IT news in your industry sector

CW Nordics: Finns turn IT layoffs to their advantage

In this quarter’s CW Nordics, we look at the impact of Nokia layoffs on Finland, and in particular the city of Espoo which is home to both Nokia and Microsoft’s Finnish headquarters. We also look at how Denmark’s Bang & Olufsen is taking control of sales data with cloud-based software. We also hear from Google cloud chief Diane Greene, as well as the CIOs of Norwegian bank DNB, Scandinavian Airlines and Swedish municipality Vara. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

The march of the robot workers

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we look at how artificial intelligence is being used to automate existing jobs, including roles as varied as IT administrators and customer service agents. Capital One’s European CIO talks about how to create an agile business. And we offer tips on how to deal with an Oracle software audit. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Apple garners local support for Irish datacentre as legal challenge looms

Residents of Athenry, County Galway, unite to back Apple’s Irish datacentre plans as consumer electronics giant awaits High Court decision on legal challenges Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Climate hackathon aims to use tech to save the planet

London joins cities around the world to seek technology solutions to tackle climate change and help the environment Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Australia and New Zealand IT pros on bigger salaries than UK equivalents

Aussie IT pros are better rewarded than their counterparts in the UK, according to surveys Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Pure-play cyber security has real value, says incoming McAfee head

Intel Security has outlined its strategy to protect the new digital economy as it gears up for innovation as a new independent pure-play security firm under the McAfee banner Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Coca-Cola cloud project bottles rewards for 25,000 staff

Coca-Cola European Partners, which bottles 15 billion litres of soft drinks each year, is working with an HR technology supplier to develop flexible rewards packages for its 25,000 employees Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

UK government re-announces £1.9bn cyber security spend

Five-year spending increase - announced by Chancellor Philip Hammond 12 months after George Osborne did so - will support new UK cyber security strategy Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Insurers face same legacy system battle as retail banks

The biggest barrier to insurance companies adopting digital technology is their heavy reliance on legacy IT systems Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

The future of connected cars

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine how software is reshaping the car industry, with internet-connected cars presenting challenges and opportunities for the sector. IT suppliers are putting up prices in the UK as the value of the pound falls – we look at the implications. And Eurostar’s digital chief talks about overhauling IT to meet demanding passenger expectations. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

The clampdown on IT contractors in Whitehall is another risk for digital government progress

IT contractors working in government are under pressure like never before over their tax status, and many people in Whitehall IT fear that a clampdown on the use of temporary staff could lead to a ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Black cab customers can now pay by card as well as cash

London Mayor’s Taxi and Private Hire Action Plan sees card technology introduced to all black cabs in the capital Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

The cyber threats lurking within every company

Insider threats have been around for a long time, but it is only recently that people have begun to acknowledge the true danger they pose Continue Reading

By

• Peter Ray Allison

SDN trailblazer Big Switch Networks launches in UK

Having established a base of paying customers through a key partnership with Dell, SDN supplier Big Switch Networks is opening its first European offices and gunning for Cisco’s ACI business Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Apple iCloud and Gmail hacker gets 18 months in jail

A US man is given a sentence of 18 months in jail for hacking into celebrity iCloud and Gmail accounts after investigators failed to find a link with the leak of celebrity nude photos online in 2014 Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Information security set for steep trajectory, says (ISC)2

By helping to create a thriving, diverse and open information security community, (ISC)2 hopes to ensure a steep rise for the profession Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Tech industry helps drive GDP growth post-Brexit

The technology sector is one of the key drivers behind the UK economy’s 0.5% growth in the months following Brexit Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Schneider Electric praised for positive response to ICS security flaw

Schneider Electric has patched a security flaw that highlights the vulnerability of industrial control systems to cyber attack Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

John Lewis chooses three retail tech startups to receive 2016 JLab funding

Department store retailer John Lewis selects three retail tech startups to receive their share of the £200,000 JLab funding pot Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

BT builds phone boxes for the internet age

BT has announced plans to roll out a free London-wide wireless internet and phone service Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How collaboration will feature in the future of digital supermarkets

Morrisons’ new deal with Ocado has helped the supermarket chain expand its online capabilities, but will we see more collaboration between retailers and digital service providers in the future? Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

25 years of Linux

In this week’s Computer Weekly, 25 years after Linus Torvalds released the Linux kernel, we look at how the open-source operating system has influenced modern-day IT. Our new buyer’s guide covers the fast growing technology of object storage. And we examine the rise of corporate wireless networking. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Insurers are joining fintech party

Insurers are held back from digital transformation by legacy systems, but insurance-focused IT startups offer them hope Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

UAE telco launches mobile wallet

Etisalat signs deal with technology company to offer its customers a mobile wallet service, as fintech expands in the Middle East Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

GDS under Kevin Cunnington (so far) - different, and yet the same

Computer Weekly’s first opportunity to meet with Kevin Cunnington, the new director general of the Government Digital Service (GDS) answered a lot of questions – but raised plenty too. It’s ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Interview: Kevin Cunnington, director general, Government Digital Service

The government’s new digital chief talks about his plans for the future and the challenges of transforming public services Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Spotify on benefits of ditching its datacentres and going ‘all-in’ on Google cloud

Spotify’s vice-president of infrastructure opens up about the company’s datacentre downsizing plans, and how taking a multi-cloud to IT consumption would not work for the firm Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

GDS goes nationwide to ease relations with government departments

Government Digital Service aims to open more regional outposts for training civil servants in digital skills, says new chief Kevin Cunnington Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Diageo opts for additional services centre in Bangalore

Drinks maker Diageo is increasing its footprint in India with a new business services centre in the city of Bangalore. Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Lessons to be learned from attempted $1bn bank heist

Analysis of an attack aimed at stealing $1bn reveals important lessons for cyber defenders, says BAE Systems head of threat intelligence Adrian Nish Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Reinventing Bahrain’s Kanoo Group through digital technology

In this quarter’s CW Middle East ezine, we feature the IT journeys of three companies in the region with detailed analysis of recent IT projects that were designed to support business transformation in a changing world. We hear how Bahrain-based conglomerate Kanoo Group is dealing with a company-wide digital transformation, Zahid Group’s biggest-ever IT investment, and how Rotana Hotels is centralising security. Continue Reading

Armed forces minister wants military recruiters to "think different" to attract cyber security pros

Armed Forces minister Mike Penning says military must rethink how it recruits trainees to attract people with the cyber security skills the country needs to protect itself Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Cloud backup saves data after fire destroys school

Data from The Academy secondary school in the seaside town of Selsey was restored just hours after a fire destroyed most of the premises, thanks to a cloud backup agreement set up a year earlier Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Matt Hancock calls for market to lead on full FTTP broadband

Digital and culture secretary used his keynote speech at Broadband World Forum to call for a national market-led fibre-to-the-premise roll-out, and pledged government support to make it happen Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Snowden: the IT analyst turned whistleblower who exposed mass surveillance

Oliver Stone's biopic on Edward Snowden reaches the heart of the ethical crisis posed by mass surveillance for the state and ordinary citizens Continue Reading

By

• Fiona O'Cleirigh

Information security needs to cast recruitment net wider, says panel

Companies struggling to fill info sec roles should focus on finding people who can do what they need, not on qualifications, according to a security industry panel Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Saving Lauri Love: activists plan their next move

An eclectic bunch of activists, charity workers and reformed hackers spent a rainy Sunday afternoon plotting their next move in a campaign to save Lauri Love from extradition to the US on hacking charges Continue Reading

By

• Julia Gregory

DCMS appoints director general for digital and media

Matthew Gould is taking on the role as director general for digital and media to help build “digital ecosystems” and promote innovation Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Most businesses vulnerable to cyber attacks through firmware, study shows

Company culture and overall attitude to security is a major contribution to vulnerability to cyber attack through firmware, a study by Isaca has revealed Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange uses blockchain for e-voting

Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange offers controlled access to the AGM information of listed companies through a blockchain-based service Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Singapore aims to become a digital leader

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we find out how the city-state of Singapore is investing in skills and technology to become a leading digital nation – and what the UK could learn. We examine how to prevent legacy IT becoming a hindrance to digital transformation. And we look at the impact of controversial new tax rules on the UK’s IT contractor community. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

IR35 dispute prompts mass walkout of IT contractors from MoD agency

 Continue Reading

Digital Economy Bill lacks clarity on data sharing, experts say

The Digital Economy Bill needs to firm up its definitions on data sharing and improve transparency to avoid losing public trust, according to experts Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Nordea bank joins rival’s mobile payment platform

Nordea signs up to the mobile payments platform from Danske bank for its customers in Denmark and Norway Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Retail websites riddled with security holes, researchers warn

Retailers urged to improve the security of their online stores amid a series of discoveries of cyber criminal campaigns to exploit vulnerabilities in retail websites Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Case study: Denmark’s Bang & Olufsen takes control of sales data

Denmark based audio-visual equipment maker uses cloud-based channel management software to give it the sales insight it needs to make better decisions Continue Reading

By

• Anne Morris

GDS: Will the strategy still be delivery?

The Government Digital Service (GDS) is an uncertain place at the moment – or so the rumour mill says. The team are carrying on with their pre-existing strategy – one that was written last year to ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Lloyds Bank to use virtual reality to test applicants for graduate programme

Bank will use virtual reality to test potential recruits in situations that are otherwise difficult to recreate Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Almost two-thirds of US office workers unaware of ransomware threat

Nearly half of ransomware attacks are aimed at office workers, but almost two-thirds of those polled in the US are unaware of the threat Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

CIO interview: Chris White, Clyde & Co

Clyde & Co’s CIO talks about the growing importance of IT in law firms and how to push the power of digital transformation Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

Gary McKinnon: Why Lauri Love should be spared the nightmare of extradition

Computer activist Lauri Love should be spared a life sentence in a US jail, says former hacker Gary McKinnon Continue Reading

By

• Gary McKinnon

IR35 dispute prompts mass walkout of IT contractors from MoD agency

Public sector IT contractors leave UK Hydrographic Office en masse over IR35 clampdown, Computer Weekly understands Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Another senior leader leaving GDS as data director Paul Maltby to go

Three directors of Government Digital Service have departed since appointment of new director general Kevin Cunnington in August Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Smartwatches banned from UK Cabinet as EC plans IoT security standards

The EC is planning a security certification scheme for internet of things devices as the UK Cabinet bans smartwatches amid heightened fears of cyber espionage Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

More virtualisation to come in mature Australian market

Australia has been hailed as a rapidly growing market for mobile virtualisation Continue Reading

By

• Beverley Head

Dunkin’ data – how one firm is going donuts for data analytics

The director of consumer technology and mobile for Dunkin’ Donuts explains how the retailer uses Splunk to manage customer satisfaction through data Continue Reading

By

• Clare McDonald, Business Editor

Swedish bank uses Amelia the robot for customer services

SEB is using AI software from IPsoft for customer service after a successful internal project Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Even GDS creator Francis Maude is worried about future of GDS

Followers of the ups and downs of the Government Digital Service (GDS) will be aware of the question marks surrounding the future of the organisation and the Whitehall in-fighting over its role. ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Demand rises for low-cost flash storage across Australia

Flash storage gains popularity in Australia, as smaller organisations are attracted by lower prices and higher capacity Continue Reading

By

• Beverley Head

How Microsoft aims to tackle information overload

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we hear from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella about how the software giant wants to use cloud, machine learning and innovative datacentre technologies to open up access to information. Our new buyer’s guide looks at the emerging trend of network function virtualisation. And we examine the role of blockchain in cloud data security. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

DDoS attacks consistent, relentless and costly, report shows

The latest global DDoS report from Neustar underlines the importance of investing in appropriate defences as the high volume of attacks looks set to increase Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Dymaxia: Combining cloud, IoT and wearables to manage the anxiety of autism

Canadian startup Dymaxia explains how it's using cloud, IoT and wearable devices to help autistic people manage anxiety Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Government invests £220m in tech projects to help "future-proof" post-Brexit economy

Chancellor Philip Hammond highlights the role high-tech industries have to play in safe-guarding the post-Brexit economy Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Network Rail hires Jeremy Vincent as CIO

Jeremy Vincent takes on the role of CIO at Network Rail after former CIO Susan Cooklin was appointed as route services director earlier in 2016 Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Dutch government uses Microsoft Dynamics to improve recruitment

Government recruitment and career management of senior civil servants in the Netherlands has been improved through a Microsoft Dynamics implementation Continue Reading

By

• Rian van Heur

TalkTalk overhauls broadband packages to challenge rivals

Internet service provider TalkTalk throws down the gauntlet to its rivals by making a number of changes to its packages that it claims will put customers' interests first Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

NGOs challenge UK and US mass surveillance in human rights court

Privacy International, Liberty and the American Civil Liberties Union are among 10 human rights groups backing a landmark challenge to mass surveillance in the European Court of Human Rights Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Trust issues stifling digital economy growth, study shows

Businesses that have products and services based on trust have a significant opportunity to future-proof their business, but those who do not risk being side-lined, a study shows Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Business secretary calls for national broadband upgrade

In a speech to the Institute of Directors’ annual conference, Greg Clark calls for a major broadband upgrade to support the reinvention of the government’s industrial strategy Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Mastercard woos software developers with API platform

Credit card company Mastercard is investing heavily in digital payments and wants to engage with developers and startups Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Emirates Islamic bank and the Muslim finance revolution

The CIO at Dubai-based bank Emirates Islamic tells Computer Weekly how IT is supporting the company through industry change Continue Reading

By

• Alicia Buller

Ministry of Justice IT systems are ‘fragile and precarious’, say MPs

Public Accounts Committee calls on ministry to urgently improve its “inefficient” IT systems to avoid delays to service transformation Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Government’s lack of clear plan for digital NHS poses risk to ‘credibility’

The King‘s Fund warns that the government’s plans for a digital NHS lack clarity around funding and priorities Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Pizza Hut Hong Kong rips up traditional CRM rule book

IT director of parent company Jardine Restaurant Group has transformed the way Pizza Hut interacts with customers in Hong Kong and plans the same in Myanmar and Vietnam Continue Reading

By

• Ai Lei Tao

Cyber attack aimed at destruction, says TV5Monde

TV5Monde counting the cost of not being adequately prepared for a cyber attacked that downed the network in 2015 Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Computer Weekly 50th anniversary special

It’s been 50 years since Computer Weekly's launch on 22 September 1966. To mark this achievement, we have compiled a special edition of the magazine to reflect on how much the British technology industry has contributed over that time – and, of course, to celebrate our role in keeping IT professionals in touch with those developments – week-in, week-out, for half a century. Read this 100-page anniversary special now. Continue Reading

Essex hospital trust upgrades IT infrastructure

Mid Essex NHS Trust upgrades its storage infrastructure to keep up with increasing volumes of data Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Business warned not to be complacent about cyber security

Lloyds of London survey reveals just how badly some European firms are failing in terms of cyber security and low levels of awareness about the role of cyber insurance Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Digital Catapult sets up London-wide IoT network

The Digital Catapult is launching a London-wide internet of things network to support digital startups and SMEs as they develop applications and use-cases Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Digital giving – transforming Save the Children with technology

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to global charity Save the Children to find out how digital technology is helping to transform its work in improving children’s lives. We go behind the scenes at the UK’s most secretive court as it discusses bulk data surveillance of citizens by the UK intelligence services. And we analyse the often contradictory experiences of firms implementing SAP’s Hana in-memory database platform. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Italian bottle maker deploys 88TB of Syneto hyper-converged storage

Serioplast gets reliable disaster recovery as it replaces NetApp plus remote physical servers with Syneto hyper-converged infrastructure at factories across Europe, Africa and Asia Continue Reading

By

• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

Consumers trust banks more than government for biometric security

UK citizens think banks are the best organisations to provide biometric authentication for payments Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Royal Wolverhampton NHS merges IT systems

The NHS trust has merged its community patient administration system with its central system used by the acute service Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Alleged hacker Lauri Love can be extradited to the US, court rules

Westminster Magistrates’ Court has ruled that alleged hacker, Lauri Love, can be extradited to the US, where he could face a 99-year prison sentence Continue Reading

By

• Fiona O'Cleirigh

DWP to begin private beta roll-out of CIS database

The Department for Work and Pensions has been giving its customer information system an overhaul, and will begin deploying it to a limited number of users this month Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Lauri Love: the student accused of hacking the US

How did a brilliant but fragile computer science student from a rural English town end up facing life imprisonment in the US? Computer Weekly speaks to Lauri Love Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin and Niels Ladefoged

Lauri Love - my battle with extradition

A court ruled today that Lauri Love, a 31-year old electrical engineering student, from Suffolk, can be extradited to the US to face hacking charges. Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

The all-new GDS under Kevin Cunnington starts here

So, the first phase of changing the Government Digital Service (GDS) is underway, and it’s clear there is a lot more to come. The Cabinet Office pitched the latest news as minister Ben Gummer’s ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

GDS takes over DWP Digital Academy and gets ‘national presence’

More changes ahead for Government Digital Service as Cabinet Office minister Ben Gummer tells staff they will be moving to east London as the organisation takes over the DWP Digital Academy Continue Reading

Is Europe a growing datacentre destination?

In this quarter’s issue of CW Europe, we ask whether European datacentres will benefit from the UK’s exit from the EU. As the dust settles on the EU referendum and the new-look US-Europe Privacy Shield data transfer agreement, we look at what it could mean for European datacentre operators. For example, 451 Research issued an advisory note several days after the result of the EU referendum, suggesting operators have slowed or suspended datacentre planning until a clearer idea emerges of how the post-Brexit world will pan out. Continue Reading

Banks and fintech firms respect each other, says HSBC boss

The relationship between banks and fintech companies has sweetened over the past five years with mutual respect evident, says HSBC boss Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

DNB and Nordea to merge IT operations for Baltic super bank

Two of the Nordic region’s banks will use joint operations, including IT, to help them grow in the Baltic area Continue Reading

By

• Eeva Haaramo

Scottish local government appoints CDO and CTO

Chief digital officer and chief technology officer will drive forward the digital transformation strategy of 27 Scottish councils Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Dell Technologies aims for an intelligent, connected future

In this week’s Computer Weekly, as Dell and EMC complete the largest IT supplier merger in history, we look at the new $74bn company’s strategy and what it means for IT leaders. Our latest buyer’s guide examines a key aspect of cloud – cloud bursting, used for dynamic capacity management. And we assess the latest views on the UK government’s plans for internet surveillance legislation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Australian council removes costly bottleneck with traditional storage architecture

Redland City Council chose to return to a traditional storage architecture when it was struggling to get rates notices out in good time Continue Reading

By

• Stuart Kennedy

CIO interview: Neil Pearce, Travis Perkins

Retailer Travis Perkins’ largest IT transformation programme to date is a challenge CIO Neil Pearce is more than happy to take on Continue Reading

By

• Mark Samuels

The grubby day-to-day frustrations of digital change in Whitehall

Change is hard. Few business or IT leaders would disagree with such a statement. But learning the lessons from change should be the easy and obvious outcome. Failing to learn the lessons from ... Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

Dell Technologies to cut up to 3,000 jobs

Creating the world’s largest privately controlled tech company is to come at the price of up to 3,000 jobs following Dell’s acquisition of EMC Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Insurance brokers count cost of lost business as SSP SaaS platform outage enters second week

SSP confirms to Computer Weekly it has no clear idea when all brokers will be able to continue doing business via its SaaS platform, two weeks on from Solihull datacentre power outage Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

Bank IT spending to hit $241bn across four major global regions

IT spending across four major economic regions will increase by around 4% in 2016, but Europe is the least certain Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA