IT security

At the gates – How to survive the era of cyber insecurity

Businesses face more legal risks, a mine field of regulation, and individual liability for failures. Getting the basis right is more important than ever. Continue Reading

By

• Alex Cravero, senior associate and Andrew Moir, partner, Herbert Smith Freehills

How to fit customer experience security into your strategy

Most organizations overlook security in their CX strategies. However, with collaboration, personalization, CIAM controls and more, organizations can offer a secure and positive CX. Continue Reading

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• Jessica Groopman, Kaleido Insights

We have lift off… The opportunities and risks of generative AI

How you can use AI to benefit your business while navigating the risks Continue Reading

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• Melanie Hayes, Nash Squared, and Bill Boorman, Technology & Talent Advisor

BlackCat and Clop gangs both claim cyber attack on Estée Lauder

Cosmetics conglomerate Estée Lauder is experiencing operational disruption in the wake of a cyber attack that seems to involve two different cyber crime gangs Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Half of cyber pros engage in risky behaviour at work, report claims

Approximately 55% of security professionals say they have engaged in behaviours they would more usually advise against in the workplace, according to a report Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Cyber criminal AI tool WormGPT produces ‘unsettling’ results

A newly discovered generative AI tool dubbed WormGPT is being sold to the cyber criminal underground via the dark web, and poses a significant danger, researchers warn Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Prepare for quantum to fundamentally change PKI effectiveness

Encryption has always been a fundamental aspect of Public Key Infrastructure but the rise of quantum computing poses a significant threat to this. Thales' John Cullen says post-quantum cryptography may hold the key to safeguarding the future. Continue Reading

By

• John Cullen

Holidays and Awards – The Perfect Summer Marriage...

Well, it might be 2023, a world of geo-dispersed user bases, flexible working hours and networks that can be accessed and managed from anywhere, anytime but… still half the world of IT disappears ... Continue Reading

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• Steve Broadhead, Broadband Testing

NATO membership to drive Nordic cyber security sector growth

The Nordic cyber security sector will see increasing demand as Finland and Sweden joint NATO Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Critical Adobe ColdFusion flaws chained in ongoing cyber attacks

Two vulnerabilities in Adobe ColdFusion have been chained by threat actors to target victim systems, apparently after one of them was accidentally disclosed Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Improving the Cyber Resilience of London

The London Cyber Resilience Centre is an umbrella for partnerships to deliver support and services for micro-businesses and sole traders at scale and help address the on-line safety, safeguarding, ... Continue Reading

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• Philip Virgo, Winsafe Ltd

The essential role of PETs in unlocking the trillion dollar SaaS market

Ahead of the Eyes-Off Data Summit in Dublin, Jack Fitzsimons of Oblivious AI explains why so-called Privacy Enhancing Technologies or PETs may hold the key to unlocking the full potential of SaaS in the enterprise Continue Reading

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• Jack Fitzsimons, Oblivious AI

Police Scotland use cloud for biometric data despite clear risks

Police Scotland confirms it has stored significant volumes of biometric data on a cloud-based digital evidence sharing system despite major ongoing data protection concerns, bringing into question the effectiveness of the current regulatory approach and the overall legality of using hyperscale public cloud technologies in a policing context Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

AI in cyber security: Distinguishing hype from reality

We know that malicious actors are starting to use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to facilitate attacks, but on the other hand, AI can also be a powerful tool within the hands of cyber security professionals Continue Reading

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• Dhairya Mehta, PA Consulting

Shift towards ‘smarter’ digital life as broadband security, sustainability become key needs

Cisco survey finds consumer expectations will reshape the needs and economics of the internet Continue Reading

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• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Improve business outcomes by managing data and analytics risk

An effective data and analytics risk and control environment requires a full understanding of data, analytics and AI risks, related risk decisions and their impact on business outcomes Continue Reading

By

• Saul Judah

Civil society groups call on EU to put human rights at centre of AI Act

Dozens of civil society groups are calling on EU institutions to prioritise people and human rights in AI legislation as secretive negotiations begin Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Microsoft issues new warning over Chinese cyber espionage

A newly uncovered Chinese espionage campaign exploited forged authentication tokens to access its victims’ email accounts, says Microsoft Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

One month after MOVEit: New vulnerabilities found as more victims are named

Five weeks after the mass MOVEit breach, new vulnerabilities in the file transfer tool are coming to light as the Clop cyber crime group continues to terrorise victims. But has the gang bitten off more than it can chew? Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

MPs launch inquiry into government use of data

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee is to investigate the possibility of reforming the way government collects and analyses data, and whether the UK census could be scrapped Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

CW EMEA: Can we trust AI?

Artificial intelligence and the opportunities and dangers it introduces into society has been a hotly debated subject in tech circles for many years, but today with the increased use of platforms such as ChatGPT, these debates include a wider section of the public. The fact that schoolchildren are even asking ChatGPT for help with their homework brings home the importance of these debates and the responses to them by national policy-makers. Continue Reading

Spanish lawyers claim police hacking of EncroChat cryptophones breaches human rights law

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Forensic Institute provides Hansken viewing method for Dutch lawyers

Dutch lawyers can now view crypto communication in criminal cases from their own workplace via digital search engine Hansken. Previously, this had to be done at an external location Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

Ofcom’s online safety preparedness efforts hobbled by government

Despite Ofcom’s progress so far, UK government changes to the scope and timetable of the Online Safety Bill are hobbling the ability of the regulator to successfully prepare for the new regime Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Cozy Bear lures victims with used BMW 5 Series

A recent Cozy Bear campaign saw the Russian APT group pivot to exploiting an advert for a used car as it targeted diplomatic missions in Kyiv Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Whistleblower contacts NatWest customers affected by a decade-old data breach

Former worker says contacting the people affected by the data breach is her last resort after the bank and regulators appear satisfied that the sensitive data file is safe stored under her bed Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Hackers: We won’t let artificial intelligence get the better of us

AI is changing how ethical hackers go about their work, and will continue to do so, but the community is convinced the technology will never be able to replicate the creativity of a flesh-and-blood hacker Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Microsoft users on high alert over dangerous RCE zero-day

A serious RCE vulnerability in Microsoft Office and Windows is among several zero-days disclosed in Redmond’s July Patch Tuesday update, but this one does not have a patch yet Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Why we need to research the cybersecurity needs of Micro-Businesses?

Current government policy, from digital inclusion to cyber security is based on allegation, not evidence with regard to the five million microbusinesses and sole traders who account for 30% of the ... Continue Reading

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• Philip Virgo, Winsafe Ltd

EU formally grants data adequacy to US

The European Commission has formally granted the US data adequacy, allowing companies and organisations to freely transfer personal data across the Atlantic via the EU-US Data Privacy Framework. But privacy activist Max Schrems has already committed to legally challenging the decision Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Malicious URL volumes soar as cyber criminals pull on Threads

Malicious actors have been quick to exploit the buzz around Meta’s newly launched Threads platform, with thousands of new suspicious domains registered exploiting its branding Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Apple pushes Rapid Response patch to fix WebKit zero-day

Apple deployed an emergency patch under its Rapid Security Response update programme, but had to temporarily suspend delivery after it caused problems for users of the Safari browser Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Norwegian data privacy experts sound alarm over generative AI

Hundreds of millions of people embrace generative artificial intelligence, blissfully ignorant of what it’s doing to data privacy. Continue Reading

By

• Pat Brans, Pat Brans Associates/Grenoble Ecole de Management

ransomware as a service (RaaS)

Ransomware as a service (RaaS) is a subscription-based business model that enables affiliates to launch ransomware attacks by accessing and using pre-developed ransomware tools. Continue Reading

By

• Kinza Yasar, Technical Writer
• Sean Michael Kerner

network intrusion protection system (NIPS)

A network intrusion protection system (NIPS) is an umbrella term for a combination of hardware and software systems that protect computer networks from unauthorized access and malicious activity. Continue Reading

By

• Paul Kirvan

Suspicious email reported every five seconds in UK

National Cyber Security Centre report reveals a suspicious email was reported by UK citizens and organisations every five seconds last year Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

JumpCloud issues notice to customers to refresh API keys

JumpCloud has asked its customers to update their API cryptographic keys following a security incident Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

VMware ramps up on sovereign cloud in APAC

VMware is working with local partners to deliver sovereign cloud services in the region, amid growing sovereignty interests among governments and the need maintain business continuity Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Vodafone tests quantum-safe business network solutions

Telco announces initiative looking at transition to a quantum safe world, exploring and trialling new algorithms with upgraded smartphones to provide protection against possible quantum-empowered attackers in the future Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Biometrics watchdog calls for public space surveillance review

The biometrics and surveillance camera commissioner is calling for a review of public space surveillance to gain a clearer picture about the proliferation of Chinese surveillance technology across the public sector, but warns against applying double standards on companies just because they are from China Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Meta’s Threads hits app stores, but no EU launch in sight

Meta’s Twitter competitor makes its debut and signs up millions of users in just 12 hours, but concerns over compliance with the EU’s Digital Markets Act have sunk a pan-European launch for now Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Germany: European Court of Justice hears arguments on lawfulness of EncroChat cryptophone evidence

The European Court of Justice will decide whether the collection and sharing of data intercepted by law enforcement from EncroChat crypto phone network is compatible with European law Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

HSBC explores quantum-safe comms to AWS edge

Banking group HSBC is looking at how to secure transactions and the benefits of quantum computing in finance Continue Reading

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• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

UK public increasingly concerned over NHS data sovereignty

Amid security concerns and AI advances, a majority of the British public still trusts the NHS to store and analyse their health data, but would prefer it remains domiciled in the UK Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Dodd-Frank Act

The Dodd-Frank Act (fully known as the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act) is a United States federal law that places regulation of the financial industry in the hands of the government. Continue Reading

By

• Linda Rosencrance

EU judgment sinks Meta’s argument for targeted ads

The EU Court of Justice has issued a significant judgment against Meta, ruling that national anti-trust bodies can investigate GDPR breaches, disrupting the platform’s entire basis for carrying out targeted advertising Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How Maxeon is forging the path to SASE

Maxeon Solar Technologies is building out its security service edge capabilities with an eye on a SASE implementation that combines best of breed offerings from different suppliers Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

How data is beating heart disease

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how a new data strategy is helping the British Heart Foundation to raise money and support medical research. We examine the benefits of using AI in advanced malware detection. And we reveal why the Information Commissioner is under fire for weak responses to serious data breaches. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Over half of ANZ organisations hit by ransomware

Amid the rising ransomware threat, almost four in five organisations in ANZ expect to pay a ransom if they could recover data and business processes Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Why we need advanced malware detection with AI-powered tools

 Continue Reading

SASE Delivery - Is A PoP always a PoP? What to look for...

In my previous blogs I spoke of the delivery-related problems when there are no local PoPs, or the equivalent technology in place to successfully deliver those services, and how this potentially ... Continue Reading

By

• Steve Broadhead, Broadband Testing

Top Of The SASE PoPs

In my previous blog I noted how themes occur seemingly from nowhere, that are common among vendors from different spheres of IT. In this particular case it is various vendors I’m working with who ... Continue Reading

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• Steve Broadhead, Broadband Testing

BlackCat gang claims cyber attack on Barts NHS Trust

Investigations continue into a claim by the ALPHV/BlackCat ransomware gang that it has stolen 7TB of data from Barts NHS Trust in London Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

AI can never be given control over combat decisions, Lords told

Artificial intelligence is technically incapable of distinguishing between the complex contextual factors of combat situations, and will likely never be able to, according to legal and software experts Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

security token

A security token is a physical or wireless device that provides two-factor authentication (2FA) for users to prove their identity in a login process. Continue Reading

By

• Paul Kirvan

NHS data stolen in Manchester Uni ransomware attack

The ransomware gang behind the cyber attack on the University of Manchester appears to have got its hands on an NHS dataset being used by the university for research purposes Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

The time to implement an internal AI usage policy is now

As with any emerging technology, AI’s growth in popularity establishes a new attack surface for malicious actors to exploit, thereby introducing new risks and vulnerabilities to an increasingly complex computing landscape. Continue Reading

By

• Shailendra Parihar, Turnkey Consulting

Navigating cyber security under ChatGPT

Balancing the risk and reward of ChatGPT – as a large language model (LLM) and an example of generative AI – begins by performing a risk assessment of the potential of such a powerful tool to cause harm Continue Reading

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• Guy Pearce, ISACA

‘Shadow’ AI use becoming a driver of insider cyber risk

Off-the-books use of generative AI tools will inevitably lead to a costly, high-profile data breach for someone, but a little attention paid to appropriate data management policy can help mitigate the risk Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How real and present is the malware threat from AI?

One of the most talked about concerns regarding generative AI is that it could be used to create malicious code. But how real and present is this threat? Continue Reading

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• Rob Dartnall, SecAlliance

Charity demands transparency in digital universal credit system

The digital universal credit system needs overhauling to ensure greater transparency over benefit claims and more effective means of redress when things go wrong, says child poverty charity Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

GDPR tax reclaim scheme preys on fears of SMEs

IT suppliers are a target of companies offering a tax reclaim scheme that preys on small businesses’ fears around General Data Protection Regulation compliance Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Stolt-Nielsen SASE looks to optimise global connectivity, security for hybrid workers

Bulk liquid logistics and sustainable land-based aquaculture expert advances secure digital transformation plans and operational efficiency Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Three years on, EncroChat cryptophone hack nets 6,500 arrests and seizures of €900m

French and Dutch prosecutors say three years after they infiltrated the EncroChat cryptophone network in a novel hacking operation, Europe’s courts are opening the way for more collaboration and data sharing between law enforcement agencies Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

One Login’s Gov.uk ID check apps downloaded over two million times

The One Login digital identity system is being used by eight government services, and GDS has issued more than 1.5 million verified identities since summer 2022, while its ID check apps are proving popular Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

WithSecure forges ahead with green coding initiative

WithSecure’s W/Sustainability programme kickstarts a number of initiatives, including a commitment to green coding the security supplier hopes will set an example for others to follow Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

3,600 potential cyber security experts apply to government scheme

The UK government’s Upskill in Cyber programme is reporting great success just a month after launch, with almost half of applicants women Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

A tenth of kids claim they could hack you

More and more young people are at risk of being drawn into cyber criminality, and parents must shoulder some of the blame, according to a report Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Could social media revolutionise war crimes trials?

Computer Weekly speaks with open source investigators about how they use social media to gather evidence of war crimes, and the trouble with using such evidence in legal proceedings Continue Reading

By

• Andrew Kersley

AI cyber monitoring: A Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast

In this podcast, Darktrace’s Max Heinemeyer discusses the good – and the bad – to come out of artificial intelligence in IT security Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

ChatGPT’s phishing ‘problem’ may not be overstated

Some data now suggests that threat actors are indeed using ChatGPT to craft malicious phishing emails, but the industry is doing its best to get out in front of this trend, according to the threat intelligence team at Egress Continue Reading

By

• Jack Chapman

ICO under fire for taking limited action over serious data breaches

The ICO has come under fire from lawyers and data protection specialists for just issuing written warnings to two public bodies over serious data breaches that placed people’s lives at risk Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Generative AI: Data privacy, backup and compliance

We look at generative AI and the risks it poses to data privacy for the enterprise, implications for backup, and potentially dangerous impacts on compliance Continue Reading

By

• Stephen Pritchard

Phishing and ransomware dominate Singapore’s cyber threat landscape

Phishing and ransomware attacks continued apace in Singapore last year amid signs of improving cyber hygiene Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Lancaster University launches trailblazing cyber MBA

MBA programme at Lancaster University designed to deliver security leadership education to business leaders has received NCSC backing Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Manchester University students threatened by ransomware gang

Students and staff members at the University of Manchester are being pressurised by an unnamed ransomware gang Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Orange Business leads team to deliver cloud-native managed SASE to enterprises

Enterprise division of the global telco taps in-house cyber security practice and leading cyber security technology provider to offer simpler operational model for customers with end-to-end accountability, improved agility, efficiency and performance Continue Reading

By

• Joe O’Halloran, Computer Weekly

Nearly quarter of a million malicious websites reported and removed through NCSC service

A suspicious email and text message reporting service in the UK has directly led to a quarter of a million malicious websites being removed Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Podcast: Cloud security, compliance and data classification

The rise of cloud has led to a proliferation of enterprise data and a rise in risk. We talk to Vigitrust CEO Mathieu Gorge about how to ensure compliance in a multicloud world Continue Reading

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• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

The security interviews: Exploiting AI for good and for bad

The chief product officer of AI security firm Darktrace explains how large language AI models are making it harder for people to spot email attacks Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

ChatGPT is creating a legal and compliance headache for business

ChatGPT’s increased use in the workplace has led many to question its legal and compliance implications for businesses. Experts warn that the software poses major security and copyright risks Continue Reading

By

• Nicholas Fearn

PCI compliance

PCI compliance is adherence to the set of policies and procedures developed to protect credit, debit and cash card transactions and prevent the misuse of cardholders' personal information. Continue Reading

By

• Nick Barney, Technology Writer
• Ben Cole, Executive Editor

Prime minister Rishi Sunak faces pressure from banks to force tech firms to pay for online fraud

The UK’s major banks have told the prime minister to force tech firms to do more to prevent fraud that the banks end up paying for Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

How Fastly thinks differently about CDNs and the edge

Fastly is counting on its developer chops and different approaches towards security and other areas to compete with its rivals Continue Reading

By

• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Early June Microsoft outages were result of large-scale DDoS hit

Investigations into recent outages on Microsoft Azure and Outlook services have turned up evidence of a massive distributed denial-of-service attack Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Nakivo adds ransomware scanning and new restore options

Backup maker adds malware scanning with big names in security to immutable backup copy functionality. “Tape’s not dead” either, with restore from the venerable medium now possible Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

UK to contribute up to £25m to Ukraine cyber defences

Prime minister Rishi Sunak announces an expansion to the Ukraine Cyber Programme, with a cash boost of up to £25m over the next two years Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Exploitation of Barracuda ESG appliances linked to Chinese spies

Intelligence from Mandiant links exploitation of a flaw in a subset of Barracuda ESG appliances to a previously untracked China-nexus threat actor Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

NCSC warns over ‘enduring’ LockBit threat

Although its activity volumes have been lower of late, LockBit is still a highly dangerous ransomware gang and is now the subject of a new international cyber advisory Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Clop begins naming alleged MOVEit victims

Clop uploaded details of 12 new victims to its dark web leak site late on 14 June, many of them likely linked to the ongoing MOVEit cyber attack Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Ransomware-stricken Capita to run Action Fraud successor

A £50m deal to replace the Action Fraud service has been handed to PwC and Capita, which is facing investigations over its handling of customer data in a ransomware incident Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Podcast: Containers, Kubernetes, data protection and compliance

Containers offer benefits to application deployment, but they proliferate, so tracking them for compliance purposes can be a challenge. We talk to Mathieu Gorge, CEO of Vigitrust Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

No zero-days for June Patch Tuesday, but plenty to chew over

On the face of it, Microsoft’s monthly round of updates is a lighter-than-usual load for security teams, with no zero-days in evidence, but there are still plenty of issues needing attention Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

TSB calls on Meta to intervene and protect users from fraud losses of £250m this year

TSB is the latest bank to demand more action from social media sector in helping to reduce online fraud Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Clop’s MOVEit ransom deadline expires

A seven-day deadline set by Clop for victims of its latest attack to contact it to arrange payment passes today Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Cyber attacks against APAC commerce sector surpass 1.1 billion

Retailers, hotels and travel-related organisations in the region saw over a billion cyber attacks last year amid the surge in e-commerce activity and online travel bookings Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Arnold Clark data leak victims prepare legal action

More than 10,000 people who had their data stolen and leaked in a ransomware attack on the Arnold Clark car dealer network have signed up to a group legal action after facing elevated amounts of fraud Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Top Of The POPs

I always find it interesting when unanticipated themes crop up out of nowhere that are suddenly commonplace between multiple conversations with different vendors, especially vendors that are very ... Continue Reading

By

• Steve Broadhead, Broadband Testing

(ISC)² and CIISec set out to make cyber language more inclusive

Newly published guide on appropriate use of language in cyber security aims to help make the profession more inclusive for all Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UKtech50 2023: The most influential people in UK technology

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we reveal the 13th annual UKtech50 list of the most influential people in UK technology. This year’s award goes jointly to the secretaries of state for science, innovation and technology – Michelle Donelan and her maternity cover, Chloe Smith. Also, we examine the mounting legal challenges faced by the emergence of generative AI tools such as ChatGPT. Read the issue now. Continue Reading