IT for government and public sector

McAfee researchers uncover ‘significant’ espionage campaign

Researchers discover campaign targeting South Korea, the US and Canada with links to eight-year-old source code from a threat group that has been dormant for five years Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Middle East gears up for 5G

The race for 5G is well and truly under way, and the UAE and Saudi Arabia are well positioned to be among the first countries in the world to deliver the benefits of this new telecoms protocol Continue Reading

By

• Edward Banda

Analysts question Australia government’s IBM deal

Industry analysts and experts have called the wisdom of the A$1bn IBM IT deal into question, with one claiming that the federal government should have used a range of suppliers instead. Continue Reading

MoJ to go all-in on public cloud as infrastructure modernisation push gathers pace

The Ministry of Justice claims modernising, retiring and migrating its legacy IT systems to the public cloud will help it accrue long-term savings of around 60% on hosting costs Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Home Office ‘seriously’ considered ESN shutdown

New disclosures from those responsible for the troubled Emergency Services Network project have revealed that, contrary to previous denials, the Home Office came close to pulling the plug earlier this year Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

No new funding for Hancock’s NHS tech vision

Getting the technology plan right is more about standards than money, says health and social care secretary Matt Hancock, as he explains why NHS organisations won’t be given additional funding to deliver on his vision Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Hancock sets out NHS tech vision

Government will mandate national open standards for the NHS and tech suppliers, build a health and caretech ecosystem and give local NHS organisations more flexibility in how and what tech they buy Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Public Health England builds Ceph and Lustre cloud for analytics

Healthcare analytics and modelling organisation Public Health England built an open source cloud from Red Hat Ceph object storage and Lustre scale-out file access storage to petabyte scale Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

UK faces 10 cyber attacks a week as hostile states step up hacking, says NCSC

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has thwarted more than 1,600 attacks over the past two years – many by hostile nation states Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Home Office completes initial test of online system for registering EU citizens

Online application process for registering EU citizens in the UK after Brexit has concluded initial trials, and will now be expanded to a wider group Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Microsoft staff allegedly pen open letter urging firm to drop bid for US government cloud deal

Letter calls on software giant to bow out of the race for a controversial, 10-year cloud contract with the US Department of Defense Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Tech companies should not be under legal duty to remove terrorist material, says watchdog

The internet should not be a safe place for terrorists, but making it compulsory for technology companies to trawl for radical content risks interfering with the rights of innocent people, says Max Hill QC, the independent reviewer of terrorism legislation Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin & Fiona O'Cleirigh

Cost of WannaCry attack to NHS set at £92m

Department for Health and Social Care estimates the immediate cost of the May 2017 WannaCry attack on the NHS was £92m, and says it will have spent about £275m on improvements to its cyber security infrastructure by the end of 2021 Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Watchdog calls for clarity on Schedule 7 terrorism powers

The Independent Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation has called for greater clarity over police Schedule 7 powers to seize mobile phones and computers and question people without grounds for suspicion at ports and airports Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly
• Fiona O'Cleirigh

RATs and Mimikatz among top publicly available hacking tools

Remote access Trojans (RATs), web shells and Mimikatz among the top publicly available tools that are used in cyber attacks around the world, a five-nation cyber intelligence report reveals Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

The troublesome saga of Gov.uk Verify

As the government plans to hand over its flagship identity assurance programme to the private sector, Computer Weekly looks at the history of the troubled project and how Gov.uk Verify ended up on the chopping board Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Nato to be fully operational in cyber space by 2023

Nato is aiming to achieve full operational readiness in cyber space within five years Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Robots in the workplace supported by 81% of business chiefs

Robotic process automation continues to be taken up by more organisations – but despite proven benefits, those that already use it are struggling to scale it up Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Google-supported programme in Netherlands helps primary schools with computational thinking

A programme to help primary school teachers in the Netherlands understand IT is gaining momentum Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

GDS must share the lessons of Verify - good and bad - to boost the digital identity ecosystem

Depending on your perspective, Gov.uk Verify is now either secure in its future at the heart of the UK’s emerging digital identity ecosystem, or it has one foot in the grave and is on the way to ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Ofcom says government should lead on internet regulation

Representatives from the telecoms regulator tell House of Lords that the government should build a framework for internet regulation that other bodies can follow and enforce Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Bug bounties not a silver bullet, Katie Moussouris warns

Targeted bug bounties have a role to play in cyber security, but they are not a "silver bullet", and run the risk of wiping out talent pipelines if poorly implemented, warns bug bounty pioneer Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Huawei Connect 2018: Huawei tackles barriers to effective AI

At its annual customer and technology event, Huawei chairman Eric Xu set out 10 key challenges facing AI, and revealed how the networking supplier’s strategy will help to address these Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Government to end investment in Gov.uk Verify digital identity system

Cabinet Office announces 18-month transition to hand troubled identity assurance programme over to private sector Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Launch of NHS app marks a new era

 Continue Reading

Tech takes centre stage in CBI’s pre-Budget wish list

Industry calls on government to set the tone for a tech-friendly business environment after the UK leaves the EU Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Cooperation vital in cyber security, says former Estonian minister

States acting alone cannot be efficient in cyber security and need to cooperate with others to build trust, says a former foreign minister of Estonia Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

NCSC head calls for technocratic partnership to fix cyber risks

The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre is appealing for collaboration with the technology industry to remedy key vulnerabilities in current IT Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Geospatial Commission pumps £5m into unlocking value of location data

Commission wants to unlock the value of location data held by its partners through the use of emerging technologies Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

GDPR case work swamps Denmark’s data protection agency

The agency investigating alleged breaches of GDPR in Denmark is recruiting additional resources to cope with the increase in work Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Business secretary awards regulators £10m to drive innovation

Regulators will be given funding to drive innovation and strengthen regulations in areas such as automation, data and artificial intelligence Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

CIO interview: Niall Quinn, technology director, Crown Commercial Service

The Crown Commercial Service’s technology director talks about how the government’s procurement agency is working to make buying easier, drive innovation forward and shake up the public sector Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

UK and allies accuse Russia of cyber attack campaign

The UK National Cyber Security Centre has identified a campaign by the Russian military intelligence service of “indiscriminate and reckless” cyber attacks Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Blockchain found at bottom of scraped government barrel

Blockchain answer to Irish border question, but what about Facebook? Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Matt Hancock plans to sequence five million genomes in five years

The health secretary aims to expand the government-funded 100,000 Genomes Project and sequence five million genomes over the next five years and roll out genomic testing across the NHS Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Technology shouldn’t leave anyone behind, says Jeremy Wright

DCMS secretary of state highlights investment in 5G and superfast broadband, and says no one should be left behind by technology Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Filling the blockchain chasm

Blockchain as a term is becoming common language, but there is a long way to go before it will mean anything to the performance of most organisations Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Industry backs Norway’s AI powerhouse project

Industry and academia in Norway are working together to boost the country’s artificial intelligence capabilities Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Openreach extends full-fibre broadband roll-out to Coventry

Openreach is forging ahead with its Fibre First full-fibre broadband programme and has started to roll out ultrafast services in Coventry Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Government explores blockchain to make buying and selling property easier and cheaper

HM Land Registry moves into the next phase of a project that will use the latest technologies to speed up property transactions Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

While Brexit rages on, the UK needs to be looking at the global picture

Talks at the World Trade Organisation in October will shape the future of digital trade, and it is crucial the voice of UK tech is heard Continue Reading

By

• Julian David, TechUK

Launch of NHS app marks a new era

The NHS has begun piloting its coveted app, but how exactly will it work, and what does it mean for patients accessing the health service? Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Government launches public consultation on smart data

Smart data review aimed at encouraging new data services to help customers of utilities and banks Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

Police Scotland sets out 10-year digital plan

Scottish Police Authority has approved Police Scotland’s 10-year digital transformation plan, which aims to bring the country’s police forces into the 21st century and requires £244m in capital funding and £54m in reform funding Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

UK will unilaterally tax web giants, says Hammond

Chancellor threatens to go it alone on tax reform for digital services businesses if an international agreement cannot be reached Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK firms’ password security score ‘average’

While businesses are making strides in strengthening password security, there is more work to be done, with the UK password score lagging behind the frontrunners, a survey shows Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Two autonomous vehicle projects funded in government contest

The National Infrastructure Commission’s Roads for the Future contest has awarded a £50,000 prize fund to two projects exploring how to make the UK’s roads ready for connected and autonomous vehicles Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UKtech50 2018 – help us find the most influential people in UK IT

Computer Weekly’s annual search for the 50 most influential people in UK IT is on – let us know who you would like to nominate for this year's list Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

EU sees eIDAS regulation come into full force

A regulation aimed at cutting red tape to enable a digital single market in Europe will soon be in full force, but it could present some challenges to the UK after Brexit Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Smart places can supercharge the digital economy

The UK needs to enhance its digital capability, and there are huge opportunities for different regions to secure a niche within our growing digital economy Continue Reading

By

• Matthew Evans, TechUK

Prepare now for quantum computers, QKD and post-quantum encryption

The predicted processing power of quantum computers is likely to make existing encryption algorithms obsolete. Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a possible solution - we investigate whether QKD is viable Continue Reading

By

• Peter Ray Allison

Australian teen Apple hacker avoids jail time

“Fan” who broke into Apple’s mainframe from his home in Melbourne has avoided prison because the information he gathered was recovered Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

ICO threatens fines for outstanding fees

The UK’s privacy watchdog has issued warning letters to organisations, including some NHS trusts and government organisations, for failing to pay a new data protection fee Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Indian IT giant TCS sees IBM and Accenture as nearest rivals

Rapidly-growing Tata Consultancy Services has its eyes on the US IT giants, with customer service key if it is to overtake them Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

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

By

• Megan Goulding

MI5 admits to ‘unlawful’ spying on Privacy International

The UK's intelligence agencies acted unlawfully by intercepting communications data on NGO, Privacy International, the UK's most secret court ruled. Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

NHS Digital to publish new guidance on data standards

Data could be a huge advantage for the NHS, but data quality and accessibility is still a big challenge, says NHS Digital CEO Sarah Wilkinson as she promises clear guidance on standards and interoperability Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

DWP IT chief Mayank Prakash quits for new job outside government

Chief digital and information officer leaves after four years in the civil service – no news yet on his successor Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Mapping the future at Ordnance Survey

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how the UK mapping agency, Ordnance Survey, is innovating to put geospatial data at the heart of smart cities. We look at how to manage subscription and licensing costs when moving to the cloud. And we examine how proposals to change the UK visa system could help to tackle IT skills shortages. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

InfoWatch opens training centre to help address Middle East skills shortage

Security supplier offers Middle East customers cyber security and digital training facility as organisations in the region struggle to equip staff with latest skills Continue Reading

By

• Edward Banda

No Deal Brexit could mean additional costs for tech businesses

The government plans to continue to enforce existing intellectual property rights in the event of a No Deal Brexit, according to the latest planning notices, but businesses could face additional costs to access EU and UK markets Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Government launches £7.5m digital innovation fund for local councils

Councils with digital innovation ideas can apply for grants up to £100,000 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Fair trade software on the agenda but Dutch businesses not ready to buy it

There is already free trade chocolate and coffee on supermarket shelves, but two Dutch tech entrepreneurs are trying to add free trade software to the mix Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

NHS Digital hires chief information security officer

Robert Coles will lead the health and care sector’s response to cyber attacks and help local organisations meet the government’s cyber security standards Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Phased roll-out of ESN to start in early 2019

The government will adopt a phased approach to the roll-out of the new emergency services 4G communications network Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Businesses that take humans with them on robotics journeys gain the most

Businesses that put human development at the centre of their automation strategies will profit the most Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Tech won’t solve customs border issues, House of Lords EU Committee finds

Tech won’t solve potential customs issues at the border post-Brexit, at least not in the short term, and especially not in case of no-deal Brexit, according to a House of Lords report Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

DCMS plan aims to open up digital identity market - and might kill off Gov.uk Verify

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has been conducting a review of digital identity since taking over policy responsibility from the Government Digital Service (GDS) in ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Scottish government pumps £13.5m into The Data Lab

Funding will help data innovation centre to explore data opportunities for Scotland’s economy Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Digital economy competition panel meets to discuss regulations

Experts on a new panel put together to review competition in the digital economy have met for the first time to discuss how to ensure the country has the right regulations in place Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Police chiefs put plans in place as UK may lose access to EU data sharing tools post Brexit

Police chiefs have put plans in place to help forces find alternatives to share and access information, should the UK lose access to EU data sharing systems post Brexit, but say processes would be “slower and ultimately less effective” Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

What are the current SD-WAN options for enterprises?

Software-defined wide area networking is well on its way to being a multi-billion dollar market. We assess the current state of the market and look at some of the options for enterprise CIOs and network managers Continue Reading

By

• Rene Millman

IT sector advises Swedish government on elections and voting system

Swedish IT secure is helping the government make election systems more secure and reduce external influence Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

TechUK calls for councils to establish digital boards

Local authorities should ensure they have a digital board made up of academia, local bodies and industry, to drive transformation, improve capacity and capability Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

EU-backed bid to cap idle energy use by datacentre servers moves closer

Move to improve the energy efficiency of datacentres by capping idle energy use by servers by 2020 comes one step closer, despite opposition from IBM, HPE and Dell-EMC Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Employers turn to wearable technology to help staff manage work-life balance

Companies are realising that there are sound business reasons for ensuring their employees get enough sleep and exercise, so they are turning to wearable technology to help their staff stay healthy, despite the pressures of work Continue Reading

By

• Christian Annesley

Migration Advisory Committee recommends lifting the Tier 2 visa cap

A government committee has advised migration reforms to abolish the cap on the UK’s Tier 2 skilled worker visa Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

EU needs clear 5G regulation to guarantee mobile success

The mobile ecosystem could be worth more than 4% of European GDP by 2022, if the right regulatory actions are taken by the European Union government Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Government and businesses won’t be ready for no deal Brexit, says IfG

The Institute for Government says progress on Brexit systems implementations hasn’t been fast enough, and businesses haven’t been given enough time to prepare for a no deal scenario Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Leeds NHS trust vows to dump its fax machines by 2019

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has launched a campaign to get rid of its fax machines by January 2019 in a bid to remove paper and champion innovation Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

CW Europe: Costs stack up for Dutch government IT projects

In this issue of CW Europe, we look at analysis by a Dutch newspaper which discovered that government-controlled IT projects in the Netherlands go over budget by 40%, on average. We also find out how Berlin’s Digital Career Institute is building web skills among refugees and the unemployed across Germany. Download the issue now. Continue Reading

ESN delays are leaching vital funds from UK police forces

Ongoing delays to the Emergency Services Network roll-out are costing the UK taxpayer £330m a year, according to the National Audit Office Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Government stays firm on target of 25 million Gov.uk Verify users by 2020

Cabinet Office has confirmed it is sticking to its target of having 25 million Verify users by 2020, despite government projects watchdog calling for project to be scrapped Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Lib Dems want ‘Geneva Convention’ for use of tech in modern warfare

Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, wants an international treaty on use of technology in modern warfare, and warns of the dangers of new technology leaving people behind Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Middle East hungry for digitisation, says GE’s Bill Ruh

The Middle East is among the most enthusiastic regions in terms of applying digital business models to traditional industries Continue Reading

By

• Alicia Buller

Hancock touts his support for controversial GP at Hand service

Health secretary says GP at Hand helps deliver a better service and that he wants to help the app expand across the country, as he highlights importance of embracing technology Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

No Deal Brexit could mean changes for telecoms industry and mobile roaming

No Deal Brexit planning guidance documents say there could be changes to the UK electronic communications regulatory framework, and sets EU mobile roaming cap at £45 per month Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

No Deal Brexit may hinder free flow of personal data from EU to UK

The government’s No Deal Brexit planning document on data protection warns free flow of personal data from EU isn’t guaranteed, and organisations must take action to ensure they will still be able receive data from Europe Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

GCHQ mass surveillance regime was in breach of human rights law, European court rules

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has ruled that the UK’s collection of bulk interception of communications data lacked adequate oversight and safeguards and was in breach of human rights law Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Autumn Budget 2018: Guarantees sought over future funding of national quantum computing programme

The chair of the Science and Tech Committee has written to the chancellor Philip Hammond to demand assurances that more funding for the UK's quantum computing efforts will be forthcoming in the Autumn 2018 budget Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

EU mobile roaming charges will not return post-Brexit, says Dominic Raab

Amid fears that a no-deal Brexit could lead to the reintroduction of EU mobile roaming charges, the government has pledged to set a legislative limit on how much operators can charge Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

TechUK blasts European Parliament-backed revamp of EU-wide copyright laws

Tech industry trade body claims the changes spell bad news for web users, after European Parliament MEPs vote in favour of plans to modernise the copyright laws for the digital age Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

NCSC issues core questions to help boards assess cyber risk

The National Cyber Security Centre has published its first in a series of guidance for board members which highlights what businesses should be asking security teams Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

FCA warns it cannot manage financial crime risks without sharing data with EU

FCA admits it will be unable to manage financial crime effectively if it cannot share data with EU authorities. Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Health secretary launches digital platform for NHS staff

Matt Hancock hopes the digital Talk Health and Care platform will encourage staff to share their ideas and views on how to make working in the NHS better Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

UK security vetting IT system failing, says NAO

The National Audit Office is critical of the government’s project to centralise its security vetting process, as the IT system has been plagued by failures from the start and has led to serious delays Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Can technology save our NHS?

By the technophiles, digital is seen as the holy grail that will save our NHS, but is technology the answer, and how long will it be before we have a digital NHS? Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Irish tax office testing out artificial intelligence for customer services

The Irish tax office and IT supplier Accenture tries out artificial intelligence for its customer service Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Government positive to Science and Technology Committee’s report on algorithms

The government has issued its overwhelmingly positive response to the Science and Technology Committee’s report on the use of algorithms in decision making, published earlier this year Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Senior civil servants address TechUK smarter state theme

Senior government officials spoke at a TechUK “smarter state” event, revealing ambitious AI policy alongside a “back to basics” drive to get data right Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor