IT management skills

The fears and benefits of virtualising reality

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the mingling of virtual and physical worlds and find positive applications and worrisome implications from augmented reality. We find out how to run a virtual hackathon during the pandemic – pizza still included. And we look at how to improve performance of your private cloud. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Vote now: Most Influential Woman in UK Technology 2021

Who should be the 2021 most influential woman in UK tech? Submit your vote to tell us what you think Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Most Influential Women in UK Tech 2021: Entrants to the Hall of Fame

Each year Computer Weekly recognises several great women from the IT industry and their lifetime achievements in its Most Influential Women in UK Tech Hall of Fame Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

SAS steps up free data skills programme for job seekers

SAS has expanded its free data skills for jobseekers’ programme, aiming it at people who have been adversely affected by the economic fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

Most Influential Women in UK Tech: The 2021 longlist

Each year, Computer Weekly publishes the longlist of all of the women put forward to be considered for its list of the top 50 Most Influential Women in UK Tech. Here are all of 2021’s nominees Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Respect in Security challenges abuse and harassment in cyber

With around a third of cyber pros saying they have personally experienced harassment at work or online, a new initiative is urging organisations to pledge their support to help free the community from the scourge of abuse. We met its founders Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Government officials lack experience to lead digital transformation, says NAO

The government needs to reskill senior decision makers and give tech leaders more influence if digital business change projects are to succeed Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Makers launches third year of the Women in Software Powerlist

Software bootcamp Makers is looking for up-and-coming women in the software development scene to celebrate diversity in the sector Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Ripe for change – mixing digital innovation with traditional winemaking

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how global winemaker Concha y Toro uses the latest tech to enhance 150-year old traditional processes. Pharma giant GSK explains how an API strategy is changing its business model. And we talk to retailers using video technology to bridge the gap between in-store and online selling. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Experts discuss stretched VLAN use cases, MEC and more

In this networking blog roundup, experts give reasons to stretch VLANs, discuss benefits of deploying private MEC with 5G, and differentiate between junior and senior IT engineers. Continue Reading

By

• Deanna Darah, Site Editor

Is tech team remuneration opening up a new form of cyber risk?

Failing to reward cyber security staff in line with increases for other members of the tech team could open up new risks to organisations Continue Reading

By

• Bev White, Nash Squared

UK government publishes skills-focused anti-disinformation plan

Online Media Literacy Strategy aims to train teachers and care-givers in understanding disinformation so they can help others in safely navigating the internet Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

UK workforce needs reskilling for net-zero transition

Green Jobs Taskforce report looks at how the UK’s workforce can be skilled up to support the transition to net zero Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

UAE offers ‘golden visas’ to coders as part of national IT skills programme

The United Arab Emirates is offering visas to coders across the world as it attempts to attract talent to support its economic diversification Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Regional cyber clusters score £700k of funding

DCMS has awarded £700,000 of funding to a network of 20 regional cyber clusters Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK Cyber Security Council calls for new push on training

Too many companies have cut back on security training and development during the pandemic, says UK Cyber Security Council Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

IR35: Contractors demand tax and employment law alignment to protect ‘zero-rights’ workers

Government is again facing calls to ensure contractors that pay the same amount of tax as permanent employees also receive the same workplace benefits Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Home Office launches three-year digital strategy

The strategy sets out six principles, aiming to reduce cost and complexity while driving innovation and developing better digital products and services Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Ransomware gangs seek people skills for negotiations

The process of negotiating a ransomware payment is delicate, hence cyber criminal organisations are prepared to offer good terms to those with the right skillsets Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

What steps can we take to finally close the tech skills gap?

Despite ongoing efforts from government, education providers and industry to close the tech skills gap, not much has changed, so will new initiatives start to close the chasm? Continue Reading

By

• Cath Everett

How the UK Cyber Security Council plans to professionalise security

As chair of the new UK Cyber Security Council, Claudia Natanson is in a superb position to develop professional standards in IT security and she intends to fundamentally reimagine what a security job actually is Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Bank of England searches for new CIO amid once-in-a-generation project

The Bank of England is recruiting a head of IT during a period of major change in its core IT system Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Where to start with Windows 11

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at the new features on offer from Microsoft’s new version of its flagship operating system, Windows 11. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the trends in secure, agile app development. And we find out what you need to consider when buying a VPN. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

The secret to building a future-proof cyber security team

In a post-pandemic digital world, where cyber criminals see a feast of opportunities, what are the secrets to building a world-class cyber security function? Continue Reading

By

• Russ Kirby

Nominations open for 2021 Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards

Nominations are now open for this year’s edition of the Unsung Heroes Awards for cyber professionals and educators Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK Cyber Security Council launches inaugural initiatives

Security association seeks to determine terms of reference for committees to oversee standards and ethics, and qualifications and careers in the cyber sector Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Is the UK government planning to rewrite GDPR?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, a government taskforce on post-Brexit regulations has recommended changes to GDPR in the UK – we examine the implications. The NHS has launched a new data strategy - we look at what it means for your medical records. And we ask how to avoid the performance problems that affect private cloud. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

How CIOs can help their organisations accelerate digital transformation

Companies need to win the trust of their customers to gather the data they need to transform their businesses Continue Reading

By

• Dan Higgins, EY

Important LGBTQ+ figures who shaped tech’s history

As the world celebrates Pride month, we take a deep dive into the lives of some of the people who have shaped the technology we use today, who are also LGBTQ+. Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Controversial cyber tycoon John McAfee dead at 75

Founder of the eponymous cyber security firm has committed suicide in a Spanish prison Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Increasing numbers of Dutch women opt for career in ICT

There’s a shortage of IT professionals in the Netherlands, but the skills gap can be bridged by attracting further women to the sector Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

Tech Nation launches D&I toolkit for tech founders

Tech Nation has launched a public diversity and inclusion “toolkit” including guidance for tech company founders to help create more inclusive businesses Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Nominate now: Most influential women in UK technology 2021

Computer Weekly is now looking for nominations for its 2021 list of the most influential women in UK technology Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Privacy pro salaries rise throughout pandemic, but at a cost

Data from the IAPP’s latest salary survey reveals some insight into how the pandemic impacted the privacy profession Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Japanese bank boss to leave after IT failures

Mizuho Bank president takes the blame for widespread IT system failures at the organisation Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Trainline hires former Google Play software director as chief technology officer

Milena Nikolic will take on the role of leading the company’s tech innovation. Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Discovering great ideas – innovation at the Discovery Channel

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the owner of the Discovery Channel about how collaboration software enabled a culture of innovation. Our latest buyer’s guide looks at developments in cloud printing technology. And we hear from the technology chief at Rightmove about the online property site’s digital transformation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Shaping a Digital Strategy to support UK productivity and jobs

With an all-party parliamentary group calling for evidence on digital skills, there are three key areas that policymakers should address   Continue Reading

By

• Bev White, Nash Squared

Government offers T-level funding to boost pandemic recovery

The government has announced it will be offering some employers £1,000 of funding for hosting T-level students Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Accenture supports tech bootcamp for people facing barriers to employment

Accenture is donating almost half a million pounds to help a tech training prgramme targeted at young people outside education Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

CW Europe: Amsterdam reins back datacentre developments over environmental concern

The construction of datacentres in the Netherlands’ Amsterdam region has accelerated at such a pace that their demands for electricity are causing concern, prompting city authorities and datacentre operators to open a dialogue about sustainable datacentre industry expansion. Also in this issue, find out the state of play in the adoption of open banking across Europe. Continue Reading

We Open Tech community supports non-binary and trans security pros

New tech community established to advocate for the interests of non-binary people, trans and cis women, trans men, and other marginalised genders in security Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

CIO interview: Tom Read, chief executive, Government Digital Service

The new chief at GDS has outlined a three-year strategy for the organisation, and tells Computer Weekly he wants to get back to the core focus of building products for use across government Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

IR35 reforms: Qdos research suggests room for improvement

The IR35 reforms came into force in April 2021, but research from contracting authority Qdos suggests some end-client organisation's compliance strategies require urgent improvement Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Amazon launches apprenticeship fund for small businesses

The £2.5m Amazon Apprenticeship Fund will be aimed at helping small businesses use the government’s levy transfer scheme to access talent Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Government on the hunt for Advanced Research and Invention Agency CEO

First CEO of the high-risk, high-reward research agency will be in charge of shaping the research, culture and setup of the organisation and define its strategy to identify and fund ground-breaking science and technology Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Loss of 150,000 police records made worse by management failures

The loss of 150,000 records from a number of national policing systems was caused by a human coding error, but made worse by process and management failures Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Security ops teams struggle to switch off at home

Spiralling stress levels among SOC and IT security teams can be attributed mainly to alert overload, says Trend Micro Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

CIO interview: Tarah Lourens, chief product and technology officer, Rightmove

Rightmove’s chief product and technology officer is working to create fresh data-led services and products, growing the team and building capacity and capability Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

IR35: MPs denied vote to amend Finance Bill to ‘curb or kill’ umbrella companies

MPs were denied the opportunity to vote in favour of amending the incoming Finance Bill to ‘curb or kill’ umbrella companies, prompting industry watchers to double down on calls for regulation Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

DBS to fill tech roles at women-focused careers fair

DBS Bank is looking for more women to fill over 140 openings in engineering roles in a bid to improve gender diversity among its ranks Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

Making data an asset, not a threat

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the latest developments in the UK government’s National Data Strategy and what it means for the economy. Our latest buyer’s guide explains the emerging technologies around computational storage. And we look at the advances in customer experience management during the pandemic. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

How education reform promises could plug tech skills gap

Skills and Post-16 Education Bill will support lifelong learning, offering people an opportunity to retrain Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

IR35: MPs urged to back ‘curb or kill’ umbrella company-focused Finance Bill amendments

Two amendments to the incoming Finance Bill that have the potential to ban the use of umbrella companies are being voted on by MPs in the House of Commons today Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Credit Suisse to recruit more than 1,000 tech staff in India

Credit Suisse is hiring more IT professionals in India to supports its plan to develop a global tech hub Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

India’s HCL to hire 1,000 tech professionals in the UK

Indian IT suppliers set to create thousands of IT jobs in the UK, which supports their intention to have more staff based closer to customers Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Australian budget lends support to digital economy

Australia’s A$1.2bn Digital Economy Strategy ticks most of the right boxes, but some industry experts say areas such as broadband infrastructure and artificial intelligence are still underfunded Continue Reading

By

• Stephen Withers

Too many disconnected systems in government, says minister

Cabinet Office minister Julia Lopez wants to address issues with legacy systems, improve digital skills across government and improve department collaboration, including in procurement Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

CW Benelux: Netherlands university launches centre of expertise in applied AI

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences has launched a centre of expertise in applied artificial intelligence, and students from all faculties of the university will learn how to apply AI in their field of study. Also in this issue, read why a training ‘roadmap’ is needed to get Netherlands police officers up to speed with tackling cyber crime. Continue Reading

CISOs weathered the pandemic well, but at personal cost

Over 80% of CISOs think their existing security capabilities stayed strong during the worst of the Covid-19 pandemic, but now face stress and burnout on an unheard-of scale Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How a cloud engineer at DBS Bank charted his career

A cloud engineering leader at DBS Bank offers a glimpse into the tasks and challenges of a cloud professional and how his team is organised to support the bank’s public and private cloud infrastructure Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

APAC career guide on cloud computing

Besides having engineering chops and certifications, aspiring cloud professionals should have curiosity and soft skills to succeed in the evolving cloud computing landscape Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, Informa TechTarget

How to support a hybrid workforce

As the economy opens up, organisations are rethinking the idea of office-based work – and a more flexible approach is on the cards Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Cyber accreditation to improve legal standing of security pros

Institute of Cyber Digital Investigations Professionals will help incident responders and cyber investigators get the professional recognition they deserve Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Dysfunctional cyber, network teams disrupt digital transformation

Despite shared goals, combative and dysfunctional relationships within specialist tech teams are putting digital transformation projects at risk, according to a report Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Interview: ONS data science chief Tom Smith on government data capability

The managing director of the Office of National Statistics’ Data Science Campus, Tom Smith, describes the organisation’s data capability building activities for and across government Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

Delivering international talent to Helsinki’s tech ecosystem

Finland’s capital is the envy of the world as a tech hub, but it still faces challenges in attracting skills in a highly competitive global market Continue Reading

By

• Matthew Staff

Deploying productivity monitoring software ethically

While software that tracks the activities of staff can be helpful to companies with a remote workforce, managers must consider employees’ concerns and privacy Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

5 must-have skills to succeed as an IT manager

An effective IT manager's skill set includes solid communication, problem-solving, decision-making, time management, organization and the ability to think and act strategically. Continue Reading

By

• Rahul Awati

Infosys to create 1,000 tech jobs in UK

Infosys joins TCS in announcing the creation of UK IT jobs as India and the UK negotiate a future trading relationship Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

How KFC put digital on the menu

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how fast-food chain KFC turned to digital to survive the pandemic. Our latest buyer’s guide looks at technologies to improve office productivity for home workers. And we assess the growing problem of electronic waste and how to tackle it. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Navigating the sticky issue of monitoring employee productivity

With employees having shifted en masse to remote working during the pandemic, we explore how enterprises have maintained the productivity of their dispersed workforce Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Simon Bolton named as NHS Digital interim CEO

Following the announcement of Sarah Wilkinson’s departure as CEO of NHS Digital, the organisation has appointed NHS Test and Trace CIO Simon Bolton as interim CEO Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

CIO interview: Chris Porter, VP talent acquisition and matching, BP

With the help of digital technologies and recruitment of data-savvy talent, BP is aiming to become a net-zero business by 2050 Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Flexible CIOs gain friends in finance

The pandemic has shown the value of IT to business leaders. Chief financial officers are looking for quick IT investment returns Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Justice at last in Post Office IT scandal

In this week’s Computer Weekly, 12 years after we broke the story, victims of the Post Office IT scandal finally have their criminal convictions overturned. We take a virtual tour of a Microsoft datacentre and meet a server called ‘Mega-Godzilla Beast’. And we find out how technology is transforming Nationwide Building Society. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

CIO interview: Richard Corbridge, Boots

Boots has been hugely successful in its transition to e-commerce and the Covid-19 pandemic has seen several digital initiatives spun up to continue offering services to customers Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Drax partners with Solace to manage biomass supply chain

Event-based IT architecture helps energy provider optimise its biomass supply chain and drive greater efficiencies, but questions remain about the fundamental sustainability of biomass as an alternative to coal Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

BBC appoints new digital and technology leaders

BBC splits former chief technology and product officer role into two, with Just Eat executive Storm Fagan to join in September Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

A bottom-up and top-down look at intelligent automation

We look at robotic process automation at a coding level and an organisational level, and see how artificial intelligence fits Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

SAP users identify data skills shortage as importance of analytics spikes

Research from the SAP UK & Ireland User Group has demonstrated a data skills dearth among users and a delay in using the SAP Hana in-memory database until full S/4 Hana ERP implementations Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

Civil Service Data Challenge aims to improve use of data

Business and government have partnered to launch a Dragon’s Den-style competition to encourage civil servants to come up with ideas on how to improve the use of data Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

CDO summer school plots step change for data leaders

The summer school for chief data officers, run by Caroline Carruthers and Peter Jackson, promises data leaders a curriculum to match the elevated salience of the CDO role Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

IR35 reforms: MPs call on government to clean up UK’s ‘wild west’ contracting labour supply chain

A 200-strong group of MPs is calling for urgent action from the government to protect contractors from the dubious practices of non-compliant umbrella companies and badly behaved employment agencies just days after private sector IR35 reforms came into force Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

CDDO will assess delivery of government digital projects

Government Digital Service boss Tom Read and the government’s Central Digital and Data Office executive director Joanna Davinson reveal next steps for digital, data and technology in government Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

IR35 reforms: Private sector start date prompts mixed picture of predictions for contracting market

The IR35 tax avoidance reforms take hold in the private sector, prompting a mixed picture of predictions from stakeholders about what the future holds for contractors in the UK Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Starting a career in the digital economy

What is it currently like for young people trying to hit the ground running with digital careers? What do employers want from them, and how has the last year of lockdowns affected their chances at a digital career? Continue Reading

By

• Cath Everett

Cyber Security Council to champion UK security pros

A new cyber security professional body has launched with the aim of developing and promoting UK cyber security excellence globally and growing the skills base Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Asda bags ex-Marks and Spencer CIO

Carl Dawson, who has been CIO at department store M&S for six years, is leaving the retailer to become CIO at Asda Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Sarah Wilkinson resigns as NHS Digital CEO

After four years at the helm of NHS Digital, CEO Sarah Wilkinson will leave in the summer of 2021, and the organisation is looking for an interim replacement Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

UK faces significant cyber talent shortfall

Cyber security sector is struggling to attract the talented workforce it needs Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

IR35 reforms: Confusion over who pays employers’ NI leaves IT contractors out of pocket

Litigators are circling as thousands of contractors realise that the 2017 roll-out of IR35 reforms to the public sector may have resulted in unlawful tax deductions – and the private sector could be next Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Young people don’t feel they have advanced digital skills for work

Young people know how important digital skills are, but don’t think they have the necessary level of skill for the workplace, according to the Learning and Work Institute Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Would the UK really nuke a cyber attacker?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, did the UK’s defence and security review really suggest a nuclear response to a cyber attack? Data visualisation has been widely used to explain the Covid-19 pandemic, but not always that effectively. And jewellery retailer Pandora explains how it kept the personal touch as customers went online. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

CIO interview: Juliette Atkinson, IT director, Bradford University

Bradford University’s IT director took a different route than most to get into IT leadership Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

UKtech50 2021: Panel 2- Making innovation count

A panel of experts at the at the UKtech50 2021 event discuss how the pandemic has challenged our approach to innovation Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

UKtech50 2021: Bev White, CEO Harvey Nash Group

Presentation made by Bev White, CEO Harvey Nash Group, at the UKtech50 2021 event UKtech50 2021 Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

UKtech50 2021: Alison Davis, CIO, Natural History Museum

Presentation made by Alison Davis, CIO, Natural History Museum at the UKtech50 2021 event Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Insurers unable to fill a quarter of tech roles

Insurance companies need to fill tech skills gaps if they are going to prosper in the age of insurtech Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Banks still lack tech skills at the top

Banks have made progress in adding IT knowledge in their boardrooms, but they need more as digital transformation accelerates Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA