IT for government and public sector

Coalition of top tech firms opposes weakened encryption

Weakening security with the aim of advancing security simply does not make sense, a coalition of top tech firms tells US president Barack Obama Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Group litigation against Post Office being prepared in Horizon dispute

Subpostmasters who believe they have been wrongly punished for misaccounting or theft due to flawed computer system prepare group legal action against Post Office Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Cyber security mindset needs to change, says report

Government organisations are prime targets for cyber attacks, leading to increased importance on robust information security, according to a report by Intel Security and the Digital Government Security Forum Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Whitehall IT chiefs open up about challenges of going cloud-first in central government

Whitehall IT chiefs talk about the progress they have made with abiding by the central government cloud-first mandate Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Post Office IT support email reveals known Horizon flaw

An email from Post Office IT support reveals a problem with the Horizon system and supporting processes that could lead to accounting errors Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Asean higher education institutions increase software and services spend

Higher education organisations in developed Asean countries are investing heavily in software and services as their IT use matures Continue Reading

By

• Ai Lei Tao

Ministry of Defence CIO explains defence as a platform

Mike Stone took to the stage at the Microsoft Future Decoded event to explain the Ministry of Defence’s plan for defence as a platform Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Germany is finalising legislation to shore up CNI cyber security

Germany is working to ensure digital sovereignty through IT security legislation and negotiations on IT security regulations and transatlantic trade at a European Union level Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Boris Johnson lobbies for stronger UK technology ties with Israel

Mayor of London Boris Johnson wants Israel’s “top tech talent” to come to London and strengthen the UK’s technology partnership with the country Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Microsoft UK datacentre plans win backing of government CTO Liam Maxwell

Government CTO Liam Maxwell speaks out about the role Whitehall's played in convincing Microsoft and others to open UK datacentres Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

EU data protection official optimistic on successor to Safe Harbour

An EU data protection official says he is optimistic that an alternative to the Safe Harbour agreement will be found, but it will take work from both the US and the EU Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

GCHQ and NCA join forces to police dark web

GCHQ and the National Crime Agency are to track down paedophiles and serious online criminals by using the techniques and expertise used to find terrorists Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Avoiding security issues when recycling hardware

What are the options for the environmentally and ethically responsible recycling of end-of-life hardware, without compromising data security? Continue Reading

By

• Peter Ray Allison

Mayor of London launches tech fund for digital skills

A programme has been launched by the mayor of London to ensure young people in the capital are learning digital skills Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Communication Workers Union warns subpostmasters of flaw in Post Office Horizon accounting system

The union that represents Post Office subpostmasters has warned of a problem with the Horizon accounting system at the centre of a long-running dispute Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Free software gains ground in the Italian public administration

Italy's Ministry of Defence is pioneering the use of open-source office productivity tools with the migration of 150,000 PCs to LibreOffice Continue Reading

By

• Piero Macri

UAE recognises importance of cyber security, says official

Like the UK, the UAE federal government has identified the importance of creating an environment in which it is safe to do business online Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Business models still evolving as public Wi-Fi spend hits a high

A report from the Wireless Broadband Alliance reveals that most city CIOs have plans in place to significantly increase their investment in public Wi-Fi networking, but see challenges around their business models Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Secret report into rural payments IT problems points finger at RPA CEO

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is withholding a highly critical report into IT problems that led to the withdrawal of the £154m farmers' digital service Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Theresa May promises strong oversight in surveillance bill

The proposed Investigatory Powers Bill contains “very strong” oversight and “world-beating” authorisation procedures, according to home secretary Theresa May Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Law enforcement cracks down on DroidJack Android snooping malware users

A joint EU/US operation on the DroidJack malware is the latest example of international collaboration between law enforcement officers directed at cyber crime Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Met Office's new supercomputer to deliver £2bn of socio-economic benefits

The Met Office aims to realise a range of socio-economic benefits to UK industries thanks to improved forecasting with its new Cray supercomputer Continue Reading

By

• Fiona O'Cleirigh

Using open data to solve social challenges

The Open Data Institute has spent the past two years funding startups to build applications that could solve socio-economic problems Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Ministry of Defence hoarding £38.5m worth of unused IPv4 addresses

A Freedom of Information request by network control specialist Infoblox has revealed that the MoD is hoarding millions of pounds worth of unused IPv4 addresses, while the UK government remains woefully unprepared for IPv6 Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

More than 70% of teachers still think students are better at using tech

Teachers are still struggling to adapt to the new curriculum, and more than 70% believe their students are more technology-savvy than they are Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

How the Cabinet Office is using open data to tackle youth unemployment

The Cabinet Office invited IT professionals and young people to a Job Hack event with the aim of using open government datasets to help more young people into work Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Kent signs £23m digital services contract with Agilisys

Agilisys to manage Kent County Council's digital services and customer contact in a six-year contract Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Police and industry to tackle cyber crime together, says TechUK

A TechUK report calls for collaboration between police and industry to raise standards of reporting, recording and responding to cyber crime Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

James Arbuthnot takes Post Office IT fight to House of Lords

James Arbuthnot takes his seat in the House of Lords and continues campaign for subpostmasters who claim to have been wronged by faulty Horizon IT system Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

The problem of smart cities and connectivity in the UK

Only once leaders develop a framework for local economic and societal development can the “smart city” buzz can evolve into “intelligent communities” Continue Reading

By

• David Brunnen, Groupe Intellex

HMRC VAT rules cut cloud costs by 20% for NHS and government departments

An HMRC ruling on reclaiming tax on cloud services could drive up the use of off-premise technologies in the public sector Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

How CIOs can raise their 'IT clock speed' as pressure to innovate grows

CIOs are facing pressure from the board to roll out IT projects increasingly quickly. How can they do that without running unacceptable risks? This article, based on cutting-edge research among leading businesses, offers some answers Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Government cries for help over floundering ID scheme

The government is failing to get enough help from the private sector to make its next generation identity scheme work at full speed. Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

GDS payments platform Gov.uk Pay to start taking real payments

GDS launches beta version of payment system that aims to provide standardised electronic payments for public services Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

HS2 and Crossrail site to deliver high-tech innovations

The Old Oak and Park Royal Development Corporation partners with HyperCatCity to embrace smart technologies to create “an exciting and thriving place” Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

TfL appoints 12 companies for IT systems framework

Capita, CSC, Atos and CGI are among the firms on TfL’s IT systems framework contract, which is worth between £80m and £95m Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Encryption is a double-edged sword, says Blue Coat

Seven more security suppliers join Blue Coat encrypted traffic management programme amid fresh warnings of attackers using encryption to hide malicious activity Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Lack of trust for banks causes NHS rethink over government online identity scheme

NHS trials of the Verify ID assurance system found patients concerned over using banks to allow access to medical data Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

UK digital economy needs 2.3 million digital workers by 2020

The UK will need the skills of 2.3 million digital workers by 2020 if it hopes to power the promised digital economy, according to research from O2 Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Gloucester City Council extends Civica IT outsourcing deal

The council’s outsourcing deal with Civica will not end until October 2021, as it signs a three-year extension contract Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

DWP looks to Facebook and LinkedIn for social services' digital future

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) says it intends to learn from social networking firms and use external data to better understand people's lives Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

Estonian government IT initiative increases virtual population

Estonia is leading the way when it comes to providing easy and secure access to government services for citizens and foreigners alike Continue Reading

By

• Tarmo Virki

What's on your desktop?

In this week's Computer Weekly, Microsoft has released Office 2016 and is urging customers to migrate to Windows 10 – but is a desktop upgrade worth the hassle? We report from the Dreamforce conference on the latest products from Salesforce.com. Continue Reading

Facebook ruling not only landmark data protection case in Europe, say experts

A landmark ruling against Slovakia-based website Weltimmo could impact the Max Schrems case against Facebook and new European data protection rules currently being finalised Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

DVLA brings IT back in-house after decades of outsourcing

After the DVLA's two-year project to bring its IT back in-house, its outsourcing strategy – set up during the Thatcher years – came to an end in September 2015 Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

What to consider when IT outsourcing contracts come up for renewal

Outsourcing contracts worth billions of pounds come up for renewal over the next few years – but unprecedented industry change complicates the CIO's decision Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Risky and untested: What went wrong with the ESN procurement?

In his first major interview since walking away from the Emergency Services Network procurement, Airwave COO John Lewis reveals why his company could take no further part in the process, and discusses the future of emergency services communications Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Two thirds of UK businesses never meet important customers

British businesses don't always meet their best customers or the people they do most business with, because of trends in modern technology Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Universal Credit digital service moves into the cloud

New system under trial in south London has been migrated to an IaaS platform ready for further roll-out Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Keeping app pirates at bay

In this week's Computer Weekly, we look at how digital piracy is affecting app developers – and what they can do about it. The man behind the controversial NHS Care.data project has quit – what will it mean for the troubled programme? And we find out how digital disruption is affecting the insurance market. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Government Digital Service readies for change as its chief Mike Bracken prepares to leave

GDS is setting up executive training for senior civil servants and looking to work closely with departments to continue the digital transformation of Whitehall Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Universal Credit was right on schedule, shows 11th-hour project plan

Universal Credit was doing fine and right on time as the Department for Work and Pensions began rolling out its IT system in April 2012, according to a project schedule released under Freedom of ... Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ballard

Business leaders want better digital services from government, says research

A survey of corporate decision-makers suggests executives waste an average of five hours per week using outdated online public services Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

DVLA looking for new CIO after completing major insourcing project

The DVLA is looking for a new CIO as incumbent Iain Patterson completes major insourcing projects and moves back to Cabinet Office Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

MPs launch inquiry into the UK's digital economy

Business, Innovation and Skills Committee investigation will examine the challenges facing digital industries Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

How cloud technology helps kittens

In this week's Computer Weekly, we talk to the CIO at the UK's leading animal charity, the RSPCA, about how her cloud-first strategy is helping animal welfare. Microsoft is ending support for older version of Internet Explorer – we assess the implications. And we ask the experts about the best practice in mobile security. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Gigabit network is more than a fringe benefit for city of Edinburgh

As CityFibre begins a 150km fibre dig in Edinburgh, local businesses and the city council outline their objectives and plans for ultrafast broadband Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Labour appoints Chi Onwurah as shadow minister for digital industries

Former Labour digital government spokeswoman takes on role of shadowing digital economy minister Ed Vaizey, with Louise Haigh taking her old role Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Department for Culture, Media and Sport takes over responsibility for data protection policy

Government transfers responsibility for data protection policy and ICO oversight from Ministry of Justice (MOJ) to Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Defence minister Michael Fallon promises increased MOD spending with SMEs

Opening up the Ministry of Defence (MOD) supply chain to access SME innovation is vital to meet its technology needs, says secretary for defence Michael Fallon Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Most DDoS attacks hiding something more sinister, Neustar warns

Smaller DDoS attacks can be more dangerous than a powerful attack that knocks a company offline but does not install malware or steal data, warns Neustar Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Opening doors to open source

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at the growing acceptance of open source software among corporate IT leaders, especially for developing digital business strategies. Our latest buyer’s guide examines the emerging best practice in next-generation service management. And we find out how organisations should be preparing for the forthcoming changes to EU data protection laws. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Scottish Government to launch public services website

The Scottish Government will launch its mygov.scot website this autumn with the aim of improving access to public services in Scotland Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Security industry welcomes GCHQ password guidelines

GCHQ's guidance on password policy covers some of the most pressing issues facing UK businesses and employees today, according to Skyhigh Networks Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

DD4BC cyber extortion gang adds social media to arsenal

Cyber extortion gang DD4BC is using social media campaigns to garner more attention for its ability to create service disruptions by publicly embarrassing large organisations Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

David Cameron hails Government Digital Service as 'unsung triumph'

Prime minister David Cameron announces legislation to join up IT across the emergency services, hailing the Government Digital Service (GDS) as a triumph Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Early plans for Universal Credit show DWP expected to complete project in two years

An early plan drawn up by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for its Universal Credit scheme reveals unrealistic ambitions for the troubled project Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

US State Department plans cyber security playbook

The US State Department issues a request for information to determine the capabilities of commercial industry to provide and maintain a cyber security playbook Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Why Pegasystems' CEO, Alan Trefler, has learned to think smaller

Pegasystems has made its name supplying CRM, analytics and case management software to the world's largest companies. Now CEO Alan Trefler plans to use cloud computing to broaden Pega's appeal Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

DDoS attack on NCA highlights need to be prepared, says Barracuda Networks

A Lizard Squad DDoS attack the NCA says is a fact of life highlights the need for organisations to be prepared, according to Barracuda Networks Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Wearable technology proves its worth on the front line

In this week's Computer Weekly, we look at business applications for wearable technology. With hands-free police and military pilot projects already under way, wearable technology is set to make its mark in the enterprise in the near future. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Kellogg Brown and Root wins ESN Delivery Partner contract

Kellogg Brown and Root has won the contract to supply Lot 1 of the Emergency Services Mobile Communications Programme Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Councils explore options for online mapping tools

Councils are drawing on Ordnance Survey, Google Maps and OpenStreet Map for online mapping. What’s the optimal mix? Continue Reading

By

• SA Mathieson

IaaS providers pin hopes on spending cut reprieve for G-Cloud 7

G-Cloud suppliers are calling on the government to step up, rather than scale back, investment in the framework as spending cuts loom Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Will digital government remain on course?

In this week's Computer Weekly, the UK government's digital chief has announced his shock departure, but what will it mean for the future of digital public services? Dell went back to a private company two years ago – has it proved to be a successful move? And our latest buyer's guide looks at big data appliances. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Mobile phone users at risk as hackers bug and track victims

An investigation by Australian TV show 60 Minutes demonstrates how hackers based thousands of miles away in Germany were able to record the calls of an Australian senator and track his movements Continue Reading

By

• Ross Coulthart, 60 Minutes Australia

Interview: Government digital chief Mike Bracken – why I quit

Mike Bracken, the outgoing director of the Government Digital Service, talks exclusively to Computer Weekly about his departure from Whitehall Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Mike Bracken: I turned down an increase in GDS budget

Outgoing government digital chief says he rejected the chance of extra funding and that his platform strategy is still on the table Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Data unlocks personalised customer service

In this week's Computer Weekly, we examine how companies are starting to use big data analytics to deliver more personalised customer services. We talk to the government's IT procurement chief about improving public sector tech purchasing. And Volvo's CIO tells us how connected cars will reshape the automotive sector. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

What will happen to digital government when GDS chief Mike Bracken moves on?

The government’s digital chief Mike Bracken has announced he will be leaving, raising concerns over the future of digital government Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

HMRC to transfer 250 Capgemini staff in-house ready for Aspire contract end

HMRC’s Aspire outsourcing contract will be replaced by slowly bringing staff in-house to give the department more control over IT Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Government digital chief Mike Bracken announces he is leaving

GDS director Mike Bracken is leaving government, and his unexpected departure will inevitably raise questions about the future of GDS Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

HMRC explains plans for moving tax systems to the cloud

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) reveals more details of its plan to move tax systems into the cloud on its digital blog Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

MoD shells out £1.5bn on two IT contracts

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) signs two IT contracts costing more than £1bn, which it hopes will save money over the next 10 years Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Technology experts warn of dangers of artificial intelligence arms race

An open letter signed by more than 12,000 technology experts calls for a ban on artificial intelligence (AI) to manage weapons “beyond meaningful human control” Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

MPs examine visa rules over immigration for software and digital skills

Home Affairs committee launches an inquiry after the number of skilled worker visas issued reached its monthly cap for the first time Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

GDS targets three million new users of Gov.uk Verify service in next 12 months

Roll-out of the system for logging in to digital public services is taking longer than expected, but user numbers are expected to grow significantly in 2015 Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Software audits cut government IT bill by £85m in 2014/15

Annual accounts for the government purchasing agency show at least £220m in technology related savings Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

UK considers 10-year jail sentences for online piracy

The UK government is considering new measures to increase the sanctions for criminals who infringe the rights of copyright holders for large-scale financial gain Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

UK man arrested for hacking into US government computers

Briton Lauri Love is accused of hacking into various US agencies, including the US army, Nasa, the federal reserve and the environmental protection agency Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Rolls-Royce signs up to supercomputing on-demand from HPC Midlands

Rolls-Royce is the first company to sign up to a supercomputing brokerage scheme, giving it access to £60m worth of high-performance computing Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Campaigners call for independent inquiry into Post Office Horizon IT system dispute

George Freeman MP repeats Post Office claims that a report found no flaws in the Horizon IT system – but campaigners respond by calling for an inquiry Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Genomics England rejects open source to deploy EMC Isilon HPC storage

100,000 Genomes Project rejects building open-source parallel file system on x86 servers and opts for EMC Isilon clustered NAS deployed by Capita S3 Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Metropolitan Police picks Innopsis to lead network procurement

London’s Metropolitan Police Service signs public-sector networking association Innopsis to lead engagement on network procurement Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Accenture uses Avanade cloud for NHSmail

Accenture to deploy a cloud-based email system for NHS staff using a combination of Microsoft software and Avanade cloud technology Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

UK universities revise computer course guidelines to boost ranks of cyber warriors

UK universities revise course guidelines to transform computing degree courses and ensure that undergraduates learn cyber security skills Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Post Office signs IBM for IT overhaul

MP James Bridgen reveals the Post Office intends to outsource an IT transformation to IBM as part of its drive to serve customers using modern technology Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Connection voucher scheme opened to businesses across West Sussex

Small businesses in West Sussex will be able to apply for £3,000 broadband connection vouchers after the extension of an existing scheme across the county Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Do not leave digital government development to Whitehall, says Chi Onwurah MP

Whitehall should not be left with sole responsibility for the government drive to building a digital future, says shadow Cabinet Office minister Chi Onwurah Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Post Office looking to replace controversial Horizon system with IBM, says MP

Days could be numbered for controversial Post Office computer system at the centre of miscarriages of justice, according to one MP Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA