Information technology in the Nordics
Information technology (IT) news, trends, articles and research in the Nordic countries - Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Iceland. This section covers IT security, data backup and recovery, networking, data centre, cloud computing, mobile applications, virtualisation, big data, virtual machines and more.
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News
15 Jan 2024
Santander bank added 4,500 tech staff last year
Santander added thousands of IT staff to its global operation last year, as part of its digital transformation Continue Reading
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E-Zine
07 Dec 2023
CW EMEA: Prepare for cyber war
When the war between Hamas and Israel began in October, cyber security professionals and major government and private organisations braced for an inevitable accompanying online war. In this issue of CW EMEA, we outline cyber war, patterns of threat activity, and find out what security teams can do to protect their organisations. We also look at Finland’s advances in quantum computing, how Belgian researchers have developed technology to help datacentres process data faster, and the secrets of KPN’s successful business transformation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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News
11 Nov 2020
Norway has lowest physical cash use in the world, says report
Norway claims to use less cash as a proportion of total spending than any other country across the globe, according to a study by its central bank Continue Reading
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News
09 Nov 2020
Tampere’s perfect storm triggers a startup revolution
Previously a hub for Nokia and Microsoft, Finland’s second-largest city is capitalising on a wealth of technical knowhow to become the dark horse of the Nordic startup scene Continue Reading
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News
04 Nov 2020
Nordic countries to develop common digital system
Common digital platform will help small and medium-sized enterprises across the Nordic region with data sharing Continue Reading
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News
02 Nov 2020
Finnish government rolls out digital projects to support SMEs
Finland is set to create network of technology hubs that will support SMEs in the country, as well as create links across the EU Continue Reading
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News
28 Oct 2020
Finnish therapy centre accused of covering up cyber attack
Private therapy practice Vastaamo faces questions over its security and business practices in the months leading up to one of the biggest data breaches in Finland’s history Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2020
Highly unusual hacking attack directly threatens therapy patients
A hacker has directly contacted therapy patients to say their highly personal therapy notes will be put on the internet unless they pay the ransom Continue Reading
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News
26 Oct 2020
Cooperation between Norway’s security agencies planned following cyber attack on parliament
Government seeks to develop enhanced national IT infrastructure with an embedded early warning system and defence shield to protect the IT systems of public and private organisations Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2020
Nordic countries in denial over IT industry equality
Arriving in Denmark to find she was the only woman on a computer science master’s course was a shock to Plamena Cherneva Continue Reading
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News
22 Oct 2020
Nordic CIO Interview: Teemu Salmi, Stora Enso
Working with startup communities helps to drive digital transformation at one of the world’s largest forest industry companies, Stora Enso Continue Reading
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News
19 Oct 2020
Estonian rude awakening spurs tech startup activity
Money laundering scandal in Estonia has sparked tech startup activity in the Baltic country as banks look for answers Continue Reading
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News
30 Sep 2020
Norway leaves door open to Huawei
Government gives telecoms companies responsibility to choose their equipment suppliers, which could include Huawei Continue Reading
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News
25 Sep 2020
Nordic CIO interview: Per Boström, Skanska
The construction industry may be a slow starter when it comes to adopting digital technology, but it is reaping the benefits quickly, with Sweden’s Skanska focused on playing catch up, according to CIO Per Boström Continue Reading
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News
22 Sep 2020
Green Cargo extends Rimini contract to keep legacy SAP backend running
Mainframe and SAP to provide systems of record, with real-time data for new digitisation initiatives, built on multi-cloud, RPA and low-code platforms Continue Reading
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News
17 Sep 2020
Swedish bank cuts branches and jobs, increases IT spend
Swedish bank is increasing investment IT to improve digital banking as it reduces its branch network Continue Reading
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News
10 Sep 2020
Nordic CIO interview: Maria Lundberg, ICA Gruppen
The CIO of Swedish retail giant ICA Gruppen, Maria Lundberg, who is overseeing the digitisation of four retail sectors, tells Computer Weekly about the challenges of providing shared IT services for localised needs Continue Reading
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News
08 Sep 2020
Nordic banks invest and innovate to keep digital rivals at bay
Large traditional banks are accelerating their digital transformations as the regional fintech sector makes its presence felt Continue Reading
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News
01 Sep 2020
Norway’s corporates want government to support ‘herd immunity’ to cyber attack
Leading business organisations in Norway call on government to play a more active role in improving and coordinating the country’s cyber defences Continue Reading
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E-Zine
27 Aug 2020
CW Nordics: Bergen’s tech hub seeks global success
Norway’s second-largest city, Bergen, is building a tech ecosystem that is beginning its development with a focus on the city’s industrial heritage. Also in this issue, read why now might be the time for businesses to consider how they will invest in outsourcing IT once the Covid-19 pandemic wanes. And read how Norway’s government has had to backtrack on a law that removed tax relief on energy consumption at datacentres that process cryptocurrency mining. Continue Reading
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News
25 Aug 2020
Nordic startups send a message to global investment community
Early-stage tech companies across the world should set up Nordic operations earlier in their development journeys Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2020
Netherlands investigates innovative privacy technology SSI
Dutch research organisation is looking into areas where self-sovereign identity technology could be used in society and business Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2020
Nordic enterprises look for SAP price reductions as they navigate Covid-19
Businesses in the Nordics are using SAP Cloud Platform to address Covid-19 challenges and are also seeking price reductions Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2020
Private equity leads Nordic IT sector consolidation
Private equity firms and industrial giants are triggering mergers and acquisitions in the Nordic tech sector as investment slows amid the Covid-19 pandemic Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2020
Estonian police and border services need better IT to block criminals from becoming e-residents
Police and Border Guard Board of Estonia needs to improve its IT systems to stop criminals from becoming e-residents, says report Continue Reading
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News
30 Jul 2020
Finland government funds work on potential quantum leap
Finland's government is committing money to the development of quantum computing technologies to potentially provide a giant leap for the nation's industries Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2020
New opportunities for Nordic startups post-Covid-19 as virtual offices become the norm
As companies adjust to digital office life in the pandemic era, a host of Nordic startups are already helping them convert these short-term fixes into long-term strategy Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2020
BMW Group signs six-year HPC contract with eco-friendly Swedish colocation firm
Motor manufacturer agrees to double-down on its use of EcoDataCenter's environmentally friendly colocation facilities Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2020
Santander consumer arm to automate further after Nordic project
Time and cost savings achieved by RPA pilot were high and customer experience improved, says bank Continue Reading
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News
17 Jul 2020
Nordic CIO interview: Brede Nielsen, Avinor
The Covid-19 pandemic put Avinor’s IT head at the centre of the airport operator's response Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2020
Huge declines in traditional outsourcing as Covid-19 puts a stop on deals
Traditional IT outsourcing deals value plummets in the last quarter as contracts dry up amid Covid-19 disruption Continue Reading
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News
06 Jul 2020
Avinor creates contactless airport check-in for Norway
Norwegian airport operator introduces touchless travel check-in to limit the potential spread of Covid-19 Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2020
Bergen’s tech hub seeking to scale after positive start
Norway's second largest city is building a tech ecosystem that is beginning its development with a focus on the city's industrial heritage Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2020
Lawyers learn of fresh US allegations against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange from press reports
The US has filed an updated indictment against Julian Assange alleging that he conspired with hacking groups to obtain information for WikiLeaks. Defence and prosecution lawyers learned about it from press reports Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2020
Nordic business is leading open banking charge in Europe
Nordic region has the right ingredients to prove open banking can benefit consumers, businesses and the economy Continue Reading
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News
18 Jun 2020
Datacentre investment boost as Norway’s government reinstates tax relief
Government reinstates datacentre energy tax relief for cryptocurrency mining organisations after investments in the country’s datacentres drops Continue Reading
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News
17 Jun 2020
Amnesty identifies most privacy-invasive Covid-19 contact-tracing apps
Bahrain’s ‘BeAware Bahrain’, Kuwait’s ‘Shlonik’ and Norway’s ‘Smittestopp’ are the most privacy-invasive contact-tracing apps, reveals Amnesty International study Continue Reading
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News
16 Jun 2020
Danske Bank begins process of creating autonomous development teams
Danish bank begins the process of changing how thousands of its staff work as it attempts to be more responsive to digital demand Continue Reading
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News
16 Jun 2020
Norway’s contact-tracing app suspended over privacy concerns
Norway has been given until 23 June to justify the location tracking of citizens who download its contract-tracing app Continue Reading
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News
11 Jun 2020
Tech firms respond to Nordic government calls
Nordic firms are working with tech suppliers to help them get back up and running after Covid-19 Continue Reading
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E-Zine
11 Jun 2020
CW Europe: 5G rush in Russia
Russian mobile operators are pooling their resources to help them overcome the technical challenges of creating 5G networks. Also read why Swedbank is rebuilding its anti-money laundering systems, and how a public-private partnership in the Netherlands is combating business email compromise fraud. Continue Reading
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News
08 Jun 2020
Nordic CIO interview: Janne Puustinen, Valmet
Janne Puustinen built Finnish industrial technology company Valmet’s entire IT organisation from scratch after a demerger Continue Reading
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News
03 Jun 2020
Lidl Finland speeds up with new local server racks
Lidl brings server racks to its Finnish stores in a bid to improve connectivity and introduce new services to its customers Continue Reading
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E-Zine
22 May 2020
CW Nordics: Startups face tough decisions as coronavirus hits
Tech startups based in the Nordic region face difficult decisions as the Covid-19 pandemic leads to falling sales and investment. Also read why Swedbank is rebuilding its anti-money laundering systems, and how Nordic fintechs are developing apps to prevent more adults getting into financial difficulty. Continue Reading
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News
20 May 2020
Coronavirus: Pandemic spurs QR code app upgrade at PayPal
PayPal introduces QR code payment functionality to its mobile app to support social distancing Continue Reading
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News
18 May 2020
Swedish mining firm LKAB revamps data backup setup to support downtime avoidance goals
State-owned Swedish mining company LKAB scooped the prize for Best Data Security and Data Protection Project at the Best of VMworld 2019 Europe User Awards. Here we run through what the project involved Continue Reading
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News
15 May 2020
Sweden’s Preem puts automation to the test
Preem is automating software testing as part of a wider plan that includes the introduction of robotic process automation software Continue Reading
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News
12 May 2020
Opportunity in times of crisis for Nordic tech startups
Nordic tech startups face some major challenges during the Covid-19 pandemic, but this could be the making of some of them Continue Reading
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News
07 May 2020
Finland’s postal service targets new revenue streams through digitisation
Posti plans to use the new SisuID digital authentication method to accelerate business growth and opportunities Continue Reading
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News
06 May 2020
Sustainability credentials of underground datacentre in Norway lure green investment fund
Norway’s Lefdal Mining Datacenter has designs on becoming Europe's largest server farm, and its green credentials have secured further investment to help it reach its goal Continue Reading
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News
05 May 2020
Coronavirus: Total outsourcing spending collapses in March
IT spending plunged in March, drastically reducing increases that had been expected in the EMEA region Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2020
Nordic real estate sector becoming increasingly digital
The Nordic real estate and construction industry is modernising through digital technology, with an injection of urgency amid global pandemic Continue Reading
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News
04 May 2020
Coronavirus: Do Indian companies still have an edge in Nordic outsourcing?
Covid-19 lockdowns and social distancing have affected Nordic outsourcing strategies. Do Indian firms still have the upper hand? Continue Reading
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News
29 Apr 2020
Nordic CIO interview: Stefan Olowsson, Swedish Social Insurance Agency
Stefan Olowsson, CIO at Sweden’s Försäkringskassan, helps to ensure social security payments run smoothly, which is a balancing act of innovation, data security and reliable delivery Continue Reading
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News
16 Apr 2020
Coronavirus: Nordic digital educators collaborate with authorities amid pandemic
Nordic education technology startups are supporting education establishments in offering continued education during the Covid-19 crisis Continue Reading
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News
15 Apr 2020
Coronavirus: Nordic authorities use tech in fight against Covid-19
Nordic government organisations are working with private technology firms in the region to support their efforts to contain the coronavirus Continue Reading
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News
09 Apr 2020
How Bolt plans to be more uber than Uber
Overcoming competitors with brand names that have become part of the modern vernacular is a challenge Estonia-based Bolt has set itself as it takes on Uber Continue Reading
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News
06 Apr 2020
Coronavirus: Nordic tech startups face job cuts amid falling sales and a lack of funding
Tech startups based in the Nordic region face difficult decisions as the Covid-19 pandemic leads to falling sales and investment Continue Reading
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News
01 Apr 2020
Swedbank to rebuild anti-money laundering systems after damning report
Report finds that €36.7bn in transactions, all carrying a high risk for money laundering, were processed through the bank’s branch network in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Continue Reading
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News
26 Mar 2020
Nordic fintechs urge financial literacy to be taken seriously before it’s too late
Fintechs in the Nordic region hope to prevent more adults getting into financial difficulty through apps that educate people about managing their finances at an early age Continue Reading
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News
25 Mar 2020
Coronavirus: Chatbot to help Estonians cope during pandemic
Estonian government is using a chatbot developed by local startups to answer the many questions its citizens have about Covid-19 Continue Reading
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News
24 Mar 2020
Norwegian banking app gives access to other banks’ accounts
Banking customers can access and make payments from their other bank accounts using the DNB Mobile Bank app Continue Reading
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News
20 Mar 2020
How an Estonian digital nation emerged from the embers of Soviet rule
Estonia’s minister for foreign trade and IT tells Computer Weekly how the country went from having no governmental infrastructure in the early 1990s to acquiring the label “digital nation” Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2020
Estonia offers digital tools to countries struggling with coronavirus school closures
Government and tech companies in Baltic state unite to offer advanced digital learning tools to other countries Continue Reading
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News
18 Mar 2020
Swedish municipalities test AI to drive efficiencies and cost savings
Research in Sweden measures the benefits of using artificial intelligence in local government operations Continue Reading
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News
17 Mar 2020
Telenor opens Norway’s first 5G service
Commercial 5G network opens in nine different cities and villages across Norway, making Telenor the first mobile operator in the country to offer 5G to customers Continue Reading
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News
12 Mar 2020
IT Priorities 2020: Nearly two-thirds of Nordic IT leaders expect a budget increase this year
Nordic IT leaders are expecting budgets to rise as they move to more advanced stages of their digital transformations Continue Reading
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News
11 Mar 2020
International Women’s Day provides platform for Nordic women in tech
International annual event reminds tech industry that work needs to be done to reduce inequality, but organisations must work towards this on a daily basis Continue Reading
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Opinion
03 Mar 2020
EC publishes approach to human and ethical implications of AI, but what will UK do?
The European Commission has published a guide to the EU’s approach to the human and ethical effects that artificial intelligence might bring Continue Reading
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News
02 Mar 2020
Nordic lessons on digital transformation
Swedish financial services firm reports a successful IT outsourcing project with India-based IT services company Continue Reading
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News
28 Feb 2020
Long, dark winters contribute to Finland’s advantage in video game development
Finland and Southern California are worlds apart at first glance, but both are leaders in video game development. We find out why. Continue Reading
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E-Zine
27 Feb 2020
CW Nordics: Swedes lose faith in social media as data security fears increase
Swedish citizens are becoming more concerned about the activities of social media companies and are reducing their online interaction with them as a result. Also read about new mobility-as-a-service projects gaining traction across Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, and why the Finnish government has committed resources to a cyber security project aimed at local authorities. Continue Reading
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News
27 Feb 2020
Finland launches free AI skills course for EU citizens as presidency parting gift
Finland is making a course in basic artificial intelligence available to citizens of all European Union countries Continue Reading
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News
26 Feb 2020
Thousands of UK entrepreneurs register businesses in Estonia since Brexit referendum
UK entrepreneurs are registering businesses in Estonia to make sure they can continue to trade freely in the EU Continue Reading
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News
25 Feb 2020
Mastercard creates 1,500 tech jobs in Ireland
New roles at tech hub in Dublin will include professionals with expertise in artificial intelligence, cyber security, blockchain and user experience Continue Reading
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News
24 Feb 2020
Estonia to give citizens Alexa-like access to public services
The Estonian government is working on a project that will ultimately allow citizens to ask Siri, Alexa or almost any other virtual digital assistant to interact with government departments on their behalf Continue Reading
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News
21 Feb 2020
Exploring the Nordics’ healthy advantage in leisure tech
The Nordic region is home to an increasing number of global leisure tech startups Continue Reading
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Feature
20 Feb 2020
How HR robotics can be good for people
The automation of human resources processes, some of which uses robotic process automation, can benefit humans, as a clutch of Nordic and UK organisations show Continue Reading
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News
19 Feb 2020
Swedish consumer-protection legislation will hit fintechs
New financial regulation to protect consumers from agreeing to unnecessary credit will force financial technology companies to make changes to their products Continue Reading
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News
18 Feb 2020
Swedish council tests virtual reality in care for vulnerable people
Local authority is testing virtual reality technology to provide care services to vulnerable groups such elderly and disabled citizens Continue Reading
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News
14 Feb 2020
CIO Interview: Siim Sikkut, Estonian government CIO
Siim Sikkut is one of a generation of tech native Estonians, who is turning his knowledge and experience to transforming government services Continue Reading
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News
10 Feb 2020
Norway braces for possible China backlash over 5G loss
Norway fears trading relationship with China will suffer as a result of Huawei losing 5G contract to Ericsson Continue Reading
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News
07 Feb 2020
Startup success is ‘The Finnish Dream’
Finland has a startup mentality running through its veins and its water, with an “all for one” attitude driving fledgling tech companies Continue Reading
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News
06 Feb 2020
Nordic industries increase IT outsourcing for IoT and big data skills
Nordic industries are outsourcing more to support their internet of things and big data capabilities Continue Reading
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News
05 Feb 2020
Finnish digital initiative to drive EU digital-based passenger services
Finnish-driven transport-as-a-service concept gets EU-wide appeal as a way of increasing customer satisfaction and reducing fuel consumption Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2020
Azimo gets loan from European Investment Bank to build cross-border payments infrastructure in EU
UK fintech gets validation from EIB through €20m loan which will contribute to building its smartphone app-based payments infrastructure Continue Reading
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News
04 Feb 2020
Swedish rail firm’s digital journey running on time
Swedish rail company tells Computer Weekly about its successful mission to improve customer experience Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2020
New jobs in Ireland as Brexit forces Revolut to migrate work from London
Brexit has pushed the financial technology firm into moving London jobs to Ireland Continue Reading
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News
03 Feb 2020
Cost-cutting and digital transformation spur increased European IT outsourcing in 2019
The need to rein in costs while digitally transforming has led to growth in traditional and as-a-service base outsourcing Continue Reading
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News
31 Jan 2020
Estonian CIO gives UK IT professionals hope as Brexit removes rights
Tech chief says Estonia’s door is open to UK IT professionals if they want to continue enjoying an EU lifestyle Continue Reading
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News
29 Jan 2020
AI is transforming the Nordic workplace – and it won’t stop there
Nordic startups are applying artificial intelligence to address workplace challenges, with HR and operations managers across the world watching Continue Reading
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News
24 Jan 2020
Cyber gangsters publish staff passwords following ‘Sodinokibi’ attack on car parts group Gedia
Sodinokibi hacking group steps up pressure on German automotive manufacturer by publishing information, including the CEO’s computer password and sensitive details of its IT systems, on the internet Continue Reading
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News
24 Jan 2020
Gender funding gap reveals complacency in the Nordics
Tech investors are biased towards men when it comes to investing – even if they are not aware of it Continue Reading
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News
22 Jan 2020
UK and EU AI communities will only be globally significant if they work as one
The European Union and the UK will be left behind in artificial intelligence research and development if they take separate paths after Brexit Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2020
5G builders test vulnerabilities in Finnish hackathon
University hackathon puts 5G security to the test as new wireless technology’s roll-out nears Continue Reading
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News
21 Jan 2020
High-street banks face disruption three weeks after Travelex hack
Foreign exchange services still disrupted, three weeks after Travelex received a $6m ransom demand from cyber gangsters Continue Reading
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News
20 Jan 2020
Norway’s government to upgrade digital in school curriculum
Primary and secondary schools in Norway will introduce more digital learning, following the latest government reforms Continue Reading
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News
20 Jan 2020
Modern telecoms has opened up Sweden’s far north
Modern telecom infrastructures mean datacentres can be further away from users, and environmental and cost advantages are to be had in locations such as Sweden’s far north Continue Reading
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News
15 Jan 2020
LGBTQ+ social app Grindr accused of breaching GDPR
Norwegian Consumer Council files complaints about LGBTQ+ social networking app, alleging it is in breach of the General Data Protection Regulation Continue Reading
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News
14 Jan 2020
What is behind Stockholm’s datacentre boom?
Datacentres are springing up in Stockholm – but what is drawing major IT companies to the Swedish capital? Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2020
Travelex hackers threaten to sell credit card data on dark web
Sodinokibi cyber gangsters have threatened to sell Travelex customers’ private data on a Russian underground cyber crime forum if it fails to pay a $6m ransom Continue Reading
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News
09 Jan 2020
Swedish venture capitalist giants anticipate increased global interest in local startup scene
Local venture capitalists in Sweden do not fear the arrival of international players Continue Reading