Network security management

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

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

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

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

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

MaidSafe secure internet concept enters testing phase

Scottish internet startup MaidSafe brings its vision for a more private and secure approach to the web a step closer to reality Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Evidence of DNS tunnelling in two-fifths of business networks

Cyber criminals are capitalising on the failure of many businesses to examine their DNS traffic for malware insertion and data exfiltration, according to Infoblox Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

CIO Interview: Elly Resende, CIO, Rio 2016 Olympics

As Rio de Janeiro gets ready to host the Olympics, Computer Weekly speaks to the man in charge of its IT Continue Reading

By

• Angelica Mari

IBM sets up security centre in Canberra

IBM leads the charge as large private businesses invest heavily in security resources across Australia in an attempt to close the security gap Continue Reading

By

• Beverley Head

Cisco UK and Ireland CEO Phil Smith steps down after 22 years

Phil Smith announces he is stepping down from the day-to-day running of Cisco’s UK and Ireland business to take up the role of chairman Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

CW ASEAN: July 2016

Lessons from the Philippine government hack: In this issue we ask why a hack on the Philippine Commission on the Elections (Comelec) was allowed to happen and what organisations in Southeast Asia can learn from this breach of security. Retailers in the region are concerned – read how the theft of customer data is their biggest worry. Continue Reading

CW ANZ: July 2016

Australia knows it has a cyber security problem, but not the scale. In this month’s CW ANZ we describe how Australia's $230m security strategy serves as a wake-up call to enterprises. We also reveal the techniques and technologies being used to protect one Australian school, as well as a more general look at the main cyber threats to orgainsations in Australia. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Lauri Love may be faking mental illness claims lawyer for US

Prosecution lawyer Peter Caldwell questions whether activist Lauri Love is exaggerating mental health problems to avoid extradition to face hacking charges in the US Continue Reading

By

• Fiona O’Cleirigh and Bill Goodwin

Internet traffic to triple by 2020, says Cisco

The latest edition of Cisco’s Visual Networking Index predicts a near tripling of internet traffic during the coming years as more than a billion people come online Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

MPs’ private emails are routinely accessed by GCHQ

Computer Weekly investigation reveals the extent of interception of MPs’ and peers’ email communications and data Continue Reading

By

• Duncan Campbell and Bill Goodwin

My first IoT project: A guide for businesses

We’ve all had a good giggle about having our fridges hacked – but now it’s time to get real. What are the first steps enterprises should take when implementing their first internet of things project? Continue Reading

By

• Rene Millman

The hunters who prey on cyber criminals

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to the hunters – a new breed of security expert that proactively hunts down cyber attackers before they can strike. We visit Silicon Valley to meet some of the up-and-coming startups in data analytics and business intelligence. And we hear from IT leaders about the people, process and cultural aspects of managing digital transformation. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Israeli volunteers ready their cyber defences as Anonymous affiliates attack

Every April, Israel braces itself for an onslaught from pro-Palestinian hackers, but the occupants of a small conference room in Tel Aviv stand in their way Continue Reading

By

• Niv Lilien

Activist Lauri Love faces order to disclose encryption keys

The UK’s National Crime Agency takes an unusual legal step to force a former university student accused of hacking to disclose encryption keys Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

The problem with passwords: how to make it easier for employees to stay secure

An organisation’s IT security can be compromised if staff do not follow a strict policy of using strong passwords to access internal systems Continue Reading

By

• Jeremy Bergsman, CEB

Surviving broadband failure

In this week’s Computer Weekly, after the recent BT broadband outage, we examine the options to keep your communications in place in the event of a failure, to ensure business continuity. We look at the prospects for the OpenStack open source cloud platform in the enterprise. And we see how Ireland is making progress on delivering a digital health service. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

HSBC online services hit by DDoS attack

HSBC was hit by a distributed denial of service (DDoS) attack, which targeted its online personal banking services. Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Average DDoS attacks fatal to most businesses, report reveals

Criminal activity is top motivation for DDoS attacks as average attacks become strong enough to down most businesses, Arbor Networks report reveals Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Interview: James Bamford on surveillance, Snowden and technology companies

Investigative journalist and documentary maker James Bamford was among the first to uncover the secrets of the US National Security Agency and its global surveillance Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Top 10 IT security stories of 2015

Computer Weekly looks back at the most significant stories on IT security in the past 12 months Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Essential guide to data breaches, the dark web and the hidden data economy

In this guide, we look at the aftermath of a data breach - what do cyber criminals use that stolen data for, and what can companies do to avoid becoming a victim? Continue Reading

Hewlett Packard Enterprise: think of us as a startup

As Hewlett Packard Enterprise and HP Inc finally part ways, UK managing director Andy Isherwood shares some insight on what the future holds for the newly minted enterprise business Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

The true cost of a cyber security breach in Australia

The costs of cyber security breaches can quickly add up with fines, reputational damage and overhauls to network security all hitting the coffers. The case of one Australian firm shows why paying a ransom to a hacker might be tempting. Continue Reading

By

• Beverley Head

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

The security dangers of home networks

Most companies take reasonable steps to protect their networks from virus attacks, but one area of vulnerability that is often overlooked is infection from employees’ home networks Continue Reading

By

• Peter Ray Allison

How to ensure strong passwords and better authentication

Five steps to ensure stronger passwords and better authentication to reduce the threat of business data theft Continue Reading

By

• Peter Wood, First Base Technologies LLP

How to fully test IT networks for vulnerabilities

Making sure a company network is secure is a very important task, and one that should be scheduled regularly Continue Reading

By

• Steve Evans

BT launches ethical hacking service for bankers

BT introduces a certified Crest Star ethical hacking test service for financial services customers Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Security pros failing to address digital certificate risks, survey shows

Even though 90% of security professionals believe a leading CA will be compromised in next two years, only 13% have existing automation to deal with that happening Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

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

The internet of things could save the honeybee from extinction

Gemalto’s M2M unit is developing an ambitious project with agricultural science firm Eltopia and the University of Minnesota. The objective: to save the honeybee from extinction Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Wi-Fi enhances guest experience and profitability for Belgian theme park

Bobbejaanland, one of the largest theme parks in Belgium, is using a Fortinet Wi-Fi network to offer visitors access on the go, and improve its management capabilities Continue Reading

By

• Xavier Mertens

Cisco launches IoT System for enterprise and smart cities

Cisco unveils 15 products to address the growing complexity of internet of things deployments Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Computer Weekly European User Awards 2015 winners revealed

The winners have been announced for the Computer Weekly European User Awards 2015. See who made the top spots Continue Reading

By

• Kayleigh Bateman, Computer Weekly

Three things you may not know that DNS data can tell you

Big data tools can help network administrators gather new insights into security and performance from DNS data Continue Reading

By

• Simon McCalla, Nominet

Pharmaceutical companies use BPM to cut cost of clinical trial drugs

Pharmaceutical companies have developed an IT system to secure the supply of medicines they need for clinical studies, saving hundreds of thousands on their drugs bill in the process Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

VMware puts network virtualisation to work in McAfee environments

VMware announces an integrated system to automate distribution and enforcement of McAfee’s network security platform using its NSX network virtualisation system Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Computer Weekly European User Awards 2015 shortlist

Find out who made the Computer Weekly European User Awards 2015 shortlist Continue Reading

By

• Kayleigh Bateman, Computer Weekly

BT Openreach turns to Crimestoppers to catch cable thieves

Openreach extends its partnership with crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers to tackle cable theft Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Wi-Fi Global Congress: Hotspot 2.0 standard addresses wireless security holes

At Wi-Fi Global Congress, Ruckus Wireless announces it will be first to market with the second release of Hotspot 2.0 Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

PSNGB rebrands to drive information sharing across PSN

PSNGB, the trade association set up to promote the Public Services Network, rebrands itself as Innopsis and says its work is far from over Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Bill Binney, the ‘original’ NSA whistleblower, on Snowden, 9/11 and illegal surveillance

Always a patriot: Computer Weekly talks to Bill Binney, the senior NSA official who blew the whistle before Edward Snowden Continue Reading

By

• Fiona O'Cleirigh

The future of Moore's Law at 50

In this week's Computer Weekly, Moore's Law – the seminal forecast by Intel founder Gordon Moore that oversees technology development – is 50 years old. We look at its modern relevance and future implications. IT chiefs discuss whether Windows is still core to their strategy. And we look back at five years of government IT. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Security risk potential linked to young, mobile users

A study conducted by wireless supplier Aruba Networks has identified a distinct cohort of high-risk, security-agnostic workers Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Why IAM is topping security investments in 2015

It is not surprising identity and access management (IAM) is set to move to the fore in 2015 Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

2015 IT priorities: SDN yet to prove itself, fear of network hacks growing

In Computer Weekly’s 2015 IT priorities study, software-defined networking is still behind management and monitoring as a networking priority Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How to secure the SDN infrastructure

As more enterprises look to deploy software-defined networking, the need for security from the ground up should not be underestimated Continue Reading

By

• Rene Millman

Case study: Norwegian insurer invests in Darktrace machine-learning cyber defence

Shipping insurance company DNK hopes to inspire the rest of the shipping industry to adopt Darktrace’s cyber defence system Continue Reading

By

• Jenny Stadigs

Symantec continues cloud investment in spite of poor Q3 results

Symantec has reported third quarter 2015 revenue of $1.64bn, a drop of 4% compared with $1.70bn over the same period in 2014 Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

CW Europe – January 2015 Edition

As we start another new year we look back at what technology has been playing a vital role in keeping Europe safe. Headlines are regularly filled with threats about cyber wars and attacks which, although are important to bring to light, can sometimes overshadow the role technology plays in keeping us safe. Continue Reading

What might North Korea v US cyberwarfare over Sony mean for other corporates?

North Korea behind Sony attack and US counter-penetration -- what now, asks SearchCIO's Francesca Sales. Continue Reading

CIO interview: Mercedes AMG Petronas IT director on the need for speed in IT

When Matt Harris became IT director for F1 team Mercedes AMG Petronas in 2009, IT costs needed to be slashed Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Cabinet Office begins procurement for next stage of Gov.uk Verify

The Cabinet Office has submitted a tender notice for a £150m three-year framework for the provision of identity assurance services Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

CGI secures communications between pilots and air traffic control

Satellite communications firm Inmarsat has outsourced the provision of security IT and services to CGI Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

National Trust for Scotland overcomes legacy network challenge

The National Trust for Scotland has replaced a historical network infrastructure with a core service from Brocade Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Network firewalls as relevant to data security as ever, says industry pioneer Gil Shwed

Network firewalls are as relevant to data security today as they were 20 years ago, says industry pioneer Gil Shwed Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

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

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

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

Salesforce issues advice on avoiding Dyreza attack

Salesforce has issued a set of guidelines on tightening security after a number of its customers were targeted by the Dyreza email virus Continue Reading

By

• Cliff Saran, Managing Editor

Load balancing supports Kent County Council's VDI project

Kent County Council picks Kemp Technologies load balancers to support a deployment of VMware Horizon View and Workspace across its estate Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

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

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

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

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

Netflix releases its AWS monitoring tool Security Monkey into the wild

Netflix has made Security Monkey, the AWS tracker tool it built for itself, freely available to other Amazon cloud users Continue Reading

By

• Archana Venkatraman, Datacentre Editor

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

The case for a European cloud market

In this week’s Computer Weekly, the European Commission wants to create a digital single market in Europe based on industry standard clouds – but is the plan realistic? Network encryption promises to solve many IT security threats – we examine the benefits. And our latest buyer’s guide looks at business process management. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Vodafone blows lid on government spy networks

Vodafone reveals secret mobile phone-tapping network and joins Microsoft and Cisco in calling for debate on electronic surveillance Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

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

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

Why have organisations failed to make PSN compliance deadline?

A number of organisations have failed to meet the PSN security compliance deadline despite the threat of being cut off from critical services Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Hacktivism: good or evil?

