IT news in your industry sector

Microsoft UK datacentre plans win backing of government CTO Liam Maxwell

Government CTO Liam Maxwell speaks out about the role Whitehall's played in convincing Microsoft and others to open UK datacentres Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

EU data protection official optimistic on successor to Safe Harbour

An EU data protection official says he is optimistic that an alternative to the Safe Harbour agreement will be found, but it will take work from both the US and the EU Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

GCHQ and NCA join forces to police dark web

GCHQ and the National Crime Agency are to track down paedophiles and serious online criminals by using the techniques and expertise used to find terrorists Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Amsterdam Arena aims to set digital example to others

The Amsterdam Arena is a digital powerhouse which, according to its CIO, wants to set an example for the city to follow Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

Avoiding security issues when recycling hardware

What are the options for the environmentally and ethically responsible recycling of end-of-life hardware, without compromising data security? Continue Reading

By

• Peter Ray Allison

Mayor of London launches tech fund for digital skills

A programme has been launched by the mayor of London to ensure young people in the capital are learning digital skills Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Communication Workers Union warns subpostmasters of flaw in Post Office Horizon accounting system

The union that represents Post Office subpostmasters has warned of a problem with the Horizon accounting system at the centre of a long-running dispute Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Free software gains ground in the Italian public administration

Italy's Ministry of Defence is pioneering the use of open-source office productivity tools with the migration of 150,000 PCs to LibreOffice Continue Reading

By

• Piero Macri

UAE recognises importance of cyber security, says official

Like the UK, the UAE federal government has identified the importance of creating an environment in which it is safe to do business online Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Business models still evolving as public Wi-Fi spend hits a high

A report from the Wireless Broadband Alliance reveals that most city CIOs have plans in place to significantly increase their investment in public Wi-Fi networking, but see challenges around their business models Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

000Webhost blames PHP exploit for breach of 13.5 million records

Unencrypted passwords for a free web hosting firm were on sale for five months before customers were notified their records had been leaked, according to a security researcher Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Australia's outsourced datacentre market rising on back of cloud computing

Datacentre investment in Australia is growing fast as corporates use data-intensive applications delivered via the cloud Continue Reading

By

• Alex Cruickshank

Secret report into rural payments IT problems points finger at RPA CEO

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is withholding a highly critical report into IT problems that led to the withdrawal of the £154m farmers' digital service Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Hewlett Packard Enterprise: think of us as a startup

As Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc finally part ways, UK managing director Andy Isherwood shares some insight on what the future holds for the newly minted enterprise business Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Theresa May promises strong oversight in surveillance bill

The proposed Investigatory Powers Bill contains “very strong” oversight and “world-beating” authorisation procedures, according to home secretary Theresa May Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

CIO interview: Torben Høeg Bonde, Vestas

The CIO at Danish wind turbine company Vestas is playing a key role in turning the company into a software supplier Continue Reading

By

• Jenny Stadigs

Law enforcement cracks down on DroidJack Android snooping malware users

A joint EU/US operation on the DroidJack malware is the latest example of international collaboration between law enforcement officers directed at cyber crime Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Met Office's new supercomputer to deliver £2bn of socio-economic benefits

The Met Office aims to realise a range of socio-economic benefits to UK industries thanks to improved forecasting with its new Cray supercomputer Continue Reading

By

• Fiona O'Cleirigh

M&S data breach forces retailer to temporarily suspend service

A glitch that allowed online customers to see each others' details forced retailer Mark & Spencer to take its website offline while it resolved the issue Continue Reading

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• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Retailers will never have pure play, says Watchfinder founder

Founder of luxury second-hand watch reseller Watchfinder explains that retailers will never have an entirely online or offline business Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Tech will turn HR into a ‘productivity department’

HR technologies are moving away from managing staff in favour of helping them become more productive Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Using open data to solve social challenges

The Open Data Institute has spent the past two years funding startups to build applications that could solve socio-economic problems Continue Reading

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• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

British American Tobacco saves £1.4m after automating candidate selection

British American Tobacco uses custom profiling software to cut the number of applications managers have to screen by half, as part of a major re-organisation of its recruitment processes Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Ministry of Defence hoarding £38.5m worth of unused IPv4 addresses

A Freedom of Information request by network control specialist Infoblox has revealed that the MoD is hoarding millions of pounds worth of unused IPv4 addresses, while the UK government remains woefully unprepared for IPv6 Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Volvo Group sells Swedish external IT to Indian supplier HCL Technologies

Vehicle manufacturer Volvo Group is selling some of its IT operation in Sweden to Indian supplier HCL Continue Reading

By

• David Nikel

More than 70% of teachers still think students are better at using tech

Teachers are still struggling to adapt to the new curriculum, and more than 70% believe their students are more technology-savvy than they are Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Transforming Singapore Post through modern technology

When Singapore Post realised it had to change its business model to survive, it appointed its first CIO to front the technology transformation Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Outsourcing renewals: Where do I source services?

With thousands of IT services contracts coming up for renewal, CIOs should take a careful look at where they source services from Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Yakult uses data analytics to boost growth in the Netherlands by 20%

Probiotics maker Yakult is using analytics and data visualisation tools to boost its sales in the Netherlands Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Blockchain sparks change in banking industry

In this week's Computer Weekly, we find out why blockchain, the technology that underpins bitcoin, is making waves in the banking sector. EasyJet tells us why digital is increasingly important for airlines. And we look at the forces driving digital disruption and why some sectors are changing faster than others. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Expo Milano 2015 – Powered by Accenture

This year, Accenture supported the universal exhibition in Milan showcasing technology with the theme ‘Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life’ Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

German rail and transport group turns to virtual reality in war for talent

Deutsche Bahn claims to be the first company in Germany to use virtual reality as a recruitment tool Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

TalkTalk warns customers about personal data breach

TalkTalk has warned customers their personal data may have been compromised in the second cyber attack on the firm in 2015, with some data left unencrypted Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

How the Cabinet Office is using open data to tackle youth unemployment

The Cabinet Office invited IT professionals and young people to a Job Hack event with the aim of using open government datasets to help more young people into work Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Kent signs £23m digital services contract with Agilisys

Agilisys to manage Kent County Council's digital services and customer contact in a six-year contract Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Police and industry to tackle cyber crime together, says TechUK

A TechUK report calls for collaboration between police and industry to raise standards of reporting, recording and responding to cyber crime Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

CIO interview: Frans Westerlund, Fiskars

Fiskars CIO Frans Westerlund tells Computer Weekly about the challenges faced by IT when a business instigates a major strategic transformation Continue Reading

By

• Eeva Haaramo

Is digital disruption a threat or an opportunity for banks?

Banks have been relatively unaffected by the digital revolution that has transformed other industries – but that's about to change Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

James Arbuthnot takes Post Office IT fight to House of Lords

James Arbuthnot takes his seat in the House of Lords and continues campaign for subpostmasters who claim to have been wronged by faulty Horizon IT system Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Nationwide Building Society outsources IT infrastructure

Nationwide has outsourced its IT infrastructure to Capgemini for the next five years to bring it up to date for the digital age Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Infosec pros should start preparing for the future, say experts

Information security professionals need to grow their skills, engage with the business, increase security awareness, set business goals and tailor their messages, says a panel of experts Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Consumer take-up of Gigaclear fibre broadband exceeds BDUK rates

Ultrafast altnet Gigaclear marks a major milestone in its network roll-out and claims a higher take-up rate for its FTTP product than BT is seeing on the Openreach FTTC network Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

CityFibre fills broadband connection voucher gap

CityFibre offers businesses free connections to replace government’s connection voucher scheme Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

The problem of smart cities and connectivity in the UK

Only once leaders develop a framework for local economic and societal development can the “smart city” buzz can evolve into “intelligent communities” Continue Reading

By

• David Brunnen, Groupe Intellex

Philips uses AWS and IoT to deliver healthcare in the home

Philips plans to make it easier for patients to self-monitor their health using Amazon web services (AWS) cloud and the internet of things (IoT) technologies Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

HMRC VAT rules cut cloud costs by 20% for NHS and government departments

An HMRC ruling on reclaiming tax on cloud services could drive up the use of off-premise technologies in the public sector Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

BT Openreach division expands services deal with Infosys to improve support for engineers

BT Openreach is using a software platform from Infosys that draws data from several sources to improve support for its engineers and customers Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

How CIOs can raise their 'IT clock speed' as pressure to innovate grows

CIOs are facing pressure from the board to roll out IT projects increasingly quickly. How can they do that without running unacceptable risks? This article, based on cutting-edge research among leading businesses, offers some answers Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

IT giants Dell and EMC unite

In this week's Computer Weekly, Dell's proposed $67bn acquisition of EMC would be the biggest in the history of IT – we assess the implications. £175bn of IT outsourcing contracts come up for renewal in the next three years- what are your options? And we hear from IT leaders about security and the internet of things. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Dow Jones denies it was target of insider trading hack

Dow Jones says there is no information to support reports that it was the target of hackers seeking information for insider trading Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Amazon sues sellers using paid-for product reviews

Amazon’s brand is being damaged by "false, misleading and inauthentic" reviews – paid for by sellers – to lure buyers, the organisation says in a lawsuit Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Opera chooses Workday over Oracle as it moves HR to cloud

Browser company Opera opts for slick internal IT as it competes with Apple and Google for skilled technologists Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

CIO interview: Olivier Smith, head of IT at Sweden's Hi3G Access

The IT department at Swedish telco Hi3G is on a mission to a utopian planet, with Olivier Smith at the controls Continue Reading

By

• Jenny Stadigs

CIO interview: Martin Thell, Scandic Hotels

The CIO of major Nordic hotel chain Scandic Hotels wants to learn more about customers through technology, without being overbearing Continue Reading

By

• Jenny Stadigs

Government cries for help over floundering ID scheme

The government is failing to get enough help from the private sector to make its next generation identity scheme work at full speed. Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

Yahoo announces password-killing Account Key

Yahoo Account Key uses push notifications to provide a fast and secure way to access Yahoo accounts from a mobile device Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

GDS payments platform Gov.uk Pay to start taking real payments

GDS launches beta version of payment system that aims to provide standardised electronic payments for public services Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

How the Consumer Rights Act will affect the digital industry

Consumer legislation has been updated to take into account the unique nature of digital content – but what does it mean for technology suppliers? Continue Reading

By

• Jasnoop Cheema

Ofcom regulates Amazon Instant Video

Broadcast watchdog Ofcom will regulate video-on-demand (VOD) services – such as Amazon Instant Video – although rules for VOD content differ from broadcast Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

The true cost of a cyber security breach in Australia

The costs of cyber security breaches can quickly add up with fines, reputational damage and overhauls to network security all hitting the coffers. The case of one Australian firm shows why paying a ransom to a hacker might be tempting. Continue Reading

By

• Beverley Head

Why blockchain heralds a rethink of the entire banking industry

Blockchain, the distributed ledger technology behind bitcoin, is both a threat and an opportunity for financial services – and the banks are taking it very seriously Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

HS2 and Crossrail site to deliver high-tech innovations

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation partners with HyperCatCity to embrace smart technologies to create “an exciting and thriving place” Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

TfL appoints 12 companies for IT systems framework

Capita, CSC, Atos and CGI are among the firms on TfL’s IT systems framework contract, which is worth between £80m and £95m Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Cyber security innovation is crucial, says security evangelist

Visibility and automation are key areas of cyber security innovation, but firms should concentrate first on the basics and not overlook the human element of security Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

How easyJet uses digital to drive competitive advantage

The CIO and head of digital at easyJet tell Computer Weekly price is not the only way to gain competitive advantage in the airline industry Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

VMware reacts to the cloud and containerisation

At VMworld Europe, VMware restates products and roadmap visions that see it react to the perceived inevitability of the cloud, while also getting a grip on containers Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

South Manchester NHS signs up to take Allscripts EPR

University Hospital of South Manchester NHS Foundation Trust has become the latest trust in the region to choose an electronic patient record system from Allscripts Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

RBS to pilot product based on blockchain technology in 2016

Royal Bank of Scotland is among the early adopters of distributed ledger technology that could shake up the banking industry Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Encryption is a double-edged sword, says Blue Coat

Seven more security suppliers join Blue Coat encrypted traffic management programme amid fresh warnings of attackers using encryption to hide malicious activity Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

NHS Health Apps Library to close

The NHS Health Apps Library is shutting down after a two-year tenure, shortly after NHS-approved apps were found to leak data Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Europe's data privacy shake-up

In this week's Computer Weekly, after the European Court of Justice ruled the Safe Harbour agreement invalid, we assess the implications for transatlantic data protection. We find out why DVLA has brought its IT back in-house after a 13-year outsourcing deal. And we look at the role of IT in cutting costs in the NHS. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Lack of trust for banks causes NHS rethink over government online identity scheme

NHS trials of the Verify ID assurance system found patients concerned over using banks to allow access to medical data Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

EU Data Protection Regulation: What the EC legislation means for cloud providers

With the European Commission's data protection rules set to drop before 2016, take a look at what the changes mean for the cloud and datacentre community Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

The security dangers of home networks

Most companies take reasonable steps to protect their networks from virus attacks, but one area of vulnerability that is often overlooked is infection from employees’ home networks Continue Reading

By

• Peter Ray Allison

How to ensure strong passwords and better authentication

Five steps to ensure stronger passwords and better authentication to reduce the threat of business data theft Continue Reading

By

• Peter Wood, First Base Technologies LLP

Finnair selects IBM for cloud transformation

Finnish airline outsources IT transformation to IBM as it moves to introduce digital services to customers Continue Reading

By

• Eeva Haaramo

UK digital economy needs 2.3 million digital workers by 2020

The UK will need the skills of 2.3 million digital workers by 2020 if it hopes to power the promised digital economy, according to research from O2 Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Apple removes more iOS apps over security concerns

Apple has blocked more apps over security concerns just weeks after ridding the App Store of XcodeGhost malware Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Gloucester City Council extends Civica IT outsourcing deal

The council’s outsourcing deal with Civica will not end until October 2021, as it signs a three-year extension contract Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Travelex rewrites its digital strategy

Travelex’s digital transformation is based on short-term wins, long-term goals and disruption, according to its chief digital officer, Sean Cornwell Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Samsung Pay isolated from LoopPay attack

Hackers who compromised LoopPay’s computer systems had no access to Samsung Pay’s user data or other core information, says Samsung Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

DWP looks to Facebook and LinkedIn for social services' digital future

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says it intends to learn from social networking firms and use external data to better understand people's lives Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

Estonian government IT initiative increases virtual population

Estonia is leading the way when it comes to providing easy and secure access to government services for citizens and foreigners alike Continue Reading

By

• Tarmo Virki

Tesco decides to keep Dunnhumby after strategic review of business

Supermarket giant Tesco has scrapped plans to sell analytics arm Dunnhumby after restructuring and analysing its assets Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Internet of things is next step along Infiniti Red Bull’s F1 journey

Formula 1 team Infiniti Red Bull Racing is beginning to explore the potential of the IoT as it makes ongoing improvements to its networking infrastructure with support from AT&T Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Singapore and UK researchers investigate privacy in big data era

Academic organisations in Singapore and the UK collaborate on the privacy questions raised by big data and the cloud Continue Reading

By

• Tao ai Lei

Amsterdam aims to become a top European startup hub

Amsterdam is selling itself to the startup community as a nice place to live with a high standard of living, and one that opens doors to the continent Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Max Schrems: The man who broke Safe Harbour

Schrems has persuaded a high court judge to confirm that Edward Snowden’s evidence is acceptable in court and that the US is engaged in mass surveillance of European citizens Continue Reading

By

• Kevin Cahill

Hundreds of Evry staff in the Nordics to move to IBM in billion-dollar IT outsourcing deal

Around 600 Evry staff in the Nordics are to move to IBM in $1bn IT outsourcing deal that sees the firm hand over its IT infrastructure for the next 10 years Continue Reading

By

• David Nikel

Aid organisations using technology to help Syrian refugees in the Middle East

Technology is playing a crucial role in supporting humanitarian aid organisations coping with the influx of Syrian refugees in the Middle East Continue Reading

By

• Andy Favell

Researchers find credential-stealing webmail server APT attack

Security researchers have discovered a new and unique advanced persistent threat (APT) technique that involves a malicious module loaded onto a webmail server Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

What's on your desktop?

In this week's Computer Weekly, Microsoft has released Office 2016 and is urging customers to migrate to Windows 10 – but is a desktop upgrade worth the hassle? We report from the Dreamforce conference on the latest products from Salesforce.com. Continue Reading

Workday seeks growth, not profit, as it expands in Europe

Cloud services company Workday is setting its sights on growth as it expands from cloud HR, to finance, learning and analytics Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Facebook ruling not only landmark data protection case in Europe, say experts

A landmark ruling against Slovakia-based website Weltimmo could impact the Max Schrems case against Facebook and new European data protection rules currently being finalised Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

DVLA brings IT back in-house after decades of outsourcing

After the DVLA's two-year project to bring its IT back in-house, its outsourcing strategy – set up during the Thatcher years – came to an end in September 2015 Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

What to consider when IT outsourcing contracts come up for renewal

Outsourcing contracts worth billions of pounds come up for renewal over the next few years – but unprecedented industry change complicates the CIO's decision Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

IT added to list of essential services to protect insolvent companies

Changes to legislation mean IT suppliers can no longer switch off services when a customer in financial trouble is unable to pay Continue Reading

By

• Adam Bernstein

Netherlands uses female role models to encourage girls into IT industry

The Netherlands needs to shake up its education system to attract more girls into IT, as only 10% of its IT workforce are women Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

David Jones online customers hit by data breach

Hackers have accessed the personal details of an unknown number of David Jones online customers, but the retailer says payment details and passwords are not affected Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Risky and untested: What went wrong with the ESN procurement?

In his first major interview since walking away from the Emergency Services Network procurement, Airwave COO John Lewis reveals why his company could take no further part in the process, and discusses the future of emergency services communications Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor