IT for government and public sector
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Feature
27 Aug 2024
Computer simulations show Swedish fusion initiative could have global impact
The only nuclear fusion initiative in the Nordics, Novatron, believes it has a lot to offer on the global scale Continue Reading
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News
20 Aug 2024
Helsinki braced for elevated cyber attacks
The City of Helsinki is increasing its collaboration with cyber security and crime investigators following a major attack on its systems Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2021
NCSC for Startups initiative launched with Plexal
National Cyber Security Centre and Plexal will support startups to develop products to address the government’s cyber security priorities Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2021
ICO consults on new international data transfer agreement
Information Commissioner’s Office to consult on its draft international data transfer agreement and guidance, which will replace standard contractual clauses to protect personal data during overseas transfers Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2021
Social care digital revolution could lead to £127m in benefits
Analysis of NHS Digital’s social care programme shows new ways of working could reduce hospital admissions and visits to GPs, and improve people’s quality of life Continue Reading
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News
12 Aug 2021
LGA goes live with Digital Pathfinders Programme
Programme offers £20,000 in funding to councils that come up with ‘pioneering solutions’ for cyber security, digital inclusion and connectivity Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2021
US wins bid to widen grounds of appeal in Julian Assange extradition case
The US government accused medical expert professor Michael Kopelman of misleading the court by failing to disclose details of Assange’s relationship Continue Reading
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News
11 Aug 2021
Four more subpostmasters set to have convictions overturned
A further four subpostmasters are set to have their wrongful convictions overturned in the latest development in the Post Office Horizon scandal Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2021
Ransomware demands and payments hit new records
Ransomware groups continue to intensify their operations as ransom demands and payments increase alongside use of “quadruple extortion” tactics during first half of 2021 Continue Reading
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News
10 Aug 2021
Dutch lead the way in protecting themselves against internet risks
Dutch citizens come top in a study on awareness of internet risks in Europe, which showed major differences across the continent Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2021
Possible ransomware attack hits Italian vaccine booking system
It is still unclear who is behind the attack that caused Covid-19 vaccine bookings in Lazio, Italy, to grind to a halt, as despite masses of files being encrypted no specific ransom demands have been made for the decryptor Continue Reading
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News
09 Aug 2021
Startups provide TfL with AI and simulation to keep London moving
Transport for London has awarded contracts to two startups to deliver new technology to support the capital’s road network Continue Reading
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News
06 Aug 2021
Apple unveils plans to scan US iPhones for child sex abuse images
Apple will introduce child sexual abuse material detection for US users later this year, but some experts are worried that the technology could be repurposed to scan phones for other kinds of content Continue Reading
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Opinion
06 Aug 2021
Why the government’s Innovation Strategy must not become a missed opportunity
The UK has a problem with R&D spending, but the new government plan to address this leaves too many important decisions unresolved Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2021
11 areas will trial digital identity scheme for residential property sector
MyIdentity scheme will allow estate agents, conveyancers, solicitors and mortgage providers across 11 locations to trial the use of digital identity to speed up and make home buying more secure Continue Reading
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News
05 Aug 2021
BCS: more diverse workforce key to UK AI ethics global leadership
BCS report says the UK can take an international lead in AI ethics if it cultivates a more diverse workforce, including people from non-STEM backgrounds Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2021
Civil Service Data Challenge announces longlist of ideas to improve data use
Dragons’ Den-style Civil Service competition to elicit ideas to improve data use in government has whittled a list of 200 down to eight. Four will be chosen in December for delivery Continue Reading
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News
04 Aug 2021
Six Isle of Wight schools hit by ransomware attack
Authorities are still working to manage the fallout from the attack, which has already forced at least one school to delay the start of the new term in September Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2021
UK MoD turns to hackers to help secure digital assets
Hackers given direct access to internal Ministry of Defence systems to identify and report security vulnerabilities Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2021
Panasas’s 10x saving bumps NetApp from HPC storage deployment
University of Wollongong got 1.2PB for the cost of 100TB for HPC storage in its cryo-imaging institute. Scale-out NAS maker Panasas also brought life sciences expertise to bear Continue Reading
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Podcast
03 Aug 2021
DWP IR35 bill, women in tech – Computer Weekly Downtime Upload podcast
In this episode of the Computer Weekly Downtime Upload, Caroline Donnelly, Clare McDonald and Brian McKenna speak about the DWP’s IR35 tax bill, the Most Influential Women in UK Technology, and company culture Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2021
HMRC will shut down Chief system by end of March 2023
From 31 March 2023, the Customs Declaration Service will become the only operating UK customs platform when HMRC turns off the legacy Customs Handling of Import and Export Freight system Continue Reading
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News
03 Aug 2021
Government updates isolation criteria in Covid-19 app
NHS Covid-19 app adjusted to reduce the number of people receiving self-isolation alerts Continue Reading
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News
02 Aug 2021
IR35 reforms: TUC demand for government ban on umbrella companies raises eyebrows
The Trades Union Congress has raised eyebrows within the contracting community by calling for a ban on umbrella companies to help stamp out malpractice Continue Reading
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News
02 Aug 2021
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
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News
30 Jul 2021
Government opens up SME digital support programme for suppliers
Help to Grow: Digital scheme aims to help small businesses access productivity-enhancing software, and suppliers are now encouraged to register as approved suppliers Continue Reading
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News
29 Jul 2021
HMRC hits Home Office with £33.5m bill over ‘careless’ application of IR35 rules
The Home Office is the latest ministerial department to be hit with a multimillion-pound tax demand from HMRC after errors were discovered in its implementation of the IR35 rules Continue Reading
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News
29 Jul 2021
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
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News
28 Jul 2021
Thousands wrongly given criminal convictions after computer error
HM Courts and Tribunals Service report reveals that computer error wrongly assigned guilty pleas to more than 5,000 defendants Continue Reading
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News
28 Jul 2021
COP26 cyber resource hub launched for Glasgow businesses
New digital information hub for Glasgow business to help organisations keep secure both physically and online ahead of major climate change summit Continue Reading
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Opinion
28 Jul 2021
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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News
27 Jul 2021
Running a virtual hackathon
DWP Digital recently organised a virtual hackathon. We find out how it went, and the key takeaways Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2021
Solent NHS Trust takes self-service route for sexual health
NHS trust deploys an integrated sexual health self-service system, digitally triaging patients and aiming to drive proactive intervention Continue Reading
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News
27 Jul 2021
Welsh media industry gets £22.2m innovation funding package
As part of plans to make the UK a global innovation hub by 2035, as set out in its innovation strategy, the UK government is pumping £22.2m into the media.cymru programme Continue Reading
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News
26 Jul 2021
Legacy IT issues impacted government decision-making during Covid-19, says PAC
The government’s ability to make well-informed decisions during the pandemic has been ‘hampered’ by data and legacy IT issues, Public Accounts Committee report finds Continue Reading
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Opinion
26 Jul 2021
Government-led innovation can help cyber startups find a market
There are many reasons why early-stage cyber startups often struggle to get off the ground, but government-backed programmes can help them find a path Continue Reading
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News
23 Jul 2021
DWP hit with £87.9m tax bill by HMRC over 'historic' IR35 status contractor assessment errors
The Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) annual accounts highlight the challenges the public sector body has faced with implementing the IR35 reforms since they came into force in the public sector in April 2017 Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2021
Plans to address legal but harmful content ‘threaten free speech’
House of Lords report criticises the government’s forthcoming Online Safety Bill for imposing duty of care on tech platforms to deal with ‘legal but harmful’ content, which it says threatens freedom of expression online Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2021
UK government publishes full Innovation Strategy
Strategy aims to put the UK at the global forefront of science, research and innovation Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2021
Government to fund interim compensation of up to £100,000 for each wrongly convicted subpostmaster
The government will pay interim compensation within weeks to subpostmasters who were wrongly convicted of crimes due to computer errors Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2021
IR35: Government sets out plan to rid contractor market of non-compliant umbrellas and loan schemes
In the wake of a consultation earlier this year, the government has drawn up a package of measures it intends to take to help protect contractors from non-compliant umbrella companies and loan scheme promoters Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2021
Interview: Sarah Wilkinson, former CEO, NHS Digital
In her exit interview with Computer Weekly, NHS Digital’s former CEO Sarah Wilkinson talks about the organisation’s transformation over the past few years, the Covid-19 pandemic, bureaucracy challenges and big wins Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2021
Covid-19 creates opportunity to digitally transform justice system, says TechUK
The pandemic has accelerated the use of digital in the UK justice system but challenges remain, leaving it ripe for reform with data at its heart, says industry body Continue Reading
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News
22 Jul 2021
Lords Covid-19 Committee disappointed in government engagement
Committee is so disappointed in the government’s lack of engagement with its inquiry into the digital impact of the pandemic that it has published a separate report criticising it Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2021
Government officials lack experience to lead digital transformation, says NAO
The government needs to reskill senior decision makers and give tech leaders more influence if digital business change projects are to succeed Continue Reading
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News
21 Jul 2021
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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News
20 Jul 2021
Research and development investment programme launches in UK
A government-backed investment programme designed to direct more capital towards research and development-intensive technology firms has opened for applications Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2021
Government launches consultation on plans for UK digital identity market
DCMS wants stakeholders to offer their views on proposals for a new governance regime and expanding access to government-held datasets for identity verification Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2021
A dozen more subpostmaster prosecutions quashed in Horizon scandal
Twelve more former subpostmasters have had wrongful convictions for financial crimes overturned in the Court of Appeal Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2021
Chelsea and Westminster NHS launches acute Covid app
The app aims to work as a one-stop Covid-19 information and resource shop for doctors and nurses working with coronavirus patients Continue Reading
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News
19 Jul 2021
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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News
15 Jul 2021
UK government publishes skills-focused anti-disinformation plan
Online Media Literacy Strategy aims to train teachers and care-givers in understanding disinformation so they can help others in safely navigating the internet Continue Reading
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News
15 Jul 2021
UK workforce needs reskilling for net-zero transition
Green Jobs Taskforce report looks at how the UK’s workforce can be skilled up to support the transition to net zero Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2021
UK should set up digital task forces to transform governance
Commission for Smart Government paper sets out recommendations for how government can use digital technologies to better serve citizens’ needs, and calls for it to set up new digital task forces Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2021
More than half of European IT outsourcing spending will soon be on cloud services
Cloud services will soon be the largest part of the IT services market in Europe, as enterprises invest in them as part of their Covid-19 recovery strategies Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2021
Multiple Microsoft bugs being actively exploited
Microsoft’s July Patch Tuesday update fixes 117 vulnerabilities, 13 rated as critical and four already being actively exploited Continue Reading
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News
14 Jul 2021
London announces winners of Covid-19 recovery innovation challenge
The Mayor’s Resilience Fund called for ideas to support businesses and communities emerge from the pandemic, and there are some standout winners Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2021
Dutch prosecutor ordered to give evidence on EncroChat hack
Netherlands court rules that a public prosecutor should give evidence about the role of the Dutch in the EncroChat cryptophone hack which has led to arrests of organised gangs worldwide Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2021
Home Office launches three-year digital strategy
The strategy sets out six principles, aiming to reduce cost and complexity while driving innovation and developing better digital products and services Continue Reading
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News
13 Jul 2021
Russia tightens pressure on global IT companies
Russian authorities will force certain IT companies with customers in Russia to open local offices Continue Reading
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E-Zine
13 Jul 2021
Driving intelligence – behind the scenes of Volkswagen’s in-car software
In this week’s Computer Weekly, we go behind the scenes of Volkswagen’s in-car software R&D centre. The UK’s largest supercomputer has gone live in Cambridge – we find out how it will transform healthcare research. And we talk to DWP’s digital chief about the restructuring of its IT capabilities. Read the issue now. Continue Reading
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Blog Post
12 Jul 2021
UK government set to unveil next steps in digital identity market plan
The next phase of the UK government’s plan to support a market of certified, interoperable digital identity providers is set to kick into gear, with digital infrastructure minister Matt Warman due ... Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2021
Loan charge MPs call for prime ministerial intervention to prevent mass contractor bankruptcies
In an open letter signed by 76 MPs, the prime minister and the chancellor are facing calls to intervene urgently on how the loan charge policy is being enforced Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2021
Taxpayers will have to pay at least £300m to bail out Post Office after scandal
The cost of a scheme set up to compensate subpostmasters who were victims of the Horizon IT scandal will exceed £300m even before damages are paid to all those who suffered Continue Reading
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News
12 Jul 2021
NHS to get new online jobs platform
NHS Business Services Authority is working to transform the NHS Jobs platform, currently in beta stage, with plans to launch it early next year Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2021
Met Police should release information on British WikiLeaks journalists passed to US, tribunal told
The Metropolitan Police should release correspondence with the US Department of Justice about three UK based WikiLeaks journalists, despite national security claims, a tribunal heard Continue Reading
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News
09 Jul 2021
Government commitment to Post Office Horizon victims was a ‘false promise’
The government has made no contact with subpostmasters two months after it said it would work with them to ensure they get speedy and fair compensation for their losses as a result of Post Office IT scandal Continue Reading
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News
08 Jul 2021
Developers have a moral duty to create ethical AI
Corsight AI publishes report on how organisations can develop more human-centric AI and biometric technologies Continue Reading
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Opinion
08 Jul 2021
Security Think Tank: Reopening is an opportunity to reassess wider security posture
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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News
07 Jul 2021
US government given permission to appeal UK’s decision to not extradite Julian Assange
US offers assurances that Assange could serve time in his home country of Australia if convicted Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2021
ICO to probe Hancock over private email use
Former health secretary faces an investigation by the UK’s data protection watchdog over his use of private email to conduct government business Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2021
US Department of Defense cancels controversial $10bn JEDI contract
The US Department of Defense has cancelled the controversial JEDI cloud project awarded to Microsoft and will replace it with multi-supplier contracts. Continue Reading
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News
07 Jul 2021
Opportunists seen targeting Kaseya REvil victims
Malwarebytes researchers highlight new spam campaign targeting businesses impacted by the ongoing Kaseya REvil ransomware incident Continue Reading
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News
06 Jul 2021
Cyber insurance costs up by a third
The frequency and severity of ransomware attacks is a leading factor behind a substantial increase in the cost of obtaining cyber security insurance Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2021
Government sets out plan for digital regulation
The plan aims to make the UK a “global leader” in digital regulation, boost economic growth and maximise the potential of digital technology Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2021
How Transport for West Midlands works with geospatial data
Covid-19 showed why greater data granularity is key, with Transport for West Midlands turning to geospatial data to understand demand for services Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2021
CIO interview: Simon McKinnon, chief digital and information officer, DWP
The Department for Work and Pensions’ CDIO sheds light on its digital ambitions and how it is bringing more digital capability in-house through the integration of Benefits and Pension Digital Technology Services staff Continue Reading
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News
05 Jul 2021
Government genomically sequences 600,000 Covid-19 samples
More than 600,000 positive Covid-19 tests have been genomically sequenced by the government to identify genes that make people more susceptible to severe symptoms, and to monitor different variants of the virus Continue Reading
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News
03 Jul 2021
Berlin court finds EncroChat intercept evidence cannot be used in criminal trials
In a major setback for police hacking operations, Berlin’s regional court has decided that intercepted data from the EncroChat phone network should not be used in criminal prosecutions Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2021
UK needs legislation with specific focus on biometric technologies
The UK’s former biometrics commissioner has told MPs that Parliament should explicitly legislate on the use of biometric technologies so it is clear to both police and private companies which uses are acceptable Continue Reading
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News
02 Jul 2021
Should I be worried about PrintNightmare?
The accidental publication of proof of concept code for a Windows vulnerability, and the reclassification of said bug from low to critical severity, has the cyber community concerned. Is it right to be? Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2021
UK government issues “safety by design” guidance for tech firms
The guidance is designed to help technology companies embed safer design for users into their services in anticipation of the Online Safety Bill becoming law Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2021
US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency launches ransomware assessment tool
Newly launched service will help US organisations understand how prepared they are to deal with a ransomware attack Continue Reading
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News
01 Jul 2021
Ten more former subpostmasters set to have wrongful convictions overturned
Another 10 subpostmasters are set to have their criminal convictions quashed as part of one of the biggest miscarriage of justice in British history Continue Reading
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Blog Post
30 Jun 2021
Clashing agendas, by David Freud - review: How Universal Credit got there in the end
It was nearly 10 years ago, in October 2011, when Computer Weekly first reported on concerns about the IT project behind Universal Credit. That was five months before the new Coalition government’s ... Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2021
New Nobelium attacks a reminder to attend to cyber basics
A new campaign from the same threat group that broke into SolarWinds serves as a reminder that cyber crime gangs will try to exploit any avenue they can, even if technically unsophisticated Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2021
UK Cyber Security Council launches inaugural initiatives
Security association seeks to determine terms of reference for committees to oversee standards and ethics, and qualifications and careers in the cyber sector Continue Reading
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News
29 Jun 2021
EU recognises UK data protection adequacy but warns against divergence
The European Commission has granted the UK data adequacy, allowing data sharing between the EU and the UK, but warns it may yet be revoked Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2021
Insurers unprepared for challenges of underwriting ransomware
RUSI think tank calls for an industry-wide reset amid intense challenges for providers of cyber security insurance Continue Reading
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News
28 Jun 2021
HMRC-branded phishing scams surge despite protections
The number of HMRC-branded phishing scams surged 87% in the past 12 months, according to latest revealed figures Continue Reading
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Opinion
25 Jun 2021
Universal Credit: What went wrong, and what we learned
The architect of one of the biggest and most controversial government policies – and IT failures – of the past decade gives his inside view of the project, and how Computer Weekly was a thorn in their side Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2021
NCSC CEO: UK-Ireland collaboration crucial to stop cyber threats
Speaking at a conference in Dublin, NCSC Lindy Cameron is highlighting the importance of continued collaboration between the UK and Ireland to protect shared interests and counter security threats Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2021
Anglesey schools offline after cyber attack
Isle of Anglesey County Council is investigating a cyber attack that has forced it to shut down systems at all five secondary schools on the island Continue Reading
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News
25 Jun 2021
Deliveroo riders do not have right to unionise, UK court rules
A legal bid to establish collective bargaining rights for Deliveroo riders been dismissed in court, with judges ruling that they are not entitled to the right to form or join a trade union Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2021
Online Safety Bill unfit for purpose, says new campaign group
Campaign group set up to oppose Online Safety Bill says the duty of care is too simplistic, cedes too much power to US corporations and will, in practice, privilege the speech of journalists or politicians Continue Reading
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News
24 Jun 2021
Make ransomware payments illegal, say 79% of cyber pros
Report produced for MSSP Talion claims overwhelming support for the criminalisation of ransomware payments Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2021
City of York picks Barracuda Networks for data protection
York Council needed to refresh its backup service to bring new security protections after it went ‘all-in’ on Microsoft Office 365 Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2021
European Union to set up new cyber response unit
Proposed Joint Cyber Unit will tackle a rising number of serious incidents impacting public services, businesses and citizens of the EU Continue Reading
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News
23 Jun 2021
UK councils reported over 700 data breaches to ICO in 2020
Data disclosed under the Freedom of Information Act reveals an estimated 700 data breaches were reported to the Information Commissioner’s Office by local councils last year Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2021
EU regulators call for ban on biometrics in public spaces
European Union’s data protection regulators say facial recognition and other biometric identification technologies present too great a risk to fundamental human rights to be allowed in public spaces Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2021
CDEI: UK public wants clear algorithmic transparency policies
A research exercise by the Centre for Data Ethics and Innovation has found the UK public wants clear, easy-to-understand information about algorithms in use by the public sector Continue Reading
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News
22 Jun 2021
Boris Johnson unveils plans for National Science and Technology Council
Prime minister Boris Johnson has announced plans to set up a National Science and Technology Council, which will help the UK realise and maximise the opportunities of scientific and technological breakthroughs Continue Reading