IT lawyer Dai Davis looks at the rise of hacktivism and its impact on business and international politics Continue Reading

By

• Dai Davis, Percy Crow Davis & Co

More than 162,000 WordPress sites used in DDoS attack

Security researchers have uncovered a DDoS attack that used more than 162,000 legitimate and unwitting WordPress websites Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

IT Security Salary Index (UK)

Are you being paid the right rate for the job? Check out this IT Security salary index from Acumin. Continue Reading

PSN gets encryption for higher security levels

An encryption service has been announced by the Cabinet Office which will enable public sector staff to share information at the IL3 security level over the Public Services Network (PSN) Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

UK critical infrastructure at risk of cyber attack, says IET report

UK critical national infrastructure is at risk of cyber attack, says a report by consultancy Atkins for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Continue Reading

Bank of England publishes Waking Shark II cyber security exercise results

Bank of England publishes the results of its Waking Shark II security exercise, which tested financial institutions' contingency plans for cyber attack Continue Reading

By

• Caroline Baldwin, Freelance editor and journalist

Internet at risk of 'cybergeddon' says WEF

Internet is at risk of fragmenting amid concerns over spying and cyber crime, says World Economic Forum Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Security considerations for UK enterprises

This Research Snapshot from Vanson Bourne looks at IT security spending trends, awareness of cyber-threats, and the factors perceived as the biggest security risks for organisations. Continue Reading

UK citizen wins legal round against Facebook over Prism leaks

A British citizen has applied for a judgement against Facebook in a case that will test the right of tech firms to give UK personal data to the NSA. Continue Reading

By

• Fiona O’Cleirigh

Can BlackBerry restore its business appeal?

In this week’s issue of Computer Weekly, we examine whether former Sybase chief, John Chen, will be able to stem the decline of BlackBerry and reinvent the the smartphone maker as a software business for the “bring your own device” (BYOD) era. Our buyer’s guide to the internet of things concludes with a look at how universal connectivity will yield insights in fields as diverse as aviation and hospitality. And we analyse Google’s attempts to compete with Amazon Web Services in public cloud. Continue Reading

UK citizen sues Microsoft over Prism private data leak to NSA

A court action brought in the UK will test Microsoft's legal right to disclose private data on UK citizens to US intelligence services Continue Reading

By

• Fiona O’Cleirigh

Councils threatened with disconnection from PSN in escalating security row

A London council was hours away from being disconnected from the public sector network, in an row between central and local government over security compliance Continue Reading

By

• Bryan Glick, Editor in chief

European Parliament closes Wi-Fi after man-in-the-middle attack

A number of mailboxes have been compromised and users’ smartphones could be at risk following a man-in-the-middle attack on the European Parliament’s public Wi-Fi Continue Reading

By

• Jennifer Scott, TechTarget

NCA changed UK cyber crime fighting, says NCCU head

The NCA has changed the UK law enforcement landscape, says Andy Archibald, head of the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

White hat Wi-Fi hacking shows vulnerability of business data

Whitehat hackers have shown that senstitive data can be sniffed easily from public Wi-Fi hotspots Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Facebook authentication - Like?

As Cisco teams up with Facebook to offer authentication for public Wi-Fi, is this option safe for businesses? Continue Reading

By

• Steve Evans

Cyber collateral damage a concern for all, says Lancope

All organisations could be affected by cyber attack collateral damage, says network security firm Lancope Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Mass surveillance a bad idea, says Information Commissioner Christopher Graham

Information Commissioner Christopher Graham says issues of national security must not overshadow concerns of legitimate public interest Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Global profiles of the fraudster

Computers, rather than conmen, are set to be the future face of fraud, as criminals turn to robotics in an effort to avoid detection, this report from KPMG reveals. Continue Reading

Analysis: RSA says security needs to change, but what does that mean?

RSA executive chairman Art Coviello has issued a call to action to the security industry to improve technology and collaboration Continue Reading

Most businesses need to transform IT security, says RSA

No modern network or IT system can withstand the onslaught of a skilled adversary, given focus and time, says Amit Yoran, general manager of RSA Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

US publishes draft cyber security framework

The US has published a draft framework of voluntary cyber security standards aimed at reducing risks to critical national infrastructure Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst