IT news in your industry sector

UK MoD turns to hackers to help secure digital assets

Hackers given direct access to internal Ministry of Defence systems to identify and report security vulnerabilities Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Panasas’s 10x saving bumps NetApp from HPC storage deployment

University of Wollongong got 1.2PB for the cost of 100TB for HPC storage in its cryo-imaging institute. Scale-out NAS maker Panasas also brought life sciences expertise to bear Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Intel hails data analytics-powered GB Olympics swimming success

Intel has claimed its part in the GB swimming team’s Olympics success, with the analysis of ‘data pools’ and the use of its servers and workstations Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

DWP IR35 bill, women in tech – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast

In this episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna speak about the DWP’s IR35 tax bill, the Most Influential Women in UK Technology, and company culture Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK
• Clare McDonald, Business Editor
• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

HMRC will shut down Chief system by end of March 2023

From 31 March 2023, the Customs Declaration Service will become the only operating UK customs platform when HMRC turns off the legacy Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight system Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Executive interview: Chris McShane, MD, Halfords Mobile Experts

Cycling and motoring retailer Halfords has developed its own service management software, which it is now taking to market Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Government updates isolation criteria in Covid-19 app

NHS Covid-19 app adjusted to reduce the number of people receiving self-isolation alerts Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

IR35 reforms: TUC demand for government ban on umbrella companies raises eyebrows

The Trades Union Congress has raised eyebrows within the contracting community by calling for a ban on umbrella companies to help stamp out malpractice Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Government publishes second version of digital identity trust framework

The second iteration of the framework, still in alpha version, sets out how organisations can become certified digital identity service providers Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Building supply chain resilience with cloud ERP

Vallen Asia’s cloud enterprise resource planning system has enabled it to scale its operations across the region and made its supply chain operations more resilient amid the pandemic Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Government opens up SME digital support programme for suppliers

Help to Grow: Digital scheme aims to help small businesses access productivity-enhancing software, and suppliers are now encouraged to register as approved suppliers Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

HMRC hits Home Office with £33.5m bill over ‘careless’ application of IR35 rules

The Home Office is the latest ministerial department to be hit with a multimillion-pound tax demand from HMRC after errors were discovered in its implementation of the IR35 rules Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Investigatory Powers Tribunal finds UK spy agencies unlawfully collected personal data

Campaign groups Privacy International and Liberty are gearing up to bring further legal action after a court found that UK spy agencies unlawfully collected phone and internet records Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Almost half unaware of GP data-sharing plans

Around half of adults in England – approximately 20 million people – remain unaware of the scope of the NHS GPDPR programme, prompting calls for a public education campaign Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Thousands wrongly given criminal convictions after computer error

HM Courts and Tribunals Service report reveals that computer error wrongly assigned guilty pleas to more than 5,000 defendants Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

COP26 cyber resource hub launched for Glasgow businesses

New digital information hub for Glasgow business to help organisations keep secure both physically and online ahead of major climate change summit Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Security Think Tank: Consider cyber policies and procedures as you welcome employees back

With Covid-19 restrictions easing, offices are welcoming back remote workers this summer, bringing with them their notebooks and mobiles, and creating an endpoint management headache for CISOs. What do security teams need to account for to protect their returning office workers? Continue Reading

By

• Simon Backwell

ICO ends its involvement in dispute between NatWest Bank and data breach whistleblower

The Information Commissioner’s Office has ended its involvement in a dispute between a data breach whistleblower and NatWest bank Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Running a virtual hackathon

DWP Digital recently organised a virtual hackathon. We find out how it went, and the key takeaways Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Gaming could reduce the gamble for users of online finance

Financial gaming platform designed to educate the increasing number of amateur traders Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Solent NHS Trust takes self-service route for sexual health

NHS trust deploys an integrated sexual health self-service system, digitally triaging patients and aiming to drive proactive intervention Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Digital manufacturing industry gets £53m government funding boost

Money will be used to create five digital manufacturing research centres, a digital supply chain innovation hub and to fund 37 industry projects Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

TikTok sets up cyber security hub in Dublin

Dublin-based cyber centre will oversee the security of TikTok’s users across Europe Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Welsh media industry gets £22.2m innovation funding package

As part of plans to make the UK a global innovation hub by 2035, as set out in its innovation strategy, the UK government is pumping £22.2m into the media.cymru programme Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Are we getting cyber security skills all wrong?

In this week’s Computer Weekly, the chair of the new UK Cyber Security Council tells us how she plans to fundamentally reimagine what working in IT security means. Our latest buyer’s guide examines ERP modernisation and its role in digital transformation. And we take an in-depth look at the first preview version of Windows 11. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Legacy IT issues impacted government decision-making during Covid-19, says PAC

The government’s ability to make well-informed decisions during the pandemic has been ‘hampered’ by data and legacy IT issues, Public Accounts Committee report finds Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Government-led innovation can help cyber startups find a market

There are many reasons why early-stage cyber startups often struggle to get off the ground, but government-backed programmes can help them find a path Continue Reading

By

• Saj Huq, Plexal

DWP hit with £87.9m tax bill by HMRC over 'historic' IR35 status contractor assessment errors

The Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) annual accounts highlight the challenges the public sector body has faced with implementing the IR35 reforms since they came into force in the public sector in April 2017 Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

TfL under fire for relying on Uber facial-verification data in licensing decisions

TfL is facing numerous legal appeals from Uber drivers as a result of its decisions to revoke their private licences on the basis of mistaken information from Uber’s systems Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Kaseya obtains universal ransomware decryptor

Kaseya says it obtained a ransomware decryptor key from a trusted third party, but there is no word on whether a ransom was paid Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Plans to address legal but harmful content ‘threaten free speech’

House of Lords report criticises the government’s forthcoming Online Safety Bill for imposing duty of care on tech platforms to deal with ‘legal but harmful’ content, which it says threatens freedom of expression online Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

UK government publishes full Innovation Strategy

Strategy aims to put the UK at the global forefront of science, research and innovation Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

DNA storage promises 10 million times storage capacity boost

A datacentre that fits in the palm of your hand? However, right now, DNA storage is an expensive chemical process that researchers are trying to make a practical proposal Continue Reading

By

• Stephen Pritchard

Government to fund interim compensation of up to £100,000 for each wrongly convicted subpostmaster

The government will pay interim compensation within weeks to subpostmasters who were wrongly convicted of crimes due to computer errors Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

IR35: Government sets out plan to rid contractor market of non-compliant umbrellas and loan schemes

In the wake of a consultation earlier this year, the government has drawn up a package of measures it intends to take to help protect contractors from non-compliant umbrella companies and loan scheme promoters Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

All my exes avoid Texas

Jeff Bezos has taken his rocket ship, New Shepherd, for its first ride. A ragtag team of Bezos, his brother, wee Wally Funk and the teenage son of a Dutch financier left Earth for 10 minutes and 10 ... Continue Reading

By

• Ryan Priest

Interview: Sarah Wilkinson, former CEO, NHS Digital

In her exit interview with Computer Weekly, NHS Digital’s former CEO Sarah Wilkinson talks about the organisation’s transformation over the past few years, the Covid-19 pandemic, bureaucracy challenges and big wins Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Covid-19 creates opportunity to digitally transform justice system, says TechUK

The pandemic has accelerated the use of digital in the UK justice system but challenges remain, leaving it ripe for reform with data at its heart, says industry body Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Lords Covid-19 Committee disappointed in government engagement

Committee is so disappointed in the government’s lack of engagement with its inquiry into the digital impact of the pandemic that it has published a separate report criticising it Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

New thinking and systems required to tackle online fraud in retail

Online fraud is a growing problem for retail, but are merchants doing enough to update systems and how should they change their actions to address it? Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

Infosys to open German operation focused on automotive sector

Infosys is establishing a centre in Germany that will focus on supporting customers in the German automotive sector Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

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

France’s Macron among alleged Pegasus targets

Data relating to devices used by French president Emmanuel Macron and the head of the World Health Organization, among others, has been uncovered in a dataset linked to government use of spyware Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Research and development investment programme launches in UK

A government-backed investment programme designed to direct more capital towards research and development-intensive technology firms has opened for applications Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Government shares vision for digitised energy system as it pursues net-zero emissions target

Strategy is geared towards readying the UK energy system for the transition from fossil fuels to renewable power through digital transformation Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Uber drivers face real-terms pay cut after service fee hike

Unionised Uber drivers have condemned the ride-hailing firm for ‘cynically’ framing its UK service fee rise as a way of improving equality among drivers, rather than a pay cut Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Nordic banks join forces to compete with fintechs

Collaboration will be key for traditional Nordic banks to retain business amid intense competition from tech companies Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

NHS Digital tightens rules for GPDPR data scrape

The proposed collection of patient data held by GPs will now only commence when three key criteria have been fulfilled, says NHS Digital Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Volvo: Our friends in software

We speak to Volvo’s head of software platform about the company’s strategy to build a software-defined car Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing 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

Government launches consultation on plans for UK digital identity market

DCMS wants stakeholders to offer their views on proposals for a new governance regime and expanding access to government-held datasets for identity verification Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

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

HMRC CEO claims email querying legal basis for loan charge ‘overplayed’ at committee hearing

HMRC CEO Jim Harra continues to downplay significance of email questioning legal basis of the loan charge during a grilling by the Economic Affairs Committee Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

A dozen more subpostmaster prosecutions quashed in Horizon scandal

Twelve more former subpostmasters have had wrongful convictions for financial crimes overturned in the Court of Appeal Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Chelsea and Westminster NHS launches acute Covid app

The app aims to work as a one-stop Covid-19 information and resource shop for doctors and nurses working with coronavirus patients Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Storage-as-a-service: Consumption models from the big six

We look at the big six storage makers’ consumption model offers, which allow customers to pay for on-prem hardware and cloud storage capacity on a pay-per-use basis, within limits Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Privacy Shield: One year on and companies are still grappling for answers

Activist lawyer Max Schrems and Eduardo Ustaran, partner at Hogan Lovells, look for common ground in a problem with no easy answers Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Briefing: Cloud storage performance metrics

We look at some of the key storage performance metrics that determine what your applications will get from cloud storage, plus cloud essentials that are beyond simple measurement Continue Reading

By

• Stephen Pritchard

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

Fintech sector continues to attract investment as Revolut hits $33bn valuation

Revolut has become the most valuable financial technology firm in the UK after its latest round of investment, with plans for a ‘superapp’ Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

CIO interview: Sylvain Filippi, managing director and CTO, Envision Virgin Racing

The motorsport company’s managing director and chief technology officer wants to use data and technology to prove benefits of electric vehicles and win “in the right way” Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

EC approves pan-Nordic payments platform

Pan-Nordic payments platform will move to its next phase after receiving merger approval from the European Commission Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

UK should set up digital task forces to transform governance

Commission for Smart Government paper sets out recommendations for how government can use digital technologies to better serve citizens’ needs, and calls for it to set up new digital task forces Continue Reading

More than half of European IT outsourcing spending will soon be on cloud services

Cloud services will soon be the largest part of the IT services market in Europe, as enterprises invest in them as part of their Covid-19 recovery strategies Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Multiple Microsoft bugs being actively exploited

Microsoft’s July Patch Tuesday update fixes 117 vulnerabilities, 13 rated as critical and four already being actively exploited Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

London announces winners of Covid-19 recovery innovation challenge

The Mayor’s Resilience Fund called for ideas to support businesses and communities emerge from the pandemic, and there are some standout winners Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

AI to have biggest impact on fintech development over next five years

Artificial intelligence will become the most influential technology in the fintech sector over the next five years Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Financial services sector’s cloud use set for more regulatory scrutiny on resilience grounds

Financial stability report by Bank of England’s Financial Policy Committee raises red flag about banks’ growing reliance on a small number of cloud service providers Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

BMW launches quantum challenge for automotive sector

Car maker is encouraging researchers and startups to submit industry-specific algorithms that take advantage of quantum computing Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Modipwn vulnerability puts millions of building systems at risk

Authentication bypass vulnerability in a Schneider Electric product could lead to device takeover Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Met Police seize £180m worth of Bitcoin

The largest ever seizure of cryptocurrency in the UK comes just weeks after a previous multi-million pound confiscation, as law enforcement clamps down on money laundering Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Dutch prosecutor ordered to give evidence on EncroChat hack

Netherlands court rules that a public prosecutor should give evidence about the role of the Dutch in the EncroChat cryptophone hack which has led to arrests of organised gangs worldwide Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

UK fintech investments recovering from lost year

Fintech investments have bounced back in the first half of this year after a Covid-19-hit 2020 Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

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

Russia tightens pressure on global IT companies

Russian authorities will force certain IT companies with customers in Russia to open local offices Continue Reading

By

• Eugene Gerden

Driving intelligence – behind the scenes of Volkswagen’s in-car software

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we go behind the scenes of Volkswagen’s in-car software R&D centre. The UK’s largest supercomputer has gone live in Cambridge – we find out how it will transform healthcare research. And we talk to DWP’s digital chief about the restructuring of its IT capabilities. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

UK government set to unveil next steps in digital identity market plan

The next phase of the UK government’s plan to support a market of certified, interoperable digital identity providers is set to kick into gear, with digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman due ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Loan charge MPs call for prime ministerial intervention to prevent mass contractor bankruptcies

In an open letter signed by 76 MPs, the prime minister and the chancellor are facing calls to intervene urgently on how the loan charge policy is being enforced Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Taxpayers will have to pay at least £300m to bail out Post Office after scandal

The cost of a scheme set up to compensate subpostmasters who were victims of the Horizon IT scandal will exceed £300m even before damages are paid to all those who suffered Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

NHS to get new online jobs platform

NHS Business Services Authority is working to transform the NHS Jobs platform, currently in beta stage, with plans to launch it early next year Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Tech and new experiences tackling trouble at t’mall

UK shopping centres are under pressure, but new concepts, tech-infused spaces, and fresh approaches to consumer engagement are revitalising the sector Continue Reading

By

• Ben Sillitoe

Met Police should release information on British WikiLeaks journalists passed to US, tribunal told

The Metropolitan Police should release correspondence with the US Department of Justice about three UK based WikiLeaks journalists, despite national security claims, a tribunal heard Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Government commitment to Post Office Horizon victims was a ‘false promise’

The government has made no contact with subpostmasters two months after it said it would work with them to ensure they get speedy and fair compensation for their losses as a result of Post Office IT scandal Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

How GSK Consumer Healthcare builds out its platform business

GSK Consumer Healthcare’s products are sold through retailers and chemist shops, and it is now connecting directly with consumers through APIs Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Developers have a moral duty to create ethical AI

Corsight AI publishes report on how organisations can develop more human-centric AI and biometric technologies Continue Reading

By

• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

CIO interview: Claire Dickson, group CIO, DS Smith

Settling into her new role, Claire Dickson is working with the business to make strategic progress, smart, data-led changes and create a five-year digital strategy Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Kaseya apologises for extended downtime after ransom attack

CEO of Kaseya apologises after pushing back the restoration of the firm’s VSA service following a REvil ransomware attack Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

CIO interview: Ian Cohen, CPIO, Acacium Group

Acacium’s chief product and information officer joined the healthcare specialist in the midst of the pandemic, and is responsible for data, product, business process and automation Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

CW Middle East: Pandemic speeds up edtech revolution in Gulf

One of the lessons the Covid-19 pandemic has taught governments across the world is that education providers can still teach when their premises are inaccessible. Read how organisations in the Gulf region’s education sector have been quick to adopt the latest education technology, known as edtech, to help in this endeavour. Also read in this issue how Indian IT services company TCS is bringing together universities, businesses, tech startups and government to work on sustainability challenges. Continue Reading

Security Think Tank: Reopening is an opportunity to reassess wider security posture

With Covid-19 restrictions easing, offices are welcoming back remote workers this summer, bringing with them their notebooks and mobiles, and creating an endpoint management headache for CISOs. What do security teams need to account for to protect their returning office workers? Continue Reading

By

• Louise Barber, Turnkey Consulting

US government given permission to appeal UK’s decision to not extradite Julian Assange

US offers assurances that Assange could serve time in his home country of Australia if convicted Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

ICO to probe Hancock over private email use

Former health secretary faces an investigation by the UK’s data protection watchdog over his use of private email to conduct government business Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Flexify brings virtualisation layer to multi-cloud storage

Cloud storage virtualisation provider allows application access via S3 API calls to a single destination while capacity can be in numerous clouds with migration between them Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

TCS opens its first European innovation centre in Amsterdam

 Continue Reading

Former Bank of England CIO joins Co-op Group as CTO

Rob Elsey joins the Co-op Group at a time when the organisation is undergoing major digital transformation Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

US Department of Defense cancels controversial $10bn JEDI contract

The US Department of Defense has cancelled the controversial JEDI cloud project awarded to Microsoft and will replace it with multi-supplier contracts. Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Opportunists seen targeting Kaseya REvil victims

Malwarebytes researchers highlight new spam campaign targeting businesses impacted by the ongoing Kaseya REvil ransomware incident Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Five things you need to know about NVMe over Fabrics

We look at NVMe-oF, which extends fast flash across the network – what it is, how it works, use cases, benefits and limitations, and the suppliers of NVMe-oF products Continue Reading

By

• Stephen Pritchard

The Cambridge-1 switch-on: UK’s most powerful supercomputer goes live

The UK's most powerful supercomputer has gone live, with Nvidia talking up its potential to transform artificial intelligence-based healthcare research around the world Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK