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.
-
Feature
07 Sep 2023
Interview: Ashish Gupta, head of EMEA, HCLTech
It’s not just enterprises that changed their operating models during and after Covid, but also the suppliers that took them on the journey, HCLTech Europe’s head explains Continue Reading
-
News
16 Aug 2023
Accenture’s Brussels AI lab to focus on European public sector and health
Accenture will use its Brussels AI lab to test AI and generative AI's application in the European public sector Continue Reading
-
News
24 Sep 2019
Amsterdam new-build datacentre ban is not an ‘attack’ on operators, says government
Dutch Data Center Association says a government official has offered written assurances that the temporary ban on new server farms in two areas of Amsterdam is just designed to spur adoption of sustainable growth habits Continue Reading
-
News
17 Sep 2019
US lawmakers demand internal Facebook, Google, Apple and Amazon documents in antitrust probe
US lawmakers have given big tech companies a deadline to disclose a wide range of documents as the House Judiciary Committee’s bipartisan investigation into competition gathers pace Continue Reading
-
News
13 Sep 2019
Dutch banks to work together in fight against money laundering
Dutch banks are sharing expertise and resources to help reduce money laundering through their accounts Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
12 Sep 2019
CW Europe: Dutch authorities call temporary halt to datacentre construction
Two Dutch municipalities are putting all datacentre construction on hold while they put together a strategy to help them control developments. A local alderman said datacentres take up a lot of space and place a large burden on the electricity grid. Also read how France is racing ahead of Germany in making the most of service companies in India, and about Google’s plans for a new datacentre and technology training hub in Finland. Continue Reading
-
News
09 Sep 2019
Loyal Dutch IT professionals not being rewarded enough, survey shows
Companies warned they could lose loyal IT staff because salary rises do not match those on offer from rival employers Continue Reading
-
News
02 Sep 2019
Dutch virtual reality can help reduce teacher shortage worldwide
Dutch lecturer uses virtual reality to improve teaching and developments are being watched by the Teachers Task Force of Unesco Continue Reading
-
News
15 Aug 2019
Dutch province pioneers no-code platform
Software development platform removes the need for expert programmers when adding functionality to applications Continue Reading
-
News
14 Aug 2019
GDPR faces growing pains across Europe
The General Data Protection Regulation is over a year old now, but it faces challenges across Europe where compliance has taken place at different speeds Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
08 Aug 2019
CW Benelux: Dutch academic hunts the personality behind the hacker
Rutger Leukfeldt, senior researcher on cyber crime at the Netherlands Institute for the Study of Crime and Law Enforcement, is working to help organisations understand the personalities behind criminal hackers. Also in this issue, read about research that shows over half of Dutch organisations admit their knowledge of blockchain is substandard. We also feature an article about ABN Amro’s work with researchers to explore how quantum computing can be used to secure online banking. Continue Reading
-
News
24 Jul 2019
Smart technology will transform Dutch neighbourhood
A programme in the Netherlands is creating a smart neighbourhood as a pilot for how people could live in the future Continue Reading
-
News
16 Jul 2019
Dutch authorities temporarily halt datacentre construction
Two local authorities in the Netherlands have put the brakes on datacentre construction to give them time to put policies in place to gain more control over builds Continue Reading
-
News
15 Jul 2019
Organisations turn to AI in race against cyber attackers
Businesses are racing to automate their defences as hackers and nation states launch increasingly sophisticated cyber attacks Continue Reading
-
News
09 Jul 2019
Amsterdam’s datacentres face challenges to retain high growth
The Amsterdam datacentre market is growing rapidly, but the industry behind it must get on top of some burgeoning challenges Continue Reading
-
News
03 Jul 2019
Why PSD2 adoption in the Netherlands is lagging behind
The Netherlands appears to be falling behind in open banking, even though the Dutch are digitally proficient and are often early adopters of new technology. What is going on? Continue Reading
-
Feature
01 Jul 2019
Facebook’s privacy game – how Zuckerberg backtracked on promises to protect personal data
Facebook promised its users privacy then quietly abandoned its promises in pursuit of profits. Now it faces antitrust regulation Continue Reading
-
News
27 Jun 2019
Dutch bank and researchers begin defence against quantum computing’s dark side
ABN Amro is working with QuTech to ensure that banks can protect data against quantum computers in the future Continue Reading
-
News
25 Jun 2019
Half of Dutch IT decision-makers can’t explain blockchain technology
IT decision-makers in the Netherlands know that blockchain has significant benefits, but half don’t understand how to apply it Continue Reading
-
News
19 Jun 2019
Luxembourg tech startups get premium connections
Luxembourg is at the centre of a continent with ambitious plans to develop a thriving tech industry, but what makes it different? Continue Reading
-
Opinion
11 Jun 2019
Should tech companies capitalise R&D spending?
Technology companies frequently ask whether they should capitalise their research and development costs. There are clear benefits, increasing reported profit and hence potential valuations, but what are the risks? Continue Reading
-
News
31 May 2019
Facebook loses bid to halt European court decision on EU-US data sharing
Irish Supreme Court dismisses attempt by Facebook to prevent the European Court of Justice considering the validity of US-EU data transfers, after Austrian lawyer Max Schrems argued that they put the privacy of EU citizens at risk Continue Reading
-
News
28 May 2019
Dutch IT security firm dumps corporate structure
Boss of Netherlands-based Computest turns to self-management model to make company more nimble Continue Reading
-
News
21 May 2019
Dutch lecturer researches the person behind the cyber criminal
Dutch academic is trying to get inside the mind of cyber criminals by understanding what makes them tick Continue Reading
-
News
15 May 2019
Facebook engaged in ‘calculated’ campaign to eliminate competition, claims businessman
A US businessman is seeking damages from Facebook after accusing the social media company of unfairly blocking “humorous” Facebook pages which generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in advertising revenue Continue Reading
-
News
10 May 2019
Dutch businesses not yet implementing NIS Directive
Little urgency to comply with the Network and Information Systems Security Act, which seeks to protect the Netherlands’ vital infrastructure and digital services from cyber attack Continue Reading
-
News
09 May 2019
Facebook co-founder: ‘It is time to break up Facebook’
Co-founder of Facebook, Chris Hughes, has published an op-ed in The New York Times calling for Facebook to be broken up, as it faces investigations from the US Federal Trade Commission Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
09 May 2019
CW Benelux: Netherlands offers young hackers re-education
Young hackers in the Netherlands are being rehabilitated through punishments that educate rather than incarcerate. Also read how almost 90% of businesses in the Netherlands are barely aware of the competitive advantages the IoT can offer them, and why Dutch sat-nav pioneer TomTom is focusing on the business-to-business sector. Continue Reading
-
News
26 Apr 2019
Facebook faces fresh privacy actions from regulators
Facebook faces legal action from Canada after it dismissed regulators’ findings that it failed to protect customer privacy. The firm has set aside $5bn to settle a privacy action in the US and faces a new investigation in Ireland Continue Reading
-
News
15 Apr 2019
Facebook takes extraordinary legal steps to contain document leak
Facebook targets journalists and news organisations for computer searches Continue Reading
-
News
05 Apr 2019
Dutch government to make AI national priority
The Dutch government wants to increase its focus on the artificial intelligence sector, as other countries gain an advantage Continue Reading
-
News
02 Apr 2019
Huawei reports record numbers despite tumultuous year
Huawei has become one of the world’s largest technology companies by revenue, suggesting the accusations over its ties to the Chinese government are failing to have much impact Continue Reading
-
News
01 Apr 2019
Consumers still important as Dutch satnav pioneer maps B2B future
TomTom is focusing on the business-to-business sector, but its consumer base is an important part of its strategy Continue Reading
-
News
18 Mar 2019
EU law enforcement agencies prepare for major cyber attacks
Law enforcement agencies across the European Union are preparing for major cross-border cyber attacks, says Europol Continue Reading
-
News
14 Mar 2019
Met Police collaborated with US prosecutors in WikiLeaks investigation
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed it exchanged information on WikiLeaks staff in the UK with the US Department of Justice, which is conducting criminal investigations into the organisation Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
08 Mar 2019
CW Europe: Robots deliver savings for Dutch postal service
In this issue we look at how Dutch delivery company PostNL is reaping huge efficiency savings by using robotic technology to automate time-consuming administrative tasks, Facebook’s opposition to the referral of questions about the legality of data transfers between Europe and the US to the European Court of Justice, and how Oslo is thriving from a unique combination of business agility, a cultural receptiveness to technology, and a social desire to do good. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
-
News
04 Mar 2019
UK among most expensive countries for mobile data
The UK ranks 136th in the world for the average cost of 1GB of mobile data, according to new statistics Continue Reading
-
News
02 Mar 2019
Facebook asked George Osborne to influence EU data protection law
Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg invited one of the chancellor’s children to Facebook’s office as part of a intensive lobbying programme to influence European data protection legislation Continue Reading
-
News
27 Feb 2019
Dutch companies lack knowledge of IoT’s benefits
Many organisations in the Netherlands are missing out on the benefits of the internet of things because they lack awareness of its potential Continue Reading
-
News
22 Feb 2019
Facebook planned to spy on Android phone users, internal emails reveal
Facebook planned to use its Android app to track the location of its customers and to allow advertisers to send political advertising and invites to dating sites to ‘single’ people, confidential documents show Continue Reading
-
News
20 Feb 2019
Estonia redoubles efforts to attract global IT talent
IT professionals from all over the world are being lured to Estonia through a government recruitment campaign Continue Reading
-
News
12 Feb 2019
Dutch developer offers businesses nuclear security option for communications
Startup that created the secure platform for communication between world leaders at the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit in the Netherlands seeks to revolutionise business mail Continue Reading
-
News
07 Feb 2019
Government legislates to bring back roaming charges in no-deal Brexit
All four UK operators have said they have no plans to reintroduce roaming charges, but EE, O2 and Vodafone have not committed themselves not to do so Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
07 Feb 2019
CW Benelux: Google helps Dutch schools to teach computer skills
A programme in the Netherlands to help primary schools provide computational thinking and programming, developed with financial support from Google, is well on schedule. Also read about four Russians’ attempted hack into the networks of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, and how Dutch delivery company PostNL is making savings by using robotic technology to automate administrative tasks. Continue Reading
-
News
23 Jan 2019
Facebook’s objections to court concerns over privacy more about ‘optics’ than facts
Facebook’s challenge to a High Court ruling that raises serious concerns about data transfers between Europe and the US is more about appearance than facts, lawyers for the Irish Data Protection Commission told Dublin's Supreme Court Continue Reading
-
News
22 Jan 2019
Facebook: US government does not engage in mass and indiscriminate surveillance
Social media giant challenges a ruling by Dublin’s High Court over a judgment that it says made ‘extraordinary and incorrect’ findings about the US legal system Continue Reading
-
Opinion
16 Jan 2019
Facebook’s high-stakes privacy gamble goes to Dublin court
A high-wire gamble with billions in compensation at stake for European internet users – part of a complex case between Facebook and the Irish information commissioner – hides challenge to the unlawfulness of US state internet surveillance Continue Reading
-
News
14 Jan 2019
Tech usage in school more likely in UK than Germany
Most students in UK schools use technology as part of their learning – the same of which cannot be said about some German schools Continue Reading
-
News
10 Jan 2019
BT faces tussle to keep EU contracts after Brexit
The European Union will likely re-evaluate its telecoms contracts with BT following Brexit, and cancelling them altogether is a real risk in a no-deal scenario, according to leaked documents Continue Reading
-
Opinion
31 Dec 2018
Can we live without passwords?
Can you imagine a future in which we can be secure online without having to remember an unwieldly list of passwords? Solutions are emerging that could make passwords redundant, but there will be other security problems to resolve Continue Reading
-
News
19 Dec 2018
Top 10 Benelux IT stories of 2018
From cyber security planning to smart city initiatives, here is a selection of articles about IT developments in the Benelux countries Continue Reading
-
News
17 Dec 2018
Financial services giant transforms application delivery through HCL
Dutch financial services firm Aegon is outsourcing the management of its fintech supplier network Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
13 Dec 2018
CW Europe: Russia banks on electronic payments
A recent study by Sberbank, Russia’s largest state-run lender, shows the country has experienced a cashless payment boom over the past decade. Also read about the attempt by four Russians to break into the networks of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague, and why the Estonian government is directly targeting IT professionals in the UK. Continue Reading
-
News
10 Dec 2018
Port of Rotterdam uses floating lab to learn about automation in harbour
A ship will soon be converted to a floating laboratory to test automation technologies at the Netherlands port Continue Reading
-
Opinion
06 Dec 2018
Douglas Engelbart, the forgotten hero of modern computing
Half a century ago, Douglas Engelbart demonstrated an experimental computer that laid the foundations for modern computing. His vision to use computing power to solve complex problems in all areas of human activity has become reality, but not in the way that he imagined Continue Reading
-
Opinion
28 Nov 2018
More effective digital transformation through the power of your own people
The old model of escalating decisions up and down the management chain does not work any more. Business leaders need to delegate responsibility for projects to business and technology specialists and eliminate the fear of failure Continue Reading
-
News
26 Nov 2018
China leapfrogs US in supercomputer deployments
China has more than twice the number of supercomputers than the US, and it is finding a ready market for its Lenovo supercomputers among US tech companies in Ireland, the latest top 500 supercomputer list reveals Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
08 Nov 2018
CW Benelux: Bikes face scooter challenge in Netherlands
The concept of rental scooters is perfect for the Netherlands, where bicycles are already the most widely used method of transport. Scooter startups see the potential to apply the latest smart technologies to the concept, but regulations could be a barrier. Also in this issue, read how chatbots are taking off with Dutch organisations, with KLM's chatbot a pioneering example, and find out how Dutch bank ING is getting a financial boost from an employee performance management rethink. Continue Reading
-
News
06 Nov 2018
GSMA urges fresh action on 5G mobile spectrum
Mobile industry body says time is running out to ready enough radio frequency spectrum in the appropriate bands to account for the demands of 5G mobile networks Continue Reading
-
News
05 Nov 2018
Robots deliver savings for Dutch postal service PostNL
Dutch delivery company PostNL is reaping huge efficiency savings by using robotic technology to automate time-consuming administrative tasks Continue Reading
-
News
29 Oct 2018
Philips looks to artificial intelligence to train its workforce
Healthcare company is looking to AI, chatbots and learning playlists to help staff learn new skills more quickly as it adapts changing business priorities Continue Reading
-
News
24 Oct 2018
UK unicorn creation goes unrivalled in Europe
The UK's regional cities are creating more billion-dollar tech startups than many European capitals, with the UK as a whole creating more unicorns since 2016 than France, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands Continue Reading
-
News
23 Oct 2018
CIOs and the cloud: The future of European enterprise software
European organisations are moving to the cloud rapidly, but trepidation remains in concerning certain aspects, such as security Continue Reading
-
News
18 Oct 2018
Best of VMworld Europe 2018 Awards nominations now open until 26 October
Read the criteria for the Best of VMworld Europe User Awards and find out how to submit your nomination Continue Reading
-
News
10 Oct 2018
Google-supported programme in Netherlands helps primary schools with computational thinking
A programme to help primary school teachers in the Netherlands understand IT is gaining momentum Continue Reading
-
News
10 Oct 2018
Detail of Dutch reaction to Russian cyber attack made public deliberately
Four Russian intelligence officials were expelled from the Netherlands after an attempted hack on the global chemical weapons watchdog. The Dutch government has been open about the detail Continue Reading
-
News
26 Sep 2018
At the new Cisco, culture is as important as innovation
Cisco’s newly appointed SVP of Emear, Wendy Mars, shares her thoughts on the state of network innovation within the industry, and explains why cultural change is just as important an element of a digital strategy Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
18 Sep 2018
CW Europe: Costs stack up for Dutch government IT projects
In this issue of CW Europe, we look at analysis by a Dutch newspaper which discovered that government-controlled IT projects in the Netherlands go over budget by 40%, on average. We also find out how Berlin’s Digital Career Institute is building web skills among refugees and the unemployed across Germany. Download the issue now. Continue Reading
-
News
13 Sep 2018
TechUK blasts European Parliament-backed revamp of EU-wide copyright laws
Tech industry trade body claims the changes spell bad news for web users, after European Parliament MEPs vote in favour of plans to modernise the copyright laws for the digital age Continue Reading
-
News
12 Sep 2018
FCA warns it cannot manage financial crime risks without sharing data with EU
FCA admits it will be unable to manage financial crime effectively if it cannot share data with EU authorities. Continue Reading
-
News
03 Sep 2018
Dutch bank ING sees financial boost from employee performance management rethink
ING claims business has improved after replacing ‘scattered and fragmented’ IT systems to change the way it manages employee performance Continue Reading
-
News
30 Aug 2018
US and UK days away from European Parliament ultimatum to suspend data transfers to the US
Threat to Privacy Shield as the European Union and US approach a critical European Parliament deadline to suspend data transfers from the EU to the US Continue Reading
-
News
29 Aug 2018
IT leaders at a crossroads as they grapple with digital technology
CIOs have the opportunity to influence their company strategy as digital technology reshapes business. A survey of CIOs across 70 countries charts a path for IT leaders through emerging technologies Continue Reading
-
News
23 Aug 2018
No Deal Brexit papers warn of stark future for UK tech
The government has published the first of its No Deal Brexit contingency planning notices, containing sobering messages for the UK technology industry Continue Reading
-
News
22 Aug 2018
Language barrier won’t hold back chatbots in the Netherlands
The use of chatbots by Dutch organisations is on the up, with KLM's chatbot a pioneering example Continue Reading
-
Feature
17 Aug 2018
National Archives races to create electronic archive of EU law before Brexit
The National Archives faces challenges converting the EU's enormous library of laws into a publicly accessible UK archive ahead of Brexit. The Archives’ digital director, John Sheridan, explains how Continue Reading
-
E-Zine
09 Aug 2018
CW Benelux: Netherlands to experiment with self-driving trains
In this issue, read how Dutch railway operator ProRail will test self-driving trains on a small set of railroad tracks to learn if they can be part of the country’s notoriously busy network. Also, find out how a network of smart towns and cities is growing in the Netherlands, and why Dutch organisations are being urged to unite to fight DDoS attacks. Continue Reading
-
News
08 Aug 2018
Dutch healthcare institutions need to think like tech sector
The healthcare industry needs to approach technological innovation in a different way if it is to maximise the benefits for staff and patients Continue Reading
-
Opinion
25 Jul 2018
Beyond GDPR: ePrivacy could have an even greater impact on mobile
From how we monitor air pollution and manage our public transport systems, to how we enable connected cars and the next generation of 5G mobile services, the forthcoming ePR could have a lasting impact on European society Continue Reading
-
News
20 Jul 2018
Brussels aims to become an insurtech hub
Belgian capital is calling on startups as it eyes up the huge opportunities in the insurance technology sector Continue Reading
-
News
09 Jul 2018
Dutch government IT projects run €1bn over budget
Dutch government IT projects are costing much more money and taking far longer than expected Continue Reading
-
News
04 Jul 2018
European banks need to balance fintech strategies
European Banking Authority highlights the risks of banks taking up fintech too quickly, and of ignoring it Continue Reading
-
News
26 Jun 2018
Liberty Global picks Cisco to transform customer service ops
Virgin Media parent enlists Cisco in a bid to transform its customer service experience across Europe Continue Reading
-
News
25 Jun 2018
Electricity problems in Amsterdam could hamper datacentre growth
A shortage of power availability in Amsterdam might make businesses look elsewhere in the Netherlands to site datacentres Continue Reading
-
News
20 Jun 2018
Dutch organisations must unite to fight DDoS attacks
Experts in the Netherlands call on Dutch corporations and institutions to work together to help prevent distributed denial of service attacks Continue Reading
-
News
12 Jun 2018
Dutch region Zeeland to get datacentre without diesel backup
One of the world’s most sustainable datacentres is to be built in the southwest region of the Netherlands, and is said to be the first datacentre to use battery backup rather than a diesel generator Continue Reading
-
Opinion
05 Jun 2018
Big data skills shortages – and how to work around them
Businesses are finding it hard to recruit enough people with big data and analytics skills, but for CIOs there are alternative strategies to consider Continue Reading
-
News
29 May 2018
UK security spend low despite breaches
The UK is the most breached country in Europe, but IT security spend remains low compared with other countries in the region, a report reveals Continue Reading
-
News
25 May 2018
Commitment is the watchword on GDPR D-Day
New rules for protecting European citizens’ personal data are now enforceable by law, and organisations are being advised to focus broadly on commitment rather than narrowly on compliance Continue Reading
-
News
24 May 2018
Stronger rules on data protection by EU institutions agreed
On the eve of the GDPR compliance deadline, European politicians agree new rules to strengthen data protection in EU organisations Continue Reading
-
News
24 May 2018
EU cyber security agencies pledge to up cooperation
Four European cyber security agencies have agreed to increase collaboration in five key areas Continue Reading
-
News
23 May 2018
UK calls for new data-sharing model with EU
The UK has proposed a new data-sharing model to ensure ongoing data protection collaboration and free flow of data between the EU and the UK post-Brexit Continue Reading
-
News
14 May 2018
HSBC blockchain trial proves trade finance utility model
HSBC and ING used blockchain to successfully complete a real-world trade financing transaction as part of a pilot Continue Reading
-
Opinion
10 May 2018
Hacking the internet of things just got easier – it’s time to look at your security
Are you taking security for internet-connected devices seriously enough? Continue Reading
- 10 May 2018
-
E-Zine
10 May 2018
CW Benelux: Rotterdam charts course to become world’s smartest port
The Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands is using internet of things and artificial intelligence technology from IBM in a bid to become the world’s smartest port. Also read how companies in the Netherlands are only partly ready for the country’s version of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and why the European Central Bank thinks cash will remain in use in the Eurozone for a very long time. Continue Reading
-
News
03 May 2018
Netherlands to harness blockchain for waste management operations
Authorities are trying out blockchain to automate many of the processes related to waste transportation in the EU Continue Reading
-
News
30 Apr 2018
Even the smallest of Dutch towns are becoming smart
An increasing number of Dutch towns and cities use street sensors and big data to tackle societal problems. From smart lighting to artificial intelligence that spots violent behaviour in surveillance footage, smart technology is booming in the Netherlands Continue Reading
-
Feature
27 Apr 2018
GDPR: An overview of the latest data protection legislation
The forthcoming General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) will have wide-ranging implications for every organisation that processes personal data. This comprehensive overview tells you what you need to know Continue Reading
-
News
23 Apr 2018
Next generation of SCADA industrial controls will protect against cyber attack
Oil, energy and chemical companies are rethinking how to control big manufacturing plants, replacing expensive control technology with cheaper, more secure systems, taking their cue from biology Continue Reading
-
Opinion
19 Apr 2018
Blockchain: Paving the way for broad adoption
The foundations have been laid for organisations to begin standardising on the technology, talent and platforms that will drive future blockchain initiatives Continue Reading
-
Opinion
18 Apr 2018
Protecting your intellectual property in a digital world
Your business is creating innovative computer code, slick user interfaces, and is using digital technology to solve new problems. How do you protect your investment? Continue Reading
