Information technology (IT) in Benelux
Read the latest tech news and trends in Benelux. Find articles and resources on IT security, data storage, backup and recovery, networking, data centre, cloud computing, mobile technology, virtualisation, big data, virtual machines and more.
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News
30 May 2025
Dutch businesses lag behind in cyber resilience as threats escalate
While non-IT business professionals in the middle of their careers face the most disruption from AI, professionals in the IT services sector and their employers must prepare for change Continue Reading
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News
27 May 2025
Imec ITF World 2025: The hardware horizon for AI
At its recent ITF World 2025 conference in Antwerp, Belgian research institute Imec delivered a pointed message: as AI accelerates, the world needs new thinking – not just in software, but in the hardware ecosystems underpinning it Continue Reading
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Feature
06 Apr 2023
Inspired by the human brain, Belgian researchers develop a new generation of sensors
Belgian researchers have found ways of mimicking the human brain to improve sensors and the way they pass data to central computers Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2023
Cops bust Genesis cyber crime marketplace
Multinational Operation Cookie Monster takes down Genesis Market, a crucial source of compromised data used by criminals for fraud and other cyber attacks Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Mar 2023
Dutch discovery brings energy-efficient computers a step closer
An international group of researchers at the University of Twente have developed a molecular switch that can increase the energy-efficiency of electronics Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2023
UK signs digital trade deal with Ukraine
The UK and Ukraine have agreed a trade deal that will reduce the cost of IT imports from the war-torn country Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2023
IT gives Ukrainian economy resilience in the face of adversity
Computer Weekly speaks to IT companies from Kharkiv a year after the Ukrainian city became headline news across the world as Russian troops invaded Continue Reading
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Feature
14 Mar 2023
As Covid fades away, what’s the future of remote work in Europe?
Many IT leaders are still supporting some form of work from home, and a trend is beginning to take shape in Europe Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Mar 2023
CW EMEA: How Sweden is accelerating digitisation
Large conglomerates with diverse business portfolios face challenges when digitally transforming because one size cer-tainly doesn’t fit all. In this month’s CW EMEA, we find out how Richard Ventre, group CIO at Dutch company SHV Holdings, goes about ensuring his IT department pro-vides the foundations for a wide variety of businesses to thrive digitally. We also find out how to make the most of a composable enterprise architecture and how green storage can deliver savings if done right. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Mar 2023
AI in the Netherlands: Talent, data and responsibility
Applied researchers in the Netherlands are working to bring AI to a higher level Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2023
Dutch hospitals underestimate impact of cyber attack
IT failures in acute care organisations in the Netherlands have increased considerably since 2010, affecting patient care and stressing the need to improve IT security in hospitals Continue Reading
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Feature
07 Mar 2023
What can security teams learn from a year of cyber warfare?
With the passing of the first anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we reflect on the ongoing cyber war, and ask what security leaders can learn from the past 12 months Continue Reading
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News
22 Feb 2023
Dutch cyber security professionals experience stress akin to soldiers in war zone, claims expert
Cyber attacks are taking a heavy toll on Dutch IT professionals, with over a third reporting that their mental health suffers as a result Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2023
CIO interview: Hans van der Waal, director of global IT, Travelex
Travelex has weathered a storm that saw it sink into administration, before emerging to solidify its digital foundations for the future Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2023
Benelux CIO interview: Marijn Grevink, leader of digital transformation, Mars
In an interview with Computer Weekly, the digital head at Mars, Marijn Grevink, takes the wrapper off digital transformation at the company in the Netherlands Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2023
Cops make arrests and seize drugs after hacking Exclu encrypted messaging app
Police in the Netherlands, Belgium and Poland raided 80 addresses after covertly intercepting messages from the Exclu encrypted messaging app Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2023
Estonian anti-money laundering platform used to fight APP fraud
A real-time data-sharing platform originally built to identify money laundering is also being applied to the fight against authorised push payment fraud Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2023
Hive ransomware gang taken down after FBI hacks back
The FBI hacked into Hive’s servers, stole its decryption keys and then took down its servers in a major action that has successfully disrupted a prolific and dangerous ransomware operation Continue Reading
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News
17 Jan 2023
Benelux CIO interview: Richard Ventre, SHV Holdings
In his role at Netherlands-based SHV Holdings, Richard Ventre is tackling the challenge of enabling a diverse set of digital transformations across a range of industries Continue Reading
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E-Zine
16 Jan 2023
CW EMEA: Protecting the privacy of schoolchildren
In this month’s CW EMEA, we look at how schools in Germany have stopped using Microsoft Office 365 over lack of clarity over how data is collected, shared and used. We also delve into how former UK spy boss Richard Dearlove leaked names of MI6 secret agent recruiters in China to back an aggressive right-wing US campaign against tech company Huawei. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Opinion
12 Jan 2023
Europe’s cyber security strategy must be clear about open source
Europe’s cyber security policy on open source is lagging behind the US, and despite growing government awareness of the issues, that poses a problem Continue Reading
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Feature
28 Dec 2022
Developed for Big Science in Europe, highly accurate time protocols ensure fair trading in finance
Protocols developed for use at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research are now being used for many other applications, including financial services Continue Reading
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News
28 Dec 2022
Complaints that NCA failed in duty of candour over EncroChat warrants ‘incredible’, court hears
NCA lawyers argue that a decision by an NCA intelligence officer to disclose notes of a key meeting after two-and-a-half years boosts her credibility as a witness Continue Reading
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News
23 Dec 2022
Top 10 Benelux IT stories of 2022
Here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 Benelux articles of 2022 Continue Reading
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News
22 Dec 2022
Top 10 crime, national security and law stories of 2022
Here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 crime, national security and law stories of 2022 Continue Reading
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News
15 Dec 2022
NCA officer questioned in Investigatory Powers Tribunal over failure to disclose EncroChat notes
EncroChat hacking warrant was unlawful and in breach of human rights law, the Investigatory Powers Tribunal hears Continue Reading
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News
13 Dec 2022
EU issues draft data adequacy decision in favour of US
The European Commission has concluded that the United States does ensure an adequate level of protection for personal data transferred from the European Union and will now launch the process towards the adoption of an adequacy decision Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Dec 2022
CW Europe: Finland prepares for drone technology take-off
Finland is preparing for a future where it could rely on flying drone technology. Read about its plans in this issue. Also find out how a PhD student in the Netherlands is helping to detect hidden messages on the internet by using steganography. Continue Reading
- 08 Dec 2022
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News
29 Nov 2022
Digital Transformation Week Amsterdam: HSBC discusses low-code in financial services
A member of HSBC’s global transformation team has shared her views on low-code with an audience in Amsterdam Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2022
UK police arrest 120 in largest-ever cyber fraud crackdown
The administrator and more than 100 users of the iSpoof.cc cyber fraud website have been arrested in a major counter-fraud operation led by the Metropolitan Police Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2022
Netherlands wants watchdog to reduce bias in artificial intelligence
Dutch government will take swift action to prevent citizens getting into trouble due to the misuse of algorithms Continue Reading
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News
23 Nov 2022
Dutch national cyber security strategy aims to protect digital society
Cabinet sets up national cyber security strategy to make the Netherlands digitally secure Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2022
Netherlands coalition aims to demystify artificial intelligence
Dutch citizens need to learn about the impact of artificial intelligence on society and their lives, says the Netherlands AI Coalition Continue Reading
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E-Zine
10 Nov 2022
CW Benelux: Heineken finds the right brew for digital
Heineken’s data management director has revealed some of the ways the company is using information technology to transform digitally. Also read how a PhD student in the Netherlands is detecting hidden messages on the internet by exploring the practice of steganography. Continue Reading
- 10 Nov 2022
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Feature
10 Nov 2022
The world's oldest cryptocurrency exchange prefers doing business in Luxembourg
One of the newest niches in fintech, cryptocurrency exchanges may fare very well in Luxembourg Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2022
Anything can happen so IT teams need to be ready, says Kyiv City Council CIO
Kyiv City Council’s IT team has experienced challenges faced by no other tech department and is determined to use what it has learnt to take Ukraine forward when the war is over Continue Reading
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Feature
08 Nov 2022
How Imec hopes to industrialise artificial intelligence
Pure research explores the fundamental questions of artificial intelligence, but applied research takes those ideas to industry, making it all worthwhile Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2022
Microsoft claims summer heatwave led to no excess water use by its datacentres
Software giant stokes scandal with befuddling statements about water use, despite eco-transparency pledge Continue Reading
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News
25 Oct 2022
Dutch lawyers raise human rights concerns over hacked cryptophone data
Dutch defence lawyers say in an open letter that there is a risk of unfair trials unless they are allowed to test the reliability and legitimacy of hacked cryptophone evidence Continue Reading
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News
24 Oct 2022
Digital Transformation Week Amsterdam: The growing divide between the haves and have-nots
The most successful companies carefully manage how data is taken in and processed – and they use tools to ensure they squeeze the most they can out of every bit of information Continue Reading
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News
17 Oct 2022
Global IT and business services spending slows amid economic fears
Spending on IT and business services is declining amid economic fears, with the possibility of a further fall on the horizon Continue Reading
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News
13 Oct 2022
Dutch influence standards for post-quantum cryptography
Cryptology group at Dutch research institute is involved in the two primary algorithms of the next NIST portfolio comprising four new standards Continue Reading
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News
12 Oct 2022
French Supreme Court rejects EncroChat verdict after lawyers question secrecy over hacking operation
France’s Supreme Court has sent a case back to the court of appeal after police failed to disclose technical details of EncroChat hacking operation Continue Reading
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News
10 Oct 2022
Dutch infrastructure sector seeks closer collaboration with government
Although the Netherlands government is increasingly realising how vital the country’s digital infrastructure is, it lacks sufficient policy-making and vision, say industry associations Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2022
SMEs in Europe ready to invest in real-time payment capabilities
Small and medium-sized enterprises are losing business because of the time it takes to receive payments, with many considering API-based services to address the problem Continue Reading
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News
05 Oct 2022
Italian Supreme Court calls for prosecutors to disclose information on Sky ECC hacking operation
Italy’s Supreme Court says Italian prosecutors and police should disclose information on how they obtained intercepted messages from the Sky ECC cryptophone network Continue Reading
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News
04 Oct 2022
Tories to replace GDPR
IT industry reacts to the government’s plan to replace the pan-European data protection regulation Continue Reading
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News
03 Oct 2022
Digital transformation is brewing at Heineken
In a presentation at the Digital Transformation Week conference in Amsterdam, Heineken’s data management director revealed some of the ways the company is using information technology to transform Continue Reading
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Feature
30 Sep 2022
Dutch PhD project aims to automate discovery and deciphering of steganography
Meike Kombrink, a PhD student in the Netherlands, is focused on detecting hidden messages on the internet Continue Reading
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News
21 Sep 2022
European Central Bank working on prototypes of digital Euro interfaces
European Central Bank’s digital Euro investigation phase is at the point of developing and testing systems that might interface with consumers Continue Reading
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News
21 Sep 2022
5G fixed wireless access services to see huge growth
Spending on 5G fixed wireless access services is set to explode globally over the next 12 months Continue Reading
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News
20 Sep 2022
Dutch student team aims to enable uninterrupted drone cargo delivery
Dutch student team aims to make the world of flying more sustainable by creating a global network of autonomously flying cargo drones that can have their batteries swapped mid-air Continue Reading
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News
09 Sep 2022
Interview: Keeping an IT business going during the Russian invasion
After heading home and discovering that his country had been invaded, Konstantin Klyagin was forced to make life-changing family and business decisions Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Sep 2022
CW Europe: Why Russia could become the world’s biggest market for illegal IT
Faced with international sanctions and the departure of many global IT suppliers from Russia, companies there are seeking alternative, and sometimes illegal, routes to access IT products. Also read how new requirements are driving scientists and engineers in Europe back to the lab to start developing 6G technology. Continue Reading
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News
08 Sep 2022
Dutch cyber security organisations to join forces
Cyber security organisations in the Netherlands are going to merge into a single central expertise centre and information hub, which all organisations in the country will soon be able to tap into Continue Reading
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News
07 Sep 2022
Cyber threats to Europe’s grid: Utilities rethink strategy
The separation of operational and information technology at utilities across Europe is opening doors for cyber criminals Continue Reading
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News
02 Sep 2022
Dutch government finally allowed to use public cloud
Public cloud is finally within reach for Dutch public services. Previously, the Dutch government was only allowed to use private clouds due to risks concerning privacy and security Continue Reading
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News
31 Aug 2022
Four years into GDPR, Norway hopes for safer data transfer to US
Much of the data on the internet ends up on US servers at some point, and that is not always compatible with the General Data Protection Regulation, says Norwegian data protection authority Continue Reading
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News
30 Aug 2022
Growing importance of the data strategist in South Holland
Much has been written about the work of data scientists, but the lesser-known role of data strategist is just as essential – as is being demonstrated in the Netherlands Continue Reading
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E-Zine
15 Aug 2022
CW Benelux: Belgium seeks top tech talent
The battle for the right IT staff to transform businesses in the digital age is changing and recruiters and job-seekers need to be clued up. In this issue, we feature an interview with a Belgium-based recruiter who gives the lowdown on tech job seeking in the Benelux nation. Also read why Dutch beer brewer Heineken has replaced more than 60 different HR systems with SAP SuccessFactors as its central HR system. Continue Reading
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News
08 Aug 2022
Internet giants in favour as Ireland tightens rules on datacentres
Irish premier Michael Martin has insisted its temporary squeeze on datacentre construction is not a moratorium on the industry Continue Reading
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Feature
29 Jul 2022
Luxembourg taps into innovation for better government tech
With a diverse population and a digital inclusion and open innovation strategy, Luxembourg has developed a way of using technology to improve government services Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2022
European IT services see bumper quarter, but signs of slowing emerge
Spending on IT and BPO services in Europe saw significant growth in the past quarter, but there are signs of a slowdown Continue Reading
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Opinion
19 Jul 2022
Where are all the technologists? Talent shortages and what to do about them
It’s harder than ever to recruit good IT specialists, but there are some simple strategies for digital leaders to fill gaps in their teams Continue Reading
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News
18 Jul 2022
Dutch multinational hires HCL for digital transformation
Netherlands-based DSM is moving to a single-supplier IT services model for its digital transformation Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2022
ING pilot project tests payments from phone to phone
Dutch bank is testing an app that enables users to make peer-to-peer payments directly from smartphone to smartphone when they are close together Continue Reading
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News
08 Jul 2022
Sweden and GDPR – four years on
Swedish data protection coordinator talks to Computer Weekly four years into the General Data Protection Regulation Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2022
UK government does not yet understand threat of technology to foreign policy
Select committee chair warns government that the threat posed to global security by malign actors influencing tech standards is no ‘dystopian fantasy’ Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2022
The Security Interviews: Inside Russia’s Ukraine information operation
Computer Weekly speaks to Craig Terron of Recorded Future about delving deep inside the Russian disinformation machine, and how the Kremlin’s strategy is set to evolve Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2022
Netherlands’ AMdEX seeks to democratise the internet
Last year, five Dutch organisations launched an initiative to set up the Amsterdam Data Exchange to simplify data sharing and help democratise the internet Continue Reading
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News
27 Jun 2022
Brexit a net negative for UK cyber, say CISOs
Six years on from the UK’s Brexit vote, the majority of security professionals say leaving the EU has raised concerns over their ability to keep their organisations safe Continue Reading
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Feature
27 Jun 2022
The cyber security impact of Operation Russia by Anonymous
The campaign against the Russian government by Anonymous surprised many with the depth and scale of the cyber attacks. What can we learn from this online war? Continue Reading
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News
20 Jun 2022
Complex Russian cyber threat requires we go back to basics
The situation in Russia is anything but simple, but it is the fundamentals of cyber security hygiene that pose the best defence against the country’s digital threat, as Mandiant’s Jamie Collier explains Continue Reading
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Feature
17 Jun 2022
What the EU’s content-filtering rules could mean for UK tech
EU proposals to clamp down on child sexual abuse material will have a material impact on the UK’s technology sector Continue Reading
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News
13 Jun 2022
New warning over tech suppliers in thrall to hostile governments
Ukraine war could lead to shakeup of dual-use tech exports, says former UK intelligence officer Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Jun 2022
CW Europe: Russia escalates cyber war on Ukraine
Microsoft has given details of cyber attacks on Ukrainian civilian communications, nuclear safety authorities, and the exploitation of the destruction of Mariupol in a phishing campaign. Also read about a report on the European Artificial Intelligence Act that suggests a limited ban on predictive policing systems. Continue Reading
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Opinion
01 Jun 2022
What does the EU’s NIS 2 cyber directive cover?
We run the rule over the European Union’s updated NIS2 security directive Continue Reading
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News
31 May 2022
Heineken puts employees in charge of their own careers with new HR system
According to Sanne Noordam, head of SAP SuccessFactors in the Netherlands, companies need to look and listen more closely to the needs of employees in order to attract and retain them Continue Reading
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News
31 May 2022
Industrial systems not safe for the future, say Dutch ethical hackers
Ethical hackers in the Netherlands say operational technology and IT networks need to be integrated to prevent cyber attacks penetrating their operations Continue Reading
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News
26 May 2022
Dutch companies struggle to fill tech jobs
There are plenty of IT job vacancies in the Netherlands, but a shortage of IT professionals Continue Reading
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News
23 May 2022
Netherlands approves beyond-visual-line-of-sight inspection drones
Drones can automate the traditionally challenging job of inspecting industrial sites, including hard-to-reach infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
19 May 2022
Red teaming will be standard in Dutch governmental organisations by 2025
The Dutch government wants to include the testing of the digital security of systems, processes and people – also known as red teaming – in all of its governmental organisations’ test planning and budgeting by 2025 at the latest Continue Reading
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News
16 May 2022
Europol gears up to collect big data on European citizens after MEPs vote to expand policing power
The European Parliament has voted to expand Europol’s role, legalising its processing of bulk datasets containing personal information and endorsing research into predictive policing technologies Continue Reading
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E-Zine
12 May 2022
CW Benelux: Meta shelves hyperscale datacentre plan in Netherlands
Meta’s plan for a hyperscale datacentre in the Netherlands which was to serve the metaverse world has been halted following a campaign by environmentalists and the Dutch parliament’s call for the government to do everything in its power to stop the facility being built. Also read how the Dutch arm of customer services supplier Teleperformance has led the entire organisation to adopt robotic process automation software. Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2022
Interview: Success in Belgium’s high-tech job market
Veteran executive recruiter shares his perspective on the Belgian job market, both for outsiders seeking work in the country and for young Belgian nationals just beginning their careers Continue Reading
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News
27 Apr 2022
Government digital ignorance puts Dutch economy at risk
In this interview, Michiel Steltman, managing director of Digital Infrastructure Netherlands, tells Computer Weekly why the Dutch digital economy is at risk due to a lack of knowledge and understanding at government level Continue Reading
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News
26 Apr 2022
BCS passes defiant Ukrainian tech industry message to its members
BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, has passed on a message from Ukrainian IT suppliers that the country is open for, and in need of, business Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2022
European cities moving fast to change business of parking
German cities are using the latest smart parking technology to reduce traffic and car pollution while collecting more fees for parking Continue Reading
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News
21 Apr 2022
Dutch schools struggle with digitisation
Now is the time for schools in the Netherlands to determine how the opportunities of distance and digital learning resources can be made to work and how the risks involved can be mitigated Continue Reading
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News
11 Apr 2022
Mastercard opens European tech hub in Dublin
Mastercard is doubling its technology workforce in Dublin through a new European tech hub in the Irish capital Continue Reading
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News
07 Apr 2022
European IT and BPO outsourcing off to strong start
European IT and business process outsourcing services continue to increase rapidly, with cloud-based services now more than half of the total Continue Reading
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News
04 Apr 2022
Environmental campaigners halt Meta datacentre construction in the Netherlands
Datacentre being built to serve ‘metaverse’ worlds would consume nearly half as much energy as all other datacentres in the country Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2022
Teleperformance’s robotic process automation increases job satisfaction
A project to introduce software robots at the Dutch arm of Teleperformance has been adopted globally Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2022
Ukrainian cyber defences prove resilient
Thanks to a combination of prior experience and global support, Ukraine’s defences against cyber incidents are holding strong in the face of Russian attacks Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2022
Ukrainian tech journalists join fight to fill news void
Technology journalists in Ukraine are raising funds to enable them to help Ukrainians survive during the Russian invasion Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2022
ROC Mondriaan offers Apple skills in Dutch schools
Dutch school teaches the IT skills that users want but are not available in traditional courses, which is why it has developed a course focused on Apple technology Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2022
BNP Paribas to recruit 1,000 more women in IT
Spanish bank sets target of adding 1,000 more female IT professionals to its workforce over the next two years Continue Reading
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E-Zine
10 Mar 2022
CW Europe: Luxembourg sees big role in global fintech market
Read about Luxembourg’s aim to play a larger role in the rapidly growing global financial technology market. Also find out how a Siri-like digital assistant will automate the completion of government service requests in Estonia, and how drones can get life-saving equipment to heart attack victims in Sweden before emergency services can arrive on the scene. Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2022
Deutsche Bank tests IT operation resilience amid potential loss of Russian centre
German bank is confident the possible loss of operations in Russia will not affect the day-to-day running of its business Continue Reading
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News
07 Mar 2022
Ukrainian engineers fight to keep internet online
IT professionals in Ukraine are working tirelessly and at great risk to keep the country connected to the internet during the Russian invasion Continue Reading
