IT for government and public sector

Ransomware looks set to increase, warns Sophos

Cyber criminals are planning to produce new forms of ransomware on an unprecedented scale, according to IT security firm Sophos Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Case study: London Borough of Islington’s smart working journey

The London Borough of Islington is using technology to ensure its staff are as productive as possible travelling along a ‘smart working journey’ Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

DWP writes off £40m on Universal Credit but insists the IT is working

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is scrapping £40.1m of IT work on Universal Credit, and a further £91m will be written off over five years Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Universal Credit security fears put DWP job cuts off till next parliament

Devastating public sector job cuts will be put off until half-way through the next parliament after the Department of Work and Pensions obstructed the government's "digital" reform of its Universal ... Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

Computer system failure delays hundreds of UK flights

Hundreds of flights at several UK airports were delayed or cancelled at the weekend because of a computer failure at National Air Traffic Services (NATS) Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Realising the benefits of a totally connected world

The internet of things will transform everyday life, from managing airports’ passenger flow to heating buildings and caring for the elderly. Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Tech City: 27% of London job growth comes from technology

Over a quarter of the job growth in London comes from the technology and digital sector, according to Tech City Investment Organisation Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Government Digital Service no longer involved with Universal Credit IT development

The Government Digital Service ends direct involvement in the development of the “enhanced IT” for the Universal Credit sheme Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Skills and supporting businesses top Autumn Statement 2013 agenda

Supporting young businesses and fixing the skills gap was a recurring theme during today’s Autumn Statement in the House of Commons Continue Reading

Automation key to balancing agility and security, says AlgoSec

Automated critical business application management enables a more agile business and enhances security, says security policy management firm AlgoSec Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

700,000 benefit claimants miss out on Universal Credit deadline

The secretary for work and pensions has admitted the Universal Credit benefit scheme will miss its 2017 deadline Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

UK citizen sues Microsoft over Prism private data leak to NSA

A court action brought in the UK will test Microsoft's legal right to disclose private data on UK citizens to US intelligence services Continue Reading

By

• Fiona O’Cleirigh

UKtech50 2013 – the most influential people in UK IT

Computer Weekly has announced the fourth annual UKtech50, our definitive list of the movers and shakers in UK IT - the CIOs, industry executives, public servants and business leaders driving the role of technology in the UK economy Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Proof-of-concept malware jumps air gap with sound card

Researchers demonstrate proof-of-concept malware exfiltrating data using high-frequency transmissions inaudible to humans Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Councils threatened with disconnection from PSN in escalating security row

A London council was hours away from being disconnected from the public sector network, in an row between central and local government over security compliance Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

The Guardian denies Snowden stories damaged national security

Guardian editor Alan Rusbridger defends decision to publish stories on documents leaked by whistleblower Edward Snowden Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK proposes formal talks on cyber security with China

Prime minister David Cameron has called on China to be more open about cyber security Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

The future of local government IT

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at how visionary IT leaders in local government plan to transform the delivery of digital public services using the cloud. Our latest buyer’s guide looks at the technology challenges of implementing the internet of things for businesses. And do firms dealing with tech-savvy consumers need a new approach to IT management? Some IT leaders think they do. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

EU calls on US to rebuild trust in post-Snowden era

The EC has called on the US to provide guarantees to restore trust in the wake of spying revelations Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

NCA changed UK cyber crime fighting, says NCCU head

The NCA has changed the UK law enforcement landscape, says Andy Archibald, head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Janet6 ‘offers the future’ for research networking needs

Jisc takes back the network from a managed service provider to light up its own fibre and offer a future proofed service to researchers, universities, colleges and schools across the UK Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer Scott, TechTarget

Government lays out 2014 cyber security agenda

The UK government has reiterated its commitment to addressing cyber security and laid out some plans for 2014 at the Cyber Security Summit 2013 Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

IT suppliers relaxed about contract visibility

IT and BPO suppliers Atos and Capita say they are relaxed about being more open about the often obscured details of large government contracts, as outsourcing giants are put under pressure by MPs to open up to public scrutiny Continue Reading

White hat Wi-Fi hacking shows vulnerability of business data

Whitehat hackers have shown that senstitive data can be sniffed easily from public Wi-Fi hotspots Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

FTSE 350 firms complete cyber risk assessment

Most FTSE 350 companies put cyber risk on the board agenda, but many need to improve how they manage that risk Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

150 subpostmasters file claims over 'faulty' Horizon accounting system

About 150 subpostmasters have filed claims to the investigation into the allegedly faulty Post Office accounting system used by thousands of subpostmaters Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

CSA appoints Microsoft’s Adrienne Hall to board

The CSA has appointed Adrienne Hall, from Trustworthy Computing at Microsoft, to its board of directors Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Pegasystems CEO Alan Trefler plans his next move for the $500m software company

Alan Trefler discusses his plans for Pegasystems, the BPM and CRM specialist that has grown into a $500m a year company Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Case study: McGraw-Hill Education mobilises with Salesforce

The educational resources provider utilises Salesforce to develop a mobile app and get its sales reps selling more on campus Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer Scott, TechTarget

Report highlights poor UK attitudes to mobile security

Businesses should note that many UK mobile users do not take security precautions and do not know how to guard against data theft Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Google reaches $17m multi-state settlement over Safari snooping

Google has reached a $17m settlement agreement with 10 US states for bypassing Apple Safari privacy settings Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Google and Microsoft to block searches for child porn

Google and Microsoft have announced measures to make it more difficult to find child abuse images online Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Cyber collateral damage a concern for all, says Lancope

All organisations could be affected by cyber attack collateral damage, says network security firm Lancope Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Europe to follow US clearance of mobile devices on flights

The European aviation regulator is to follow the US lead in easing restrictions on the use of mobile electronic devices during flights Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Conservatives erase Internet history

The Conservative Party has attempted to erased a 10-year backlog of speeches from the internet, including pledges for a new kind of transparent politics the prime minister and chancellor made when ... Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

Mass surveillance a bad idea, says Information Commissioner Christopher Graham

Information Commissioner Christopher Graham says issues of national security must not overshadow concerns of legitimate public interest Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Web surveillance not a good idea, says Info Commissioner

Information Commissioner Christopher Graham says issues of national security cannot be allowed to overshadow concerns of legitimate public interest Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Microsoft Dynamics CRM For Government

Analyst group, Nucleus research assesses the business benefits achieved by government organisations deploying Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Continue Reading

NSA and GCHQ mass surveillance violates EU law, study finds

Mass internet surveillance by US and UK intelligence agencies violates European law, according to a study by two academics Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK intelligence heads defend mass surveillance operations

Heads of the UK’s intelligence services insist all they do in term of mass surveillance is strictly within the confines of UK law Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

'Extraordinarily poor' Universal Credit project needs clear IT stategy, say MPs

MPs say the Department for Work and Pensions must set out a clear IT strategy for Universal Credit and state how much money will be written off Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

School gets Nimble hybrid flash and Barracuda hybrid cloud backup

Berkshire private college has revamped data protection with Nimble hybrid flash storage and Barracuda hybrid cloud backup Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Crown Hosting Service to save £530m from government IT bill by 2018

Government Digital Service to establish new Crown Hosting Service to consolidate hosting across Whitehall, saving £530m per year by 2018 Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

DWP ministers to decide whether to scrap all of the £300m Universal Credit IT

Ministers at the DWP are to decide this month whether to scrap all of the £300m Universal Credit IT systems and start again from scratch Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Wellcome Trust maps big data genetics with DDN HPC storage

The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute has invested in DDN SFA10K HPC storage to support petabytes of big data generated by genetic mapping and research into diseases such as malaria Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

DWP refused to release Universal Credit IT review to MPs

DWP has refused to provide MPs with a copy of a review of the IT for the troubled Universal Credit project by programme chief Howard Shiplee Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

BDUK seeks new CEO

The top job within the division with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport charged with rolling out broadband across the UK is up for grabs Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer Scott, TechTarget

Government calls for more data scientists in the UK

The government is calling on industry and academia to help produce more data scientists in the UK Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Identity assurance system moves into beta test phase

The Government Digital Service has started testing of a key system to support plans for citizens to securely prove their identity when accessing online public services Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Former Lord Justice of Appeal Hooper joins Post Office Horizon investigation

The Post Office's Horizon accounting IT inquiry appoints former Lord Justice of Appeal Anthony Hooper to chair mediation stage Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Analysis: RSA says security needs to change, but what does that mean?

RSA executive chairman Art Coviello has issued a call to action to the security industry to improve technology and collaboration Continue Reading

Most businesses need to transform IT security, says RSA

No modern network or IT system can withstand the onslaught of a skilled adversary, given focus and time, says Amit Yoran, general manager of RSA Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

CIO Interview: Ann-Marie Rafferty, head of IT, Access, on partnership models

Ann-Marie Rafferty, who heads up IT for the partnership between Serco and Glasgow council, discusses strategic frameworks Continue Reading

Loughborough University implements 400 virtual desktops

Loughborough University has cut maintenance costs and enabled a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) scheme for academics with virtual desktops. Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

End in sight for sub-postmaster claims against Post Office's Horizon accounting system

Sub-postmasters' claims of errors made by the Horizon accounting system could be completed in three months Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Cyber attack shuts down Israeli toll road tunnel

A cyber attack has shut down a major link in Israel's national road network, experts claim Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Home Office awards £621m contracts for visa application services

The Home Office has awarded two contracts equating to £621m for managing visa applications Continue Reading

Thales launches critical infrastructure cyber security lab

Thales has set up a cyber security lab dedicated to help improve the security of critical national infrastructure, government and business Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

US publishes draft cyber security framework

The US has published a draft framework of voluntary cyber security standards aimed at reducing risks to critical national infrastructure Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Microsoft withdraws faulty Windows RT 8.1 update for Surface tablets

Microsoft has widthdrawn its Windows 8.1 update for Surface RT tablets after some users reported system crashes Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

High-growth companies selected for government Future Fifty programme

The first high-growth UK companies have been chosen for the government’s Future Fifty fast-track programme. Continue Reading

Government overhauls security classification to fit digital age

In its first overhaul since World War II the government is consolidating six security bands to three with a system deemed more appropriate in the digital age. Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

The challenges of using mobile devices in the public sector

The government is allowing the public sector to implement BYOD schemes, but the guidelines are limiting and challenges still remain Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Spanish bank La Caixa looks to startups for innovation

La Caixa is looking for ways to innovate in an increasingly competitive environment, and is turning to startups for new and niche technologies Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Dexter payment card malware variant hits South Africa

The Dexter payment card skimming malware discovered last year has resurfaced in South Africa, resulting in millions of pounds lost to fraud Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Neustar to host first DDoS awareness day

Communications firm Neustar is to host the first international awareness day on distributed denial of service (DDoS) attacks Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

OFT launches investigation into public sector IT supply

The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has launched a formal study into the supply of IT products and services to the public sector Continue Reading

The ICO issues BYOD warning after breach

The ICO is calling on organisations to ensure data protection policies reflect how employees are using personal devices for work Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

10 security reasons to upgrade to iOS 7

Even if it did not include numerous security fixes, iOS 7 has compelling reasons for corporates to adopt it to improve their security Continue Reading

By

• Rob Buckley

D-Link begins fixing router backdoor

D-Link has begun releasing security patches to close the backdoor discovered on some of its routers Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Kevin Cunnington appointed as digital chief at DWP

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced Kevin Cunnington as director general for digital transformation Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Scottish Government pilots Windows 8 tablets to improve services

The Scottish government is piloting how Windows 8 could be used to improve citizen relationship Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Osborne confirms Chinese investment in Manchester Airport City

Chancellor George Osborne announces partnership with Chinese industry to bring more than 16,000 jobs to Manchester Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer Scott, TechTarget

Legitimate users of Tor need not worry, says NCA

The National Crime Agency (NCA) says criminals cannot hide on the internet, but legitimate business users of anonymity software Tor are safe Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Ofcom hikes spectrum licence prices

Mobile regulator Ofcom more than quadruples the annual fees mobile operators will have to pay for 900MHz and 1800MHz spectrum bands Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer Scott, TechTarget

Home Office e-borders programme still using pilot IT system from 2004

Home Office yet to replace sacked Raytheon with new supplier for flagship programme to help protect UK borders Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Government pledges extra £100m to Enterprise Zones

Communities secretary Eric Pickles confirms the additional funding to help complete infrastructure projects around the new business hubs Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer Scott, TechTarget

Driving Standards Agency updates WAN with MDNX

The government agency has revamped its WAN solution to link its datacentre through the PSN network to its driving test centres across the UK Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer Scott, TechTarget

UK National Cyber Crime Unit becomes operational

The UK's National Cyber Crime Unit has become operational as part of the new National Crime Agency Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

FBI shuts down Silk Road online drug market

The FBI has shut down the Silk Road online drug market and arrested kingpin Ross Ulbricht, previously known only as Dread Pirate Roberts Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Privacy concerns in the digital world

Considering the full spectrum of privacy, people need to ask themselves if they are comfortable with all their characteristics in the public domain Continue Reading

By

• Yves Le Roux, (ISC)2

McAfee Focus 2013: McAfee leadership upbeat about Stonesoft acquisition

Intel-owned security firm McAfee is upbeat about its acquisition of Stonesoft and its future capability to tackle security differently Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

IT security industry still immature, says (ISC)2 board member

The information security industry is still immature and failing to act or speak as one, says Dave Lewis, (ISC)2 board member Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

MoD announces specialist programme to fend off cyber attacks

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a strategy to defend UK national security from the threat of cyber attacks Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Financial markets next big cyber target, says US expert

Manipulation of international financial markets will be the next evolution of cyber crime, says US Cyber Consequences Unit chief Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Top 10 cyber crime stories of 2013

Cyber crime featured heavily in security news coverage in 2013, with cyber criminals and cyber law enforcers upping their games with each passing month Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Software acquisition is risk acquisition, says industry panel

New software often means new security vulnerabilities, panel tells the (ISC)2 Security Congress 2013 Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

What does the Public Accounts Committee want from BDUK?

MPs slammed the BDUK broadband process for making it too easy for BT. But how to rectify the situation? We take an in-depth look at the report Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer Scott, TechTarget

How Capgemini keeps its Merlin datacentre green and energy-efficient

Capgemini's Swindon-based Merlin datacentre is one of the most energy-efficient in the world. But what makes it green? Continue Reading

By

• Archana Venkatraman, Datacentre Editor

US websites should inform EU citizens about NSA surveillance, says report

US web site providers should inform European citizens that their data may be subject to government surveillance, says a report for the European parliament Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

NSA reveals how Snowden accessed secret Prism files

Prism whistleblower Edward Snowden accessed secret documents through a file-share, the NSA has revealed Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

MPs brand NHS National Programme for IT a 'fiasco' as posthumous costs rise

The now-axed NHS National Programme for IT (NPfIT) is still incurring significant costs following the failure of the government IT project Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Risk assessment key to cloud adoption, says Isaca

There is mass confusion among small and medium businesses about cloud computing, says Amar Singh, chair of Isaca UK Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Universal Credit failures put coalition ICT strategy in purdah

As self-appointed guardian against government IT bodges, the Cabinet Office played a role in deciding Universal Credit could meet its over-ambitious aims. It was not only wrong. It also shares the ... Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

£200m of Universal Credit IT could be scrapped, MPs told

£200m of IT work on the troubled Universal Credit programme could be written off, says government project management chief Norma Wood Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

£480bn of government revenue depends on "risky" legacy IT

Almost £480bn of the UK government’s revenues are dependent on legacy IT systems that “could present a very significant risk” Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Most websites could be targeted through PHP, warns Imperva

Hackers are focusing on vulnerabilities in PHP web application development platform, threatening most websites, warns Imperva Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Lloyds website continuity hit as TSB launches

Lloyds Banking Group websites, including the new standalone TSB, have been hit by problems on TSB launch day Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Agile chaos consumes Universal Credit

It was the core philosophy of the coalition government's ICT strategy: creative chaos. But instead of fixing government IT it has let it run rampant, according to the National Audit Office.The ... Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

Disinfecting PCs false security, says security expert

Many companies proud of their ability to identify and clean malware infected machines are missing a trick, says veteran security expert Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst