Privacy and data protection

Securing critical industrial systems

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the security threats to the industrial control systems that power the UK’s critical national infrastructure, and ask what can be done to better protect them. We look at the key considerations when choosing an infrastructure as a service supplier. And we compare six of the top hybrid flash array products from the leading storage hardware providers. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Interview: Ed Vaizey MP talks digital economy and digital skills

Minister for the digital economy Ed Vaizey discusses his new role and the future of digital policy Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Drones a threat to privacy, says former GCHQ chief David Omand

The use of drones in the UK raises significant safety, security and privacy concerns, according to a report from ex-head of GCHQ, David Omand Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

GCHQ embodies British values, says Iain Lobban

Outgoing GCHQ director Iain Lobban has defended the intelligence agency in his final speech before retiring Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

US retailer Staples investigates possible data breach

US retailer Staples confirms it is investigating a possible credit and debit card breach Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

FBI director James Comey joins call for online surveillance tools

FBI director James Comey has reiterated the need for online surveillance and joined calls for more tools to do so Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK is prime target for cyber attacks, says FireEye

The UK has been greatest target of advanced cyber attacks in Europe, the Middle East or Africa in the first half of 2014, report shows Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK ranks third in right to be forgotten requests to Google

The UK has made the third-highest number of requests for links to be removed from Google's search results Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Cybercrime fighters to target kingpins, says top EU cyber cop

International cybercrime fighters are to focus on the relatively small number of top malware producers, says Europe's top cyber cop Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Azure CTO Mark Russinovich's top ten public cloud security risks

Microsoft Azure cloud CTO Mark Russinovich identified ten key security risks of public cloud services Continue Reading

By

• Archana Venkatraman, Datacentre Editor

Fear and loathing could hold back UK internet of things, says KPMG report

More than two-thirds of UK consumers fear growing number of interconnected devices make it too easy for things to go wrong Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Tim Berners-Lee: Data sharing needs accountability

The question of how much data an individual should share was a key theme of Tim Berners-Lee's keynote at IP Expo Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Malware being used to steal cash from ATMs

Criminals are using malware to steal cash from ATMs without debit and credit cards Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Engineering company rolls out talent management software across 17 countries

Meggitt is deploying cloud-based HR technology as it seeks to integrate 60 diverse business units into a multinational operation Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

Google could face $100m lawsuit over nude celebrity pictures

Lawyers of celebrities whose private pictures were published by hackers are threatening to sue Google Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

CW Europe - October 2014 Edition

BYOD policies: What’s allowed and what’s banned? As IT departments still try to come to terms with the notion of BYOD, CW Europe takes a look at what policies are being implemented to keep security under control. Continue Reading

European firms far from ready for new data rules, study shows

As European authorities aim to ratify revised data protection rules by 2015, many firms have a lot to do to comply Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Cyber Essentials for public sector IT suppliers: pros and cons

What are the pros and cons of the Cyber Essentials Scheme certification mandated for public sector IT suppliers? Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Hacking IT from the inside

In this week’s Computer Weekly, car giant Daimler talks about its IT security strategy and the benefits of having its own in-house hacking team. App developers are under fire for collecting too much personal data – we examine the latest best practice. Our new buyer’s guide looks at virtualisation backup. And our review of Microsoft’s Surface Pro 3 tablet asks whether it can replace the laptop. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Case study: Deutsche Post DHL develops software contract templates to reduce costs

Deutsche Post DHL has created contract templates to manage software costs. Computer Weekly speaks to the people leading the initiative Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Bash bug could be bigger threat than Heartbleed

A bug in the Bash command prompt software used by many Unix computers could be a greater threat than Heartbleed. Continue Reading

Google to build giant '40-football pitch' datacentre in the Netherlands

Google will invest €600m to build a giant, 120-megawatt datacentre in the Netherlands Continue Reading

By

• Archana Venkatraman, Datacentre Editor

Home Depot under fire for data breach notification

US retailer Home Depot criticised for delays in telling customers their payment card details may have been compromised Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Risk management key to cyber strategy, says BP

Cyber attacks constitute a group-level risk that is managed as part of BP’s standard set of risk management processes, says group chief Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

GDS unveils 'Gov.UK Verify' public services identity assurance scheme

The Government Digital Service (GDS) debuts a system to prove users’ identities when using public services online, branded as 'Gov.UK Verify' Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

WikiLeaks reveals Australian police are using surveillance software

Australia's New South Wales police are using spyware that has been linked to repressive states, according to leaked documents Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Google denies breach after hackers leak millions of user logins

Google denies claims cyber criminals stole users' data and downplays the threat after a hacker purportedly leaked 4.9 million Gmail logins Continue Reading

EY seeks tech startups to address challenges of right to be forgotten

Professional services firm Ernst & Young is looking for startups to find technology solutions to the ‘right to be forgotten’ regulation Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

BP spends £2m developing apps to train business leaders

BP is scrapping online courses in favour of apps and portals that can deliver bite-sized information and training when it's needed Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Investigations Editor

Ransomware on the rise, warns cyber threat report

The first half of 2014 saw an increase in online attacks that lock up user data and hold it for ransom, reports F-Secure Labs Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Nude celebrity hack forces changes at Apple and 4Chan

Apple and image-sharing site 4Chan take security measures after celebrity iCloud accounts were compromised and photos leaked Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Apple and FBI launch iCloud hack investigation

Apple and FBI investigate the breach of Apple’s iCloud causing fresh business concerns over cloud security Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Nato set to clarify stance on cyber attack

Leaders will discuss changing the mission of collective defence with respect to cyber attack at this week’s Nato summit Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Nude celebrity pictures posted online after alleged iCloud hack

Hundreds of nude images of female celebrities have been leaked, allegedly after Apple’s iCloud service was hacked Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Security experts identify top 10 software design flaws

The IEEE Center for Secure Design has published a report on how to avoid the top 10 software security design flaws Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

South Korea arrests 16 suspects in massive cyber fraud

South Korea has arrested 16 suspects in connection with a multi-million-dollar fraud enabled by the theft of 27 million online gaming credentials Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Local authorities can improve data protection, says ICO audit

There is room for improvement in how local authorities protect personal data, says an audit report by the ICO Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

DDoS attacks hit Sony’s PlayStation Network and other gaming services

Sony's PlayStation Network and other gaming services reported disruptions at the weekend in a suspected cyber attack campaign Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Heartbleed bug linked to US hospital group hack

A security firm has linked the Community Health Systems data breach to the Heartbleed bug Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

21% of manufacturers hit by intellectual property theft

More than one in five manufacturing firms reported a loss of intellectual property in a cyber attack in the past year, a study shows Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

USB-connected devices present cyber vulnerabilities

Connecting devices to computers using a USB port could lead to security breaches, say Berlin-based researchers Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Cyber Security Challenge UK takes on the internet of things

The latest level of the Cyber Security Challenge will involve participants hacking devices connected to the internet of things Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Russian blogger law comes into action

A new information security law which places restrictions on Russian bloggers and social media users has come into force today Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Paddy Power hit by data breach in 2010

Gambling firm Paddy Power owns up to 2010 data breach after recovering a compromised dataset in Canada Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Tackle IAM with a risk-based approach, says KPMG

A risk-based approach is the best way to tackle identity and access management, says KPMG Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Search firms meet EU regulators over right to be forgotten

Google, Microsoft and Yahoo have met EU data protection authorities to discuss the implications of the right to be forgotten ruling Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Six cyber criminals charged in $1m Stubhub fraud

The US has charged six members of an international cyber crime gang that defrauded Stubhub of $1m Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Italy gives Google 18-month privacy compliance deadline

The Italian data protection watchdog has given Google 18 months to comply with EU privacy laws Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Hackers abuse Bitly API in novel attack, reports Websense

A cyber attack targeting MSNBC highlights cybercriminals’ abuse of the public’s trust in news sites, says Websense Security Labs Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

EU funds project to boost European cloud computing market

Cloudcatalyst project will assess cloud market in Europe, identify barriers to cloud adoption and provide tools to boost its growth Continue Reading

By

• Archana Venkatraman, Datacentre Editor

Privacy key to UK business opportunity, says KPMG

Finding the right balance between privacy and business insight could help UK firms take the lead in innovative online services, says KPMG Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

BT’s secure link to Microsoft Azure goes live in Europe

BT’s new, secure, high-performance connectivity to Azure public cloud has gone live in Europe three months after BT teamed up with Microsoft Continue Reading

By

• Archana Venkatraman, Datacentre Editor

Total internet failure: are you prepared?

A total internet failure could stop any business in its tracks, yet few are preparing for this possibility, KPMG has warned Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

The legal considerations of the internet of things

As with many new technologies, there are a number of tricky legal challenges to consider as part of widespread IoT adoption Continue Reading

By

• Kim Walker

iPhones not a security threat to China, says Apple

Apple has denied allegations that location-tracking iPhone features pose a threat to China’s national security Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Info sharing key to cyber defence, says financial services firm

Threat information sharing is key to success in combating cyber attacks, says the Depository Trust and Clearing Corporation Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK leads international partnership to fight financial malware

The UK National Crime Agency is leading international collaboration between law enforcement and the private sector to fight bank theft malware Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Why using voice biometrics is a good idea

Banks and other organisations are turning to voice biometrics, but why do they believe the technology is good idea? Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Smart light bulbs get security update

Smart light bulb maker LIFX has issued a firmware update after security researchers exposed a security weakness Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Barclays passes government’s ‘internet-born threat’ test

Barclays Bank has been awarded the government’s cyber security certificate for digital banking services after independent tests of services such as Pingit Continue Reading

Facebook apologises over psychological experiments

Facebook has apologised over the controversial psychological experiments carried out on 689,000 users without their consent in 2012 Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

ISPs take legal action against GCHQ over mass network infrastructure surveillance

Six global internet service providers (ISPs) have filed a legal complaint calling for a halt to GCHQ’s use of network infrastructure for surveillance Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Facebook under fire over secret experiment on users

Facebook has come under fire for conducting a psychology experiment on 689,000 users without their consent Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Wearable tech must comply with privacy laws, warns ICO

Wearable technology must comply with UK data privacy laws, warns the ICO Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Google begins complying with European takedown requests

Google has begun removing search results in response to takedown requests from European citizens Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Benefits of accessing data outweigh privacy risks for chronically ill

Over half of UK patients with chronic health conditions want access to their medical records and believe the benefits outweigh privacy risks Continue Reading

YouTube to block indie labels unwilling to join paid service

YouTube plans to drop music videos from independent record labels unwilling to join its new subscription music service Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Domino’s breach underlines value of personal data, say experts

The latest cyber breach to hit a high-profile brand underlines the high value of personal data, say security experts Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Technology key to secure document future, says UK Home Office

Physical security is just as important as digital security in documents such as passports, says UK Home Office Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Microsoft admits running out of IP addresses for Azure

Microsoft has assured US Azure customers data remains in the US, despite running out of US-registered IP addresses at times Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

IT departments unprepared for internet of things

Only 41% of IT professionals are working on projects to prepare their business for the internet of things Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Microsoft retaliates to China’s Windows 8 spying claims

Microsoft has launched a social media campaign against China’s claims that Windows 8 is being used for US spying Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Cyber threats hiding in plain sight, says Palo Alto Networks

Cyber attackers exploit commonly used business applications to bypass security controls, research shows Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK shoe retailer Office hit by data breach

Data breach at UK shoe retailer Office prompts calls for online firms to beef up security around customer details Continue Reading

Google launches right-to-be-forgotten application form

Google has introduced an online application form for Europeans who want personal data to be removed from online search results Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Android Outlook app has privacy issues, warn researchers

Microsoft’s Outlook.com app for Android is exposing users' data, warn security researchers Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

eBay under fire over handling of data breach

eBay is coming under increasing criticism over its handling of the data breach that exposed millions of user records Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

eBay reveals major security breach and urges users to change passwords

eBay has revealed it was hit by a major cyber attack earlier this year, and is urging users to change their site passwords. Continue Reading

US cyber criminal jailed for 20 years

US authorities have jailed a cyber criminal for 20 years, for trading in stolen credit cards and identities Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Internet of things security is relevant to business, says researcher

Internet of things is relevant to enterprise information security professionals, says researcher Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Minnesota passes mobile kill switch law to stop theft

Minnesota has become the first US state to introduce legislation aimed at reducing the theft of smartphones Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Orange data breach underlines need for encryption, say experts

The theft of 1.3 million customer records from Orange, France underlines the need for encryption, say experts Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Internet privacy could thwart data security, warns expert

Steps to improve online privacy could thwart data security, warns security expert Hugh Thompson Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Infosec 2014: Threat knowledge is key to cyber security, say experts

Business should improve awareness of cyber risks to stay ahead of criminals, say experts Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK and Ireland cyber attacks up 300% in 2013, says FireEye

UK and Ireland enterprises were hit by an average of more than 70 new infections a day in 2013, a report shows Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

US judge orders Microsoft to hand over email data held in Dublin

A US Judge has ordered Microsoft to give the District Court access to the contents of one of its customer’s emails stored on a server located in Dublin Continue Reading

By

• Archana Venkatraman, Datacentre Editor

Cyber threat detection paramount, says SANS fellow

Cyber threat prevention is ideal, but detection is a must, says Eric Cole, SANS Institute fellow Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Heartbleed prompts tech firms to pledge open-source support

Top tech firms have joined forces to support open-source software to help prevent future bugs like Heartbleed Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Adapting to life after Heartbleed

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we investigate the most significant flaw in recent history to impact the internet. The Heartbleed bug in OpenSSL leaves millions of internet servers vulnerable to attack. Hackers have already exploited Heartbleed to steal passwords from the Mumsnet parenting site. What can websites do to foil future attacks? Continue Reading

TCG releases TPM 2 specification for improved security

The Trusted Computing Group has published an updated specification for the Trusted Platform Module Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Turkey lifts Twitter ban

Turkey has lifted a ban on Twitter after the constitutional court ruled that the block breached freedom of expression Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

CW Europe – April 2014 Edition

This edition of CW Europe looks at data protection in Europe after PRISM, asking what the new EU data protection regulation is about and how it could affect your business. CW Europe’s security editor asked industry experts their opinion how the controversial reform and how it could affect the region. Continue Reading

Study alleges deeper NSA influence on RSA

RSA adopted a second NSA-developed encryption tool, increasing the agency's spying capabilities, a study claims Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK update to copyright law imminent

The UK is to update its 1988 copyright law for the digital age in line with a nearly three-year-old review Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Google says government data requests are up 120% since 2009

Government requests for information about Google customers, have increased by 120% since 2009 Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Security an unnecessary expense, say one in six techies

One in six IT professionals see security as an unnecessary expense, a study has revealed Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Target data breach: Why UK business needs to pay attention

Late last year, US retailer Target was hit by one of the biggest data breaches in the industry's history. So what happened and why is it relevant to UK businesses? Continue Reading

By

• Lee Munson

Analysis: Care.data – where next?

Following the public debate surrounding the NHS Care.data plan, it was unsurprising the topic dominated the UK’s largest health IT event Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Customer privacy an ongoing challenge, says Unilever

Unilever has set up a programme to address the continually evolving challenge of privacy issues relating to customer data Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Pirated software malware to cost business $491bn in 2014, study shows

Malware deliberately loaded into pirated or counterfeit software is expected cost enterprises $491bn in 2014 Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst