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
24 Apr 2025
Interview: Daniele Tonella, CTO, ING
The bank’s global CTO has been in the role for less than a year and in that time has been working his way through four layers of tech Continue Reading
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Opinion
02 Apr 2025
Bridging Borders: The rise of Ukrainian-British tech collaboration
The IT sectors of the UK and Ukraine have built strong relationships since Russia’s invasion of the latter, and there is more to come, writes the IT Ukraine Association’s ambassador in the UK Continue Reading
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News
17 Feb 2022
How Signify accelerated automation projects as pandemic challenges mounted
Dutch lighting manufacturer used robotic process automation technology to help it address Covid-19-inflicted disruption Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
Lack of knowledge disastrous for effective security strategy within Dutch companies
Most Dutch companies still haven’t realised that security is an integral part of their IT and company strategy Continue Reading
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News
11 Feb 2022
Why security professionals should pay attention to what Russia is doing
Even though the average organisation is an unlikely target for a Russian state cyber attack, here's why security teams still need to watch what Russian threat groups are up to Continue Reading
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E-Zine
10 Feb 2022
CW Benelux: Unesco members adopt AI ethics recommendation
Unesco member state have adopted an AI ethics recommendation that seeks to define a common set of values and principles to guide the development of ethical AI globally. Also read about a large-scale national cyber exercise in the Netherlands, and the Estonian government’s Siri-like digital assistant. Continue Reading
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Feature
09 Feb 2022
How Dutch hackers are working to make the internet safe
We hear how the personal mission of a Dutch hacker grew into a serious organisation with international ambitions Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2022
Cyber attacks on European oil facilities spreading
Following a cyber attack on distribution facilities in Germany, more incidents have been reported in Belgium and the Netherlands, but it is too early to necessarily draw a link between them Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2022
Mechanism underlying cookie popups found in breach of GDPR
A fundamental element of the mechanism by which the advertising industry requests tracking consent from web users has been found in breach of the General Data Protection Regulation Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2022
Dutch software engineers join campaign for research funding
Software researchers from all over Europe are sounding the alarm: to maintain a strong international competitive position, more financial resources must be committed to software research Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2022
CISOs must get out in front of Ukraine cyber crisis, says NCSC
The National Cyber Security Centre is urging UK organisations to take steps to bolster their cyber security resilience in response to the ongoing Ukraine crisis Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2022
More intel emerges on WhisperGate malware that hit Ukraine
Security experts have been poring over the WhisperGate malware with which alleged Russia-backed entities targeted Ukrainian government websites Continue Reading
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News
26 Jan 2022
Dutch education anticipates quantum technology
Dutch academic talks about the Netherlands’ role in a pan-European quantum computing project as university investigates the technology’s possibilities Continue Reading
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News
25 Jan 2022
Prepare, but don’t panic, over supposed Russian cyber threat
A fresh alert from the US Department of Homeland Security may have IT security teams jumpy over the possibility that their organisations could be targeted by Russian state actors Continue Reading
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News
12 Jan 2022
Outsourced IT and business services hit record levels in 2021
Spending on IT and business process outsourcing services in Europe hits highest ever level in 2021, with cloud service spending continuing to grow rapidly Continue Reading
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News
12 Jan 2022
Dutch cyber volunteers receive major funding boost
The Dutch Institute for Vulnerability Disclosure has received a $100,000 donation to expand the scope of its work Continue Reading
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News
05 Jan 2022
Fintech players get cosy in Luxembourg
Luxembourg aims to play a larger role in the rapidly growing global fintech market Continue Reading
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News
24 Dec 2021
Top 10 Benelux stories of 2021
Computer Weekly looks at the top IT stories from the Benelux region in the past year Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Dec 2021
CW Europe: Norway embraces internet of things
Norway is becoming a centre of IoT innovation as tech developers tackle some of the country’s unique challenges, in areas such as fish farming, power distribution and monitoring of boats. Also in this issue, find out why Utrecht University media scientist José van Dijck has won an award, and read about Estonia’s country-as-a-service scheme. Continue Reading
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News
07 Dec 2021
AI assistant Bürokratt to reduce bureaucracy in Estonian government
Estonia to launch a Siri-like digital assistant that will automate the completion of government service requests Continue Reading
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News
06 Dec 2021
European finance firms increase open banking spend
Financial services firms are increasing investment in open banking capabilities, with improvements to payment initiation and onboarding capabilities expected Continue Reading
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News
01 Dec 2021
Unesco member states adopt AI ethics recommendation
The non-binding recommendation seeks to define a common set of values and principles to guide the development of ethical AI globally Continue Reading
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News
18 Nov 2021
Sky ECC provided free cryptophones to a Canadian police force
Internal emails disclosed in a US court show how Sky Global supplied sample encrypted phones to a Canadian police force before its phone users became subject to an international police investigation Continue Reading
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News
18 Nov 2021
Cryptophone supplier Sky Global takes legal action over US government website seizures
Canadian tech company Sky Global has filed a legal motion claiming that the US government unlawfully seized the company’s internet sites following police investigations into the use of its cryptophones by organised crime Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Nov 2021
CW Benelux: Dutch IT company rips up the HR rule book for better work-life balance
One Dutch tech firm has used learnings from the pandemic to rip up its HR rule book and implement an official work-from-home policy. In fact, Infolearn has gone further than hybrid working, with a personal mobility budget for staff and a four-day working week, all with retention of full-time salary. Also in this issue, read how Dutch education administrators appear to be underestimating the threat of cyber crime. Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2021
Vienna’s tech startup ecosystem gathers momentum
After a sustained period of inactivity, Vienna’s startup environment is finally on the rise again Continue Reading
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News
04 Nov 2021
The Netherlands works on resilience with large-scale national cyber exercise
For the Netherlands, the biggest challenge in a large-scale cyber crisis is to maintain speed while exercising due care Continue Reading
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News
01 Nov 2021
Payments through open banking could end card dominance
Payments made through open banking will eat into those made using cards as the next five years sees an acceleration in adoption Continue Reading
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News
06 Oct 2021
Netherlands’ Team Liquid revolutionises e-sports with data analytics
Data analysis is often used by enterprises, but the discipline is also gaining ground in other areas in the Netherlands, such as e-sports Continue Reading
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Opinion
05 Oct 2021
Britain needs its amazing migrants
Fintech entrepreneur Michael Kent explains why Britain needs migrants and why government policy and media horror stories will damage the UK’s economy and reputation Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2021
Digital bank fined by regulator due to weak anti-money laundering controls
German digital bank is fined by financial services regulator for failing in relation to its anti-money laundering practices Continue Reading
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News
28 Sep 2021
Dutch IT firm transforms HR policy built on lessons from pandemic
Software firm rips up human resources rule book and replaces it with a hybrid working policy Continue Reading
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News
21 Sep 2021
Dutch scientist receives top award for work on digital media’s effect on society
Utrecht University media scientist José van Dijck wins the Spinoza Award and funds for her research into the effects of social media on society Continue Reading
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News
16 Sep 2021
Dutch education administrators underestimate threat of cyber crime
Research shows educational establishments in the Netherlands are becoming favoured targets of cyber criminals and administrators are underestimating the risks Continue Reading
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E-Zine
09 Sep 2021
CW Europe: Dutch researchers build security software to mimic human immune system
In this issue of CW Europe, find out how researchers in the Netherlands are attempting to help IT systems fight certain cyber attacks in a similar way to the human immune system works. One of the team at Dutch research institute TNO was originally an immunologist, and saw parallels with the human immune system in the field of cyber security. Also in this issue, find out about the so-called “Klarna academy” in Stockholm, which has created the next set of Nordic fintech entrepreneurs. Continue Reading
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News
03 Sep 2021
Berlin court reverses ban on use of EncroChat evidence in criminal trials
Berlin Superior Court allows use of EncroChat evidence in criminal trials but lawyers say the question will ultimately need to be decided by the German Supreme Court Continue Reading
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News
13 Aug 2021
GoStudent: Europe’s newest edtech unicorn
Europe’s biggest ed-tech unicorn reaches unicorn status and tests sector traditions Continue Reading
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E-Zine
12 Aug 2021
CW Benelux: Netherlands sees increase in the number of women opting for an ICT career
The IT skills gap in the Netherlands could be about to narrow as more women take up jobs in the sector. Figures from last year revealed that the number of female ICT professionals grew by 6.5%, while the number of male ICT professionals increased by only 1.7%. Read more about it in this issue. Also find out why more openness about ransomware attacks in the Dutch business community could be the first step to defeating a growing problem. Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2021
Global fintech investments reach new heights
The global financial technology industry is emerging from the pandemic-triggered slowdown with record levels of investment to fuel further growth Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2021
The Netherlands still lacks digital resilience, says report
Report by National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security says the Netherlands’ digital resilience has improved, but is still insufficient Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2021
Dutch lead the way in protecting themselves against internet risks
Dutch citizens come top in a study on awareness of internet risks in Europe, which showed major differences across the continent Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2021
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
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News
13 Jul 2021
Secureworks sets up in EU datacentre for XDR services
New datacentre location helps Secureworks’ customers meet EU data residency requirements Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2021
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
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News
03 Jul 2021
Berlin court finds EncroChat intercept evidence cannot be used in criminal trials
In a major setback for police hacking operations, Berlin’s regional court has decided that intercepted data from the EncroChat phone network should not be used in criminal prosecutions Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2021
European Union to set up new cyber response unit
Proposed Joint Cyber Unit will tackle a rising number of serious incidents impacting public services, businesses and citizens of the EU Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2021
Openness can protect Dutch companies against ransomware
Dutch businesses that suffer ransomware attacks need to be more open about it, if this growing problem is to be brought under control Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2021
UK SMEs lack capacity to fend off cyber attacks
Three-quarters of UK SME leaders would not have sufficient capacity or expertise to deal with a cyber attack, according to a report Continue Reading
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News
17 Jun 2021
Increasing numbers of Dutch women opt for career in ICT
There’s a shortage of IT professionals in the Netherlands, but the skills gap can be bridged by attracting further women to the sector Continue Reading
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News
14 Jun 2021
Benelux CIO interview: Benoît Dewaele, Vandemoortele
CIO of Ghent-headquartered food group says the IT department’s main challenges are improving digital customer experiences, helping implement automation in plants and strengthening cyber security Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2021
FBI planned a sting against An0m cryptophone users over drinks with Australian investigators
Australian Federal Police and the FBI came up with the idea over drinks: build a cryptophone network with a built-in backdoor and sell it to crime gangs around the world Continue Reading
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E-Zine
10 Jun 2021
CW Europe: Amsterdam reins back datacentre developments over environmental concern
The construction of datacentres in the Netherlands’ Amsterdam region has accelerated at such a pace that their demands for electricity are causing concern, prompting city authorities and datacentre operators to open a dialogue about sustainable datacentre industry expansion. Also in this issue, find out the state of play in the adoption of open banking across Europe. Continue Reading
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News
09 Jun 2021
FBI arrests distributors accused of selling An0m encrypted phones to crime groups
Working with overseas law enforcement, the FBI has arrested eight people and named a further 13 accused of distributing An0m phones to organised crime groups Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2021
EC launches digital identity framework
The European digital identity will be available to citizens, residents and businesses across the EU, and member states will offer digital identity wallets on a national level Continue Reading
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News
07 Jun 2021
Updated standard contractual clauses will provide ‘legal certainty’ for transfer of data
Organisations have 18 months to update data transfer agreements, known as standard contractual clauses, or SCCs, to continue sharing data outside the European Union Continue Reading
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News
03 Jun 2021
Reports raise alarm over Huawei access to Dutch networks
Espionage accusations raise security questions for Netherlands organisations using Chinese supplier’s equipment and services Continue Reading
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News
27 May 2021
TCS opens its first European innovation centre in Amsterdam
Netherlands capital hosts TCS’s latest innovation hub, which will bring together an ecosystem to address the challenge of sustainability Continue Reading
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News
27 May 2021
NGOs file complaints against Clearview AI in five countries
Privacy and human rights organisations have asked data protection regulators in the UK, France, Austria, Italy and Greece to investigate controversial facial recognition company Clearview AI Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2021
Dutch researchers build security software to mimic human immune system
Software could help IT systems develop immunity to some cyber attacks in a similar way to how the body fights infection Continue Reading
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News
24 May 2021
MEPs urge European Commission to revise UK adequacy decisions
Members of the European Parliament are calling for the European Commission to ensure EU citizens have greater privacy rights Continue Reading
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E-Zine
13 May 2021
CW Benelux: Netherlands university launches centre of expertise in applied AI
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences has launched a centre of expertise in applied artificial intelligence, and students from all faculties of the university will learn how to apply AI in their field of study. Also in this issue, read why a training ‘roadmap’ is needed to get Netherlands police officers up to speed with tackling cyber crime. Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2021
Netherlands to build new national supercomputer
The Netherlands has laid out plans for its next national supercomputer, to be known as Snellius Continue Reading
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News
30 Apr 2021
EncroChat: Top lawyer warned CPS of risk that phone hacking warrants could be unlawful
Lord David Anderson QC warned prosecutors that there were formidable arguments against the lawfulness of a police operation to infiltrate the encrypted phone network, EncroChat Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2021
EncroChat lawyers raise questions over use of PII secrecy orders on UK decryption capabilities
Lawyers claim that public interest immunity certificates may have been used to withhold information on UK intelligence agencies’ ability to decrypt encrypted communications Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2021
Global demand for IT and business services highest ever for first quarter
Global demand for IT and business services began the year strongly, with a record first quarter Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2021
EncroChat hearings delayed as lawyers seek disclosure on police hacking
Court hearings precipitated by police cracking the EncroChat secure mobile phone network have been delayed after defence lawyers request further disclosures on police decryption capabilities Continue Reading
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News
30 Mar 2021
Belgium’s Federal Justice Service advances digitally with fast networks
Security and networking firms team to claim 20 times faster connectivity for Belgium’s justice system so it can hold court hearings and prison visitations remotely and exchange information between services and applications securely Continue Reading
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News
29 Mar 2021
How far has open banking come in Europe?
Open banking is a relatively new concept, having come into effect in Europe only in the last couple of years. So what is the state of play? Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2021
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences combines AI and practice
University ensures cooperation between scientists and industry when developing artificial intelligence Continue Reading
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Feature
23 Mar 2021
Anti-money laundering technology must operate in a collaborative ecosystem
With new technologies making it easier for banks to spot money laundering activity, we look at why the problem persists at scale, finding that ecosystems and collaborative processes need to be built Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2021
Digital Green Certificate proposed for travel in Europe
Digital Green Certificates will supposedly help re-establish freedom of movement within the European Union Continue Reading
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News
15 Mar 2021
Judges refuse EncroChat defendants’ appeal to Supreme Court
Experts suggest Parliament and Investigatory Powers Tribunal need to consider the implications of a court decision on police use of data from the EncroChat phone network Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2021
Arrest warrants issued for Canadians behind Sky ECC cryptophone network used by organised crime
The US has issued arrest warrants for the CEO of Sky Global and a former distributor for racketeering, aiding and abetting the distribution of illegal drugs by supplying encrypted phones to criminals Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Mar 2021
CW Europe: Nordic tech startups create blueprint for post-Covid working environment
Business can learn lessons from Nordic tech startups to prepare employees to return to the office after Covid restrictions end. Also read why Netherlands police need a training ‘roadmap’ to get them up to speed to tackle cyber crime. Continue Reading
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News
10 Mar 2021
Police crack world’s largest cryptophone network as criminals swap EncroChat for Sky ECC
Belgian and Dutch police have breached the encryption of users of Sky ECC, the world’s largest cryptophone network. There are significant parallels with the international police operation against the EncroChat cryptophone network which led to hundreds of arrests Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2021
Belgian police raid 200 premises in drug operation linked to breach of encrypted phone network
More than 1,600 police and law enforcement officials conduct drug raids after the compromise of an encrypted mobile phone network that has parallels with EncroChat Continue Reading
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News
09 Mar 2021
EBA restores services after Microsoft Exchange attack
European Banking Authority was breached through vulnerabilities in Microsoft Exchange Server, but is now back online Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2021
EU seeking pan-European Covid-19 passport solution
The European Union’s proposal could see the creation of a Covid-19 vaccine passport to enable travel across the EU Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2021
Amsterdam to open environmental talks with datacentres
City authorities and datacentre operators will open dialogue about sustainable datacentre industry expansion in the Dutch capital Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2021
Fingerprints will help payment cards retain relevance
Biometric payment cards using fingerprint technology could add billions to global banking revenues, says UBS Continue Reading
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News
16 Feb 2021
TransferGo to harness Google-inspired tech capability
Payments fintech TransferGo chooses cloud-native core banking platform to build a digital wallet and expand its services Continue Reading
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Opinion
16 Feb 2021
Why Brexit will make software licence transfers and database copyright harder for UK firms
Brexit will make it more difficult for UK companies to sell unused software licences and to enforce their database rights in Europe. Firms will face a legislative disadvantage over AI-generated databases Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Feb 2021
CW Benelux: Is reluctance to report cyber crimes in the Netherlands helping the criminals get away?
According to an academic study in the Netherlands, only one in seven Dutch people report a cyber crime to the police when it happens - feeling it is better to sort the problem out themselves because they don’t think the police will do anything. This is storing up trouble as cyber crime is an increasing problem in the country. Also in this issue, read why Dutch bank ABN Amro is selling its head office. Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2021
Data of thousands of Dutch citizens leaked from government Covid-19 systems
Weak access controls and outdated systems blamed for leaking of the personal details of thousands of Dutch citizens tested for Covid-19 Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2021
Nordic countries dominate European online banking take-up
Nordics dominate online banking take-up in Europe, but the UK is not far behind Continue Reading
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News
27 Jan 2021
Grindr complaint results in €9.6m GDPR fine
Norway’s data protection authority plans to apply a fine totalling 10% of LGBTQ+ dating app Grindr’s revenues over its data sharing practices Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2021
Digital knowledge must be integral part of Dutch police training
Research reveals gaps in digital knowledge among Netherlands police, with calls for a training ‘roadmap’ to get officers up to speed to tackle cyber crime Continue Reading
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News
14 Jan 2021
All EU states can take data protection cases against Facebook, says EU court
An opinion from the European Court of Justice has the potential to lead to a flood of privacy complaints against Facebook if upheld Continue Reading
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News
11 Jan 2021
Jobs in fintech bounce back after brief lockdown lull
Fintechs and payments companies need to make staff recruitment a priority as talent pool shrinks Continue Reading
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News
07 Jan 2021
Robust member administration system indispensable for Dutch Coeliac Society
Organisation had to find a dedicated member administration system to support existing members, new members and countless volunteers Continue Reading
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News
30 Dec 2020
Top 10 Benelux IT stories of 2020
Here are Computer Weekly’s top 10 Benelux IT stories of 2020 Continue Reading
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News
15 Dec 2020
Cyber crime victims in the Netherlands not reporting offences
Dutch victims of online crime rarely report it to the police and when they do, they are often dissatisfied Continue Reading
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News
15 Dec 2020
Interview: Sudaman Thoppan Mohanchandralal, chief data and analytics officer, Allianz Benelux
The financial services firm is demonstrating the value of the chief data officer role Continue Reading
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News
10 Dec 2020
Data on Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine stolen in cyber attack
The European Medicines Agency has launched a full investigation into an apparent security incident that has seen documents on the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine stolen Continue Reading
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E-Zine
10 Dec 2020
CW Europe: Tour de France fans get a virtual experience
The organisers of this year's Tour de France worked with technology services company NTT in partnership with Amaury Sport Organisation to provide what they described as an “enhanced experience” for race fans who could not be at the roadside because of Covid restrictions. Also read why Deutsche Bank has agreed to sell its retail banking IT operation to one of its main IT suppliers for a token €1. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
03 Dec 2020
ICT disaster threatens Dutch environment law
The Dutch government’s revamp of its construction planning law faces major IT challenges and scepticism Continue Reading
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News
01 Dec 2020
ABN Amro to sell head office as it focuses on enabling remote working
Dutch bank is selling its head office and redesigning another facility to facilitate increased home working Continue Reading
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News
26 Nov 2020
Data safes will give users control over their data
Belgian computer scientist tells Computer Weekly how people can regain control of their online personal information Continue Reading
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E-Zine
26 Nov 2020
CW Nordics: Bank branch closures continue as digital banking grows
Sweden’s Handelsbanken is cutting its branch network by nearly half, which means more money will be invested in IT. But it’s not just Sweden and the Nordics – banks across the world are watching the fintech industry demonstrate to consumers what banking can be like if the right technology is in place. Also in this issue, read about the Norwegian government’s decision not to implement an outright ban on the use of 5G equipment supplied by China's Huawei. Continue Reading
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News
16 Nov 2020
Privacy advocates call for European probe into Palantir
Dutch group SOMI is trying to raise awareness of Palantir’s data privacy practices and how it works with European government agencies Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2020
IT Priorities 2020: European IT budget share reflects home-working challenges brought by Covid
European organisations are being forced to redivert more limited budgets during the pandemic Continue Reading
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News
13 Nov 2020
Dutch IT award recognises importance of research in the wild
Promoter of human-centric scientific research techniques claims the prestigious 2020 Netherlands Prize for ICT Research Continue Reading