for IT skills remains high Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2023
Vote: Who should be the 2023 Most Influential Woman in UK Tech?
Each year, we ask our audience who should be named the most influential woman in UK technology. Tell us what you think – the deadline for voting is 7 September Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2023
Google Help workers claim layoffs are retaliation for unionising
More than 100 Google Help workers claim that Google and Accenture’s decision to layoff two-thirds of the team was done in retaliation for their attempts to form a union, while companies claim decision was made well in advance of unionisation attempt Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2023
DWP accounts highlight decline in outside IR35 workers in wake of department’s £87.9m tax bill
The Department for Work and Pensions has seen a marked decline in the number of outside IR35 contractors it engages since the department was hit with a £87.9m tax bill several years ago, its accounts show Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2023
A non-conventional career journey into IT security
GCSEs and A-levels are not the only route to higher education. We speak to an IT security expert who left school with no formal qualifications Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2023
Cisco: Hybrid work needs to get better
Cisco’s head of collaboration and security talks up the state of hybrid work and calls for organisations to create magnets rather than mandates for workers to collaborate in the workplace Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2023
AI interview: Krystal Kauffman, lead organiser, Turkopticon
Remote Mechanical Turk workers are responsible for training artificial intelligence algorithms and completing other data-related business processes - we hear about the workplace issues they face Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Aug 2023
CTO interview: Gavin Rea, Gulf Bridge International
GBI ensures service continuity of submarine cable networks, which bring high-speed internet to the Gulf states, supporting the region’s ambitious plans to be one of the world’s leading poles for technological innovation Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2023
MPs warn about growing prevalence of tech-enabled domestic abuse
The UK government must take action to prevent perpetrators from being able to use connected or smart technologies to conduct their domestic abuse, a select committee has warned Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2023
Most influential women in UK tech: The 2023 longlist
Hundreds of women have been nominated to be considered as this year’s Computer Weekly most influential woman in UK tech. Here is a list of all the women put forward in 2023 Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Aug 2023
Ethics as a process of reflection and deliberation
In the first of three essays, Marc Steen outlines a three-step process for how organisations can practically integrate ethics into their IT projects and how different ethical perspectives can inform tech development Continue Reading
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08 Aug 2023
What’s holding ethnic minorities back?
The technology industry has a reputation for struggling with diversity and inclusion, especially at the C-suite level. What is standing in the way of ethnic minorities making it to the top? Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Aug 2023
How to improve developer productivity
In this week’s Computer Weekly, our latest buyer’s guide examines the developer experience and looks at how critical it can be for productivity. The tech sector still struggles with diversity and inclusion – we ask what’s standing in the way of ethnic minorities making it to the top. And Goldman Sachs’ CDO tells us how a ‘tech-nerd’ built a career in financial IT. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2023
Plexal takes on new cohort for cyber security leadership scheme
Six more cyber security startup founders have been selected to take part in Plexal’s latest Cyber Runway Ignite programme, which is designed to help them develop their leadership skills Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2023
India’s booming IT market driving up wages
Majority of India’s IT pros expect their pay to increase in the next 12 months, underscoring the country’s tight IT labour market fuelled by a booming tech sector, study finds Continue Reading
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News
02 Aug 2023
Hiring women could close tech skills gap, say tech professionals
Firms sometimes struggle to find the technology talent they need, but encouraging women into the sector could help them to find the skills they’re looking for Continue Reading
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News
31 Jul 2023
Splunk .conf23: The dangers of party planning as a woman in tech
Why should women in tech seek mentors, mentees and male allies – and avoid party planning? Some of the women at Splunk and its customers explained at .conf23 Continue Reading
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News
26 Jul 2023
UK organisations lack confidence to carry out basic cyber tasks
Amid a shortfall of more than 10,000 cyber pros, UK businesses are still finding it difficult to fill their cyber security skills gaps, with even those in charge of security saying they lack confidence in themselves Continue Reading
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Feature
21 Jul 2023
HR software and strategies to combat staff attrition
While there is no simple technological solution to the problem of staff attrition, a combination of management strategies and business applications can improve engagement and retention Continue Reading
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Opinion
21 Jul 2023
Hello ChatGPT, RIP software developer?
How generative AI will change the lives of software developers and the shape of the IT department Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2023
Almost 60% of people seeking a new role are doing so for cash
There are many reasons someone may choose to seek a new role or job at another company, but this year’s Computer Weekly/TechTarget IT salary survey found that a majority do so for a higher salary Continue Reading
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E-Zine
21 Jul 2023
CW APAC – Tech Career Guide: Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence roles abound in the era of digitisation. In this handbook, focused on AI in the Asia-Pacific region, Computer Weekly looks at AI ethics, how to make it as a machine learning engineer, Accenture’s push for tech talent and cyber security research lab advice. Continue Reading
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21 Jul 2023
APAC career guide on AI
The multidisciplinary nature of artificial intelligence offers career opportunities in AI ethics and applied AI Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2023
More ASEAN IT pros staying in their jobs
Global economic uncertainty and staff retention efforts by employers are keeping the region’s IT professionals longer in their jobs Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2023
Renowned hacker and social engineer Kevin Mitnick dead at 59
Famed hacker and social engineer Kevin Mitnick, who was at one time one of the most wanted cyber criminals in the world, has died peacefully at the age of 59 from complications arising from pancreatic cancer, following a 14-month illness Continue Reading
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News
20 Jul 2023
AI and data experts to be brought into government through secondment programme
The government has announced plans for a secondment programme designed to bring digital experts into government departments Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jul 2023
We have lift off… The opportunities and risks of generative AI
How you can use AI to benefit your business while navigating the risks Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jul 2023
Five non-traditional talent pools that will help CIOs plug skills gaps
Some alternative ways for CIOs to fill talent gaps when its hard to find people with the right technology skills in the jobs market Continue Reading
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Feature
18 Jul 2023
Can Africa deliver on its ambitious digital transformation goal?
The African Union is targeting a continent-wide digital single market by 2030 and there's much progress being made, but some fundamental challenges have yet to be overcome Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2023
Police Scotland use cloud for biometric data despite clear risks
Police Scotland confirms it has stored significant volumes of biometric data on a cloud-based digital evidence sharing system despite major ongoing data protection concerns, bringing into question the effectiveness of the current regulatory approach and the overall legality of using hyperscale public cloud technologies in a policing context Continue Reading
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Feature
13 Jul 2023
4 sustainability leaders reveal career path, challenges, goals
There's a demand for companies to create dedicated sustainability roles. Here are key insights and advice from four sustainability leaders on how to succeed in this career path. Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2023
Civil society groups call on EU to put human rights at centre of AI Act
Dozens of civil society groups are calling on EU institutions to prioritise people and human rights in AI legislation as secretive negotiations begin Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2023
CaixaBank adds hundreds more IT professionals to support digital transformation
CaixaBank is recruiting 200 more IT professionals in Spain to support its ongoing digital transformation Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2023
Digital public services ‘riddled’ with problems, says TUC
The UK’s increasingly digitised public services are plagued by design, governance and workplace issues that are undermining the government’s stated goal of improving efficiency, but can be alleviated by giving public sector workers a greater say in how new technologies are being developed, deployed and controlled Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2023
Hackers: We won’t let artificial intelligence get the better of us
AI is changing how ethical hackers go about their work, and will continue to do so, but the community is convinced the technology will never be able to replicate the creativity of a flesh-and-blood hacker Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2023
FutureDotNow debuts roadmap to guide UK through closing digital skills gap
Industry coalition FutureDotNow has joined forces with several government departments and more than 20 businesses to shape a roadmap it hopes will support the UK in closing the digital divide Continue Reading
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Feature
11 Jul 2023
Network engineer vs. software engineer: What's the difference?
Despite potential overlaps in software skills, the roles of network engineers and software engineers vary in terms of skill sets, salaries, certifications and more. Continue Reading
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News
11 Jul 2023
Nominate: Most Influential Women in UK Technology 2023
Tell us who you think should be included in Computer Weekly’s 2023 list of the top 50 most influential women in UK technology Continue Reading
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News
04 Jul 2023
‘Political lethargy’ to blame for digital exclusion, says Lords
A House of Lords report about digital exclusion across the UK has blamed slow and undedicated government intervention for the extent of digital exclusion Continue Reading
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News
04 Jul 2023
Scotland’s Techscaler programme joins forces with CivTech
The partnership between the scaler programme and the innovation accelerator means CivTech alumni companies will be offered Techscaler membership and gain access to its technology hubs, education initiatives and support Continue Reading
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E-Zine
04 Jul 2023
How data is beating heart disease
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how a new data strategy is helping the British Heart Foundation to raise money and support medical research. We examine the benefits of using AI in advanced malware detection. And we reveal why the Information Commissioner is under fire for weak responses to serious data breaches. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
- 03 Jul 2023
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News
03 Jul 2023
BBVA launches tech job portal as it continues to add talent
Spanish bank BBVA ramps up its tech recruitment strategy with new online portal and target of 2,600 more people Continue Reading
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News
30 Jun 2023
AI can never be given control over combat decisions, Lords told
Artificial intelligence is technically incapable of distinguishing between the complex contextual factors of combat situations, and will likely never be able to, according to legal and software experts Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2023
Scottish government tech accelerator opens latest funding round
The Scottish government’s CivTech accelerator is seeking technology businesses to help develop new tools to improve public services, as well as to address pressing social and environmental issues Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2023
3,600 potential cyber security experts apply to government scheme
The UK government’s Upskill in Cyber programme is reporting great success just a month after launch, with almost half of applicants women Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2023
A tenth of kids claim they could hack you
More and more young people are at risk of being drawn into cyber criminality, and parents must shoulder some of the blame, according to a report Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2023
ANZ IT pros get salary bump this year
Over half of IT professionals in Australia and New Zealand received a higher salary this year, underscoring the tight IT labour market Continue Reading
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27 Jun 2023
Keir Starmer calls for AI job loss discussion
Labour leader sees a need for a broad regulatory framework and a frank discussion with business to inform policy around job losses arising from artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jun 2023
APAC career guide on AI
The multidisciplinary nature of artificial intelligence offers career opportunities not only in builder roles like engineering and data science, but also in AI ethics and applied AI Continue Reading
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Feature
26 Jun 2023
Could social media revolutionise war crimes trials?
Computer Weekly speaks with open source investigators about how they use social media to gather evidence of war crimes, and the trouble with using such evidence in legal proceedings Continue Reading
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News
26 Jun 2023
Office workers feel AI is better than a human boss
UK and US workers are quitting their jobs due to frustrations with how they are being managed – and some feel AI can be a better boss Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2023
ICO under fire for taking limited action over serious data breaches
The ICO has come under fire from lawyers and data protection specialists for just issuing written warnings to two public bodies over serious data breaches that placed people’s lives at risk Continue Reading
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Definition
23 Jun 2023
meter per second (m/s)
The meter per second (m/s) is the standard unit of speed and velocity in the International System of Units. Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Jun 2023
Why low code/no code opens doors but no panacea for skills shortages
Citizen development is not without risk but it has a bright future in the enterprise, especially as a way to handle skills gaps Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2023
NHS England hires internally to fill CIO role
The merger of NHS England and NHS Digital resulted in job losses, which meant the new organisation needed to fill the role of IT chief Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2023
Lancaster University launches trailblazing cyber MBA
MBA programme at Lancaster University designed to deliver security leadership education to business leaders has received NCSC backing Continue Reading
