Regulatory compliance and standard requirements

How Samlesbury, Lancashire became the home of the National Cyber Force

The National Cyber Force, a new branch of the military, is gearing up to fight battles in cyber space from the fields of Lancashire. Its presence is expected to bring a high-tech renaissance to the region Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Apple scheme to detect child abuse creates serious privacy and security risks, say scientists

Apple’s plan to automatically scan photos to detect child abuse would unduly risk the privacy and security of law-abiding citizens and could open up the way to surveillance, say the world’s top cryptographic experts Continue Reading

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• Duncan Campbell , 2QQ Ltd, Sussex University

NHS Digital enhances in-house cyber awareness drive

Keep IT Confidential campaign aims to help NHS staff understand more about security threats and learn how to reduce risk Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Encryption protects the marginalised – and it’s under threat

Encryption keeps marginalised groups connected and safe, but new regulatory attempts to break it put them at risk Continue Reading

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• Callum Voge

FCA warns over future hybrid working security risks

Earlier this week, the Financial Conduct Authority issued fresh guidance to regulated organisations on keeping hybrid workers safe and secure Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Australia unveils ransomware action plan

The Australian government has established a task force to address the ransomware menace and is proposing legislation to mandate reporting of ransomware incidents by businesses Continue Reading

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• Stephen Withers

BCS calls on government to retain protections against AI

BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, wants the government to retain protections that allow people to have decisions about them made by an AI reviewed by humans if needed Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Ban UK police use of facial-recognition, House of Lords told

Experts giving evidence to the House of Lords have said that UK police use of facial-recognition technology is disproportionate and ineffective, and further questioned the utility of algorithmic crime ‘prediction’ tools Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Covid-19 will loom over cyber strategy for years to come

In remarks delivered to a Chatham House conference, NCSC head Lindy Cameron reflects on the security challenges facing the UK, and sets out some plans for the future Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Sensitive documents to stay with whistleblower after deadline for agreement for their return passes

A deadllne to agree the safe return of the sensitive banking details of former and current NatWest Group customers has passed without agreement Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Singapore refreshes cyber security strategy

The city-state updates its national cyber security strategy to shore up the security of critical infrastructure and enterprises while growing its cyber security industry, among other goals Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

NatWest admits to weaknesses in anti-money laundering systems

Bank pleads guilty to failures concerning the laundering of hundreds of millions of pounds, but says it has since improved its anti-money laundering systems Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

ICO expresses concerns over its future independence

In its response to the government’s data protection consultation, the Information Commissioner’s Office has raised worries over its future ability to function independently of government interference Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Uber faces legal action over ‘racist’ facial verification system

Two UK-based unions are taking Uber to court, claiming their members have been unfairly dismissed as a result of misidentification by the company’s facial verification system Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

US lawmakers propose ransomware reporting rules

Former presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren lends her support to a bill that would require corporate ransomware victims to disclose more information about their attacks to the authorities Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Security Think Tank: Responsible vulnerability disclosure is a joint effort

By working hand-in-hand, developers and security researchers can both play a vital role in ensuring newly-discovered vulnerabilities are addressed appropriately, writes Paddy Francis of Airbus CyberSecurity Continue Reading

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• Paddy Francis

New strategies needed to close the cyber security skills gap

Teaching cyber security in schools is a long-term solution to a present-day problem Continue Reading

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• Martin Smith, SASIG

Invest in cyber security with confidence using a structured approach

Cyber security has never been more challenging or important in rapidly changing business, regulatory, IT and threat environments. There is a need for a more structured approach to investment Continue Reading

By

• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

ICO cookie consent: How will the plan affect businesses?

A data privacy and compliance expert considers what the ICO’s proposals for an overhaul of cookie consent procedures could mean for businesses Continue Reading

By

• Peter Borner

How GYG Singapore moved to paperless contracts

The Singapore franchisee of Mexican cuisine specialist Guzman y Gomez has turned to electronic agreements and digital signatures to ease the administrative burden on its HR team Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

IR35: Giant Group cyber attack prompts renewed calls for statutory regulation of umbrella companies

As details about the fallout from the cyber attack on the Giant Group umbrella company emerge, stakeholders say the incident should prompt the government to expedite regulating contractor payroll processing firms Continue Reading

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• Caroline Donnelly, Senior Editor, UK

UK consumers would collectively pay over £1bn a year for control of their data

UK consumers are willing to pay a small fee per month to have control of the data they share with Google and Facebook Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Dedicated number for victims of fraud launched amid national security threat

Consumers that suspect they are being targeted by fraudsters can call 159 to be directly linked to their bank, as part of a 12-month pilot Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

The Security Interviews: How SolarWinds came through its darkest hour

In his first major UK press interview, SolarWinds CEO Sudhakar Ramakrishna tells Computer Weekly how a relentless focus on transparency saw the company safely through a nightmare cyber breach scenario Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Digital regulators need discrete but cooperative remits

The UK’s information commissioner has told MPs that digital economy regulators need discrete remits backed up by strong information sharing powers to both provide clear focus as well as allow for greater cooperation between their disparate but interlinked regimes Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

How one red team exercise averted a new SolarWinds-style attack

Palo Alto Networks shares details of how its red teamers found and sealed a customer vulnerability that could have led to another SolarWinds-style supply chain attack Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Dubai International Finance Centre’s data protection law to be boosted by new federal regulation

New UAE data protection regulation on the horizon a year after a Dubai-specific law came into force Continue Reading

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• Pat Brans, Pat Brans Associates/Grenoble Ecole de Management

How Australia punches above its weight in cyber security

Australia is playing to its strengths in niche areas such as governance and deep tech to punch above its weight in the cyber security industry Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

AI cannot be regulated by technical measures alone

The regulation of artificial intelligence must address the power of tech companies, as technical measures alone will not be enough to prevent the harms caused by AI-driven technologies, says report Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

UK data plans aim to boost growth but will they isolate the UK from its international friends?

The UK government has made strong statements about the nation’s post-Brexit data strategy but must be careful not to undermine its global credibility Continue Reading

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• Rita Flakoll and Herbert Swaniker

Managing cyber risk through integrated supply chains

High-profile supply chain cyber attacks have caused huge disruption this year. PA Consulting’s Carl Nightingale considers key questions business leaders should be asking of their organisations Continue Reading

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• Carl Nightingale

US sanctions Suex crypto exchange over ransomware links

US Treasury cracks down on cryptocurrency exchange that supposedly facilitated proceeds from multiple ransomware gangs Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

BlackMatter gang ramps up attacks on multiple victims

A wave of new BlackMatter ransomware attacks is hitting organisations around the world, even as the US authorities mull new sanctions on ransom payment infrastructure Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

The cities planning for ethical use of AI

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we talk to tech leaders in Barcelona and London about a collaboration to ensure ethical use of AI in the era of smart cities. The UK government wants to reform data protection law – we assess the implications. And we examine the latest best practice in hybrid cloud. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Dutch education administrators underestimate threat of cyber crime

Research shows educational establishments in the Netherlands are becoming favoured targets of cyber criminals and administrators are underestimating the risks Continue Reading

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• Kim Loohuis

Cost of ransomware attack in financial sector exceeds $2m

Mid-sized financial services organisations worldwide spend an average of over $2m recovering from ransomware attacks Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK GDPR faces changes under planned reforms

DCMS is launching a major consultation on proposed changes to the UK’s data protection regime, under which several key elements of the GDPR are likely to change Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Covid positive for security market, but still a source of stress

CIISec’s latest “State of the profession report” highlights both positives and challenges for cyber pros arising from the past two years Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Security Think Tank: Optimising privacy, post-GDPR

Airbus CyberSecurity CTO Paddy Francis explores the impact of regulation on data protection, and how it has changed how one goes about optimising data privacy in the enterprise Continue Reading

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• Paddy Francis

OT security in APAC remains work in progress

Two operational technology security experts shed light on the state of OT security in the region, and what’s being done to address skills, competency and organisational challenges Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

ICO in bid to end cookie pop-ups

Outgoing information commissioner Elizabeth Denham will call on her equivalents across the G7 group of countries to collaborate on an overhaul of cookie consent pop-ups Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Banking anti-fraud scheme blocks 65% more fraud

Scheme designed to protect vulnerable people against banking fraud has been expanded to include online scams Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Security Think Tank: A response to planned data protection changes

The ISF’s Emma Bickerstaffe assesses how organisations might respond to proposed changes to the UK’s data protection regime Continue Reading

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• Emma Bickerstaffe, Information Security Forum (ISF)

The rise of the chief risk officer

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has seen chief risk officers take their rightful place in the boardroom Continue Reading

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• Chris Lorigan

UK’s new data protection strategy risks costing business more than it gains

The apparent business benefits of pursuing data adequacy agreements around the world may not be as enticing as they at first appear Continue Reading

By

• Ben Rapp

WhatsApp fined €225m over GDPR breaches

Irish data protection watchdog has issued one of the largest GDPR fines to date against Facebook-owned WhatsApp Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Protecting children in the digital playground

The ICO’s Age Appropriate Design Code ushers in a new set of standards that advance children’s rights in the digital age Continue Reading

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• Rachel O’Connell

Security Think Tank: Managing data securely throughout its lifecycle

Managing data in a secure manner is key to ensuring its integrity and therefore its value to the organisation, as well as reducing risk from breaches and misinformation Continue Reading

By

• Andrew Morris, Turnkey Consulting

Making a mark in cyber security

Claudean Zheng’s knack for hacking landed her a career in cyber security, one that has been dotted by stints in both public and private sectors Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

GovTech launches vulnerability rewards programme

Vulnerability rewards programme will offer rewards ranging from $250 to $5,000 to white hat hackers who find vulnerabilities in critical government systems Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

How the cyber security market is evolving

The cyber security market has gained even greater importance in the post-Covid era and continues to grow and evolve. But what factors are driving trends in that market and what should your organisation consider when making cyber security investments? Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Are proposed data protection changes a threat to UK citizens’ privacy?

Though changes are as-yet undefined pending an upcoming consultation, concerns are already being expressed over the government’s plan to liberalise data protection laws in the service of innovation and growth Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Tech giants commit to Biden's cyber security action plan

Some of the world’s most prominent tech giants have made a series of commitments to enhance the US’ national cyber security posture following a high-profile meeting with president Biden Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Government unveils post-Brexit data flow proposals

The government will pursue data partnerships with countries including Australia, South Korea and the US as part of a post-Brexit data regime that may also see substantial changes to the UK’s data protection law Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Security Think Tank: Steps to a solid data privacy practice

Petra Wenham of the BCS shares her expertise on building, or rebuilding, a solid business data privacy practice in a post-Covid-19 world Continue Reading

By

• Petra Wenham

NZ privacy lead John Edwards named new information commissioner

DCMS has named John Edwards, currently New Zealand privacy commissioner, to succeed Elizabeth Denham as UK information commissioner Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Calling the cops for ransomware attacks doesn’t help, say cyber pros

A new study for the #Ransomaware campaign reveals some insight into why so few victims report ransomware attacks Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK loses £1.3bn to fraud and cyber crime so far this year

New figures from the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau show a threefold spike in reported financial losses to fraud and cyber crime in the first six months of 2021 Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

The ransomware debate – to pay or not to pay?

The debate around banning ransomware payments is highly nuanced, and we must take care to avoid overt victim-blaming, in favour of an open and honest approach, says SASIG’s Martin Smith Continue Reading

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• Martin Smith, SASIG

Over a million opt out of NHS data-sharing

Failure to communicate benefits of data-sharing proposals and privacy concerns are prompting large numbers of people to opt out of a proposed NHS Digital scheme Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Campaign groups claim police have bypassed Parliament with plans for live facial-recognition tech

Civil society groups call for Parliament to scrutinise the use of live facial-recognition cameras Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

More data breaches in Australia arising from ransomware

The number of data breaches in Australia arising out of ransomware attacks grew by 24% during the first half of 2021, according to OAIC’s latest data breach report Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Educational publisher Pearson fined for data breach cover-up

Securities and Exchange Commission says publisher misled its investors over the extent of a 2018 data breach Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UN special rapporteurs call for surveillance tech moratorium

In the wake of revelations about NSO Groups Pegasus spyware, a number of special rapporteurs from the United Nations are re-igniting calls for a global moratorium on the sale and transfer of surveillance technologies Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Cyber Runway programme supports new security businesses

The Cyber Runway programme is a government-backed scheme to support entrepreneurs, startups and scaleups in launching and growing new security businesses Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Hospitals see cyber security investment as a low priority

Almost half of hospitals have experienced an IT shutdown as a result of a cyber attack in the past six months, but just over one in 10 hospital executives see cyber security investment as a high priority Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

The Netherlands still lacks digital resilience, says report

Report by National Coordinator for Counterterrorism and Security says the Netherlands’ digital resilience has improved, but is still insufficient Continue Reading

By

• Kim Loohuis

Third of finance firms accelerate use of artificial intelligence to detect money laundering

Financial services firms are stepping up their use of artificial intelligence and machine learning technology to fight increasing money laundering activity Continue Reading

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• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

Real-time data analytics in action

In this week’s Computer Weekly, we examine the emerging applications of real-time analytics and highlight the challenges for businesses to maximise the benefits. EU experts are calling for reform of US surveillance laws – we look at the issues. And we talk to the co-CEO of HR software giant Workday. Read the issue now. Continue Reading

Researchers uncover database with 126 million unsecured records

Business-to-business marketing firm OneMoreLead was storing tens of millions of records in an unsecured database, exposing at least 63 million people to fraud, identify theft and phishing campaigns Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Leading venture capital firms are failing to protect human rights

Venture capital firms and high-profile tech accelerators are not conducting human rights due diligence on their investments, which means they cannot be sure the companies they invest in are not causing, or contributing to, human rights abuses Continue Reading

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• Sebastian Klovig Skelton, Data & ethics editor

Disaster recovery for SMEs: Five key areas to consider

We look at key disaster recovery considerations for SMEs, including why backup is not enough, how to create a disaster recovery plan, best-practice DR testing and DR as a service Continue Reading

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• Stephen Pritchard

Five tips to ensure your crisis comms plan is ready for a cyber attack

Business leaders take note: standard crisis communications plans are inadequate if you have fallen victim to a cyber attack. HPL’s Ted Birkhahn shares five tips to make sure you are ready to face the public Continue Reading

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• Ted Birkhahn

Government publishes second version of digital identity trust framework

The second iteration of the framework, still in alpha version, sets out how organisations can become certified digital identity service providers Continue Reading

By

• Lis Evenstad

Investigatory Powers Tribunal finds UK spy agencies unlawfully collected personal data

Campaign groups Privacy International and Liberty are gearing up to bring further legal action after a court found that UK spy agencies unlawfully collected phone and internet records Continue Reading

By

• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Almost half unaware of GP data-sharing plans

Around half of adults in England – approximately 20 million people – remain unaware of the scope of the NHS GPDPR programme, prompting calls for a public education campaign Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Security Think Tank: Consider cyber policies and procedures as you welcome employees back

With Covid-19 restrictions easing, offices are welcoming back remote workers this summer, bringing with them their notebooks and mobiles, and creating an endpoint management headache for CISOs. What do security teams need to account for to protect their returning office workers? Continue Reading

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• Simon Backwell

ICO ends its involvement in dispute between NatWest Bank and data breach whistleblower

The Information Commissioner’s Office has ended its involvement in a dispute between a data breach whistleblower and NatWest bank Continue Reading

By

• Karl Flinders, Chief reporter and senior editor EMEA

TikTok sets up cyber security hub in Dublin

Dublin-based cyber centre will oversee the security of TikTok’s users across Europe Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

How IBM is solving the data privacy problem

IBM’s fully homomorphic encryption technology lets enterprises apply analytics and machine learning to encrypted data without compromising data privacy Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

OAIC: Uber failed to protect personal data of Australians

Uber did not take reasonable steps to protect Australians’ personal information from unauthorised access, says Australia’s national privacy watchdog Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

How the UK Cyber Security Council plans to professionalise security

As chair of the new UK Cyber Security Council, Claudia Natanson is in a superb position to develop professional standards in IT security and she intends to fundamentally reimagine what a security job actually is Continue Reading

Respect in Security challenges abuse and harassment in cyber

With around a third of cyber pros saying they have personally experienced harassment at work or online, a new initiative is urging organisations to pledge their support to help free the community from the scourge of abuse. We met its founders Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Five ways to ensure remote working security and compliance

A mix of on-site and remote working has become a fact of life for many organisations. We look at five key things you should consider to ensure compliance and security Continue Reading

By

• Valéry Rieß-Marchive, Rédacteur en chef
• Antony Adshead, Storage Editor

France’s Macron among alleged Pegasus targets

Data relating to devices used by French president Emmanuel Macron and the head of the World Health Organization, among others, has been uncovered in a dataset linked to government use of spyware Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

NHS Digital tightens rules for GPDPR data scrape

The proposed collection of patient data held by GPs will now only commence when three key criteria have been fulfilled, says NHS Digital Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Security Think Tank: A return to the office is not a return to normal

With Covid-19 restrictions easing, offices are welcoming back remote workers this summer, bringing with them their notebooks and mobiles, and creating an endpoint management headache for CISOs. What do security teams need to account for to protect their returning office workers? Continue Reading

By

• Mark Ward

Privacy Shield: One year on and companies are still grappling for answers

Activist lawyer Max Schrems and Eduardo Ustaran, partner at Hogan Lovells, look for common ground in a problem with no easy answers Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Macquarie Data Centres to build Sydney North facility

Macquarie Data Centres’ latest 32MW facility will come with a cyber security centre that monitors and manages cyber security events Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Lawyers take EncroChat hacking operation to French supreme court

Lawyers head to French supreme court after appeals court finds EnroChat inception legal under French law Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Privacy Shield: US surveillance law reforms essential for EU-US data, says EU parliamentary study

EU Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs study calls for major reforms of US spying laws to enable an EU-US data-sharing agreement to replace Privacy Shield Continue Reading

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• Bill Goodwin, Computer Weekly

Singapore to invest S$50m in ‘digital trust’ capabilities

The Singapore government is pumping in S$50m to bolster research in technologies that will foster digital trust in areas such as privacy protection and identity management Continue Reading

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• Aaron Tan, TechTarget

Regional cyber clusters score £700k of funding

DCMS has awarded £700,000 of funding to a network of 20 regional cyber clusters Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Secureworks sets up in EU datacentre for XDR services

New datacentre location helps Secureworks’ customers meet EU data residency requirements Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

UK Cyber Security Council calls for new push on training

Too many companies have cut back on security training and development during the pandemic, says UK Cyber Security Council Continue Reading

By

• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Met Police seize £180m worth of Bitcoin

The largest ever seizure of cryptocurrency in the UK comes just weeks after a previous multi-million pound confiscation, as law enforcement clamps down on money laundering Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Kaseya VSA services coming online after week-long outage

Kaseya has successfully deployed a patch to its ransomware-hit VSA product as per a revised schedule, and customers are beginning to come back online Continue Reading

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• Alex Scroxton, Security Editor

Professionals need protection from the Computer Misuse Act

The UK needs cyber legislation fit for the 21st century, so it is important for the industry to get behind the government’s proposed reform of the Computer Misuse Act Continue Reading

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• Martin Smith, SASIG

Choose the right ITSM tool for digital era success

IT service management (ITSM) tools are essential for many organisations to help optimise the design, delivery, support, use and governance of IT, but not all ITSM solutions are created equal, therefore selecting the right one is crucial Continue Reading

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• Warwick Ashford, Senior analyst

Why identity is the central problem for the future of the internet

As debate rages over who has the right to control user identities online, is the concept of decentralised identity about to have its day? Continue Reading

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• Nick Lambert