IT for government and public sector

GDS needs to prove it can still transform government after loss of data policy to DCMS

I met Mike Bracken, the first leader of the Government Digital Service (GDS), in 2011, not long after he had started the job, for an off-the-record briefing about his ambitious plans to overhaul IT ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Why businesses must think like criminals to protect their data

Cyber criminals use three main methods of operation to steal commercial data. Understanding their mindset can help organisations put the right defences in place Continue Reading

By

• Andy Barratt, Coalfire

5G mobile spectrum auction raises £1.3bn

The principal bidding stage in Ofcom’s latest mobile network spectrum auction has concluded, raising more than £1bn for the Treasury Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Interview: GDPR will give Dutch privacy watchdog its teeth

The Netherlands’ privacy watchdog has not handed out fines so far because there has been no reason to, says the organisation’s chairman, Aleid Wolfsen Continue Reading

By

• Tijs Hofmans

IR35 reforms: Calls for inquiry into pre-launch tests of HMRC IR35 assessment tool

HM Revenue & Customs hits back at contractors who claim it failed to test its online IR35 status assessment tool rigorously enough in the run-up to its launch in March 2017, as calls for an inquiry into its dev and test procedures grow Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Average attacker dwell time nearly six months for EMEA, study shows

Firms in Europe, the Middle East and Africa take nearly six months to detect cyber attacks on average, a report reveals Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Crossing the watershed – digital skills crises will soon be history

There is no shortage of talent, only of employers who train that talent. Thirty years ago it took around 18 months turn a University Graduate into a competent analyst programmer. During that second ... Continue Reading

By

• Philip Virgo, Winsafe Ltd

Data policy move to DCMS causes mixed reactions

Some believe Theresa May handing over government data policy responsibility to DCMS is “downgrading digital government” while others see it as a positive move Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Future of internet regulation is focus of Lords inquiry

Inquiry will seek evidence on whether or not the law is up to the job of regulating online platforms such as Facebook, and what improvements can be made Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

GDS loses government data policy to DCMS

Prime minister confirms long-rumoured move in written statement to Parliament as MPs left for Easter recess Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Business unaware of scale of cyber threat

Many businesses, especially board members, do not understand the scale of the cyber threat, but international efforts to combat cyber crime are being hampered by political barriers Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK government secures public sector discounts on Microsoft cloud products to April 2021

Government procurement chiefs have secured ongoing preferential pricing on Microsoft cloud products for the public sector through Digital Transformation Agreement Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

IR35 reforms: IT contractors express concerns over ‘inevitable’ private sector roll-out

Research suggests IT contractors are resigned to the IR35 reforms being implemented in the private sector, and many fear an announcement to that effect will come this year Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Home Office ‘over-promised’ on exit checks programme, report finds

Chief inspector of borders and immigration calls on Home Office to re-establish exit checks project with proper data quality in place, but department rejects recommendation Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Home Office issues guidance on tech to prevent identity fraud

Advice highlights the benefits of using identity document validation to audit and share data on fraudulent documents Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Government should take a ‘Lego brick’ approach to public services, report says

Report calling for a radical reform of public services says government should open up, standardise processes and stop developing services that already exist Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Case study: Berkshire NHS trust provides mental health support through social network

Berkshire NHS is using its Support Hope and Recovery Online Network to provide 24/7 support and advice to service users struggling with mental health issues Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

The desktop is changing

In this week's Computer Weekly, corporate PCs haven't changed much in 20 years – as use of Chrome OS grows, we ask if IT leaders are ready for a new approach. Theresa May said Brexit means the UK leaving the EU digital single market – does this mean a return to roaming charges? And we look at the latest developments in Linux. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

UK government publishes export strategy for UK cyber security

The government has published a guide for UK cyber security firms on how it plans to support their efforts to find and secure opportunities to export their products and services Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Swedish study talks up benefits of artificial intelligence

A major report has reassured Swedish society that artificial intelligence will be a positive force for change despite fears of job losses Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Government must improve quality and awareness of childcare website, say MPs

Treasury Committee says government should launch websites only when they can cope with the expected workload, after childcare website was down for 160 hours last summer Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Private sector over-investing against nation-state attacks

The creator of a routing technique that protects the domain name system says the money spent on guarding against nation-state actors could have been better used for other purposes Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

GP contract calls for increased digital uptake

NHS England’s GP contract says practices must move to e-referrals by October 2018, and work on improving uptake of patients using online services to 30% Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Privacy group calls for UK response to data exploitation

Policy-makers need to respond swiftly to the Cambridge Analytica and Facebook data exploitation scandal, according to privacy rights group Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

CityFibre consumer broadband collaboration hits Peterborough

CityFibre is returning to one of its earliest Gigabit City projects with Vodafone in tow to upgrade thousands of homes in Peterborough to gigabit-capable full-fibre broadband Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Mayor of London kick-starts drive to make city top for AI

London mayor Sadiq Khan commissions a study to look at improving the capital’s readiness for artificial intelligence Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

HMRC sets August launch date for customs IT system

HMRC plans to begin a phased deployment of its Customs Declaration Service this August, with completion expected by early 2019 Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

UK local councils favour hybrid cloud as legacy IT management needs persist

Research into the IT buying habits of more than 300 local authorities in the UK reveals a growing appetite for using cloud, as councils continue to grapple with managing and maintaining legacy IT Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Shared services project is about user needs, not tech, says strategy director

If you’re hoping for the government’s shared services strategy to “break revolutionary ground” in terms of tech, you’ll be disappointed. It’s about serving user needs – not tech – says its strategy director Andy Helliwell Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

MoD to focus on SMEs to raise supply chain cyber security

The Ministry of Defence continues to develop a joint initiative with industry aimed at raising the security posture throughout the UK’s defence supply chain, with increasing focus on SMEs Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK must hurry to agree science and innovation deal with EU, MPs say

The Science and Technology Committee calls on government to urgently secure science and innovation deal with the EU to get clarity on funding, regulation and talent retention and recruitment Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Popular culture key to giving cyber security much-needed boost

The cyber security industry should turn to popular culture to raise awareness of the cyber threat to businesses and consumers and attract new blood to the field, says McMafia author Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Danish government launches business-focused national digital strategy

Denmark’s government has launched a plan to get more small businesses into the digital economy as it targets being a leader in advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

WhatsApp co-founder calls time on Facebook

Brian Acton has called time on Facebook following reports of the firm’s dealings with data mining firm Cambridge Analytica linked to the EU referendum and Donald Trump’s US election campaign Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Croydon Council partners with Rainmaker to shake up its IT

Croydon Council has employed digital transformation specialist Rainmaker to help it change the way it delivers IT over the next three years Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Ofcom opens 5G spectrum auction

Ofcom has opened the bidding in the auction of spectrum to support 4G and 5G mobile networks Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Brexit is an opportunity to transform, says HMRC digital transformation director

HMRC’s digital transformation director Brigid McBride on Brexit opportunities, using AI and robotics to improve services, and growing the API ecosystem Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Think tank reports lifts lid on police cyber crime training

UK think tank Parliament Street has lifted the lid on spending by police forces on training staff to deal with cyber crime and recommended greater collaboration in this regard Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Where neuroscience meets technology

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how computer scientists are using data, cloud and virtual reality to understand the brain and improve mental wellbeing. We analyse newly published government documents detailing the early problems with the Universal Credit IT project. And we look at how emerging artificial intelligence techniques can help improve cyber security. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Wigan data breaches underline need to share threat intelligence

Ongoing data breaches experienced by local authorities underline the need for greater sharing of threat intelligence, say security experts Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

NHS wants independent evaluation of GP at Hand service

The NHS is looking for an organisation to undertake an independent review of the on-demand virtual GP app, allowing patients in London to access GP services using their smartphones Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Southwark brings full-fibre broadband to council estates

London’s Southwark Council has enlisted Hyperoptic to deliver FTTP broadband services across its housing portfolio Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Russia compromised core router in US energy attacks

Russian cyber attackers used a compromised core router in a series of attacks on the US energy sector, security researchers have revealed as the UK energy sector is placed on alert Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Better public services – a Beveridge for the 21st century

A new 'manifesto' from digital government experts lays out a path to delivering the internet-enabled state that's been promised for years but is yet to become a reality Continue Reading

By

• Jerry Fishenden and Mark Thompson

Employers face hiring crisis as AI replaces mid-skilled jobs

Artificial intelligence could replace two-thirds of existing jobs within 20 years, and employers will face growing difficulties recruiting skilled staff Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

Network security in the age of the internet of things

Wireless devices and smart technologies are increasingly being brought into the workplace, and pose a growing risk to company data Continue Reading

By

• Peter Ray Allison

IT contractors not a risk despite Snowden leaks, GCHQ tells court

The government argues in the Investigatory Powers Tribunal that contractors with systems administration rights to computers holding GCHQ’s most sensitive intelligence pose no more of a security risk than the agency’s employees Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

Cyber criminals using complex financial system, study shows

Cyber criminals are using a combination of new cryptocurrencies, gaming currencies and micro-payments to launder up to $200bn in ill-gotten gains, research has revealed Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Tech won’t solve Brexit UK-Ireland border challenges, say MPs

There is no evidence of any technical solution “anywhere in the world” that would help avoid physical infrastructure at the UK-Ireland border post-Brexit, according to the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Defence industry urges government to relax controls on crypto exports

Trade body representing defence, aerospace and security companies calls on government to make it easier to export “non-contentious” cryptography to secure organisations against cyber crime Continue Reading

By

• Gamil Jassin

US blames Russia for cyber attacks on energy firms

The US has blamed Russia for a series of attacks on energy sector firms, underlining the need to ensure critical infrastructure IT systems are up to date and secure Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Coders feel responsible for impact of artificial intelligence on society

The technologists building artificial intelligence algorithms should take responsibility for the technology’s impact on society, a survey finds Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

With auditability, deep learning could revolutionise insurance industry

The likes of Google may be pushing deep learning in artificial intelligence, but it may not be the best approach for regulated industries Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Online data can be used to create better housing for all, says Resi’s Depledge

Alex Depledge, CEO of Resi, will speak at Datafest on how online data can open up architecture to more people – but she warns against over-hyping data science Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

Non-compliant G-Cloud suppliers escape spend data sharing fines, as MISO revamp gathers pace

Freedom of Information request reveals G-Cloud providers are not being fined for failing to submit monthly spend data, as the CCS claims success with using other deterrent methods Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Government setting up local planning group to support 5G roll-out

Digital minister Margot James is building a new initiative to support collaboration on 5G mobile network roll-out at a local level, bringing together councils, landowners and industry to work on planning challenges and policy Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Public sector IT buyers still neglecting to report G-Cloud savings, FoI request reveals

Computer Weekly has learned that public sector IT buyers are still neglecting to self-report details of the savings they have accrued through using the G-Cloud framework Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Stoke Council picks VX Fiber to light up fibre broadband network

VX Fiber’s Open Access Platform will allow Stoke-on-Trent council to realise a return on its fibre investment while bringing gigabit broadband services to homes and businesses Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Government hands out £95m for local full-fibre broadband

The government has named the first recipients of a £190m tranche of funding to realise local full-fibre broadband projects Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Government ‘unlawfully delegated’ bulk data powers to GCHQ, court hears

Privacy International urges Britain’s most secret court, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal, to rule that the government illegally collected surveillance data from internet and phone companies until at least September 2017 Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

Hammond delivers tech-positive Spring Statement

Delivering his Spring Statement, the chancellor bangs the drum for UK tech businesses, confirms £25m for 5G testbeds, allocates full-fibre funding and highlights the need for digital skills Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Assessing the disparate initiatives tackling the UK’s technology skills gap

As the UK’s skills gap widens, initiatives aim to ensure the population has the skills needed for roles now and in the future, but are these disparate efforts helping or hindering the cause? Continue Reading

By

• Cath Everett

Businesses need to take cryptojacking seriously

Organisations must pay attention to cyber criminals hijacking computing resources to mine cryptocurrencies, because nearly half are affected and the impact is greater than many realise Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Government pumps £300m into tech and innovation for ageing society

Business secretary Greg Clark announces plans to use £300m from the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund for new technology and research, such as artificial intelligence and genome sequencing Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Public sector organisations ill-prepared for GDPR

Public sector organisations in the UK need to do much more to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation rule on providing information to citizens about details held about them Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Unlocking digital change in criminal justice

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the IT and digital chief at the Ministry of Justice to hear about tackling the challenges of digital transformation across the criminal justice system. European cities are trying to attract British IT talent as a result of Brexit – what does it mean for UK IT? And we take an in-depth look at the fintech sector in our latest buyer’s guide. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Singapore tops global rankings on smart cities

The city-state of Singapore was lauded for its efforts in tapping the internet of things to improve public infrastructure and services in a global study by Juniper Research Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Digital for rural areas worth up to £26bn to UK economy

A study commissioned by Amazon has posited that greater use of digital tools and services could be worth between £12bn and £26bn per annum to the UK economy Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Eight new cyber threats a second in Q4 2017, McAfee report reveals

There was an increase in cyber attacks on healthcare organisations, the use of fileless malware and cryptocurrency mining in the last three months of 2017, with eight new threats a second Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Scottish government to spend £25m to fill 4G coverage gaps

The Scottish government has announced a £25m programme to infill gaps in 4G mobile network coverage across Scotland Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Politicians need to be more involved in tech, says Sadiq Khan

Flying the flag for the UK capital at the SXSW festival in Texas, London mayor Sadiq Khan says government should “do more” for technology, as well as mitigate the risks that come with it, and calls on social media firms to take responsibility for hate speech on their platforms Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Universal Credit: How did it go so wrong?

The DWP’s flagship welfare reform was meant to change the lives of benefits claimants through one simple IT system, but was beset by IT problems, low staff morale and delays. Newly released documents help explain what went wrong Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Regulator takes tougher line than expected on surveillance warrants

The Investigatory Powers Commissioner’s Office has signalled to government that it will take a tough line when scrutinising surveillance warrants under the controversial Investigatory Powers Act Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

UK leads global upward trend in SOC maturity

The UK is leading the way towards more efficient security operations centres, but many still continue to operate with serious gaps in security, a report reveals Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Government reveals winners of 5G mobile competition

The government has unveiled the winners of a multimillion-pound competition to create 5G mobile network testbeds around the UK Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Universal Credit project warned over Gov.uk Verify performance in 2015

Government project management experts warned as long ago as 2015 that a problem with GDS's Verify online identity system could undermine the Universal Credit business plan Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Cooperation and exercises key to cyber defence, says Nato centre

International cooperation and regular tabletop exercises are essential to ensure effective cyber defence, according to the Nato cyber defence centre Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Will government ever accept that it needs to learn from its mistakes?

Yesterday, the government reluctantly agreed to share with the public a series of documents on the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) controversial Universal Credit programme. I say ... Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Cryptojacking cyber criminals up their game

Cyber criminals hijacking computing resources to mine for cryptocurrencies are raising their efforts to bypass enterprise security controls, researchers have found Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

DWP to publish key documents on Universal Credit

The government will finally publish internal assessment reviews of the controversial Universal Credit programme under Freedom of Information laws, after years of refusing to do so Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Government to help cultural sectors take advantage of digital

Arts and culture organisations will be given help to access new technologies and digital skills as part of a government plan to “support the whole digital culture ecology” Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Cyber security is a team sport, says NCSC

The UK’s national cyber security agency aims to help organisations understand the need to act collaboratively and collectively against the cyber threat, urging them to raise the bar Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

G-Cloud 10 launch date confirmed for June 2018

The Crown Commercial Service (CCS) confirms it will start accepting new bids from suppliers wanting to join the tenth iteration of the G-Cloud framework from April 2018, in anticipation of the next version going live in June Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

US defence chiefs cut $1bn cloud contract with AWS partner amid anti-trust complaints

The US Department of Defense confirms it is revising down the cost and scope of a billion dollar cloud deal awarded to an AWS partner, after critics picked holes in the procurement process Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Essex, Herts Councils expand smart city pilot scheme

Essex and Hertfordshire County Councils have joined forces to run a number of pilots assessing the socioeconomic benefits of smart city technologies Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Local councils call for government funding for GDPR compliance

National Association of Local Councils is concerned complying with GDPR puts financial strain on local authorities and calls on government to help with funding Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Microsoft courts US government cloud users with Azure Stack integration promise

Microsoft is stepping up its efforts to get the US government using its cloud in anger, with the promise of a forthcoming Azure Stack integration and new datacentre regions to house “secret” classified data Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Government aims to complete genome sequencing project by end of 2018

The government-funded 100,000 Genomes Project, originally due to be completed by the end of 2017, has reached the halfway point and aims to have mapped 100,000 genomes by the end of the year Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Interview: Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands

West Midlands mayor Andy Street talks about why digital is key to the region’s economic growth, his hunt for a chief digital officer, and the importance of skills and collaboration Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Apprenticeship reforms are driving tech sector skills success

Apprenticeships and skills minister Anne Milton says apprenticeships are a great way to make sure the tech industry has the skills it needs Continue Reading

By

• Anne Milton MP

UK will need data protection agreement with EU as part of Brexit deal, says PM

Prime minister Theresa May's Brexit speech highlights need for data protection deal with EU, “advanced” border IT systems, and re-confirms UK won’t be part of the EU digital single market Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Read the PMs Brexit speech - for why the BBC is so anti-Brexit

The details in the Prime Minister's speech, including that dismissed as Geekspeak in the mass media, helps explain what is really at stake in the negotiations and why the BBC and the Online ... Continue Reading

By

• Philip Virgo, Winsafe Ltd

New privacy fears as IT challenges delay surveillance oversight body by a year

IT challenges have delayed government plans for an independent body to authorise requests to access the public’s internet and phone records by nearly a year, raising new legal and privacy concerns Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

Contractor confidence in HMRC’s IR35 online assessment tool remains low

Research suggests contractors still have misgivings about using HM Revenue & Customs' IR35 online assessment tool, one year on from launch Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Can technology save the day for Brexit? (*Spoilers* : No)

If you happen to be an ardent Brexiteer, a true believer in the UK government’s desire for “innovative solutions” to avoid a hard border with the Republic of Ireland, we have good news for you. The ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

NHS to pilot ID verification platform this spring

NHS roadmap for digital services sets out plans for launching a joined-up NHS app, piloting its citizen ID platform and moving across to the new NHS.uk website Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Security fears delay roll-out of national e-voting system in Finland

Project enters problem-solving phase to identify advanced, effective and best practice solutions to develop a secure internet-based voting system Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Salary is not top way to attract cybersec pros, report reveals

Salary is not the highest priority for cyber security professionals, a report on hiring and retaining top cyber security talent shows Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Government must rewrite illegal sections of Snoopers’ Charter, court told

A court has been asked to give ministers until July 2018 to rewrite powers to require phone and internet companies to retain data on the population. The government acknowledges parts of surveillance regime are unlawful Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

King’s College dumps legacy SAN for Nimble hybrid flash

Cambridge college triples storage capacity for VMware virtualised environment and adds Veeam backup. Nimble hybrid flash ensures rapid data access with Sata bulk storage behind Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor