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
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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News
18 Apr 2018
European IT services spending down as businesses focus on GDPR compliance
European organisations are reducing their spending on IT services and are redirecting resources towards becoming compliant with the EU General Data Protection Regulation Continue Reading
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News
18 Apr 2018
BT to supply European air navigation network
BT has been selected to provide the upgraded air traffic management network across Europe Continue Reading
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Opinion
17 Apr 2018
Moving away from analogue health in a digital world
Healthcare records still rely on faxes, email, mail and paper, but the innovative use of technology will lead to major improvements in medical care Continue Reading
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News
17 Apr 2018
Judge in Max Schrems v Facebook action raises red flag on EU-US data transfers
The Irish High Court (Commercial Division) has once again cast a long shadow, with a very short deadline, over the arrangements for the safe and legal transfer of data between the EU and the US Continue Reading
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News
16 Apr 2018
Dutch railway operator to experiment with self-driving trains
Dutch railways are on a journey towards fully automated trains, with early tests under way Continue Reading
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News
13 Apr 2018
EU-US data sharing under threat as Irish court refers Facebook case to Europe
The Irish High Court is seeking answers from the European Court of Justice in a case that could have huge implications for EU-US data sharing and raises questions about US government surveillance of EU citizens. The move could bring a five-year legal battle between Austrian lawyer Max Schrems and Facebook to a close Continue Reading
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News
10 Apr 2018
European CIOs have budget balancing act ahead of them
There is some consensus among European CIOs on budget rises across the continent, but less so on what to invest in Continue Reading
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Opinion
10 Apr 2018
Driving digitisation: open standards in process automation
Organisations often can’t take advantage of advances in digital technology due to the lack of interoperability in their IT systems in different facilities, but open standards promise a way forward Continue Reading
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News
05 Apr 2018
Interview: GDPR will give Dutch privacy watchdog its teeth
The Netherlands’ privacy watchdog has not handed out fines so far because there has been no reason to, says the organisation’s chairman, Aleid Wolfsen Continue Reading
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News
27 Mar 2018
Capgemini turns to tech startup to identify ‘most engaged’ teams
Technology and consulting services firm Capgemini is using technology from a startup company to poll its employees’ views and provide feedback from managers every week. It is discovering what it takes to create “engaged teams” Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2018
Dutch SMEs’ cyber security is insufficient
Nowhere in the Netherlands is digitisation as big as it is in small and medium-sized enterprises, but the sector still has a lot to do in terms of cyber security Continue Reading
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News
23 Mar 2018
European insurtech growth dwarfs US
Europe is seeing rapid growth in its insurtech as investors pump hundreds of millions into the sector Continue Reading
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News
21 Mar 2018
IT attracts more foreign investment projects to UK than other sectors
IT accounts for the highest number of foreign direct investment projects in the UK, which should come as a warning to the UK government to listen to the sector Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2018
Dutch cycling culture pumps up bicycle startups
Bike-sharing services are cropping up in urban areas of the Netherlands but the government wants to restrict their number Continue Reading
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News
16 Mar 2018
Capgemini arm bags European Commission data infrastructure project
The European Commission has extended the contract of prime contractor Capgemini on its open data project Continue Reading
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News
14 Mar 2018
WhatsApp to suspend data sharing with Facebook
WhatsApp has agreed to stop sharing personal data with Facebook until data protection concerns are addressed Continue Reading
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News
08 Mar 2018
EC reveals plan to make Europe global fintech hub
The European Commission has unveiled proposals to boost the EU’s financial technology sector Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Mar 2018
CW Europe: Germany’s Lemoncat takes catering to the cloud
Business catering startup Lemoncat has taken advantage of the affordable cost of living in Berlin and is shaking up the catering sector by harnessing the Amazon and Salesforce clouds. Also in this issue, read how Moscow’s government is taking advantage of high penetration of broadband and mobile internet to expand innovative services under the Russian capital’s smart city programme, and how organisations in the Netherlands still have much to do to comply with the General Data Protection Regulation. Continue Reading
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News
06 Mar 2018
European cities woo English-speaking IT talent
Organisations in major European cities have upped their search for English-speaking talent, including IT professionals, since the UK’s referendum on EU membership Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Feb 2018
The EURECA moment: Counting the cost of running the UK’s public sector datacentres
The EU-backed EURECA project has spent the past 36 months assessing the state of public sector datacentres across Europe, and is revealing what it found Continue Reading
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News
20 Feb 2018
4G IoT network may ease aviation sector fears over drone safety
Vodafone is testing mobile and internet of things network technology to protect commercial aircraft from badly flown drones Continue Reading
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News
09 Feb 2018
Europe in the firing line of evolving DDoS attacks
The Europe, Middle East and Africa region accounts for more than half the world’s distributed denial of service attacks, a report from F5 Labs reveals Continue Reading
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E-Zine
08 Feb 2018
CW Benelux: Dutch IT expert on a mission to expose vulnerabilities
Dutch ethical hacker Victor Gevers took full-time leave from his IT job last year and used the time to hunt for vulnerabilities. Read about his mission to find vulnerabilities, report them responsibly and then, hopefully, get them fixed by the vulnerable parties involved. Also in this issue, read how Proximus, Belgium’s largest telecommunications operator, is leaning on Cloudify to support its adoption of network functions virtualisation, and how journalists showed that the email addresses of Dutch politicians are easy to spoof. Continue Reading
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News
08 Feb 2018
Teenager suspected of crippling Dutch banks with DDoS attacks
A large distributed denial of service attack on banks and other organisations in the Netherlands, first thought to emanate from Russia, is now thought to have been launched by a local teenager Continue Reading
- 07 Feb 2018
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Opinion
02 Feb 2018
Europe’s shameful role in spy-tech exports that led to torture and jail
Governments in Europe actively assisted in government oppression in Iran, Bahrain and Russia by providing states with sophisticated surveillance equipment. The European Parliament is pressing for changes in the law to restrict exports of spy-technology to countries with poor human rights records Continue Reading
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News
02 Feb 2018
Dutch Filmworks disrupts piracy fight by imposing download fines
Netherlands’ privacy watchdog grants film production company permission to collect IP addresses as part of its fight against illegal downloading Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2018
European Commission eyes blockchain opportunity
The European Commission is aiming to get the most out of blockchain technology in a wide variety of sectors Continue Reading
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News
01 Feb 2018
Dutch companies not ready for GDPR despite approaching deadline
Organisations in the Netherlands are racing towards General Data Protection Regulation compliance, but there is still much to be done Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2018
GDPR requests to take thousands of hours a month, says survey
A recent survey predicts organisations will potentially face thousands of customer requests about their personal information every month, with many unprepared for GDPR compliance Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2018
Dutch port readies itself for autonomous ships
The Port of Rotterdam is using IoT and AI technology from IBM to improve efficiency and become the model for ports of the future Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2018
IT Priorities 2018: Data protection a top priority ahead of GDPR
Data protection continues to be a key focus for IT security investment for European firms in 2018, as does the emphasis on cloud and mobile security as companies move to these technology platforms Continue Reading
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News
30 Jan 2018
Davos: Cyber risks grow as countries turn towards protectionism
The cost of natural disasters is now at record levels, but the cost of cyber crime is far higher. The World Economic Forum hopes to persuade governments to work together on the problem, but with isolationist politics back in fashion, can it succeed? Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2018
NGO to fight for GDPR rights set to launch
A new breed of NGO aimed at helping EU citizens fight for privacy rights under the GDPR is set to launch after achieving the minimum funding required Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2018
New controversies as Trump passes US Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act
The amended Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which seeks to legitimise US surveillance on foreigners, has been signed off by president Trump Continue Reading
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News
23 Jan 2018
Interview: Kaspar Korjus, Estonian e-Residency lead
As the number of people signing up to become Estonian e-residents exceeds the country’s birth rate, Computer Weekly speaks to the man heading up the programme Continue Reading
