IT news in your industry sector

Tech Nation startup programme demonstrates richness of UK fintech

A Tech Nation programme to support the UK's financial technology startups demonstrates the increasingly diverse range of business-to-business products and services available through the country's fintech community. Continue Reading

Leeds NHS trust vows to dump its fax machines by 2019

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust has launched a campaign to get rid of its fax machines by January 2019 in a bid to remove paper and champion innovation Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

The importance of smartphone sustainability

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the considerable environmental footprint of the mobile phone industry and ask what can be done to further the circular economy. We find out how disaster recovery as a service (DRaaS) is being used and when it’s an option for businesses. And we look at some of the UK’s emerging fintech success stories. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

CW Europe: Costs stack up for Dutch government IT projects

In this issue of CW Europe, we look at analysis by a Dutch newspaper which discovered that government-controlled IT projects in the Netherlands go over budget by 40%, on average. We also find out how Berlin’s Digital Career Institute is building web skills among refugees and the unemployed across Germany. Download the issue now. Continue Reading

Danske Bank invests in anti-money laundering systems following Estonian problems

Danske bank improves its anti money laundering software, utilising artificial intelligence and machine learning Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

CIO interview: Marcella Flood, head of digital transformation, Allianz Care

Insurance giant’s international healthcare division is dealing with legacy systems while working on a data-led transformation that is underpinned by standards Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Nationwide Building Society adds over a billion pounds to IT spend

Nationwide is increasing the budget for its latest multi-year IT project Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

ESN delays are leaching vital funds from UK police forces

Ongoing delays to the Emergency Services Network roll-out are costing the UK taxpayer £330m a year, according to the National Audit Office Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Red Hat to throw its hat in with Container Storage Interface

Software maker will add Container Storage Interface support to its existing OpenShift Container Platform and GlusterFS-based scale-out file system container storage Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Government stays firm on target of 25 million Gov.uk Verify users by 2020

Cabinet Office has confirmed it is sticking to its target of having 25 million Verify users by 2020, despite government projects watchdog calling for project to be scrapped Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Lib Dems want ‘Geneva Convention’ for use of tech in modern warfare

Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, Jo Swinson, wants an international treaty on use of technology in modern warfare, and warns of the dangers of new technology leaving people behind Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Middle East hungry for digitisation, says GE’s Bill Ruh

The Middle East is among the most enthusiastic regions in terms of applying digital business models to traditional industries Continue Reading

By

• Alicia Buller

Invest to be customer obsessed

We share insights from Forrester’s ‘Digital Store Playbook’ on how to transform retail operations to enhance the digital customer experience Continue Reading

By

• Michelle Besson, Forrester

CIO interview: Amir Nooriala, chief operating officer, OakNorth

The challenger bank’s COO on wanting to be fully cloud hosted, going through a huge cloud migration and being able to rebuild its core banking platform in five hours Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

How the big five storage array makers tier data to the cloud

We look at the big five storage array makers' efforts to connect on-premise hardware with cloud storage and find automated tiering, on-ramps, and backup and archive capability Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Hancock touts his support for controversial GP at Hand service

Health secretary says GP at Hand helps deliver a better service and that he wants to help the app expand across the country, as he highlights importance of embracing technology Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Security Think Tank: Supplement security with an MSSP to raise the bar

What is the most practical and cost-effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities? Continue Reading

By

• Greg Temm

John Lewis blames profit drops on high IT costs

Department store John Lewis has pinned the blame on high IT costs and the rising price of store real-estate for a drop in profit Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

No Deal Brexit could mean changes for telecoms industry and mobile roaming

No Deal Brexit planning guidance documents say there could be changes to the UK electronic communications regulatory framework, and sets EU mobile roaming cap at £45 per month Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

No Deal Brexit may hinder free flow of personal data from EU to UK

The government’s No Deal Brexit planning document on data protection warns free flow of personal data from EU isn’t guaranteed, and organisations must take action to ensure they will still be able receive data from Europe Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

GCHQ mass surveillance regime was in breach of human rights law, European court rules

The European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg has ruled that the UK’s collection of bulk interception of communications data lacked adequate oversight and safeguards and was in breach of human rights law Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Autumn Budget 2018: Guarantees sought over future funding of national quantum computing programme

The chair of the Science and Tech Committee has written to the chancellor Philip Hammond to demand assurances that more funding for the UK's quantum computing efforts will be forthcoming in the Autumn 2018 budget Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Fintechs: what do you want the UK’s immigration policy to look like after Brexit

Today IT trade group techUK announced some of the things it wants the UK post-brexit immigration policy to include. Just yesterday I was talking to the fintech lead at Tech Nation about this very ... Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

EU mobile roaming charges will not return post-Brexit, says Dominic Raab

Amid fears that a no-deal Brexit could lead to the reintroduction of EU mobile roaming charges, the government has pledged to set a legislative limit on how much operators can charge Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

TechUK blasts European Parliament-backed revamp of EU-wide copyright laws

Tech industry trade body claims the changes spell bad news for web users, after European Parliament MEPs vote in favour of plans to modernise the copyright laws for the digital age Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Outcomes-based security is the way forward

Every security technology is effective for a limited time, but understanding data assets and their value to attackers is key to effective cyber defence, according to an industry veteran of 20 years’ experience Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Tech Nation startup programme demonstrates richness of UK fintech

A Tech Nation programme to support the UK's financial technology startups demonstrates the increasingly diverse range of business-to-business products and services available through the country's fintech community Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Security Think Tank: Adopt a proactive approach to software vulnerabilities

What is the most practical and cost-effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities? Continue Reading

By

• Richard Hunt, Turnkey Consulting

NCSC issues core questions to help boards assess cyber risk

The National Cyber Security Centre has published its first in a series of guidance for board members which highlights what businesses should be asking security teams Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

FCA warns it cannot manage financial crime risks without sharing data with EU

FCA admits it will be unable to manage financial crime effectively if it cannot share data with EU authorities. Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Investigators close Nokia extortion probe without finding a motive or making an arrest

New details of €2m blackmail of Nokia in 2007 emerge as Finland’s NBI calls a halt to its investigation. Continue Reading

Gartner claims pure-play IaaS providers could be sidelined as enterprise attitudes to cloud mature

Gartner's latest public cloud services market tracker shows demand for IaaS is booming among enterprises, but providers whose cloud proposition does not feature a PaaS component may lose out in future Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Security Think Tank: Four key steps to managing software vulnerabilities

What is the most practical and cost-effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities? Continue Reading

By

• Bruce Beam , (ISC)²

Security Think Tank: Four steps to managing software vulnerabilities

What is the most practical and cost-effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities? Continue Reading

By

• Chris Hodson

Fashion retailer Desigual boosts sales opportunities with data-sharing technology

Spanish fashion group Desigual reports 2% fewer lost sales after investing in technology to share stock, sales and pricing data between stores, websites and franchise partners Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Retailers buy into AI – the rise of artificial intelligence in retail

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to leading high street and online retailers to find out how they are using artificial intelligence to get more benefits from their customer data. New research suggests outsourcing is bad for software development – we assess the issues. And we look at how to ensure data protection when using containers. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Health secretary launches digital platform for NHS staff

Matt Hancock hopes the digital Talk Health and Care platform will encourage staff to share their ideas and views on how to make working in the NHS better Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

UK security vetting IT system failing, says NAO

The National Audit Office is critical of the government’s project to centralise its security vetting process, as the IT system has been plagued by failures from the start and has led to serious delays Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Fintech firms pay top executives top dollar

Interesting article on Finextra about the pay packages of top fintech executives. According to research from Morlands Human Capital, cited by Finextra, the average package of a CEO at a fintech ... Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Can technology save our NHS?

By the technophiles, digital is seen as the holy grail that will save our NHS, but is technology the answer, and how long will it be before we have a digital NHS? Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Enterprise demand drives hike in storage sales, says IDC

Healthy jump in all-flash and SAN/NAS sales is being driven by enterprise storage modernisation, but also by component price rises. Dell EMC and NetApp top the supplier sales charts Continue Reading

By

• Christophe Bardy

Irish tax office testing out artificial intelligence for customer services

The Irish tax office and IT supplier Accenture tries out artificial intelligence for its customer service Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Government positive to Science and Technology Committee’s report on algorithms

The government has issued its overwhelmingly positive response to the Science and Technology Committee’s report on the use of algorithms in decision making, published earlier this year Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Security Think Tank: Balancing cost and risk in software vulnerability management

What is the most practical and cost-effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities? Continue Reading

By

• Alexander Drabek, 2|SEC

The use cases, challenges and benefits behind retail AI

Retailers have been collecting customer data for years, and with AI technology now available to help them use it effectively, they’re jumping at the chance – but what challenges lie ahead? Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Senior civil servants address TechUK smarter state theme

Senior government officials spoke at a TechUK “smarter state” event, revealing ambitious AI policy alongside a “back to basics” drive to get data right Continue Reading

By

• Brian McKenna, Enterprise Applications Editor

Why AI should assist humans, not replace them

At the 2018 Disruption Summit in London, BT’s lead of customer insight and futures said artificially intelligent systems should be there to assist humans, not get rid of them Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

RBS announces branch closures as part of cancelled project to create challenger bank

The Royal Bank of Scotland has announced more branch closures and job losses as digital transformation continues to transform the sector Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Security Think Tank: No shortcuts to addressing software vulnerabilities

What is the most practical and cost effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities? Continue Reading

By

• Maxine Holt, Omdia

UK hesitant over immersive technologies despite positivity abroad, survey finds

UK businesses are lagging behind their counterparts in the US, France and China for AR and VR implementation, due to concerns over security and complexity Continue Reading

By

• Zach Emmanuel, Computer Weekly

North Korean programmer charged for WannaCry attacks

The US has charged a member of a group of North Korean hackers linked to the WannaCry, Sony Pictures and other cyber attacks around the world Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Argos launches voice shopping capability on Google Home Assistant

Retailer Argos has developed a voice shopping service so customers can reserve items for pickup using the Google Home Assistant app Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Verify on the verge – what does it mean for GDS?

The government’s flagship digital identity system Gov.uk Verify has become a car crash in motion, accelerating towards its demise. The Cabinet Office’s project watchdog has condemned Verify by ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

If Virgin Money combines with Clydesdale and Yorkshire its digital bank project could be canned

Virgin Mooney will probably scrap its plan to build a digital bank if it merges with Clydesdale and Yorkshire banks, because the latter already has an established bank. Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Ransomware down, but not out, report reveals

Cryptojacking has taken over from ransomware as the top money spinner for cyber criminals, but the threat is not over and spam is also seeing a resurgence as an attack method, a report reveals Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

BA praised for swift GDPR-aligned action on data breach

British Airways has been praised for its swift response to a customer data breach, which could be the first test case under the EU’s GDPR and new UK GDPR-aligned data protection laws Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Health secretary Matt Hancock to boost NHS IT with £200m fund

Matt Hancock will announce a £200m fund for further digital centres of excellence and plans to pilot the NHS app across England, but shadow health secretary Jonathan Ashworth calls the plans a “pipe dream” Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

What is the difference between logistics and supply chain management?

Logistics is part of supply chain management, but the two terms are often used synonymously. Here's a quick explanation of how these two are different. Continue Reading

By

• Dave Turbide

Chrome 69 security improvements welcomed

The cyber security community has welcomed the improvements in the latest version of the Chrome browser, especially when it comes to generating strong, unique passwords Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

How Rituals is using Salesforce Commerce cloud to replicate physical experience online

Cosmetics firm Rituals is using Salesforce Commerce Cloud to translate its website into 25 languages, helping the brand reach customers its physical stores can’t Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Security Think Tank: How to manage software vulnerabilities

What is the most practical and cost effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities? Continue Reading

By

• Emma Bickerstaffe, Information Security Forum (ISF)

All acute NHS trusts in England now using e-referrals

NHS trusts have reached 100% uptake of NHS England’s e-referral service, ahead of October 2018 deadline Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

The fintech startups to watch in the UK

Tech Nation’s choice of fintech companies to back reflects the changes expected to hit financial services IT Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Government projects watchdog recommends terminating Gov.uk Verify identity project

Infrastructure & Projects Authority says Whitehall departments are unwilling to fund flagship GDS identity programme – cancellation would mean writing off at least £130m spent so far Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Health minister launches code of conduct for health tech data

The code of conduct – focused around data-driven tech such as AI – aims to deepen trust between researchers, innovators, patients and clinicians, according to health minister James O’Shaughnessy Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Nordic states collaborate in Arctic IT projects

Nordic countries are working together to introduce advanced communications networks in the most isolated Northerly regions Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

If we don't digitise NHS, we are condemning people to die, says NHS England’s operational director

NHS England’s national director for operations, Matthew Swindells, calls for a complete overhaul of the way the NHS delivers care, claiming the current model “is not viable” Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

How Ocado has disrupted its own model

At the Disruption Summit in London, Ocado’s head of technology explained how the firm built a technology-based model for efficient grocery delivery and how it has been disrupting that ever since Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Amazon becomes second publicly traded company to hit $1tn market cap

Retail giant Amazon follows Apple's lead to become second company in history to achieve a $1tn market cap, with analysts predicting that its market value could double by 2020 Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Half a million UK firms hit by CEO fraud, Lloyds Bank estimates

Nearly 500,000 UK businesses are being hit by impersonation fraud, according to estimations by Lloyds Bank, with the legal sector most at risk Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

People top target for cyber attackers, report confirms

As security controls have improved, cyber attackers are increasingly focusing their efforts on people within organisations as a way into corporate IT systems, a report confirms Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Security Think Tank: How to achieve software hygiene

What is the most practical and cost-effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities? Continue Reading

By

• Mike Gillespie

DDN to make enterprise push with Tintri’s VM-aware storage

DDN set to add Tintri’s portfolio of all-flash and hybrid flash arrays to its product offering following the purchase of the VM-aware storage pioneer after it filed for bankruptcy in June Continue Reading

By

• Christophe Bardy

Element AI teams up with AI Singapore

The Canadian upstart is co-developing AI applications for local industries as part of its efforts to build new research capabilities via local talent pools Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Britons concerned over security of contactless payments, research finds

Despite the popularity of contactless payments ahead of cash, Britons are worried about the security of tap and go Continue Reading

By

• Zach Emmanuel, Computer Weekly

Security Think Tank: Eight controls to manage software vulnerabilities

What is the most practical and cost effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities? Continue Reading

By

• Kevin Murphy

Three forthcoming government services to use Gov.uk Verify

Government Digital Service is in the process of private beta testing its identity assurance platform with three new central government services Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

UK and allies call for backdoors in encryption products

The Five Eyes intelligence alliance is calling on tech firms to include backdoors in their encrypted products to give access to law enforcement authorities or face various measures Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

TSB CEO out after months of IT problems

TSB’s CEO, Paul Pester, is stepping down after the bank and its customers were beset by another round of IT problems Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Power play – how GE builds digital into its products

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we speak to Bill Ruh, the head of GE Digital about how the business has changed to focus on customer outcomes following a change in senior leadership. The company is exploring new industries to take its Predix platform, such as the hospitality sector. We look at the problems of implementing SAP S/4 Hana and speak to experts about how to maximise success. We also explore the challenges of networking microservices. Our CIO interview is PayPoint CIO Jon Marchant. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Government confirms West Midlands to become home to UK's first large-scale 5G test bed

The government has confirmed the West Midlands will be used to carry out the UK's first large-scale test of 5G technology, with trials centred on its use in the health, construction and automotive sectors Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

From Aberdeen to Brighton: Investing in the UK’s digital future

More investment in the UK’s broadband infrastructure is critical to ensure the UK’s future success in technology in a post-Brexit world Continue Reading

By

• Russ Shaw, Tech London Advocates and Global Tech Advocates

CIO interview: Ian Cohen, global CIO, Addison Lee

Addison Lee’s global CIO is building a business strategy and ensuring the transport company has a flexible platform for growth Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Dutch bank ING sees financial boost from employee performance management rethink

ING claims business has improved after replacing ‘scattered and fragmented’ IT systems to change the way it manages employee performance Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

NHS organisations in south-east England choose BT for HSCN

BT will provide broadband services over the Health and Social Care Network to 24 NHS trusts and clinical commissioning groups in the south-east of England Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Security Think Tank: Follow good practice to reduce risk of software vulnerabilities

What is the most practical and cost effective way for organisations to identify and remediate high-risk software vulnerabilities? Continue Reading

By

• Paddy Francis

Majority of UK firms not insured for data breaches

Many UK firms are not insured against information security breaches and data loss, and would have to spend £1m on average to recover from a breach, a report reveals Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Department for Transport invests £10m in digital journey planner

Digital transport planning system will allow local authorities and utility companies to share and record data on roadworks to reduce disruption and delays for drivers Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Security Serious Week to feature flash mob event

“Flash mob” event will create a human collage, highlighting cyber security advice Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Met Police begins move to Microsoft Azure as cloud-first push gathers pace

The Metropolitan Police has enlisted the help of G-Cloud supplier New Signature to support its cloud-first ambitions, as it pushes ahead with plans to migrate applications and its on-premise server capacity to Azure Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

UK partners with African countries to boost innovation

UK government has launched partnerships in South Africa, Kenya and Nigeria to help startups grow and boost technology innovation in the region Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Fraudulent money transfers are top aim of business email compromise

Business email compromise is increasingly popular with cyber criminals to steal money and information as well as spread malware, security researchers find Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Blockchain gains foothold in Australia

A number of blockchain projects are under way in Australia, but questions remain about whether the technology is wanted Continue Reading

By

• Beverley Head

Cobalt cyber heist group mounts new campaign

Security researchers discover new campaign using two malicious links to double the chances of infection, which is believed to be linked to a notorious cyber crime group Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Nearly half of NHS staff rely on instant messaging at work

43% of NHS staff use apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger for work purposes, and most NHS trusts have no policy discouraging the use of instant messaging, according to supplier CommonTime Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Accountant dumps Dell SAN for StorMagic hyper-converged

Accounting firm ditches traditional SAN hardware for software-defined hyper-converged storage from StorMagic and avoids tens of thousands of dollars in capex costs Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Local councils should have a digital leader at board level, says TechUK

Industry body calls on local councillors to have a digital-first mindset, drive transformation and ensure local authorities have digital leadership in place Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Machine identity management crisis looming

Managing machine identities is looming as the next big security challenge, a study reveals, with few organisations capable of protecting them as they increasingly form the basis of online communications Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Fourth man jailed for iCloud celebrity hacking

The final hacker charged with leaking nude images of female celebrities in 2014 has been jailed Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Improving security is top driver for ISO 27001

Organisations are implementing the ISO 27001 standard in recognition of the fact that cyber attacks are increasingly inevitable and that it is best to be well-prepared to fend off attacks and mitigate their effect Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst