IT for government and public sector

NHS gets £250m boost for AI and genomics

National Artificial Intelligence Lab will work on new treatments for cancer, dementia and heart disease Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

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

By

• Russ Shaw, Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates

The $10bn question: Why is the US government’s JEDI cloud contract taking so long to award?

The announcement of who has won the US government’s controversial $10bn, decade-long cloud contract is nearly 12 months overdue. So what’s holding it up? Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Digital transformation hampered by lack of C-suite support

Most organisations are driving digital projects, but only a small percentage is happy with the board support they receive, according to research Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

How UK councils are using technology to support adult social care

As budgets dwindle and central government delays the creation of an overarching strategy around the future of care, local authorities are looking into innovations such as robotics and voice assistant technologies to ease the pressure on resources Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

African bank foils suspected North Korean cyber attack

An African bank is among the financial institutions to be targeted by North Korea’s multi-billion dollar cyber theft campaign to support its weapons programmes Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Scottish government launches £30m Cloud Services Framework with a 50% SME supplier list

Framework has gone live with 14 suppliers making the cut, who will be on hand to provide public sector organisations in Scotland with access to public, private and hybrid cloud services, as well as colocation capacity Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Problems around police algorithms emerge in government debates

Information sharing across agencies, data protection and governance implications are discussed as the government attempts to appropriately use data-driven technologies Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Why Gov.uk Verify faces a critical few months - again

Gov.uk Verify – the government’s flagship digital identity system – faces a critical few months ahead. Again. As the clock ticks down towards the end of March 2020, when further public investment ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Most UK university applicants at risk of email fraud

The majority of hundreds of thousands of applicants to UK universities are at risk of email fraud before and after A-level results day, due to a failure to implement full Dmarc protection, a study reveals Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

CDEI concludes public engagement on online targeting

The Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation has concluded a major events programme supporting one of its upcoming reviews Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Birmingham City Council ends 13-year IT contract with Capita

Local authority to bring IT services in-house, saying “the time is right to transfer the services back to the council” Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

IR35 reforms: Contractor poll highlights lack of faith in new UK government

Research into how the contractor community views the government and its ability to deliver the private sector IR35 reforms should provide “food for thought” for prime minister Boris Johnson Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Industrial control system cyber security risk high, report warns

The industrial control system cyber risk to global oil and gas companies is high and rising, as new attack groups continue to enter the arena Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Central government data infrastructure threatens digital progress

Leaders across UK public sector see their current legacy technology as a key hurdle to modernisation, according to research Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Cisco pays $8.6m after whistleblower discloses security flaws in video surveillance system

James Glenn, a video surveillance expert working for a Cisco reseller in Denmark, alerted Cisco to security faults and stands to gain a share of a multimillion-dollar settlement with the US government Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Middle East businesses welcome Amazon Web Services region launch

Bahrain AWS region, with three datacentres, links Middle East to AWS's global network and will help to accelerate digital transformation Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Police Scotland awards National Network contract to BT

Police Scotland is embarking on a £3.9m network project as part of its wider digital transformation strategy Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

5G mobile networks transformative for health and social care, says TechUK

A new report produced by TechUK and the Liverpool 5G testbed shows how 5G can be used effectively in the NHS, and offers recommendations to government Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK government announces new online safety body

The UK Council for Internet Safety has an expanded scope to tackle digital abuse and will inform future policy development Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Mobiles top target of nation state surveillance

Nation states are targeting individual mobile users for intelligence gathering and disruption of rivals as security on mobile devices lags behind traditional computing, a report reveals Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

ODI investigates use of private sector data by cities

The Open Data Institute is seeking to find out whether cities have the levels of access needed to access data collected by private sector organisations Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

ICO selects first innovation Sandbox participants

UK privacy watchdog has chosen the first firms to take part in its Sandbox programme aimed at developing innovative and beneficial products and services that are privacy compliant Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

One-third of UK councils have IT budgets cut

Many local authorities’ IT budgets are being reduced at a time when they are trying to digitally transform to cut costs and improve processes Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

New digital minister appointed as PM Johnson continues reshuffle

Former telecoms executive Nigel Adams takes over as minister for digital and sport, succeeding Margot James Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Crown Commercial Service to replace Crown Marketplace

The Cabinet Office’s executive agency tweaks its modernisation strategy to boost government procurement efficiency and advances its own technology agenda Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

The only tech question that matters for a new PM: are you ready for the digital future, Mr Johnson?

It’s traditional upon the coronation of a new Prime Minister to write a list of all the things they need to address in the tech and digital sectors. It would be a long list – digital skills, IT ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

New ministerial appointments for tech policies in Boris Johnson Cabinet

The new Prime Minister has brought in ministers in all the key government posts affecting digital and technology policy Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Smart technology will transform Dutch neighbourhood

A programme in the Netherlands is creating a smart neighbourhood as a pilot for how people could live in the future Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

Controversial ‘immigration exemption’ used in 60% of cases

The UK government has used a controversial GDPR opt-out in response to the majority of its immigration-related data requests since the start of 2019, the High Court has heard Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

AI to advance Swedish military systems

Swedish report into use of artificial intelligence in military systems reveals opportunities and concerns Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Phishing attack highlights cyber security need at universities

UK university cyber security is once again under the spotlight after Lancaster University reveals that it has been targeted by a phishing attack used to send fake invoices Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK government to boost AI and data use in preventive healthcare

A programme led by Public Health England and NHSX will aim to usher in a “new era of evidence-based self-care", with patients increasingly expected to allow access to their personal data Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Home Office hands EE additional £220m for ESN

Home Office quietly announces a major extension to the ESN project, pumping over £200m of additional taxpayer money into its contract with EE Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

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

By

• Jeremy Wright, DCMS

High Court to hear challenge to immigration exemption in DPA

The High Court is to hear a challenge by two human rights groups of a controversial clause in new UK data protection legislation they say is in conflict with the EU’s Charter of Fundamental Rights and undermines the General Data Protection Regulation Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

How Apollo 11 influenced modern computing

In this week’s Computer Weekly, on the 50th anniversary of the Moon landings we look at the influence Apollo 11 had on modern hardware and software. Our latest buyer’s guide examines data protection. And we find out how retailers with physical stores are using technology to respond to the rise of online shopping. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

IT infrastructure and cyber security ‘critical’ for Student Loans Company future

Upgrades to key systems and cyber defence capability will be required so the non-departmental public body can continue to perform key functions, according to a major review Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

CW500: How AI will transform technology leadership

Addressing issues around data and defining strategies that will attract top talent are among the key challenges discussed at the Computer Weekly CW500 Club Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

CDEI publishes reports on online targeting and bias in algo decisions

Recommendations due in late 2019 and early 2020 from Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation’s work on online targeting and bias in algorithmic decision-making Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

Big tech firms back UK cyber security initiative

Big technology firms have pledged their support for UK investment in an initiative to “design out” of new tech the most damaging cyber security threats Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

HMRC makes cloud and data progress

HMRC has shifted half of its systems to virtualised servers, and is nearing completion of a major core system roll out and boosting data capability to support its digital ambitions Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

How tech leads local government innovation in Vienna, Helsinki and Belfast

Digital leaders in the cities of Vienna, Helsinki and Belfast are innovating new services to help citizens and local economies Continue Reading

By

• SA Mathieson

Second CyberThreat Summit announced by NCSC and SANS Institute

CyberThreat 2019 aims to bring together a more diverse set of technical professionals in cyber security from the private and public sectors in the UK and abroad to encourage collaboration Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Government launches digital identity consultation and new pilot scheme

DCMS is seeking views on the role of the government and private sector in developing digital identities, while a small-scale trial will open up passport data for companies to prove online IDs Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Verify deemed ‘unachievable’ by major government projects review

Issues around the digital identity project and a major compliance project led by the Ministry of Justice are impossible to solve, according to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Digital minister Margot James quits after Brexit vote

James voted against the government in an attempt to stop the next Prime Minister from suspending Parliament to force through a no-deal Brexit Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Parliamentary committee calls for halt to facial recognition trials

Issues with biometrics and forensics pose a significant risk to effective functioning of the criminal justice system, according to a report by the Science and Technology Committee Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Welsh council aims to cut back-office processing costs by 95% through automation

A council in South Wales is expecting to reduce the cost of human resources business processes by up to 95% through robotic process automation Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

NHS still has thousands of PCs running Windows XP

NHS computers are still being upgraded three years after the WannaCry ransomware attack to the health system, raising concerns over cyber security Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Conditions ‘not quite there’ for government chief data officer

The long-awaited appointment for government’s chief data officer requires a perception in departments that data is actually valuable, government officials said Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

MPs slam Home Office over troubled Emergency Services Network programme

The plan for a new communications network for police, fire and ambulance services is three years late and £3.1bn over budget, and Public Accounts Committee fears further delays Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

NCSC calls out Microsoft over Dmarc reports

The UK’s cyber security agency has called out Microsoft for seriously undermining global email security by failing to provide crucial reports from its email platforms Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Computer Weekly – 16 July 2019: Reaping the benefits of digital transformation at Defra

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we check out the digital transformation at Defra, and see how the government department is preparing for Brexit. The new technology chief for the NHS explains how he’s going to bring the health service into the digital age. And we examine how to make a success of enterprise social media platforms. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Interview: John Seglias, chief digital information officer, Defra

The tech leader at the government department most affected by Brexit talks about digital transformation and carrying out one of the most complex projects in the public sector Continue Reading

NCSC reports on second year of cyber defence at scale

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre releases a report on the second year of its Active Cyber Defence programme to demonstrate its effects in the public sector and wider UK cyber ecosystem Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Government must ‘stop choosing ignorance’ around data

In a letter to digital secretary Jeremy Wright, civil society groups warn that a number of shortcomings must be addressed to enable the government to reap data-related benefits Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

US judge dismisses challenge over Department of Defense mega-cloud contract

The US Department of Defense looks set to award a $10bn cloud contract after a legal challenge to the procurement process failed Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Organisations turn to AI in race against cyber attackers

Businesses are racing to automate their defences as hackers and nation states launch increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

UK public sector needs to prioritise mobile device security

Only 10% of public service stolen and lost mobile are recovered, underlining the need for mobile-centric, zero-trust model to reduce the risk, says MobileIron Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

SD-WAN in play: How software-defined solves core business challenges

For foodservice business HMSHost International and chemical products firm Element Solutions, both customers of networking supplier Aryaka, software-defined wide area networking technology is proving its mettle when it comes to solving core business challenges. Find out how. Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Home Office boosts tools to tackle online child abuse

New systems will be introduced to speed up investigations and limit the number of distressing images viewed by law enforcement officers Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

NHS makes health information available through Alexa

The collaboration between the government and Amazon follows a push from the centre to add voice to services Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Draft finance bill dims hopes of private sector reprieve on April 2020 roll-out of IR35 reforms

Publication of the draft IR35 private sector reform legislation dims hopes the government might announce a delay to rolling out the changes in April 2020 Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

We shouldn't need to debate online identity again, but it's right that we do

The latest select committee report by MPs into the progress of digital government in the UK has resurrected a question that has reared its head on several occasions in the past – do we need a ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

University of Bristol upgrades to Nimble as it takes IT off-site

Higher education institution gets trouble-free hybrid flash performance from Nimble and stores 600TB of data at two colocation sites to which it is transitioning from on-campus Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Crown Commercial Service launches ICT framework for education

The deal aims to help education sector bodies procure technology products and services, with SME participation becoming more prominent Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Max Schrems not calling for SCCs to be invalidated

The privacy activist at the centre of legal battle against Facebook is not calling for all standard contractual clauses to be invalidated, according to his non-profit privacy organisation Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Government Digital Service relevance is fading, says Commons Committee

According to a report, GDS is losing authority and the ability to deliver digital change, and calls for its purpose to be renewed, along with the appointment of digital champions Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK government publishes guidance for national data strategy

The ongoing call from the government for evidence will be followed by a full consultation in the autumn with a view to publish the final data strategy plan in 2020 Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

ICO issues warning about using facial recognition technology

The UK privacy watchdog has ruled that any police force or private organisation using live facial recognition technology is processing personal data and needs to pay attention to data protection laws Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Interview: How Hackney Council will help accelerate innovation across London boroughs

Hackney Council’s director of ICT, Rob Miller, talks to Computer Weekly about how one of the most digitally advanced local authorities plans to collaborate with counterparts across the capital to revamp public services delivery Continue Reading

Post Office fixes technical problem causing accounting errors in Horizon

Problem revealed during High Court trial left subpostmaster with £18,000 surplus after IT system failed to register full amount of cash scanned in Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Former NHSI chief moves on to government automation taskforce

Ian Dalton, former NHSI chief, has taken up the lead position for driving automation through government in a bid to improve public services Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Eventful second Post Office Horizon trial ends

The latest High Court trial in the long-running dispute between the Post Office and subpostmasters has concluded, with part three set for March 2020 Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

IISP gains Royal Charter status

The UK finally has its first national professional body for cyber security that will be responsible for setting the standards for skills and knowledge in the industry to reduce the skills gap and increase diversity Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Public sector should embrace multicloud to cut risk of cloud market monopolisation, says report

Joint report by the Internet Economy Foundation think-tank and business consultancy Roland Berger urges governments to take steps to prevent a cloud computing oligopoly that would leave organisations at greater risk of supplier lock-in Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

NHSX announces key senior appointments

NHS England chief clinical information officer Simon Eccles will take over as deputy chief executive of NHSX, while technology advisor Hadley Beeman will step in as acting chief technology officer of the new unit Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Met Police use of facial recognition could be unlawful, finds report

The first independent report into use of facial recognition technology by the police found a number of shortcomings around trials that would not withstand legal scrutiny Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Security and privacy key to smart buildings and cities

Security and privacy capabilities are essential for stakeholders if they are to realise the benefits of smart buildings and cities, says expert whitepaper Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Longer-term tech investment must support policing reform

Investment in technologies such as facial recognition and artificial intelligence should be introduced to tackle compromises to public safety levels, says report Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

GDS signs agreement with Polish counterpart

The memorandum of understanding is aimed at boosting trade and technology development opportunities between the UK and Poland Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Implementing IoT – overcoming barriers to commercial adoption

Tim Wright from the Institute of Telecoms Professionals reports from a recent seminar exploring questions around the barriers to commercial, at-scale adoption of the internet of things, and how to overcome them Continue Reading

By

• Tim Wright, Institute of Telecommunications Professionals

FireEye ties Microsoft Outlook exploit to Iranian hackers

US Cyber Command has issued a warning that a patched Microsoft Outlook vulnerability is being exploited by unnamed threat actors, and recommended immediate patching Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Competition watchdog launches study into internet firms

Findings from a Competition and Markets Authority consultation will inform a report aimed at assessing how digital advertising can harm UK consumers Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Top VPNs secretly owned by Chinese firms

Nearly a third of top VPNs are secretly owned by Chinese companies, while other owners are based in countries with weak or no privacy laws, potentially putting users at risk, security researchers warn Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Government ramps up efforts to counter fraud with analytics

Challenges have been outlined and a consultation launched to find ways to reduce fraud and error loss in central and local government through data-driven technologies. Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

CPS faces legal ruling over refusal to disclose emails with US on WikiLeaks and Assange extradition

A court will decide whether the Crown Prosecution Service can refuse to neither confirm nor deny the existence of correspondence with US on investigations into Julian Assange and WikiLeaks Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Sweden’s Protective Security Act targets cyber risks

IT suppliers must comply with tighter cyber security requirements, but are being offered help from government agencies Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

DWP data hub develops prototype skills recommendation engine

Machine learning algorithm on Microsoft Azure identifies associated skills, based on the skills specified in online job adverts Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

G-Cloud 11 goes live with 4,200 suppliers securing a place on the framework

The latest iteration of the G-Cloud framework has gone live, with about 700 additional suppliers thought to have secured a place on it this time around Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Watchdog urges biometrics regulation in policing

The annual report from the biometrics commissioner warns that lack of clear laws on the application of the technologies could further undermine privacy and citizen trust Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Post Office back-office error leaves subpostmaster with thousands of pounds extra

The Post Office has admitted that some subpostmasters are at risk of accounts not balancing due to an error it does not understand Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Interview: Matthew Gould, chief executive of NHSX, on transforming health service technology

NHSX is the latest on a long line of organisations created to overhaul NHS technology – can it make the difference this time? Its new CEO explains why it will Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

How to get the basics of mobile device management right the first time

When adopting mobile device management, there are often fears around implementation and whether or not the strategy is even required Continue Reading

By

• Rene Millman

TIN coalition calls for industry action against cyber fraud

An industry group aimed at improving cyber security by tackling enduring challenges has called for collaboration in the fight against cyber fraud Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Cyber crime reporting crucial, say UK police

UK police are gearing up to make it easier for business to report cyber crime, saying that under-reporting continues to be a challenge Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Exploring UCaaS: The main benefits for enterprises

Getting unified communications-as-a-service right can mean more agility, higher productivity, and cost control Continue Reading

By

• Rene Millman

Interview: How Defra is getting its IT systems ready for Brexit

The director in charge of building and implementing the core systems supporting the department most affected by Brexit talks exclusively to Computer Weekly about the present and future of a new function of hundreds of staff Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Interview: John Seglias, chief digital information officer, Defra

The tech leader at the government department most affected by Brexit talks about digital transformation and carrying out one of the most complex projects in the public sector Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari