IT for government and public sector

Tech firms back UK in spite of Brexit

Theresa May announces funding to boost development of quantum technologies, as well as a tech competitiveness study, as sector companies pledge to invest further in the country Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK invests £18.5m to boost diversity in artificial intelligence

Funding for artificial intelligence will go towards conversion degrees, scholarships for under-represented groups and online learning in the UK Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK should be much further ahead in AI, says London mayor

Sadiq Khan calls on the next prime minister to prioritise preparations around the potential impact of artificial intelligence Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

The UK must play a leading role in global collaboration on digital policy and ethics

All countries must work together to ensure digital technologies such as AI are ethical and trustworthy – and the UK has an opportunity to be a global leader Continue Reading

By

• Julian David, TechUK

Public opposes exploitation of NHS data by large tech companies

Following the US presidential visit to the UK, a YouGov survey found citizens are largely against use of patient information by international tech firms and want benefits focused on the UK Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

‘A breath of fresh air’ for Gov.uk Verify?

Three months ago, the Government Digital Service (GDS) appointed the first ever director of digital identity, Lisa Barrett – tasked with taking on the troubled Gov.uk Verify programme. Barrett ... Continue Reading

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• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

NotPetya offers industry-wide lessons, says Maersk’s tech chief

There are several key industry-wide lessons to be learned from the NotPetya attack in 2017, according to the information chief at one of the companies most heavily impacted Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

NHS England extends funding for new innovation projects

3D heart modelling and an advanced blood test to reduce heart attack diagnostic timescales are among the additional projects that will be offered to more patients Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Edtech in the Nordics offers students alternative learning journeys

Pioneering attitude to technology innovation across business and society lends itself to adoption in education across the region Continue Reading

By

• Matthew Staff

Ofcom confirms broadband USO to be introduced in March 2020

BT and Kcom will begin to provide broadband services under the government’s USO scheme from 20 March 2020 Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

NHS to provide funds to reward use of AI in health service

Incentives will be given from April 2020, says NHS England chief executive Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

Tech sector appeals to future prime minister

Trade body TechUK has urged Conservative leadership candidates to support the national digital industry and warned about the risks of a no-deal Brexit to sector businesses Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Half of CFOs frustrated by complex accounting systems

Chief financial officers need to upgrade to easier-to-use accounting systems, but are strapped for time and lack the resources to make the right choices, according to survey Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

One in five digital transformation projects fail

Concerns around the selection of the right technology and Brexit uncertainty are among the main stumbling blocks, a new survey says Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

National Cyber Security Strategy mostly failing, says PAC report

The Cabinet Office is on track to deliver only one objective of the 12 outcomes initially established in the National Cyber Security Strategy, with value to taxpayers still unclear Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Collaboration between local public services and industry is key to innovation

The launch of the new London Office for Technology and Innovation is an opportunity to examine how industry and government can work together better to improve local innovation Continue Reading

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• Julian David, TechUK

Does NHS Digital’s Internet First policy mean the end of HSCN?

Last week, NHS Digital issued new policy guidance on internet usage that, at first glance, appeared to herald the end of HSCN – but is that really the case? Continue Reading

By

• Mike Thomas, Innopsis

Uncritical use of algorithms in justice can undermine public trust and individual rights

A Law Society report has raised concerns about the use of algorithmic systems in decision making in the criminal justice system Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

NHSX urged to rethink national policy to enable healthcare digitisation

Better approaches to governance and skills as well as more realistic expectations around the digital readiness of organisations are needed, according to think tank research Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

NHSX chief to limit future NHS App enhancements

Matthew Gould doesn’t want the health service’s flagship mobile tool to be “all-singing and all-dancing” Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

Nordics block European Commission tech tax levy to protect digital investment

The Nordic EU countries have formed a powerful voice against the European Commission’s plans on digital service tax. Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O'Dwyer

Free Wi-Fi to cover entire NHS estate in 2019

Nearly all trusts and clinical commissioning groups across England are now equipped with NHS Wi-Fi and the rest will be fully connected this year, says NHS Digital Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

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

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Migration Advisory Committee calls for expansion of non-EU skilled work visas

As Brexit uncertainty increases, the Migration Advisory Committee has suggested adding more skilled roles to the Shortage Occupations List Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Slowing smart meter roll-out puts 2020 deadline at risk

The smart meter installation rate is slowing, and with 18 months until the December 2020 deadline, achieving the Smart Meter Programme’s aims now looks very unlikely Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How AI helps protect Japan’s road system from subsidence

Tokyo-based Kawasaki Geological Engineering is using Fujitsu’s Zinrai artificial intelligence system to develop a solution to erosion causing subsidence and sinkholes on Japan’s road network Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

GCHQ urged to abandon plans to access encrypted chats

Tech companies and security and policy experts are calling for more dialogue with GCHQ on encryption, urging it to ditch its proposal for eavesdropping on encrypted chats Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Red flags missed during ESN planning process, Home Office admits

The PAC’s latest evidence-gathering session for its inquiry into the delayed and over-budget Emergency Services Network has laid bare a number of crucial errors made over the past few years, and found the Home Office missed a number of warning signs Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Danish government launches national AI strategy

Strategy aims to capitalise on investment in artificial intelligence technologies to enhance Denmark’s societal advancement and give business and industry a competitive edge Continue Reading

By

• Gerard O’Dwyer

Hackers targeting UK universities a threat to national security

Poorly defended UK university research that is mainly commissioned by government is a top target for hackers, putting national security at risk, a study reveals, underlining the need for better cyber security Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

FoI requests reveal slow but steady adoption of cloud-first stance in UK police forces

Intercity Technology's freedom of information (FoI) request-led poll of UK police forces and their use of technology shines a light on how the sector's attitudes towards cloud and digital transformation are changing Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Turla APT group beefs up cyber attack tool

An advanced persistent threat cyber espionage group has improved its tools to attack diplomatic targets, making their activities more difficult to detect and block Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Swedes need to keep a week’s cash under the bed

The Swedish population is being advised to keep enough cash at home to last a week in case of problems such as online banking crashes Continue Reading

By

• Jane Hamrin

NHS Digital sets out Internet First policy

NHS Digital is soliciting input to its Internet First policy, a set of standards and guidelines to help health and social care organisations make digital services accessible over the internet Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

London Office for Technology and Innovation gets ready to launch

New organisation will officially begin its activities in June and has appointed Nesta’s former government chief as director Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

GDPR: Are we there yet?

A full year since the General Data Protection Regulation was implemented, there has not been the severe punitive action expected by many and personal data breaches continue to happen, leaving many wondering if any progress has been made Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

NHS Digital launches GP IT Futures tender

New framework aims to simplify IT provision for surgeries and create a competitive systems marketplace for primary care Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Effect of GDPR yet to be felt, says law firm Hogan Lovells

Despite the fact that the GDPR has been in full effect for a year, the true effect of the regulation is yet to be felt and organisations should ensure they keep their eye on the ball, says leading privacy law firm Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

No real change a year into GDPR, says privacy expert

A year after the GDPR compliance deadline, many organisations still have a lot of work to do to make real changes and shift focus away from fines to business value and gain, says PwC’s GDPR and data protection lead Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Post Office told to pay over £5m of its opponent’s costs for first Horizon trial

The judge in the Post Office Horizon trial has ordered the organisation to pay the legal costs of its courtroom adversaries, and refused to give permission to appeal a major judgment Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Interview: How Croydon is applying GDS lessons to digital service delivery

The first chief digital officer at one of London’s largest boroughs talks about plans to transform user experience, procurement and cultural perceptions Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

Guy's & St Thomas NHS Foundation Trust to drive £175m IT systems revamp

Hospital trust Guy's & St Thomas is looking to procure a single electronic health record system, with the option to include two other trusts. Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Crown Commercial Service to procure £360m online benefits system

Procurement agency wants new platform to become a one-stop shop for employee benefits across government Continue Reading

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• Angelica Mari

Police shut down Bestmixer bitcoin laundering service

The Bestmixer cryptocurrency laundering service has been shut down by Dutch anti-fraud police with support from Europol after a tip off by cyber security researchers at McAfee, significantly disrupting cyber criminal money flows Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

HMRC's defence of IR35 online status checker tool likened to 'climate change denial'

In an open letter addressed to chancellor Philip Hammond and HMRC's CEO Jon Thompson, the tax collection agency's defence of its IR35 online status checker tool, CEST, is likened to climate change denial, as calls grow for it to be scrapped Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

What the UK can learn from the Nordics when it comes to digital ID

The UK and other countries can learn from the Nordic region when it comes to digital identity Continue Reading

By

• John Erik Setsaas

Sheffield’s network-of-networks goes beyond free Wi-Fi

For the city of Sheffield, rolling out a free-to-use city Wi-Fi network has become about much more than just letting shoppers browse the internet. We find out more Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

GDS to ‘cajole’ departments into using voice-based services

The vision of GDS director-general Kevin Cunnington is to get governments to roll out voice technology into major services by 2027 Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Capita’s NHS contract under review after patient records blunder

Outsourcer’s health service deal in doubt following the latest in a “litany of failings”, with 160,000 patient records being wrongly archived Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UC Expo 2019: Experts talk up future tech in unified communications

Automation and AI are increasingly prevalent in unified comms, but do enterprises really need it? Continue Reading

By

• Rene Millman

Planned UK age verification checks risky for internet users

Proposed controversial online age verification checks could increase the risk of identity theft and other cyber crimes, warn security experts, who advise parents to set technological boundaries and ensure their families are aware of risks Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Cyber security scholarships on offer in Belfast

Queen’s University Belfast is backing the cyber security sector with funding for master of science scholarships Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK leads in government AI readiness

The UK is one of the best placed in the world to take advantage of related technologies for public service delivery, according to a study Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

London council trials Verify-based digital ID scheme for vulnerable citizens

Programme under way at Tower Hamlets will allow residents to build a digital footprint and get better access to council services Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

DCMS shakes up BDUK with new rural full-fibre scheme

The Rural Gigabit Connectivity programme will run for two years, trialling a new model for full-fibre broadband delivery – meanwhile, BDUK is getting a new name Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Post Office applies to appeal damning judgment in first Horizon trial

The Post Office has applied for permission to appeal judgments from the first trial in its IT-related legal battle with subpostmasters Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Are you proud or ashamed to work in IT?

I like the Tech UK response to the Doteveryone report but we also need the 80% of optimists to also join the political party of their choice and work to produce policies that will: Address the ... Continue Reading

By

• Philip Virgo, Winsafe Ltd

École Hôtelière de Lausanne puts Amelia the robot at its core

When Switzerland-based hospitality school EHL began to automate processes, it was met with staff inertia, but that all changed after its benefits became clear Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Security Think Tank: Challenges of segregation

What are the security benefits and challenges of segregating IT environments, and how best are these challenges overcome? Continue Reading

By

• Mike Gillespie

Government digital leaders to receive salary boost

The Cabinet Office revealed plans to increase the pay of some senior roles in an effort to compete with the industry Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Identity custodians needed in digital era

Digital identity systems will fail if they do not take humans into account, warns identity innovator, suggesting that a ‘digital guardian’ could help overcome most of these challenges Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

GozNym bust underlines cyber crime threat

A criminal network using GozNym malware has been shut down in an international law enforcement operation, but others are still operating, underlining the need for vigilance, warns a security expert Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Fujitsu sets out to restore trust in technology

Trust in technology, how to recapture it, and how to ensure AI doesn’t overstep its bounds were the big messages on the opening day of Fujitsu Forum in Tokyo Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK government boosts AI Council with new appointments

New recruits come from online-only retailer Ocado, the Independent Commission on Freedom of Information, and the Alan Turing Institute Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

CW500 Club: Rising to the IT ethics and sustainability challenge

As technologists are asked to take a position of continuing leadership in the digital revolution brought about by tools such as artificial intelligence, the Computer Weekly CW500 Club looked at how to innovate in an ethical and sustainable way Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

UK pensions trust launches £1.5bn tender for digital services delivery

The National Employment Savings Trust wants its new supplier to build innovations such as data analytics to services provided via digital channels Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Footasylum steps up artificial intelligence to drive customer centricity

Retailer Footasylum is placing its bets on cloud-based emergent technologies to accelerate automation and personalisation across the business Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Public sector outsourcing spend plummets

Private sector outsourcing dominated spending in the UK during the first quarter of 2019 Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Network Rail appoints Aidan Hancock as IT chief

Former BP technology chief Aidan Hancock joins the rail company to lead its digital transformation efforts Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload – Episode 15

In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload, business editor Clare McDonald takes over presenting duties, and leads Brian McKenna and Caroline Donnelly through a wide-ranging discussion that covers cloud skills, Lady Gaga's take on SAP, government IT procurement and the importance of engaging in-store retail experiences Continue Reading

By

• Computer Weekly Staff

Call for NHS IT jobs to be promoted differently to attract more tech talent

More ambition and a mindset change is required to attract more technology talent to the national health service Continue Reading

Electronic ID in the Nordics – a model for other countries?

Use of electronic identity schemes in Sweden, Norway, Finland and Denmark is far ahead of other countries – but why? Continue Reading

By

• Alex Cruickshank

Councils urged to support 5G readiness

Local authorities must do more to facilitate the roll-out of next-generation mobile connectivity, study finds Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

National Crime Agency calls for additional funding to tackle 21st century crime

Organised criminal gangs represent the biggest cyber threat to the UK, and law enforcement has identified rogue servers hosted in the UK Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

HSBC hires Ian Bromwich as UK CIO

New incumbent Ian Bromwich joins HSBC from Lloyds Banking Group Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Security standard for surveillance cameras set for launch

A long-overdue cyber security standard for the manufacturer of surveillance cameras is on track for an official launch in June Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Health screening IT unfit for purpose since 2011

National health bodies do not have full visibility of all the patients who need screenings, and a replacement system faces further delay, a new PAC report has found Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

More power for NHSX chief as top health service IT executive steps down

Operations director at NHS England Matthew Swindells has handed over his IT duties to the chief executive at the new digital unit, Matthew Gould Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Court of Appeal judge rejects Post Office request in Horizon IT case

The Court of Appeal has refused the Post Office’s application to appeal a major decision in the Horizon IT trial Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Regional differences in the UK’s computing curriculum

Teaching young people about the importance of digital skills is a focus of the education system across the UK, but the delivery of these skills is different across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland – who has it right? Continue Reading

By

• Cath Everett

Government hints at biometric regulations

Immigration minister says options are being considered around governance and oversight of biometric technologies use Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

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

By

• Kim Loohuis

Home Office seeks immigration technology head

The Home Office is looking for a suitable candidate to fill its newly created high-profile IT role, which will cover Brexit-related requirements around immigration technology Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Home Office failing on Emergency Services Network, says NAO

The delayed Emergency Services Network is slipping further behind schedule and is getting more expensive all the time – and the Home Office’s management of the project is to blame, says the National Audit Office Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Interview: Data takes centre stage at Lloyd’s of London

The 330-year-old insurance market is evolving its data efforts as part of a far-reaching modernisation strategy, focusing on artificial intelligence and driving employee data literacy Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

NHS Digital starts on multi-cloud push with VMware Cloud on AWS deployment

NHS Digital has adopted a cloud-first strategy to ensure it has the correct infrastructure in place to support the online delivery needs of its service users Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Northern Ireland generating cyber security knowledge and jobs

Northern Ireland is establishing itself as an international hub of cyber security research and innovation, providing growing employment opportunities Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Government 'cloud-first' policy under review by CCS and GDS

Longstanding cloud-first policy set to be replaced by more "appropriate" guidance to reflect public sector's changing technology deployment habits, CCS confirms Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

MP sets out concerns over GP at Hand software

Concerns raised over the robustness and breadth of the software underpinning Babylon Health’s app amid calls for an inquiry into the tool Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Gov.uk Verify is the Theresa May of digital government

Gov.uk Verify is the Theresa May of digital government. The embattled Prime Minister faces calls to quit from all around – her own Conservative MPs, grassroots Tory activists, the right-wing press ... Continue Reading

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• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Gov.uk Verify has 'failed users' and its leaders lack accountability, say MPs

Public Accounts Committee slams government's flagship digital identity service after a ‘catalogue of problems’ Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Time to start thinking about AI regulation, says KuppingerCole

Organisations and individuals should think about regulating artificial intelligence to avoid sleepwalking into a future regulated by these technologies, says analyst Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Highways England trials self-driving trucks for roadworks

A pilot is aimed at reducing project timescales and increasing worker safety, though vehicles are expected to take another two to three years to be fully operating Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Technical error on Capita system puts Barnet council staff out of pocket

A system error that led to Barnet council staff being incorrectly paid is the latest complaint about a back-office outsourcing contract with Capita Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Podcast: The Computer Weekly Downtime Upload – Episode 14

In this week’s episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload, editor-in-chief Bryan Glick joins Brian McKenna and Caroline Donnelly to discuss the technology used in BBC drama Line of Duty, the latest twists and turns in the Huawei saga, and open source cloud trends Continue Reading

By

• Computer Weekly Staff

Greater Manchester invites bidders for public sector broadband

£32m tender request will enable ultrafast full-fibre connectivity to more than 1,300 public sector sites in Greater Manchester Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Nurturing innovation at DWP

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out about the Department for Work and Pensions’ Innovation Dojo and how it’s helping to try out new digital ideas. We look at Anthos, Google’s new multicloud platform which the supplier claims will redefine enterprise IT. And we report from the NCSC cyber security conference, where experts discussed the lessons learned from recent high-profile attacks. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Tech manifesto calls on health secretary to ‘get basics right’

Royal College of GPs says joining up IT systems is essential to enable innovation Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

Swedish government tells citizens to hoard cash in case of cyber attack

Civil Contingencies Agency says cash is needed in case of emergencies such as technology failures and cyber attacks Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

HMRC begins deleting unlawful voice biometric data

HM Revenue and Customs is to forge ahead with Voice ID despite beginning to delete the largest state-held voice biometric database gathered without consent after UK privacy and data protection watchdog issues order Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst